crewed@visailing.com | (800)382-9666 | (941)966-9387
RESPITE AT SEA Guest Comments
February 2024 BVI Charter
I had an amazing once-in-a-lifetime trip with Sam as captain and diving instructor, and Zina as chef extraordinaire. The food was absolutely amazing. Every meal blew me away in presentation, taste, and variety. Each day was filled with new and fun adventures. I never imagined I would learn to scuba, but Sam made the experience feel safe and doable. I’m excited to continue more diving in the future. I highly recommend Sam and Zina, your every need will be taken care of before you even know you need it.
-Becky
Our trip on the Respite at Sea could not have been better. There are so many wonderful things to say about it that I could go on for pages. The boat was beautiful. We enjoyed every inch of it. Everyone in our group absolutely loved the Seabobs as well as the paddle boards and snorkeling equipment. Our itinerary took us to gorgeous, incredible places where we explored beaches, restaurants and little towns. But the best part of our trip was definitely Sam and Zina. Sam made everything fun and each experience felt unique. He was the preeminent guide, captain and bartender. Both he and Zina were kind and funny and were attuned to our every want and need. The meals that Zina made for us were unbelievably delicious. It is not an exaggeration to say that she could be a chef in a fine restaurant. The only thing that I would change about our trip would be to make it longer!
-Sara
March 2024 BVI Charter
We could not have asked for a better week or a better crew. The boat was very comfortable and Zina’s food was amazing! Captain Sam is not only a great captain but managed to keep two teenage boys highly entertained!
What an incredible family trip and I can’t thank you enough for being so wonderful with the boys. We will have memories to last a lifetime! Hope to see you two again. Perhaps a charter to St Martin and St Barts if we could sway you to leave the BVI’s.
Take care!
Suzy, KD, Frank & Sam
April 2024 BVI Charter
Not enough stars to give to our crew. Sam and Zina were the BEST!
One of the best vacations we have had; enjoyed every minute.
Every meal planned by Zina was too good to miss; she took amazing care of us.
Sam kept us laughing and entertained, and his attention to details kept us feeling safe.
Hope to come back soon and will definitely look for Sam and Zina's charter.
- Kathy
Every aspect of this trip exceeded expectations! The Respite at Sea was beautiful and spacious - it was immaculately clean and organized at all times. The most amazing aspect of the trip was our hosts/captain/chef/first mate, Sam and Zina! They were both gracious, kind, knowledgeable, attentive, FUN hosts! They were both patient and accommodating with all our needs and requests – from things we wanted to do, places we wanted to go, what we wanted to drink, what we wanted to eat. They planned and executed everything and anything that we asked! The food Zina prepared was beautiful AND delicious - every meal was a special event! We LOVED everything about our experience, and we can’t wait to go on another adventure with Sam and Zina!
- Karen
A trip of a Lifetime and Sam and Zina made sure we were treated to a First Class Boat, First Class Captaincy and First Class Food. I would recommend Respite At Sea but only with Sam and Zina as Captain and Crew. We were allowed to sit back and relax while Sam and Zina did ALL the work and at the same time waited on us hand and foot. What a team.
- Billy
Sam and Zina were AMAZING! In addition to being great and fun people, they are wonderful at what they do. Zina is a great cook. The meals and presentation were always a highlight of the day. We knew we were always in good shape with Sam. He knew exactly what he was doing, And- he always had a smile on his face and had everything under control. Sam and Zina looked after the Respite at Sea meticulously! An incredible trip. I give Sam and Zina and Respite at Sea the highest recommendation possible!
- Daniel Clayton
May 2024 BVI Charter
Sam and Zina were simply the best!!! We have vacationed many places but truly nothing compares to the friendship, care, expertise, food and love that we received from them. Zinas cooking was absolutely 5 star.!!! Sam was a guide, a friend, a bartender- a man of all trades!!! If you are even considering this wonderful trip - just do it!!! They are the best! We will return and won’t want one thing different!! Well.. except perhaps an extended stay. 💕💕💕💕
This boat is magnificent!!. It is so clear that the owner only chooses the best of everything. Sam and Zina lovingly care for the boat and for the passengers. The owner shared his wonderful wine. Everything was absolute perfection!!
- Stacey
December 2024 BVI Charter
From the moment we stepped aboard Rubrio and Liza made us feel welcomed and at home. They received us warmly and had a lovely cheese platter with some of our favorites and a Happy Anniversary banner to start off our celebration.
Rubrio is an excellent captain. We could tell he is very skilled and we always felt safe. He paid special attention to what we shared in the preference form and brought us to some of the most beautiful and private spots that he knew we would enjoy. We were able to hike a few times, go shelling on several beautiful and private beaches where ours were the only footsteps. We paddle boarded, snorkeled, played with the SeaBobs and just enjoyed lounging behind the boat on the float. He showed us all the key spots in the BVI and adjusted the itinerary to come back to The Baths when the area would be more calm. He chose the best mooring and anchoring spots each day and evening and made sure we were in the most amazing, picturesque spot for our special romantic anniversary dinner.
He and chef Liza share our passion for high quality and healthy foods and truly understood our preferred dining style. Rubrio’s home made sourdough was one of the highlights of the trip… it is so delicious, healthy and waking up to the smell of freshly baked bread was a real treat.
Chef Liza never ceased to impress us with her creativity and exceptionally delicious dishes. Each meal was full of flavor, perfectly balanced and beautifully presented. Her plating style is Michelin level and we had some of the most delicious dishes on this trip with quality and flavors rivaling some of the best restaurants we’ve visited throughout Europe.
She carefully curated the menu each day based on our specific preferences and adapted and adjusted as she learned new things about us in conversation. For example, when Rubrio overheard us comment on how tasty the fresh guava was at breakfast, she adapted one of the desserts to include the guava, and in conversation Brian mentioned how he loved beef tartar but only orders it in Europe and at very fine restaurants, and Liza added a beef tartar course as a surprise for our anniversary dinner that was the best tasting tartar either of us ever had… we could go on about the meals from breakfast to dinner each day… one as good or better than another… we considered dining ashore but knew we’d only be disappointed.
Rubrio came up with new and delicious mocktails for us each day and manned the grill one night for a fabulous steak and grilled veggie dinner. We really appreciated Rubrio and Liza’s teamwork and the care and passion they put into providing us with so many special experiences and memories during our time aboard Respite At Sea. We only wish we had chartered for longer.
-Melanie
crewed@visailing.com | (800)382-9666 | (941)966-9387
