STARFISH

Your overall star rating: 5/5
Was this your first charter yacht experience? Yes
Boarding Date 02-23-2023 Ending Date 03-02-2023
Yacht Name: STARFISH Destination (British) Virgin Islands

Q. How did you enjoy your cruising vacation?
A. Yes. We enjoyed the flexibility of the itinerary and the mix of adventure and relaxation. The food was fantastic. We enjoyed the company of Jen and Sam and all the interesting information they shared with us. They are very knowledgeable about the islands.

Q. How is the yacht? Is she clean and well-maintained? Were your cabins comfortable? Was the cockpit comfortable? Was there enough shade?
A. Very clean. Beds were very comfortable. Cabins small but surprisingly plenty of space. Comfortable areas in both the sun, shade, and inside the cabin.

Q. Did you use all the water toys?
A. We used the paddle boards, tube, kayak, and snorkel equipment. Snorkel spots were great!

Q. Where your meals excellent and fresh? Spiced with variety and beautifully presented? Did the menus meet your expectations? Did your Chef and Crew pay close attention to your Preference Sheets?
A. Spiced with variety and beautifully I cannot say enough about the food. It far exceeded my expectations, far better than any restaurant experience.

Q. How would you describe your Captain and crew? Were they Courteous? Helpful? Friendly? Attentive? Knowledgeable?
A. Captain Sam is a quiet guy with a very dry and hilarious sense of humor. We enjoyed his terrible pirate/dad jokes. Jen was very hospitable making sure everyone was comfortable, safe, and enjoying themselves. She also had us laughing.

Q. Was it easy to get to your yachts destination?
A. Yes

Q. How do you feel now after your vacation?
A. I want to go back!

Q. How did you find the pace and the itinerary of your vacation?
A. Perfect mix of activity and rest.

Your overall star rating 5/5

Q.:Was this your first charter yacht experience?
A.: Yes. Boarding Date 02-12-2023 Ending Date 02-19-2023

Yacht Name: Starfish / Destination: British Virgin Islands

Q.: How did you enjoy your cruising vacation?
A: It was a phenomenal experience from the time we stepped on the ship until we departed. The captain (Sam) was extremely knowledgeable from sailing the ship to the history and culture of the BVI's. I would describe him as laid back, funny, and accommodating. He even took us on a private tour of The Baths which not only made us feel safe, but also gave us a unique experience that we would not have had otherwise. The Chef/first mate (Jen) was nothing short of fantastic. The drinks were supurb and meals were incredible. The best food I have eaten on a vacation and also the presentation was impeccable - we were always looking forward to see what was next that she had up her sleeve. We could not have asked for a better crew for our once in a lifetime vacation. Thank you Jen and Sam for an AMAZING vacation, John and I would recommend this vacation highly and will be passing along to our friends and relatives.

Q.: How is the yacht? Is she clean and well-maintained? Were your cabins comfortable? Was the cockpit comfortable? Was there enough shade?
A.: Everything was literally perfect. Jan and Sam made sure that every aspect was attended to when needed. Even things I would not have thought of like putting the shades down at certain times to when would be the best time to (enjoy the) sail in front of the ship.

Q: Were your sheets and towels changed?
A.: Midweek

Q.: Did you use all the water toys? If you were diving, how did you like the area?
A.: We did use the water toys. I never put on my preference sheet that I would like to paddle board. When Jen found out that we would like to paddle board she made it happen. They were very flexible and ensured we were not only having fun but also safe.

Q: Were your meals excellent and fresh? Spiced with variety and beautifully presented? Did the menus meet your expectations? Did your Chef and Crew pay close attention to your Preference Sheets?
A: Meals exceeded our expectations to a point we could not have asked for better taste, variety and presentation. Pretty much everything was fresh. I am still not quite sure how Jen was able to make fresh deserts every day. From Ice cream, grapefruit sorbet, french apple cake, etc. Nothing short of fantastic.

Q: How would you describe your Captain and crew? Were they Courteous? Helpful? Friendly? Attentive? Knowledgeable?
A: The crew was very knowledgeable, friendly, attentive, and helpful. They did not stop moving from the time they woke up to the time we went to bed. They wouldn't let us lift a finger and were always reminding us that they are there to make sure we had the best experience we could have on a vacation.

Q: Was it easy to get to your yachts destination?
A: Yes.

Q. How do you feel now after your vacation?
A.: Could have stayed for another week!

Q.: How did How did you find the pace and the itinerary of your vacation?
A: The pace and itinerary of our vacation were perfect.

Q.: Any additional thoughts?
A.: I felt that Jen and Sam went above and beyond any expectations we have had prior to our charter.

Your overall star rating 5/5.

Q.: Was this your first charter yacht experience?
A.: No

Boarding Date 02-12-2023 Ending Date 02-19-2023

Yacht Name Starfish Destination British Virgin Islands

Q: How did you enjoy your cruising vacation?
A: Wonderful vacation. Exceptional food.I enjoyed the wonderful snorkeling and beach bars.

Q: How is the yacht? Is she clean and well-maintained? Were your cabins comfortable? Was the cockpit comfortable? Was there enough shade?
A: The yacht was extremely clean and well maintained. The crew was very responsive to all our requests while keeping cruise safety paramount.

Q: Were your cabins cleaned?
A: Daily

Q: Were your sheets and towels changed?
A: Midweek

Q: Did you use all the water toys? If you were diving, how did you like the area?
A: We used many of the toys available and the snorkeling spots were excellent.

Q: Were your meals excellent and fresh? Spiced with variety and beautifully presented? Did the menus meet your expectations? Did your Chef and Crew pay close attention to your Preference Sheets?
A: All the meals were exceptional and presented beautifully. The meals were explained in detail to create a true culinary experience.

Q: How would you describe your Captain and crew? Were they Courteous? Helpful? Friendly? Attentive? Knowledgeable?
A: The crew exceeded our expectations in all areas. By the end of the week they felt more like family.

Q: Was it easy to get to your yachts destination?
A: Yes

Q: How do you feel now after your vacation?
A: Completely relaxed and refreshed!

Q: How did you find the pace and the itinerary of your vacation?
A: The schedule was always presented in advance and the crew was responsive to any requests we made.

(These notes were compiled from and based on a review provided by the guests to their broker post-charter based on a questionnaire).

-When we arrived, the boat was: clean, tastefully presented and decorated, and ready to board at the agreed time.
-The boat was kept clean during our charter. All advertised equipment was on board, and in good condition and working properly.
-“Watersport toys” we particularly enjoyed: snorkeling, paddleboards and kayak.
-We felt STARFISH was comfortable. We especially enjoyed the bean bags on the net in the bow when we sailed. Our room was very comfortable.
-Captain Sam was outgoing, professional and friendly.
-We absolutely felt free to choose each day’s activities. They were flexible to our choices. We were very happy Capt. Sam sailed when the wind was cooperative.
-As for meals, everything was perfect: beautiful presentation, wonderful combination of flavors, and plentiful. It was like eating at a 5 star restaurant every day!
-As for our drink requests, they included drinks that we had indicated on our preference sheet. They did a wonderful job making lower sugar drinks for us. They had the beer and alcohol that we requested.
-We absolutely felt the meals reflected the requests on our preference sheet.
-Chef Jen was outgoing, professional, friendly, and eager to please.
-Everything about the boat was presented very accurately. Because we have been on a trip like this previously, it was very much what we expected. We enjoyed Sam and Jen very much – they were outstanding.

Rating of Yacht & Crew:
(5 Being the Highest) 5

Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Yes, The yacht was very comfortable. We had plenty of room for everything. The yacht was not only clean when we arrived, but was kept spotless throughout the entire cruise. They even cleaned the staterooms and heads daily

Was the yacht well ventilated?
The yacht was not only well ventilated but air conditioning was available upon request. During the day the ventilation was such that we never requested the air conditioning during the day. With the trade winds and open hatches, it was very comfortable and we enjoyed the fresh air.

Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
The crew could not have been more friendly and accommodating. They catered to our every desire. We will definitely use them again.

Was the food good and well presented?
The food could not have been better. They took care of everything on our yacht preference form. The food was 5 star and the presentation was exceptional. They even changed the centerpieces and table cloths daily. My wife came home with several recipes and took photos of the food presentations to show our friends.

8. Additional comments about the yacht and crew?
I can't say enough good things about the yacht and crew. The yacht was updated with the latest technology and comfort conveniences. The chef had more utensils in her kitchen than we have in our home. Every thing we could wish for was on the boat, not only in the kitchen, but for everything. The tender was first class and they has great snorkeling gear along with numerous water toys.
The crew could have not been better. They were wonderful and gracious hosts as well as great people. They were extremely knowledgeable about the area. The not only know the places to go but the history. They have been sailing for most of their lives, and also understand the weather, the water, and the fine nuances of what it takes to have a safe and enjoyable cruise. We are hopeful to go on another cruise to the BVI's and will definitely seek Sam and Jen on the Starfish out. No one could be better.

Cruising Area
Did you like the area you chartered in?
Yes

We couldn't have asked for a better crew captain and first mate. Jen & Sam were very thorough & observant the entire week. They definitely are experienced in sailing and finding the right adventure for the group. We were never in need of anything. The cove selection was fantastic and we had great weather for sailing. We were able to enjoy multiple activities depending on everyone's likes; snorkel, paddleboard, canoe, hike, swim, beach, sunsets, sunrises, eat, sleep. Top 10! for anyone looking to get away & disconnect.

This was our first charter and would not have had it any other way. Top notch vacation!

Rating of Yacht & Crew:
(5 Being the Highest) 5
Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Yes
Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes
Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Absolutely!
Was the food good and well presented?
Incredible!
8. Additional comments about the yacht and crew?
This was our second trip on Starfish and we couldn’t be happier. We enjoyed every single minute of our trip. Sam and Jen work tirelessly to make sure that everyone was comfortable. Part of our group wanted to snorkel, some wanted to beach. Sam and Jen made sure that each person had their vacation goals met. The meals presented were incredible! I don’t know how they do it! Jen, you are a master of your craft!
Cruising Area
Did you like the area you chartered in?
Yes. We never get tired of the incredible scenery and activities!

Yacht & Crew:
Please answer the following questions pertaining to the yacht you chartered and the crew.
Rating of Yacht & Crew:
(5 Being the Highest) 5
Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Very.
Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes
Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Could'nt have been nicer or more accommodating.
Was the food good and well presented?
Every meal, and happy hour snack, was simply outstanding in variety, taste and presentation. Some of the best meals we've had. The fact that Jen could prepare them for 6 visitors in a limited space is remarkable.
8. Additional comments about the yacht and crew?
Sam and Jen have been doing this for a while and it shows. They are both very friendly, knowledgeable, capable, easily approachable and eager to please. We could not have had a better trip. Their ship, Starfish, was perfect for our needs and was kept very clean and organized. They are very familiar with the Virgin Islands and knew where to go, and when to go there, for us to get the full experience we requested.
Cruising Area
Did you like the area you chartered in?
Yes. While it would've been nice to get to the BVIs, the political situation rendered that as not an option. The locations we went to in the USVI were great.

Rating of Yacht & Crew:
(5 Being the Highest) 5
Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Starfish is beautiful; beautifully maintained and extremely clean. The staterooms are small but everywhere else is spacious and comfortable.
Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes
Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Sam and Jennifer are way above friendly and accommodating. They are exceptional in every way. One of our party has several eating disorders. Jen took that in stride, making her special meals that she greatly enjoyed while creating extraordinary meals for the rest of us, morning, noon and night
Was the food good and well presented?
The food is exceptional and always artfully presented - every single meal
8. Additional comments about the yacht and crew?
We have sailed on Starfish 3 times and have never encountered a more enjoyable boat or crew anywhere, whether it be charter or larger boat cruise. We hope to charter again with them and would not consider chartering with anyone else
Cruising Area
Did you like the area you chartered in?
Yes. We stayed in the USVI because BVI is closed to travelers. We had a wonderful and interesting time
May we post this review on our website? Yes

Yacht & Crew
Please answer the following questions pertaining to the yacht you chartered and the crew.
Rating of Yacht & Crew:
(5 Being the Highest) 5
Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
yes. The bed was comfortable. The room/bathroom was picked up daily. The bag chairs on the trampoline were great for lounging. We have been on other charters where nothing is picked up/bathroom not fleeced and by the end of the trip it is disgusting Things were refreshed daily if not twice a day with enhancement of nightlights at bedtime
Was the yacht well ventilated?
yes. We used hatches/windows the whole time. Offered for air conditioning but group preferred fresh air. Two fans in bedroom was helpful with circulation of air.
Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
yes, very helpful. Great ideas.
Was the food good and well presented?
yes, very good and plentiful and plated well. Sauces were tasty and all food prepared well with our needs and suggestions accommodated.
8. Additional comments about the yacht and crew?
Crew is thoughtful. Suggestions for activities to enhance the vacation and just making sure we were comfortable without any needs. Felt like we were with friends/family. Snorkeling equipment provided was in good condition. Paddleboard and kayak were fun to play with. Circular float chair was great for lounging/sunbathing/enjoying the vibe.
Cruising Area
Did you like the area you chartered in?
Yes! WE have done BVI multiple times and never considered USVI. With covid and travel restrictions, USVI was easiest. USVI was just as beautiful with great snorkeling at Buck Island, Christmas Cove, F'staad pier. We will head back to USVI with yacht vacation and other get aways in the future.
May we post this review on our website? Yes

Name: John Yacht: STARFISH with Sam and Jen
Charter Dates: 07/10/2021 to 07/20/2021
Area Cruised: St. Thomas - USVI
Overall Rating: 5/5

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Jen and are the ultimate hosts, very friendly and professional, they really make sure you are comfortable and have everything that you need.

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
The yacht was immaculate and comfortable.

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
The rooms are well ventilated with the hatches open and in the evening we had air conditioning while we slept and anytime we needed when preparing to go out for an evening off the boat

4. Was the food good and well presented?
Amazing food!! Jen is an accomplished chef and prepares the most amazing meals as well as appetizers and cocktails- you want for nothing.

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
The USVI was our sailing region and it was so beautiful and so much fun. We had a blast starting and ending our trip by attending a live band performance on the back on another yacht near our anchorage in St. John and St. Thomas , we sailed to St. Croix and there’s so much to do there, we snorkeled pier in Frederickstead, went to the hottest place in town for a cocktail at “The Fred”, a diving excursion, snorkeling at Buck Island, Live Music and dinner at Christinastead, off road jeep tour of the rainforest as well as horseback riding the rainforest and swimming with them as well. we hiked Rams head in St. John and the salt pond, USVI has so much to do and see, we want to go back and see more, with Jen and Sam of course!

6. Additional comments on your charter?
We highly recommend sailing the USVI with Sam and Jen, they make you feel so comfortable and make sure you are enjoying every aspect of your trip. One of our favorite things is sailing, we sailed to St. Croix and back and it was great, they make sure you are safe and enjoy the sail, we even caught a fish and Jen prepared it for our dinner that evening. Wonderful team, beautiful boat and accommodations. Highly recommend sailing Starfish, you will love every minute!

Yacht: STARFISH with Jen and Sam
Charter Dates: 05/16/2021 to 05/23/2021
Area Cruised: St. Thomas - USVI
Overall Rating: 5/5

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Jen and Sam are the most gracious hosts one can imagine

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Yes

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes

4. Was the food good and well presented?
Jen is an extraordinary chef. The food was consistently wonderful and beautifully presented

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
Yes - we took a sail to St Croix

6. Additional comments on your charter?
We can’t imagine a more accommodating and gracious team than Jen and Sam. They make a fun trip outstanding

Charter yacht: Starfish
Dates: Apr 07, 2021 – Apr 14, 2021

Yacht experience:

What was your first impression of the yacht?
As expected, just as nice as the pictures showed.

Was advertised equipment onboard and in good condition?
Yes, for the items we used (snorkel equipment, paddle boards, kayak, floating island, GoPro, bean bags).

Did the skipper/hostess make you feel welcome and comfortable onboard?
Positively, from the moment we were met at the dock, when we came onboard and until they kicked us off kicking and screaming!

Did you feel free to choose activities?
Yes, they offered suggestions and then we chose what we felt like doing. They also worked with us to sail to St. Croix, which was a trip that we had suggested.

Please provide specific comments regarding your skipper and hostess.
Sam and Jennifer are a fantastic host/hostess! They are extremely knowledgeable of the area and suggested hikes that would interest us as well as great snorkel areas.

Were the meals and beverages as you expected?
Jennifer is a wonderful cook and worked with us on all preferences and dietary restrictions. The meals were "hearty healthy" as we requested with the emphasis on seafood and fish. They also shopped for the specific brands of rum and gin that we requested (when she could not find the brand of gin she purchased something even better than was requested!).

If you made any special requests were they met?
This was a birthday trip for me and when we got on board there was a special cocktail made with the requested rum! In addition, there was birthday cake for my husband who celebrated his birthday on board.

Overall impression

Was this your first visit to the BVI?
Well we never made it to the BVI because of COVID restrictions. But our visit to St John and St Croix were not a disappointment with great snorkeling, hiking and scenery so no hardship in staying in the USVI. We had been to the BVI on cruises in the past which is what spurred the interest in the charter.

Would you recommend this yacht for a charter vacation?
Absolutely! Wonderful vacation.

Kurt & Lynne and Terry & Cindy

We hope your charter llved up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your Impressions about your yachting vacation If you would be so kind as to share:

-How did you enjoy your charter aboard Starfish? Did It meet your expectations?
5 of 5 Stars

-Did you find the crew friendly and accommodating?
Wonderful folks.

-Did you feel free to choose each day's activities?
Yes.

-Were you able to help with the planning?
Yes but we were fine with 100% of the recommendations.

-What was your favorite moment or experience during your week with Jen & Sam on Starfish?
Nothing beat our first chance since two New Years Eves ago to bodily see, kiss, hug and spend quality time with our son, treasured daughter-in-law and grandsons. We had a great time. Sam and Jen were fantastic folks, so nice and confident about their ablllty to show our 3 generations a wonderful time.

-Was the yacht clean, well-maintained and comfortable for your family?
Absolutely.

-How would you describe the quality of your meals & drinks served on board? Did they reflect your preferences?
All were perfect. Jen is an absolutely wonderful cook and the presentations and taste of so many meals were equivalent to the finest meals we have had In our lives. Regarding drinks, Sam kept the bar well, nothing ran out, his rum tasting show was fun, and our grandsons were well accommodated with their favorite drinks-root beer for Levi and Shirley Temples for Mason.

-Was all their advertised equipment on board & in good condition?
Yes

-Do you have any addltlonal comments you would llke to share regarding your week aboard Starfish. Would you recommend them to others?
Most highly. This trip wlll be very hard to beat for so many reasons. [The broker’s] help and support throughout in arranging and assuring that all went well, Jen's masterful work In the kitchen and at the dining table as well as everything she did to assure all 6 of us were so happy and so well cared for from dawn to goodnight time, and Sam's frlendly smile and skills at the helm of Starfish, its dinghy and all the other sports gear and toys.

Name: Terri
Yacht: STARFISH with Sam & Jen Augspurger
Charter Dates: 03/08/2021 to 03/15/2021
Area Cruised: US Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5/5

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Yes! Couldn’t ask for better

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Yes!

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes! Plenty of fresh air through hatches and the air conditioning in the evening was a plus.

4. Was the food good and well presented?
Oh my gosh - I’ll sum up the food in one word. AMAZING! It absolutely blew my mind what chef Jen could cook.

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
Yes. Sam and Jen tailored our trip for our family’s interests.

6. Additional comments on your charter?
BEST VACATION EVER! Words cannot express how wonderful this trip was. Sam and Jen are extremely knowledgeable about the area and its history. The attention to detail from boat operation to meals to drinks was incredible. Although we were disappointed that we couldn’t do the BVI’s due to covid restrictions, we didn’t miss a thing. And guess what? We have another reason to come back!

**UPDATE: Clients booked another charter on Starfish within a couple of weeks of the conclusion of their first charter.

Dear Jen and Sam,
Thanks for a great memorable time. Thanks for trying so hard, being so professional, accommodating and warm. Our time together will be remembered and cherished. Have a healthy, happy, prosperous 2021.

Cheers to you,
Anthony, Laura, Dylan, John and Matthew

Yacht: STARFISH with Sam & Jennifer Augspurger
Charter Dates: 12/28/2020 to 01/04/2021
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5. (5 being the highest 0 being the lowest)

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Extremely friendly and totally accommodating.

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Yes, it was very clean and our bedrooms and bathrooms were cleaned and made up daily.

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes. The air conditioning was great and the boat had plenty of open hatches if we preferred fresh air.

4. Was the food good and well presented?
The food was fantastic. Jen is a great chef. My 20 year old son commented how amazed he was at what Jen could do in such a small kitchen.

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
Yes.

6. Could we at (charter brokerage) have helped you further in any way?
No. The entire experience from beginning to end was excellent.

7. May we post this review on our website?
Yes

8. Additional comments on your charter?
We had a wonderful time aboard Starfish. Sam and Jen were so knowledgeable of the area. Jen's cooking and bartending skills were great. Sam's ability to get us in to tight anchorages to protect us from wind and wave overnight was priceless. ALL 6 of us had a great time.

Sam and Jen -
My family had the time of our life. You guys have such a great capacity to make us all feel so very important. It is obvious that you both care so much. You have spoiled us. We look forward to coming back very soon.
-Bill & Zoraida

Thank you for an amazing trip and a great end to a crazy year.
-Amanda

The best way to end 2020. Thank you for an amazing trip.

Dear Jen and Sam,

We had an incredibly fabulous time. Thanks for making my 50th birthday so enjoyable! Between sailing, hanging out on the boat, hiking and all the watersports, our time flew by. Food was fabulous, too! Thanks for being such accommodating hosts!

JJ, Lori, Cole and Olivia
Boston, MA

P.S. Please share the Spicy Margarita recipe with others!
P.P.S: Thanks also for the lattes! They were delish!

(Reviews as provided to their charter yacht broker post-charter):

Everything was amazing on Starfish. Jen and Sam were absolutely wonderful and super accommodating to all of our neediness! Jen is an amazing chef…everything she made was so good. Her pomodoro shrimp might be the best thing I’ve ever eaten in my life…she served amazing food every single meal. We were all amazed at how great everything was. Sam had the perfect personality for us…always told pirate jokes when we were on the dinghy, which the kids really liked and are still repeating. Both Sam and Jen had very calming personalities that definitely helped us relax. We were super impressed at how clean Starfish is…definitely gives meaning to the phrase “ship shape”…absolutely immaculate.

Thank you for everything!

Tori C., North Carolina

And

Hi Tori and (Broker):

Tori, excellent recap of our experience with Jen and Sam, as they were the perfect combination of creative, calm and mindful! They were extremely professional and fun loving at the same time! Jen's cooking was OUT OF THIS WORLD... the chocolate souffle may be one of the best things I have ever eaten. Jen also did a themed dinner every evening which was super fun for all of the kids and the adults! She took pictures along the way and downloaded them to us before we left. Sam was a great entertainer with his jokes, and his accommodating personality was so much appreciated. Over the three days, he blew up an 8 person raft, a three person tube, and a floating mat then neatly stored everything each night. He lowered and raised kayaks and SUPs numerous times, along with the dinghy to accommodate our activity level.

We would highly recommend Jen and Sam and their beautiful Starfish!

Lisa A., Georgia

Dear Jen and Sam -
Thank you to the most amazing hosts. We had the family vacation of a lifetime this week. We loved hearing your life stories and are now inspired to live fearlessly! Jen, the food was amazing and we were impressed with the amount of new food Preston would try. Sam, the rum tasting and history was so interesting and Kate loved kneeboarding as much as possible. We look forward to sailing the Grenadines with you soon!
Much love from Duncan, Oklahoma.
Don, Kim, Kate & Preston

Trip #2 was just as fantastic as the first one! Our time with y’all has just been priceless, we have enjoyed every moment. We are looking forward to booking our next trip soon! Safe sailing the seas and we will be back!
-Larry & Anita

Larry & Anita tried to describe just how amazing this trip was and there is just no way to describe all the amazing aspects of this trip. The food, the sailing, all your knowledge of the islands. We absolutely can’t wait to sail with you both again!
-Jay & Mary

Jen and Sam, you are truly the most GRACIOUS hosts ever! Can you please come live with us? Most unbelievable trip ever. We so enjoyed every minute. Hope to see you in the future. Until we meet again! Hug ya, Love ya, Kiss ya, Miss Ya. PS - I love your color: Orange!
Love ya,
Romney & Karen

Trip #6! Best one yet! Thank you for showing us another amazing adventure. We will be back!
- Scott and April

We had the best week on Starfish with you both. This has been an amazing week for us enjoying time with our friends, the amazing views no matter which way you turn, the snorkeling, the FOOD, Sam's jokes (ARRGGG!), sailing from each destination! Thank you for all of the time and effort you put into our trip! We will be back! BJ enjoyed the water sports and we both enjoyed simply floating in the water to cool off. CAN'T WAIT TO PLAN OUR NEXT TRIP!
XOXO,
Hollis & BJ

Thank you so vese beautiful islands, and really enjoyed the water sports as well! Best meals, cocktails and company! Your fascinating life stories, humor, and kindness are priceless.
Fair Winds,
Trent & Amy

Post-charter comment to brokers:
"They were over the top wonderful. I've recommended their charter to many and will continue to do so."

"The trip was a trip of a lifetime! Jen and Sam were perfect hosts - very interesting to talk with, easy going, great people skills! I never felt that we were a burden on them (after all, we were in their home) - they couldn't have been more gracious and helpful. When I got sea sick the first day, Jen was very compassionate and had quite a few tricks in her bag to ease the nausea. Jen is a fabulous chef and each meal was 5 star - we so enjoyed her explanation of what was in the dishes and how she prepared them. We hope to sail again perhaps to another location with Jen and Sam in the next year or two. I so hope they continue to offer trips and that the pandemic isn't too hard on them. The first day, we stepped our bare feet on the deck and the 8 of us became friends instantly. However, the last day as we stepped on shore, we left not only as friends, but as family. I told Jen and Sam I felt like I was leaving home!"

"Many of our group declared that it was the best trip that they had ever been on- and this is a well travelled group. Jen and Sam were A+++. They really made the trip. So accommodating and easy to live with in tight quarters for a week. They anticipated our every want and need. We are already planning our next trip- with them of course! Food was suberb. "

Onboard Guest Book Comments:
Dear Jen & Sam,
This was a bucket list trip for all of us and you could not have made it any better. You were both unobtrusive and at the same time on top of every little detail -- anticipating our needs before we knew we had them. The food was 5 star, the activities wonderful. And on top of everything else, you were so much fun and so informative. What a great time we had and what a wonderful team you two are.

XO,
Anne (on behalf of group)

Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience aboard STARFISH. Perfect in so many ways. The food, activities (and all of your suggestions) and sailing were all topshelf. Our first sailing vacation did not disappoint. We thoroughly enjoyed our time aboard with our friends and great crew!
All the best,
Stephen & Kathleen

No words can add to what already been said. This trip has been above and beyond in every way. You will see us again. Thank you. THANK YOU.
Ralph & Deb

CREWED CHARTER BOAT REVIEW
Name: George xxxxx
Yacht: STARFISH with Sam and Jen Augspurger
Charter Dates: 2020-01-30 to 2020-02-06
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5
5 being the highest 0 being the lowest

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
- They were beyond all expectations. From the first we felt like we had been friends for years
2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
- It was spotless
3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
- Staterooms were well air conditioned. The rest was always very comfortable
4. Was the food good and well presented?
- Jen is an amazing chef and prepared 3 wonderful meals daily - Sam did all the grilling to perfection
5. Did you like the area you sailed?
- Yes. Each Anchorage was a new and fun adventure. They happily took us to 2 islands we requested.
6. Additional comments on your charter?
- All six of us on the charter were thrilled with the attentiveness and helpfulness of the crew. They went far beyond any expectations we had. I wish I could rate them above 5.

******************************
ONBOARD GUEST BOOK COMMENTS:
Jen and Sam,
Best sailing trip ever! We will do another trip with you. Everything was 1st class from food to knowledge. You are both wonderful hosts!
Lora & Rich

Jen and Sam,
Thanks so much for a fabulous trip! So much fun, great food, sunshine and just a little bit of wind. :) Remember, the best jokes happen in the dinghy!
John and Leann

Jen & Sam,
2020 vision says we had a wonderful trip! Food was incredible & though the wind blew 25+ knots for the majority of the trip, you kept us LAUGHING and EATING and hiding from the wind in new spots. We had a wonderful trip. We wish you smooth sailing & the wind at your back!
Best,
Shawn & Lori

CREWED CHARTER BOAT REVIEW
Name: Morris Family
Yacht: STARFISH with Jen and Sam Augspurger
Charter Dates: 2019-12-28 12:00 to 2020-01-04 12:00
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5
5 being the highest 0 being the lowest

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
- Sam and Jen were great.
2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
- Yes, the bean bags on the trampoline on the bow of the boat were a nice touch
3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
- Yes
4. Was the food good and well presented?
- The food was excellent. It went beyond our expectations
5. Did you like the area you sailed?
- Absolutely. Seeing different islands every day from a boat is the way to go
6. Additional comments on your charter?
This is our 2nd time on Starfish and we can't wait to come back again!

******************************
ONBOARD GUEST BOOK COMMENTS:
Sam & Jen (The Best),
Once again it has been a magical experience! We have enjoyed ourselves and your company so much. It was great to see new places and return to some of the places we loved on our first trip on STARFISH. Just when we thought our first trip could not be topped, you managed to prove us wrong. Thank You - Thank You - Thank You truly expresses how we feel. We wish you the best in 2020. A year filled with Good Health, Happiness, and Family Memories made. We hope to be back for a three-peat!
With Love, Hugs, and Kisses,
The Morris Family & Friends
(California / Oregon)

Dear Sam and Jen:
Wow!!! You exceeded our expectations in every way -- Your hospitality, warmth, experience, & knowledge wasn't wasted on us. Starfish is the perfect 'home away from home' and your thoughtfulness that went into making it so comfortable shows through. This was our first charter experience and we LOVED every minute of the trip. Thank your for cooking up a storm for us -- we appreciated the effort. You both excel in your roles as Captain & First Mate/Chef. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us to make cherished family memories. We wish you health, happiness and good weather aboard Starfish in 2020!
Warmly,
Matt, Julie, Halle, Sydney and Ethan
(Bryn Mawr, PA)

What to say?! Just, wow. 6 days went so quickly!! We've so enjoyed getting to know you on this trip and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. We'll miss Sam's storytelling and jokes, Jen's thoughtful approach to hosting, guiding, and food prep. You've truly provided us with a luxury experience. Until next time . . . .
Zac and Amy (Maine)

Thank you for a truly wonderful vacation! Our first charter vacation was exceptional. We enjoyed getting to know you both of of you. Thank you for all the details and for putting up with Randy! We can't wait to charter with you again!
Randy and Misty (Maine)

Post-Charter Review provided to Broker:
Charterer's name: Zachary xxxxx
Boat's name: Starfish
Charter start date: 12/3/2019
Upon arrival the boat was clean: Yes
The boat was tastefully presented and decorated: Yes
The boat was ready to board at the agreed time: Yes
Upon arrival the boat was immaculate: Yes
Was the boat kept clean during the charter? Yes
Was all advertised equipment on board? Yes
Was the equipment in good condition? Yes
Any toys particularly enjoyed: New dinghy, new floating mat, great snorkel gear
Comments-was the boat comfortable: Yes. Beautiful and spacious. Very well kept up!
The captain was professional: Yes
The captain was friendly: Yes
Comments-captain: Sam is approachable, professional, friendly, and willing to engage as much or little as you prefer.
Did you feel free to choose each day's activities? Yes
Comments regarding choosing each days activities: Reworked the itinerary with feedback during the week. Very receptive!
Please describe the meals: Spectacular!! Handled food requirements exceptionally well. Delicious with beautiful presentation.
Were specifically requested drinks on board? Yes
Did the meals reflect your requested preferences? Yes
The cook was outgoing: Yes
The cook was professional: Yes
The cook was friendly: Yes
The cook was eager to please: Yes
Comments-were our descriptions accurate? Yes. Highly regarded with professional attention to detail and service. Would charter again with them in a second.
May we use you as a reference for this yacht? Yes

Name: John
Yacht: STARFISH with Sam and Jen Augsberger
Charter Dates: 2019-05-28 08:00 to 2019-06-04 08:00
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5/5

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Jen and Sam are amazing, friendly and very accommodating

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
The Yacht was wonderful, all amenities were great and very clean

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes, we had air conditioning in our cabins at night while sleeping and it was very comfortable

4. Was the food good and well presented?
Okay here's one of the best parts of this amazing trip....Jen served the most wonderful food, we were amazed at the culinary delights

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
Loved the area, it was a perfect trip and with perfect hosts

6. Additional comments on your charter?
If you are considering a charter like this look no further, Sam and Jen are amazing hosts and their Yacht is beautiful. You will want for nothing and the culinary magic that comes out of the galley is wonderous. We'll be back!

Name: John
Yacht: STARFISH Starfish with Sam and Jen
Charter Dates: 2019-04-22 08:00 to 2019-04-28 08:00
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5/5

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Yes, Jen and Sam were fantastic.

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Absolutely, Jen has incredible attention to detail.

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes

4. Was the food good and well presented?
Very good. Jen is an excellent chef and the food was extremely well presented.

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
Everything was great. We could not have asked for a better route to take, loved it all.

Name: Lisa
Yacht: STARFISH with Sam and Jen Augspurger
Charter Dates: 2019-04-13 16:00 to 2019-04-20 12:00
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5/5

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Yes. Sam & Jen knew how to strike just the right balance between interacting with us and allowing us time to hang out as a family.

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Yes.

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes.

4. Was the food good and well presented?
The food was AMAZING! Each member of our family had some food preferences/restrictions which Jen honored and was still able to create delicious, healthy meals and snacks. Quality and presentation of food was better than a 5 star restaurant.

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
Yes. Sam & Jen sat down with us the first day to review itinerary options and in the end we could not have been happier. Loved all the snorkeling sites!

Name: Terese
Yacht: STARFISH with Sam and Jen Augsperger
Charter Dates: 2019-03-11 12:00 to 2019-03-18 12:00
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5
5 being the highest 0 being the lowest
We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your yachting vacation. Please answer the following questions and add any comments you may have.

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Absolutely! Jen and Sam are lovely people who made our trip extra special with their attention to details

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Yes. I was surprised to learn that they changed the linens half way through the trip and always made sure the cabins and group areas were neat and tidy

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes

4. Was the food good and well presented?
No, the food was AMAZING!!! Spectacular hardly describes each meal. Jen accommodated our requests and made meal prep look effortless even though I know what level of detail and effort she made for each and every dish.

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
Yes. Each location was more beautiful than the last Sam also made edits based on the weather and how the water looked so that we had the chance to access water- related activities at each site.

6. Could we at Virgin Island Sailing, Ltd. have helped you further in any way?
No, VI Sailing was also lovely to work with

Boat's name: Starfish

Charter start date: 12/28/18

Upon arrival the boat was clean: Yes

The boat was tastefully presented and decorated: Yes

The boat was ready to board at the agreed time: Yes

Upon arrival the boat was immaculate: Yes

Comments-Overall condition: Starfish is a beautiful yacht and we had the best vacation. Sam and Jen were so warm and welcoming. Their level of service is next to none and they do it so effortless. Our cabins were so nice and comfortable. No detail was spared.

Was the boat kept clean during the charter? Yes

Was all advertised equipment on board? Yes

Comments-advertised equipment: Best toys.

Was the equipment in good condition? Yes

Comments about equipment on boat:

Any toys particularly enjoyed: We loved the paddle boards and kayaks. Snorkeled daily too.

Comments-was the boat comfortable: This was a 5 star charter and we enjoyed every bit of it. We were a group of 2 parents and 4 20 somethings and we had plenty of space and felt very comfortable all week.

The captain was outgoing: Yes

The captain was professional: Yes

The captain was friendly: Yes

Comments-captain: Captain Sam was extremely friendly and the kids loved his pirate jokes.

Did you feel free to choose each day's activities? Yes

Comments regarding choosing each days activities: We would chat with Jen and Sam every morning about the day's plans. They always give us great options and input based on the weather. The trip was perfection.

Please describe the meals: Beyond delicious every day and beautifully presented right down to the table settings. We had a different one every night. Jen put so much thought and effort into every meal we were blown away. 5 Star service without stuffiness.

Were specifically requested drinks on board? Yes

Did the meals reflect your requested preferences? Yes

Comments-provisioning requests: Every meal was amazing!

The cook was outgoing: Yes

The cook was professional: Yes

The cook was friendly: Yes

The cook was eager to please: Yes

Comments-were our descriptions accurate? Everything was perfect and exactly what we expected.

Comments on our services - ways to improve: Jen provided our group with the Starfish Guest Handbook before we arrived so we were familiar with safety instructions and using the toilets and showers.

May we use you as a reference for this yacht? Yes

Name: Denise
Yacht: STARFISH with Sam and Jen Augspurger
Charter Dates: 12/05/2018 07:00am to 12/12/2018 07:00am
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5
5 being the highest 0 being the lowest
We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your yachting vacation. Please answer the following questions and add any comments you may have.

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Absolutely amazing!!

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Always clean and comfortable

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes.

4. Was the food good and well presented?
Food was.phenomenal and always presented as if you were at a 5 star restaurant

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
Breathtaking and beautiful

6. Additional comments on your charter?
Sam and Jen are awesome!! Nothing compares to the service and attention they gave us. Always smiling, always ready to help. Will definitely be traveling with Sam and Jen again!!

Just wanted to say that our trip was fabulous!!! The food was 5 star! I have to get a couple of Jen’s recipes. Jen and Sam were perfect hosts! I have been on 3 other crewed charters and this one topped them all.
-Tammy

Sam and Jen were wonderful and it felt great to be “waited on”. The food was gourmet - each meal was truly delicious and the presentation was professional. And we loved the air conditioning!! Sam and Jen had a plan from the beginning. You were so right telling us to just follow their lead. I saw many islands I didn’t even know existed! It was such a fun journey!
-Laura

Perfect, perfect, perfect!!! That is how I would describe my week on the Starfish. It was the perfect girls trip!! (We didn't have to decide between 6 of us where we were going to eat!!) The food was amazing at every meal!! I never dreamed that we would have such gourmet meals on a boat. Jen and Sam were awesome and really took into consideration what we wanted. They paid attention to everything we said when we filled out the preference sheet and had the phone conference. We wanted a week to relax, be waited on, see new places, and have some fun. And they made all of that happen. We loved the bean bag chairs!! They were so comfy and great to sit in when we were sailing. We could snorkel, paddle board, or use the kayaks any time we wanted to. We also enjoyed some great times on shore. One of my favorite days was when Jen took us around Anagada in a van. We visited a museum, an iguana farm, a flamingo pond, had lunch, and checked out some of the beach bars. And Sam took us ashore in the dinghy any time we wanted to enjoy shopping or some nightlife. The boat was in excellent condition and the bedrooms and bathrooms were pristine! We wanted a nice outdoor space and we sure did have that!! We ate all of our meals outdoors. Sam and Jen also did a great job in making sure that we had all of our favorite beverages! I had my first Moscow Mule ever and loved it!! The wine and beer selection was perfect. I would say that seeing the Virgin Islands from the Starfish is the only way to go!!
-Joyce

I ditto everything Joyce and Laura said and want to add that you did an amazing job pairing us up with the perfect boat and crew. The trip was amazing in every way, shape and form! I cannot tell you when I have enjoyed myself any more!!!! Jen and Sam are great people and wonderful hosts! I cannot think of a thing that was not just perfect! (Oh, maybe that the trip was 1 week and not 2, LOL)
-Terry

Charterer's name: Kent
Boat's name: Starfish
Charter start date: 5-6-18
Upon arrival the boat was clean: Yes
The boat was tastefully presented and decorated: Yes
The boat was ready to board at the agreed time: Yes
Upon arrival the boat was immaculate: Yes
The boat was not new, but in great shape: Yes

Comments-Overall condition: The boat is in excellent condition, clean and tastefully decorated. Well organized.

Was the boat kept clean during the charter? Yes
Was all advertised equipment on board? Yes
Was the equipment in good condition? Yes

Any toys particularly enjoyed: The bean bag chairs on the forward trampoline were terrific - both at anchor and under way.

Comments-was the boat comfortable: The cabins were very comfortable and the head compartments very adequate.

The captain was professional: Yes
The captain was friendly: Yes
Comments-captain: Sam is very calm and somewhat reserved but we did find his dry sense of humor after a couple of days aboard!

Did you feel free to choose each day's activities? Yes

Comments regarding choosing each days activities: Sam and Jen were very accomodating of our desires and offered suggestions that would appeal to us.

Please describe the meals: Jen's meals were 'over the top'!! Beautifully prepared, healthy and very tasty! We found ourselves taking pictures of several of her dishes they were so attractive.

Were specifically requested drinks on board? Yes

Did the meals reflect your requested preferences? Yes

Comments-provisioning requests: Jen went out of her way to make sure we had the types of food and beverage we preferred.

The cook was outgoing: Yes

The cook was professional: Yes

The cook was friendly: Yes

The cook was eager to please: Yes

Comments-were our descriptions accurate? The boat was better than expected. The cockpit is enormous with great protection from wind, rain and sun. The salon tastefully decorated and comfortable. Galley very spacious. Cabins offered full headroom for my 6'-4" height, beds very comfortable, plenty of storage, ventilation and light. Head compartment very well appointed and comfortable including the stall shower. The watermaker produces very good tasting water. Plenty of hot water and the ice maker was always full!

Name: Eldridge
Yacht: STARFISH with Sam & Jen Augspurger
Charter Dates: 03/16/2018 12:00pm to 03/23/2018 12:00pm
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5
5 being the highest 0 being the lowest

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Sam and Jen were amazing! There greeted us as our taxi arrived at the marina and had an appitizer and drinks waiting for us on board. One of our companions had special food preferences and Jen made allowances in her menu for this repeatedly.

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
The rooms were spotless and the beds very comfortable. The beanbags on the trampoline were our favorite spot to hangout!

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
the rooms were so wonderfully air conditioned at night. I love sleeping in a cool room.

4. Was the food good and well presented?
Jen's food is spectacular!! Honestly how she creates these meals in her tiny galley is amazing.

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
We loved where we sailed.

8. Additional comments on your charter?
We came as guests and left as friends!! Sam is an amazing yacht captain who loves a witty pirate joke and Jen is the most incredible chef/1st mate. Between the 2 of them, they're poetry in motion!! Jen ensures that everything you need is right at your fingertips: color coded beach towels, insulated water glasses, eco-friendly sunscreen. My husband wanted to exercise a little and Jen even brought him a yoga mat!! Our meals were spectacular: breakfast, lunch, mid-snack and dinner. I think after each we all said this is our favorite! Jen has graciously agreed to shared several of her recipes with us. I can't imagine once having tasted her amazing dishes waiting until the next time we sail with Sam and Jen to experience them again. Oh yes, there will definitely be a next time sailing with this wonderful couple on this beautiful yacht!! Thank you Sam and Jen for an amazing adventure in paradise.

9. It is our pleasure to keep you informed of relevant specials / updates for your next charter. When do you plan to charter next?
Within the next year

Name: Ken
Yacht: STARFISH with Sam and Jen Augspurger
Charter Dates: 02/01/2018 02:00pm to 02/08/2018 12:00pm
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5
5 being the highest 0 being the lowest

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Caring, kind, and considerate throughout the week

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Very comfortable, cleaned meticulously daily

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes.

4. Was the food good and well presented?
Excellent, in fact gourmet standard, and beyond our expectations.

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
Very much given the obvious devastation caused by the hurricanes.

8. Additional comments on your charter?
We would highly recommend “Starfish” to anyone contemplating a sailing holiday in the British Virgin Islands. Sam’s detailed knowledge of the area added to our enjoyment

Date of comment: July 6, 2017
Dear Sam and Jen:
We cannot thank you enough for allowing us to create lifelong memories as a family. Not having to worry about anything, encouraging us to be active snorkelers on a daily basis seeing so many different sites, playing with water toys – aka Randi first paddleboarded at Jost, preparing the finest foods we have ever experienced, giving us game time to laugh and grow, and so many more things that we will forever be grateful for!
Your friendliness and welcoming nature allowed us to relax upon arrival. Always keeping us updated on our daily adventures was greatly appreciated. Your jokes with us and teaching us about the islands was great!
In life, you come across extremely special people – both of you fit this category. The memories and experiences you gave us exceeded our expectations and we are so very thankful. Starfish is number 1!
Love,
Joel, Randi, Brit, Shelbi Grace and Drew
Buford, GA

Charter Dates: 5/20/2017 to 05/27/2017
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5
5 being the highest 0 being the lowest

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Jen & Sam were incredibly warm and welcoming with our group from the first minute we met Sam to pick up our luggage to the last moment when we sadly got off of the Starfish and warmly hugged them goodbye. They could not have been more friendly, accommodating, professional and FUN! We wanted to fully include them in our experience. The more they got to know us, the more they happily obliged and understood who we were as both individuals and couples. We were happy that they were also able to enjoy some down time during our trip. They are truly a wonderful and extremely hard-working couple!

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
YES! The entire party was very impressed at the cleanliness of the boat as soon as we stepped foot on it. The beds, pillows, and bed linens were fantastic, and we all slept like babies each night. Both bath towels and beach towels were also great and plushy. Jen worked tirelessly making sure our bathrooms were always clean, beds were made every day, and things were hung up properly to dry.

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
The yacht was very well ventilated. The nights were quite comfortable with the A/C running and even a couple of nights that we were heading onto an island for dinner, they turned the A/C on while us ladies were getting ready which was also quite comfortable.

4. Was the food good and well presented?
The food . . . OH MY! I don't know how they manage to prep and cook in such a small area but between Jen's cooking/baking/prepping skills and Sam's grilling skills, the food was 5-star all the way! We all had different likes and dislikes and there wasn't a meal where we weren't accommodated. The Mediterranean flare that Jen included in her meals was stupendous. She even baked mini chocolate souffles for dessert one evening - who does that?!?! As soon as we boarded, a delicious shrimp orzo salad was prepared for our lunch. We devoured it and knew we were in for a real culinary treat the rest of the charter. Their lobster tails were BETTER than the ones we dined on in Anegada. Even happy hour finger foods were delicious, and we NEVER went hungry thanks to their "snack" stash! Presentation was something else that we all were super impressed with. For dinners they set the table with fresh linens and a different set of plate ware and stylish centerpieces. Jen is a master at plating - the portions were always perfect and looked beautiful! Even her fruit platters for breakfast were gorgeous. They even prepared some fresh catch for us that our fishermen on board caught during our trip.

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
Having done a lot of research and spoken to numerous people that have sailed the US & BVIs before, we had an idea on where we wanted to go. We took Jen & Sam's advice on the how and they also gave us several choices on the best way to see the important points on different islands. We appreciated all of their extensive knowledge and suggestions on where to go, what to see, things to do, etc. It seemed like every day the views got more beautiful, the water got clearer/bluer, the beaches got whiter, the sand got finer, etc. We loved our snorkeling experiences and were glad to have Sam guide us through the areas. It was such an amazing learning experience for all of us and now that we are familiar with the areas, we will know for next time what we want to see again and what doesn't need to be revisited.

7. May we post this review on our website? Yes
8. Additional comments on your charter?
The Starfish was an amazing, comfortable, and super clean catamaran. We really enjoyed the bean bag chairs on the hammock. It was a treat to be able to sit up there while we were sailing and really take in the gorgeous views, work on our tans, read a book, enjoy adult beverages, take naps, snap countless pictures of the views, and even get cool splashes now and again. I cannot comment enough on the food . . . all of the meals, from the simplest egg scramble to the more complicated Mediterranean eggs benedict for breakfast, were DELISH. Jen even put together both white and red sangrias for happy hour for the ladies which was great and her painkillers were the absolute best! As our week was drawing to a close, we were running out of a few adult beverages and they were able to quietly accommodate us through their connections with the other crews that were sailing in the same area. We are ALL early risers (pretty much after the sun started rising) and they were so accommodating with having coffee and tea started for us each morning. Everything we could have wanted, they were prepared to offer us. Even water - staying hydrated was SUPER important and we never went without fresh and cold drinking water. They even provided insulated drinking vessels for us which we were not expecting. We all came on board with your YETIs and did not need them. I do not think there was anything they didn't think of to make our stay amazing! Sam took us off the boat on some sight-seeing/touristy adventures on several islands. He was a great tour guide and was always ready to snap a picture of the 6 of us no matter how many times we asked for that. He is also very knowledgeable on the snorkeling areas and guiding you through the coral. It made navigating the areas stress-free. Jen was always ready to accommodate anything we needed morning, noon, and night. She really worked her butt off making sure everything was 5-star and it showed. We all really enjoyed hearing about their background and sharing our backgrounds with them. We cannot say enough on how wonderful they are - truly a class act! For all of us, this was a trip of a lifetime. We were super excited and, to be 100% honest, our expectations were very very high. Jen & Sam EXCEEDED our expectations!

POST-CHARTER GUEST QUESTIONAIRE
We hope your charter was everything that you expected. We would love to know some of your impressions about your yachting holiday. It would aid us in future bookings if you could answer the following questions and provide any additional comments you might have.

• Generally, how did you enjoy your vacation?
My wife and I were thrilled to death. We sailed with another couple and had planned and researched for months leading up to this trip. We are very fortunate to have cruised all over Europe on some beautiful liners, and this trip was absolutely 110% first class all the way. A vacation is good because of the company you keep, the ship itself, and the extras along the way and Sam and Jen hit all the boxes!
• Was the the crew friendly and accommodating?
Our group is 55ish. We found Sam and Jen to be flexible, accommodating, and totally prepared to meet our needs during the 6 night trip. I think that the amount of prep time that Jen puts in pre-cruise makes all the difference. She had our preferences in terms of food all laid out and then was able to be flexible if we through her a curve ball on a particular day. Equally, Sam knew of the islands that we had hoped to hit, and was very open if we wanted to stray from the plan.
• Was the yacht clean, well ventilated, and in good working condition?
The Yacht was immaculate. The A/C unit was strong at nite, the fans in the room and the position of the portals/hatches that opened all made for a comfortable nite’s sleep. You could tell that Sam and Jen invest in the Boat every year, and look after it. From the grout lines, to the bathrooms, to the bedding, and the outside spaces all aspects of the boat were looked after. Plus, the Bean Bags on the front tramp were awesome for sailing!!
We think it is worth mentioning that the Wi-fi on this ship was exceptional. We had a signal throughout the whole trip. We have been on luxury cruise liners that couldn’t compare to this access. Also, the sound system was first class throughout the boat.
• Did the crew do a good job of familiarizing you with the yacht and her workings?
We were greeted by Sam on the dock at Virgin Gorda who took us onboard to an immediate lunch. At the Lunch both Sam and Jen addressed mandated nautical items, as well as rules of the boat so to speak, and our itinerary. Best advice they gave: Drink a lot of water every day!! And then Jen provided color coded thermos’ that we filled every day. A concern we had going in with any crew would be how we interact with strangers in a relatively small space. Sam and Jen were awesome in this regard. They kept in the background so to speak yet were totally accessible for any questions, concerns, and needs we had. As the first day or two passed, they read us extremely well and by the end of the trip, the four of us can all say that we made two wonderful friends.
• Could you describe the quality of the cuisine? Did the menu meet your needs and expectations?
This was one of the primary reasons we chose Starfish. All of us are Foodies. The sample menu that Jen puts online is the real deal!!. Each dinner was eating at a five star restaurant. The portions were generous; the wine selection wonderful and the food was hot and personally prepared. Our advice is to take advantage of the prep call that Jen and Sam make with you before the trip as they really listen and customize the cruise to your preferences. From Filet mignon in a mushroom demiglace; to scallops in a to die for Truffle sauce we were served fine dining each and every night. This was a reason we chose Starfish, and this is a reason we would sail with Jen and Sam again. We would also comment that during all meals Jen and Sam worked like a true team to make the meal seamless from pouring wines, to taking dishes, offering seconds, grilling on the bbq; and especially Sam’s creative centerpieces!.....
• How did you like the area in which you cruised?
This was somewhat setup in advance through the call that Jen and Sam made to us a few weeks before the trip. We chose to start from Virgin Gorda so that we would be sailing with the winds and all four us agree that each day that we sailed from 45min to 2 hours (depending on the island) was far and away the best part of each day ( and believe me we had a lot of fun). Some Highlights:
Bitter End/Saba Rock- Awesome
The Baths-Awesome
Cooper Island- would go back in a heartbeat. Great IPA
Norman Island- The BEST!!! The Caves, Willy T’s and the beach- Awesome.
Soggy Dollar- All that it’s cracked up to be!!. Great Sand and beach
Corsairs on Jost: great food.
• How did you like the pace and itinerary of your charter?
Our day was relaxed. Always included a sail after breakfast. We chose to see a different port each day because we wanted to see as much as we could for the next time we do this to decide where we would focus. Sam and Jen understood, and also mixed in snorkeling spots along the way to include that activity. Once anchored, the water toys could come out, we swam, went to the beach, bars, etc. Depending on what we had in mind in terms of bars, Jen planned her dinner. Very user friendly. She presented us with options and let us decide. Sam was always available to bring us in to the beaches/bars on the skiff.
• Any additional comments?
I think that besides the catamaran being top notch in terms of lay out, engineering, etc; it was the crew that made the trip. The level of engagement, flexibility, professionalism, and sincerity was everything we could have hoped for and then some. We were very glad we chose the food package option. It was awesome. When you add up the costs of eating in the BVI, we all felt our 5 star experience was a great value. Look forward to rebooking, and all felt a real connection to Jen and Sam.

Thank you sam and jen for all the fun we had together and for making me brefist lunch and dinner. You made Delishes mels. I had so much fun!!
From Tristan (age 9)
Alberta, Canada

Thank you Sam and Jen for a great trip. This was so much fun. Jen your a great chef. And Sam your the best captain ever! Thank you for a great trip.
Farewell, Averi (age 10)
Alberta, Canada

To Jen, the Gem of the Sea, and Sammy Sweetheart:
This vacation superceded our expectations on every level! The cuisine was fabulous and Sam & Jen are so professional. They knew every secret, private cove to pull into. We truly saw more of the Caribbean than we possibly could have if we stayed on land. The snorkeling and bar stops were perfectly timed and outstanding. We saw all sorts of "creatures" -- below and above the sea! Thanks for everything. You're the best Captain and First Mate in the world!
Love,
Super Kimmy K, Sassy Shelly!, Freddy K Dog, Party Boy Troy, and Lisa and Steve!
Northern Indiana

Thank you for the hospitality and great food! I'll miss Sam's jokes and all that Jen did to make us comfortable. Hope to come back soon!
-Erica (Des Moines, IA)

It was a pleasure meeting you both. Thank you for making another memorable trip for me. I always enjoy this trip and I did again this time. You both are special. Thanks again.
-Ronda (Des Moines, IA)

Subject: post charter comments CREWED

Charterer's name: Susan (Last name deleted for privacy)

Boat's name: Starfish

Charter start date: 12/26/17

Upon arrival the boat was clean: Yes

The boat was tastefully presented and decorated: Yes

The boat was ready to board at the agreed time: Yes

Upon arrival the boat was immaculate: Yes

Was the boat kept clean during the charter? Yes

Was all advertised equipment on board? Yes

Was the equipment in good condition? Yes

Any toys particularly enjoyed: Kayaks

Comments-was the boat comfortable: perfect

The captain was outgoing: Yes

The captain was professional: Yes

The captain was friendly: Yes

The captain was pleasant but reserved: Yes

Did you feel free to choose each day's activities? Yes

Please describe the meals: Presentation, quality, quantity, flavor, all PERFECT!!!!!!!!!

Were specifically requested drinks on board? Yes

Did the meals reflect your requested preferences? Yes

Comments-provisioning requests: Absolutely-Much planning and organization was taken to ensure everyone's tastes were addressed!!

The cook was outgoing: Yes

The cook was professional: Yes

The cook was friendly: Yes

The cook was eager to please: Yes

Did you have any problems with your flights? No

Comments-were our descriptions accurate? perfectly met expectations

Comments on our services - ways to improve: Honestly cant think of any improvements needed

May we use you as a reference for this yacht? Yes

Thank you again for another perfect trip. Everything was 1st class -- all the way! Hopefully we will see you next Thanksgiving!
-April (SC)

Thank you for the awesome time. My favorit place was Savannah bay because of the clear water and sandy beaches. I love snorkling with my parents. It was the best vacation ever. I hope we go next year.
-Madeline (age 9)

I liked going to Savannah bay. Thank you for an awesome experience. Hope to come back.
-Gavin (age 14)

Jen and Sam,
Thank you for a wonderful trip! The two of you made our trip extra special. We will always remember this week with good times, friends, weather and lots of laughter.
Bless you!
Natalyn & Victor
Knoxville, TN

P.S. - Looking forward to hearing some of those famous "Sam-isms" coming to me on email. We felt spoiled from day one. Cannot explain it, but it felt like being home. Nat and myself are counting the days til our next sail on STARFISH!
P.P.S. - More Bourbon!!! Ha ha.
-Victor

Jen and Sam,
Thank you for the amazing sunsets and sunrises. Thank you for the nights of stars. The snorkeling at each location got better and better. We were blown away with your hospitality. The food was always made with love. Thank you for making us feel each day like we were coming home. No stress, no worries, no problems. We have been blessed to have been able to sail with you. Thank you for the memories of a lifetime. We wish you all the best.
Love,
David and Holly
Charlotte, NC

Jen and Sam,
Thank you so much for everything! You both made us feel so at home on Starfish. Everything was amazing! From the food, sailing, the snorkeling. We will definitely come sail again!
Nancy
Cumming, GA

Sam,
Thanks for the advice on flash lights, friends and alternative income streams. Sail well till we meet again.
Sheldon
Cumming, GA

We have been traveling the BVI for 20 years and this was the best week we have ever had! It exceeded our expectations. Jen and Sam were so much more than a Captain and first mate/chef, They truly were like family friends who invited us on a trip. I would highly recommend them to anyone. The yacht was clean, comfortable and stocked with every comfort of home we needed. The meals were incredible. Jen went out of her way to ensure we every meal was prepared to perfection. Sam was a great captain who is extremely knowledgeable on the BVI and knew every great "hidden" snorkel spot.

Broker after charter review:

RATING CODE: 5 Very Satisfactory, 4 Satisfactory, 3 Avereage, 2 Somewhat Satisfactory, 1 Unsatisfactory

1. Overall how was your sailing getaway? 5
2. How would you rate the yacht in the following areas?
Comfort 5
Condition 5
Cleanliness 5
Luxury 4
Overall Comments about the Yacht: Nicely decorated and appointed.

3. How would you rate your crew in the following areas?
Congeniality/Fun 5
Service 5
Expertise 5
Flexibility 5
Overall Comments about the Crew: Best cook of my 3 charters. They were both very interesting and fun.

4. How would you rate the meals in the following areas? 5
Quality 5
Presentation 5
Variety 5
5
Overall comments about the itinerary:
This was the best of my 3 charters. I would highly recommend them.

CREWED CHARTER BOAT REVIEW

Name: Michael (Name withheld for privacy)
Yacht: STARFISH with Sam and Jen Augspurger
Charter Dates: June 4-11,2016

Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5
5 being the highest 0 being the lowest

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your yachting vacation. Please answer the following questions and add any comments you may have.
1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
They were awesome

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Very much so

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes

4. Was the food good and well presented?
it was delicious. Never ate so well. We are all plant based dieters and and Jen did a magnificent job for us.

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
Yes, everything was well planned and we loved all of our stops.

6. Additional comments on your charter?
Sam and Jen were awesome. We couldn't have asked for a better crew. They not only did their jobs incredibly well as far as the trip was concerned, but we enjoyed their company as well and had a great time with them.

Excitement blends with nervousness at the start of any trip into the unknown, however planned, explained, and organized it may be. Inevitably, there are variables. Its not just a matter of where youre going, and perhaps dealing with a language barrier, different customs, and even weather and transportation. Its how you do the most basic of things: finding healthy food, getting rest, staying hydrating, and perhaps most underrated of all, dealing with people that youre stuck with. It was inevitably far more giddiness than anxiety ahead of our familys trip to the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, where Starfish Charters were waiting to whisk us away, providing the all important aforementioned food, drink, and company. They were tour guide and navigator, chef and bartender, ambassadors to a place none of us have ever traveled and ultimately facilitators of a much-anticipated potentially extraordinary vacation. And also those with whom we would have to share a space with for a week as people weve never met. So no pressure.

About two or three hours in, and those few concerns - and the very real fear that our vegan cuisine would be questionable - instantly disappeared. Its not that having decent food or a few forced conversations would have been some serious detriment to the vacation; we were after all away for a week in the beautiful Caribbean, many of us having eagerly awaiting a rare escape from work and family (and me on the other hand as of a younger general one who takes frequent vacations in general). It was how incredible the food was, how relaxing the atmosphere, how quickly and easily everyone involved was on the same page, how much good energy was created from everyone involved. Indeed, our party was in agreement that we were treated to some of the most delicious and creative meals weve ever had, made all the more remarkable by the presentation, the service, and the view - its not hard to see a gorgeous sunset from the back of the boat. We all pride ourselves on our enjoyment of cooking and experimenting, though were certainly not hard to please- we all love to eat. But the extravagance, the creativity, the freshness was all beyond what we expected.

Beyond the food (and the drinks - more painkillers, please), our hosts through planning ahead and finally meeting and chatting with us, immediately understood what kind of trip we desired. That is to say, we wanted to explore the Islands, but more so from the boat, taking in the sites, having a chance to spend time in the water and on the beach. It seems like something easy to cater to as hosts, but they still offered something that is particularly important and maybe glossed over on most trips or simply hard to obtain, and thats local knowledge. However much you read up before a trip, having someone or someones who can lead the way, offer you suggestions knowing exactly where you are and what you want to do, is invaluable. Its not just that Starfish offered the opportunity to snorkel, kayak, water ski, kneeboard, and paddle board, but boundless information and tips enhanced those experiences. We have a tentative itinerary, but everyone was flexible for change to allow for maximum enjoyment. When we wanted to snorkel somewhere with the most opportunity to spot sea turtles or stingrays, we were pointed in the right direction. We when knew we wanted a quiet day to relax and explore just around the boat, we were taken to a secluded bay. When we wanted to embrace happy hour with other tourists, we were escorted to a lively bar. It goes beyond that too: it was about being pointed in the right direction to bear witness or enjoying whatever speciality, whatever local piece of note was available to enjoy. Like a frenzied 5 p.m. tarpon feeding at a local restaurant.

So with the guidance of our captains, we planned a diverse and fairly easy (and flexible) schedule that saw us sail for one to two hours a day to discover new spots. Early to rise - hard to think anyone would want to sleep in when the sun shines so brightly so early - a breakfast gave way to sailing on to our next destination; with an occasional dip in the water to cool off.- We docked for the day, ready to hit the beach, explore the ocean life, or wander around the island. Have dinner, watch the sunset, lay out under the stars with a drink, go to bed, and repeat. Perfect. While we explored island living a couple days, and while it was intriguing, everyone in our party for the last half of the trip preferred the utmost relaxation in our plans. Which is to say, no plans save for eating, drinking, swimming, or sprawling out in the sun. Our captains happily acquiesced. We didnt waste a single moment of sunlight.

The last few days saw our entire group embrace snorkeling - seemingly in the water for hours and hours by the end, bearing witness to some exciting and maybe even unnerving sea life. That is to say, we were told Nurse Sharks are pretty tame, but those among us who grew up on Jaws know that it must have the word shark in its name for a reason. Snorkeling over a sandy bottom only to realize a stingray lies covered in wait, diving down to close in on friendly sea turtles, and glimpsing a trio of alien-like squid were among the indelible memories of exploring off the boat. There too was a kayak for those who preferred their water exploration to take place above and not below.

The worst part was the end; its hard to snap back to real life. Time stood still on the trip, work was put away, and the food - oh wow the food - was exquisite. Its also a trip where while so much was captured on camera - a GoPro was provided to underwater exploration as well - the Caribbean offers sights and scenery are best enjoyed in person, in the moment. There are stars, and serenity. Perhaps no better testament to how enjoyable the experience was is the fact that at some point during the vacation, maybe three days in, we already starting plotting our next tropical getaway. And I was so taken, that without the means to purchase a boat nor the understanding to operate it, and maybe not yet the stomach for rougher waters (though that could have been the painkillers), was read to uproot and live a life on the sea. Its looks pretty wonderful.

Jen and Sam -
Thank you so much for everything -- the amazing food and drinks, all of the great snorkeling spots, perfect music, personalized tour guiding on and off the islands -- we couldn't have asked for more -- a truly AMAZING trip!

A BIG Texas thank you to Sam and Jen! Such a wonderful adventure. I'm sure we will be back! We're the Happy Snorkelers, if only we'd seen the Sharktopus! We will be thinking of you for the next month as we work off those Starfish pounds. :)

Judy 1!, Danielle, "King", Judy 2, Larry and Kristin

Dear Jen and Sam!
Thank you so much for the most comfortable sailing trip in our combined history of about 10 such experiences. Your attention to all requests & every detail is incredible. We love STARFISH & all the luxuries it offers. The food was delicious, we were impressed every day with your creations & centerpieces! The level of service was above and beyond our expectations. Thank you for setting the bar high!

Hope to be be back on board soon! Hope you don't restrict our group from coming back due to the most terrible Bohemian Rhapsody karaoke! :)

Anna, Ed, Angela, Vitaly, Faina and Steve

The word hospitality is often overstated by today's marketers, but clearly our experience on the Starfish Catamaran was a fulfillment of the word's true meaning. We were looking for a family friendly one week charter to take our son, daughter in law and two teenage grandchildren on, to sail around the British Virgin Islands and experience a sense of adventure. Captain Sam and Chef (first mate) Jen far exceeded our expectations. First, the Starfish was in immaculate condition, (bristol for you sailors), and stocked with the right "water toys" to engage in the local water opportunities. Second and most important, Captain Sam and Chef Jen were most accommodating to our family's every need. We had requested American style breakfasts and preferably local seafood for dinners. The meals were spectacular. Jen is a first class chef and everyone totally enjoyed her on-board creations. Sam and Jen were both first order mixologists when it came to our late afternoon cocktail "happy hour" and Jen always had a surprise hors d'oeuvre prepared. Sam knew all of the right spots to anchor for us to seek our adventure, whether it was hiking on a remote island or snorkeling in a protected lagoon. Each day we ventured to a new location, exploring nine BVI islands. Sam functioned as our tour guide whether we were snorkeling in the shore line caves of "Treasure Island" or hiking through the Virgin Gorda Baths and trails around Cooper Island. We enjoyed every minute aboard the Starfish and would highly recommend a Starfish charter with Captain Sam and Chef Jen Augspurger.

CREWED CHARTER BOAT REVIEW

Name: Harold (last name redacted for privacy)
Yacht: STARFISH with Sam & Jen Augspurger
Charter Dates: April 10 - 17, 2016
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5
5 being the highest 0 being the lowest

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Very
2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Yes
3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes
4. Was the food good and well presented?
Better than I could have imagined.
5. Did you like the area you sailed?
Yes
6. Additional comments on your charter?
Sam and Jen were exceptional. This has been a bucket list item of mine for years. It exceeded every expectation. If you ever thought about taking this trip, do it. AND, make sure you ask for Sam and Jen, they were simply the best.

Just wanted to pass along a review of our week aboard the Starfish (Leopard 46) with Jen and Sam Augspurger.

The Starfish is beautifully maintained and is appointed with all the top of the line features that make life aboard a sailboat quite comfortable. The air conditioned cabins are roomy with high quality linens and towels. The bathrooms have full showers and electric heads and the boat does have a water maker which produces pristine drinking water. The great sound system and comfortable beanbag chairs made for great cocktail hours and evening stargazing during our trip.

Our group, comprised of 3 50-something couples, had an absolute top notch experience aboard the Starfish. Jen passed along some really useful information to us a few weeks before the trip, so we were well informed on what to bring (and not bring). We met the boat in St. Thomas and were underway less than two hours after we landed! What a change from the usual bareboating grind of sleeping aboard the first night in the marina, provisioning, chart/boat brief etc.

We headed over to Christmas Cove on Great St. James Island for a fabulous lunch which set the tone for the week. Then we cruised along the beautiful north coast of St John, and stopped for the night at Waterlemon Bay. There we saw numerous turtles during our pre-dinner snorkel.

The next morning, Sam took care of clearing us into the BVI at Soper's and our week really got going. Jen amazed us with the quality and presentation of her meals while Sam was our Captain/ tour guide and snorkel guru. They helped us decide on our itinerary based on our wishes, the weather and crowds, and we packed in more fun in a week than I've had in 10 years of bareboating in the BVI.

Sam did a great job of putting us in fabulous spots for snorkeling, relaxing amidst beautiful scenery and partaking of the pleasures of the BVI's best party spots! Jen spoiled us rotten with Painkillers, Margaritas and hors d'oeuvres for "Happy Hour". Her meals were amazing, prepared with fresh ingredients and beautifully presented. Jen is truly a gourmet cook! We decided that next trip, we would opt to take all our dinners on the boat, since the fare ashore just can't compare with what Jen serves aboard the Starfish. (Well maybe we'll give Jen and Sam one night off!)

Jen and Sam allowed us to set our own pace of activities while moving us along our path through the most scenic spots on the planet. We caught the Michael Beans Show at Leverick Bay, winning the conch blowing contest! The next day we headed up to Anegada (our favorite island!) where Sam had arranged for a rental car. He then played tour guide, providing us with a fabulous day on that island. Jen packed a delicious lunch which we enjoyed while taking in the beauty at Loblolly, followed by incredible snorkeling there.

Next day we headed down to Great Dog for a lunchtime snorkel, then on to beautiful Marina Cay for the night. The next morning Sam moved us to Monkey Point (which we had to ourselves!) for more unforgettable snorkeling. On Jost Van Dyke, Jen took over as tour guide for a trip to the Bubbly Pool, complete with our own "bubbly", which she had brought from the boat.

That afternoon Sam and Jen joined us for lunch at Hendo's Hideaway and a great afternoon under the palm trees gazing at the beauty (and craziness) of White Bay. By then, they were like old friends just enjoying an incredible experience and bemoaning the fact that our week was rapidly coming to a close.

Every member of our group was amazed with our week aboard the Starfish. Although our expectations were high having read their reviews, Jen and Sam absolutely blew us away! They are truly a unique and interesting couple with years of sailing experience, (including raising their girls aboard their boat!). We can't wait to take our own grown children with us on our next charter aboard the Starfish. Sam says he knows some great places to explore in the Spanish Virgins!

Vince

CREWED CHARTER BOAT REVIEW

Name: Andrea (Name redacted for privacy)
Yacht: STARFISH with Sam & Jen Augspurger
Charter Dates: April 10 - 17, 2016
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5
5 being the highest 0 being the lowest

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
extremely
2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
extremely
3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
yes
4. Was the food good and well presented?
extremely
5. Did you like the area you sailed?
yes
6. May we post this review on our website?
Yes
7. Additional comments on your charter?
Our trip could not have been any better! The yacht was immaculate - very nice sheets and towels - something I am picky about! I'm not really a foodie, but I can not tell you how much I loved the meals - delicious, fresh, and presented beautifully. I appreciated how knowledgeable Sam and Jen were of the area - they took us to the best snorkeling spots. We have vacationed quite a bit in the VI and BVI so discovering new and spectacular snorkeling areas was a great surprise. We have sailed before, and although we had a great time, I would not have recommended it to some folks. I would highly recommend sailing with Sam and Jen - they see to every detail and had so many nice touches that make the trip so very special. We came home feeling relaxed and pampered. We can't wait to sail with them again!

Dear Jen and Sam,
Thank you for a week of wonderful adventures, hikes, swimming and all the great activities. You are the perfect host and hostess! Our every need was anticipated. We felt like we were dining in a 5 star restaurant every night! This was the first sailing trip for our family together and we so appreciated all you did to make it perfect. We love the STARFISH and will tell our friends and families so then can experience wonderful sailing with you both.
Many thanks and Happy Sailing,
Paula and David
Southport, NC

Jen and Sam,
Our family is so grateful for our week on the STARFISH with you. Amazing memories made. Thank you for the delicious meals, the guided tours, the encouragement to experience all that the BVI have to offer. Your warmth made us feel at home and enabled us to truly relax. We have enjoyed learning about your life and family as well. We appreciate your hard work and commitment to our family experience!
Laura and Jon
Macon, GA

Dear Jen and Sam,
Thank you for a great experience. The meals were amazing. Thank you for filling our every needs. Thank you Mr. Sam for taking us kneeboarding, tubing, snorkeling and being our guide. Thank you also for teaching me how to blow the conch horn. I had a wonderful time. Being on my first sailboat you made me feel right at home. This has been the best spring break ever! Thank you for making me feel very relaxed and enjoy my time with family.
Love,
Natalie (age 12)

Dear Jen and Sam,
This week could not have been better. We are so lucky to not only have been in the beautiful places that you have shown us in the BVI but also to have been with such great company! I never imagined that the week would fly by so quickly! Between the amazing scenery, the delicious meals and the great conversations this trip has been surreal. Thank you so much for making us feel so at home. Hopefully we will see you the same time next year! Muchisimas gracias por todo!
Francisco, Ana Maria, Mariana y Laura
(Ecuador, Columbia and Argentina)

CREWED CHARTER BOAT REVIEW

Name: Terry [Name Redacted for Privacy]
Yacht: STARFISH with Sam & Jen Augspurger
Charter Dates: February 21-28, 2016
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5
5 being the highest 0 being the lowest

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your yachting vacation. Please answer the following questions and add any comments you may have.

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Exceptionally. Words cannot describe the effort, thought, feelings that Jen and Sam put into making our trip perfect.

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Very. The crew daily cleaned as needed.

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes.

4. Was the food good and well presented?
Exceptional. Each meal (breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner, desert) was prepared to the utmost detail. Gourmet does injustice to how delicious Jens meals. Taste, texture, presentation were all better than perfect.

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
Duh!. it is the Virgin Islands.

6. Additional comments on your charter?
It's possible that another crew could top the Starfish for a crewed vacation, but it's highly unlikely.

7. It is our pleasure to keep you informed of relevant specials / updates for your next charter. When do you plan to charter next?
Unknown, but if it was up to me, it would be next week.

Dear Jen and Sam -
Words cannot express how much we enjoyed our week in the BVIs aboard STARFISH. You both made our week fun, relaxing and memorable. You made every member of our family feel welcome and comfortable. We especially enjoyed Sam's personalized tours and Jen's delicious meals. Thanks for accommodating all of our particular needs! Remember our motto: "Scramble and be flexible."
We feel really lucky that we had you as our hosts for this special week.
Best wishes and thanks again for everthing,
Jim, Vicky, James, Catherine and Charles
Norman, OK

Jen and Sam -
WOW! What a week. You are the definition of EXCELLENCE. Your attention to detail (really, a different napking ring for every meal!), and your pride in doing everything above and beyond what was expected is a testament to your character. We feel very fortunate to have been your guests for this past week, in paradise, aboard the STARFISH.
Thank you again,
Terry and Chris

Jen and Sam -
We were the lucky ones in sailing with you two. What a quality, relaxing week of seeing the best of the BVI with both old and new (you) friends. The entire week was so perfect with lots of wonderful little touches. And thanks for the perfect weather all week. You are masters of perfection! The STARFISH will always be our preferred and recommended charter. Safe travels until next time.
Thank you!
Scott and Sharon

Dear Sam and Jen -
What a wonderful week of great food, beautiful scenery, wonderful sailing, good conversation, interesting people-watching and the occasional cocktail! You were such gracious hosts and took terrific care of us. Thanks for making it such a memorable vacation!
-Jane and Jerry

Sam and Jen -
What can we say ... Fantastic! Howard and I appreciated all that you did for us during our stay on your beautiful STARFISH. Thank you again -- many safe voyages for you in the future.
-Howard and Jean

Charterer's name: Talia (last name withheld for privacy)

Boat's name: Starfish

Charter start date: Jan 3, 2016

Upon arrival the boat was clean: Yes

The boat was tastefully presented and decorated: Yes

The boat was ready to board at the agreed time: Yes

Upon arrival the boat was immaculate: Yes

Comments-Overall condition: We were warmly welcomed by Sam and Jen, and they were ready with our lunch and to set sail the moment we boarded.

Was the boat kept clean during the charter? Yes

Was all advertised equipment on board? Yes

Comments-advertised equipment: We had a blast with knee boarding and paddle boarding. A lot more toys were there that we didn't even get to.

Was the equipment in good condition? Yes

Comments-was the boat comfortable: Yes, we had everything we could have possibly wanted! Lots of space to move around and get comfortable. My girls loved tanning on the front trampoline and in the bean bag chairs.

The captain was professional: Yes

The captain was friendly: Yes

Comments-captain: Sam and Jen struck the perfect balance of professionalism and warmth.

Comments regarding any sailing instruction: Sam let us do some steering and was open to more. I thought we'd try our hand at sailing, but honestly we were too busy having fun or relaxing in the sun.

Did you feel free to choose each day's activities? Yes

Comments regarding choosing each days activities: Jen would run us through some suggestions each day, providing valuable insight and local knowledge. They always considered our input as we were planning.

Please describe the meals: Jen was a creative and talented chef. Each meal, breakfast through dinner, was delicious. She's a master of herbs and spices, and happy to share recipe secrets.

Were specifically requested drinks on board? Yes

Comments-regarding any requested drinks: Jen was very interested in making sure she had the right wines on board for us, especially once she found out that we are wine lovers.

Did the meals reflect your requested preferences? Yes

The cook was outgoing: Yes

The cook was professional: Yes

The cook was friendly: Yes

The cook was eager to please: Yes

Did you have any problems with your flights? No

Comments-were our descriptions accurate? My expectations were high, and the Starfish and crew met them all! One thing I was worried about was trying to sleep in the heat, but Jen was great to ask if we preferred to run the A/C at night whenever we wanted it.

Comments on our services - ways to improve: We loved every minute of our week aboard the Starfish. Can't wait to return. And the team at (the brokerage) helped guide us before hand, and was extremely professional and informative.

May we use you as a reference for this yacht? Yes

Dear Jen and Sam,
Thank you both for an amazing week! John, the girls and I will long remember your kindness and hospitality. You are a very special couple and have given us a very special memory. Hope to see you again soon!
All the best,
Talia

Jen and Sam,
A truly wonderful week that exceeded all our (very high) expectations. Thank you for everthing. We are blessed to have had you as our hosts and to leave you as new friends. Looking forward to a return visit.
Abrazos,
John

Thank you so much Jen and Sam for such a great week. Jen's food and Painkillers were amazing and we loved the water sports with Sam. I'll always remember dancing on the trampoline on our last night -- so fun!
Bella (age 18)

This has been maybe the best week ever. Thank you so much for everything, from the amazing food and teaching us how to kneeboard. Tweety Bird doesn't want to leave the nest! We will be back soon!
-Lily (age 12)

Thank you for the most incredible week! Jen, your food was absolutely delicious and Sam, thank you for being the best captain. From kneeboarding / tubing, to snorkeling, to dancing on the trampoline, it's safe to say you made us extremely happy. Thanks for everything, we'll see you soon!
-Grace (age 21)

CREWED CHARTER BOAT REVIEW (provided directly to broker)

Name: Suzanne (last name withheld for privacy reasons)
Yacht: STARFISH with Sam and Jen Augspurger
Charter Dates: December 18 - 25, 2015
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands
Overall Rating: 5
5 being the highest 0 being the lowest

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your yachting vacation. Please answer the following questions and add any comments you may have.

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Sam and Jen are incredibly friendly, fun, and the best company we could have hoped for. They struck the perfect balance of being available if we needed someone to join in a card game and also respectful of our family time together. We all enjoyed their upbeat company. They also went out of their way to accommodate any request -- even taking the kids out, again, for more tubing even though it wasn't planned. We all love them -- and actually missed them when we left! Whether it was food choices, travel changes or making sure we could meet up with friends, they made it happen. Sam was the greatest tour guide, going snorkeling with us and even joining us on the dance floor at a disco. Jen made cooking gourmet meals look easy and was always happy to chat and share funny stories. We could not have asked for a better crew -- truly ideal.

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
The yacht exceeded our expectations! We think it makes a difference that Sam and Jen own the yacht; they keep it in perfect condition. It was spacious, spotless, beautiful and incredibly comfortable. Our rooms felt airy. The "trampoline" spot in the front of the boat was an ideal place for cocktails. The six of us felt like we had several places to hang out if we wanted a little alone time, as well as communal spots where we enjoyed meals, happy hour, and games. They offered us a luxurious experience that rivaled a four-star hotel.

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
There was terrific air conditioning that really pumped the cold air in. We all slept in cool, comfortable cabins. There were also plenty of windows / hatches that opened for those of us that preferred the sea air. We never felt claustrophobic. I felt more comfortable on their yacht than on a luxury Disney cruise I took my son on.

4. Was the food good and well presented?
We all looked forward to the delicious meals Jen prepared--they were an experience. The table was always beautifully set, with inviting centerpieces and attention to detail. The food looked and tasted extraordinary. We felt so well taken care of. It was really hard to leave! We all think Jen should go on one of those Master Chef TV shows -- her cooking is fantastic.

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
We loved the stops and the itinerary. They took all of our suggestions and preferences for an active vacation and truly delivered beyond our expectations. Our days were varied and extraordinary. They talked through ideas with us and welcomed all input. They knew the best places to go, and we felt so lucky to have the benefit of their deep knowledge of the islands and many years of sailing experience. We knew we were in excellent hands and relaxed completely.

6. Additional comments on your charter?
We had a vacation of a lifetime on Sam and Jen's yacht. We saw amazing sights above and below the water. Easy going and fun, they're also highly skilled and knowledgeable. We're so grateful to them for sharing their love of the BVI and vast experience. They were also extraordinarily kind to us all, especially my 11-year-old son. When he was having trouble getting the hang of snorkeling and started feeling frustrated, Sam took him aside and helped him out. Their experience raising kids made them great with ours. They're lovely people and we were truly sorry to see our vacation end. When we return to the BVI with more family members, we will want to sail with them again! Truly the BEST!!!

2016!! First entry of 2016!! Happy New Year!
What an amazing trip we have had on the Starfish. Jen and Sam, thank you so much for all that you did to make our vacation special. Your attention to detail in all that you did made this trip flawless.
You gave us great direction and guidance on our itinerary, provided us with a great variety of activities to do while in each location, and above all, made sure that that everyone was always safe.
We are so glad that we had the great fortune to wind up on the Starfish. You are both kind people who make a great team. We hope to visit the Starfish again. Thank you for all that you did for us. Thank you! Thank you!
-The Mc___ family

Dear Mr. Sam and Ms. Jen,
Thank you so much for spending so much time making my trip amazing and relaxing. The best thing about the trip was that I got to help work the boat and that Mr. Sam taught me how to drive the catamaran, put up the sails, tie a cleat, and how to drive the dinghy. Ms Jen, I loved your amazing food, making everything from scratch, and altering recipes or meals to my family's liking. Thank you both for the enjoyable and fun trip that you made for me and my family.
Sincerely,
Tommy
Future Water Sports Director
(age 13)

Dear Jen and Sam,
Thank you so much for making my trip so awesome! Mrs. Jen, thank you so much for having the refreshing stress relief spray and lotion in our rooms. It smelled so good. I loved helping you in the kitchen, you inspired me to cook more and try making new desserts. The movie about Laura Dekker was so interesting and the movie Captain Ron was super funny. Mr Sam, I love spending time on the water, but you made it so much more fun. I enjoyed kneeboarding and tubing, and snorkeling with you at the caves and hiking through the Baths. Thank you so much for everything!
Sincerely,
Katelyn
(age 11)

Dear Jen and Sam -
We had high hopes for our first exotic family vacation -- and you managed to exceed them all!! From the start, when you greeted us all (exhausted, somewhat stressed) by name, we've felt your caring attention and sense of FUN! Loved all the water sports and magnificent sights you shared with us. The cooking was delicious and we'll keep trying to get Jen on Master Chef for Catamarans. Thanks also for the unexpected kindnesses -- like taking Jack aside to teach him to snorkel & squeezing in an unplanned tubing session. We're all transformed and relaxed! Thanks so much!!
-Suzanne (and Jack)

Merry Christmas everyone!
-Jack

Christmas Day 2015 -
Best vacation ever. We appreciate how much you both went out of your way to make sure we relaxed and just had fun. Snorkeling and Bubbly Pool spa treatment were great. Had more fun at Foxy's than thought I could. Food was, of course, great. Games at night were great. Sam seemed to have endless energy and Jen paid attention to every detail. Still don't believe Sam did dinner designs (centerpieces). Thanks so much for everything. Can't express how much fun I had. Merry Christmas.
-Arthur

Thank you for your incredible hospitality. What a fantastic vacation.
-Nina

SO SO SO FUN! Thank you! (heart)
-Natasha (age 18)

It was so much fun and the food was really good. Follow me on the gram @(deleted for privacy).
-Kolya (age 13)

Thank you for giving my family an adventure they will never forget. You provided hospitality and pampering while showing us an unspoiled wilderness.
-Mary Carol

I loved spending time on boat. We all loved the beaches. My favorite beach was Norman. It had a lot of tinny fish to see when you snorkeled. I also slept REAL good.
-Madeline (age 8)

I loved going to Cooper Island. It was very cool. I liked all the cool stuff that was there. My favorite was Virgin Gorda, it had amazing caves. I hope to come back again.
Gavin (age 13)

Dear Captain Sam and First Mate (and superb chef) Jen,

I wanted to thank you one more time for our unforgettable experience aboard the Starfish. You were able to provide activities that pleased everyone, and meals that we all enjoyed. You will probably see us again next year.

Mary Carol

Dear Sam and Jen,
Thank you for a wonderful start to our honeymoon. We can't thank you enough for the amazing food and all the sea exploring! You made boating such a luxurious experience. This was truly a unique trip!
-Libby and Pat

Boat's name: starfish

Charter start date: 7/16/15

Upon arrival the boat was clean: Yes

The boat was tastefully presented and decorated: Yes

The boat was ready to board at the agreed time: Yes

Upon arrival the boat was immaculate: Yes

The boat was not new, but in great shape: Yes

Comments-Overall condition: A beauty! So clean and organized.

Was the boat kept clean during the charter? Yes

Was all advertised equipment on board? Yes

Was the equipment in good condition? Yes

Any toys particularly enjoyed: All of them - especially paddleboards and kayak

Comments-was the boat comfortable: Especially comfy - and the beds were great.

The captain was professional: Yes

The captain was friendly: Yes

The captain was pleasant but reserved: Yes

Comments-captain: Sam was soooo cute! Great to be with, easy going, exceptionally knowledgeable about sailing and boating in general

Comments regarding any sailing instruction: Didn't ask for one, but got the best one. He literally taught me how to sail a small Hobie by myself - which I did.

Did you feel free to choose each day's activities? Yes

Comments regarding choosing each days activities: But Jenny always had good ideas and told us where we were going and what the highlights were in the area.

Please describe the meals: Gourmet!

Were specifically requested drinks on board? Yes

Did the meals reflect your requested preferences? Yes

Comments-provisioning requests: Better than what we asked for. Incredibly delicious meal after meal.

The cook was outgoing: Yes

The cook was professional: Yes

The cook was friendly: Yes

The cook was a bit casual: Yes

The cook was eager to please: Yes

Did you have any problems with your flights? Yes

Comments-flights: Connecting flight to St. Thomas delayed 4 hours and we lost that time on our cruise. Thank you American Airlines.

Comments-were our descriptions accurate? Wouldn't change a thing. Pictures provided were true to form. Starfish was the very best we could have.

May we use you as a reference for this yacht? Yes

CREWED YACHT EVALUATION

July, 2015

How did you enjoy your cruising vacation?

Outstanding. Best vacation ever.

How would you describe your Captain and crew? Were they Courteous? Helpful? Friendly? Attentive? Knowledgeable?

All of the above and they were fun people. They paid attention to the small things. After we were on the yacht, my father mentioned that he liked to have a roll with his coffee in the morning. Jen went into town on the next stop and found some rolls for him to eat each morning when he got up. Sam knew the best snorkeling spots and took us out to them, helped us navigate in the water and fed the fish to draw them in closer.


Tell me about your meals? Did the menus meet your expectations? Did your crew pay close attention to your Preference Sheets?

The meals all exceeded our expectations. We swore every meal that we finished was the best of the trip. They had everything we asked for on our preference sheet including the liquor. We had a member of our charter who has an allergy to wheat. Jen made sure to have everything she needed to serve all of the meals gluten free. They also picked up fresh ingredients along the way to make ultra fresh dishes including fresh conch.


How is the yacht? Is she clean and well-maintained? Were your cabins comfortable? Was the cockpit comfortable? Was there enough shade?

The yacht was very clean and well-maintained. The cabins were comfortable. Jen had very comfortable linens for the bed and towels for the bathrooms. She made our beds up daily and made sure our cabins were clean. There was always plenty of shade, and we enjoyed spending most of our time outside on the boat sitting under the shade at the table when eating our meals.

All of the onboard equipment was new and in excellent condition. We took advantage of paddleboards, water skis, floating mats, fishing rods and snorkeling equipment. There was always something to do. Sam took us out and pulled us on the paddle board behind the dingy and one member of our charter even tried to water ski behind the dingy. We enjoyed fishing also. Sam and Jen altered the route of our sailing to put us out in deeper fishing water and we caught several fish. We also enjoyed laying on the trampoline and relaxing on the beanbags.


What did you like most about the yacht? What did you like the least?

Things we liked the most: Private bathrooms and bedrooms. Running the A/C at night. Plenty of space. The food. Jen's Pain Killers. The snorkeling.

Things we liked the least: We honestly can't think of anything.


How did you find the pace and the itinerary of your vacation?

Jen and Sam allowed us to dictate the pace of our itinerary. They had plenty of ideas for things to do at each island and they helped advise us on which islands to go to and what activities to enjoy on each island. They knew the best places to get drinks, eat, snorkel, and go to the beach on each island. Jen even knew the best car to rent on Anegada and she called ahead to reserve it for us. They also knew the best places to anchor at each beach and the best mooring balls. They were the ultimate guides for our trip.


Would you charter this yacht again? If not, please explain:

Yes, we plan to spend another week with Sam and Jen on the Starfish.

May we use you as a reference?

Yes

Additional Comments:

We had a medical emergency while on the boat. Jen and Sam handled this perfectly. They had all the equipment needed while on board to handle this type of thing including oxygen and a first aid kit. Jen and Sam also knew how to get in touch with paramedics in the BVI and they dispatched a boat to help us. They also had an AED on board. We never had to use it, but it was nice knowing that it was there.

Jen and Sam,
Thank you for my first cat ride. I loved it. Everything was wonderful.
-Sue

Thank you for a fantastic time. All your meals were fabulous. Thank you for the cooking tips.
-Paulette

Jen and Sam,
Thanks for the wonderful trip. I enjoyed everything about the catamaran. You both took such good care of our group, great attention to detail, super delicious food and a great tour guide. The "toys" you have enabled me to check some things off my bucket-list -- paddle boarding.
-Susan

Jenny and Sam -
You're both just the very best -- guides, cooks, teachers, and everything else you've done for us. Sam, thank you for my "Hobie" lessons and insight into sailing your catamaran. Jenny - thank you for teaching me how to get up and stay up on my paddleboard! It's been a great trip!
-Maggie

Jen and Sam,
You have been wonderful hosts. Another trip now checked off my bucket list. Good luck moving forward.
-Cindy

From our first step on the boat to our last moments at sea, Sam and Jen made our week special. Every meal was our favorite. The drinks were delicious and potent. Sam was the ultimate tour guide making us 10 years younger in his "island spa." We can never thank you enough for providing top-notch emergency medical care! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
-Steve, Annette and Brady

Thank you for making our family vacation one we will be talking about for years to come. We loved the snorkeling, Jen's delicious meals, and of course, the Painkiller cocktails! You both took great care of us . . . especially after "The Great Jellyfish Attack of 2015." Starfish will forever hold a special place in our heart.
-Nicole and Spencer

Thank you for making our family trip a success. Your boat was a pleasure to live in. My favorite part of the vacation was the snorkeling. I was so scared to do it again after my honeymoon. We saw things that will be in our memories forever. Also, the food was A+++++ every meal! You are a fantastic cook. Best of luck to you and your hubby.
-Paula and Steve

Thank you for such an amazing trip! The snorkeling and the Bubbly Pool were my favorite parts. The food was always fantastic and both of you were always a pleasure to be around.
- Claire (age 19)

You made our dreams come true! Our Family Reunion aboard Starfish exceeded our expectations and created memories to last a lifetime. Thank you for your professionalism, AMAZING meals, comfy bean bag chairs on the bow, and your good company.
XXOO
Ann, Frank, Shana, John, Isabel and Haley

Jen and Sam,
Thank you for an amazing 30th anniversary trip! We couldn't wait to get on the Starfish, and our experience was exactly what we were hoping for: from all of my snorkeling, especially finding me the turtle to the unbelievable food Jen prepared. Your attention to detail did not go unnoticed! I wanted to be on the water and in it (not sure about David!). It was beautiful! It's hard to find the words to describe what a great time we had! Thanks to you we will have pictures to show our kids and remember our 30th for a long time! I really appreciate the patience you showed me knowing my swimming ability! You filled all of our needs and wants, our trip could not have been any better!! Hope to be on the Starfish again soon with our family!
-Madeline & David
Louisiana

Jen and Captain Sam:
You definitely delivered. We expected a great trip, but you were top notch on all levels. The food was some of the best I've ever had. Thanks for all of your hard work and helping us create memories that will last a lifetime. I respect you for all you have done, like living on the boat, as most only dream instead of taking action. I wish you the best and maybe we will cross paths again.
-Chris

Dear Sam and Jen,
I knew this was another world and indeed it is -- one in which superlatives rule . . . or at least on the Starfish. I have been trying to keep track of the different fish I've seen and I can't. But last night -- just in the rocks sought of Foxy's, Steve and I swam with and through thousands of fry from 1" to 3" and witnessed a trio of a type of pompano with long 4"-5" black fins repeatedly go through the school in formation (stacked) with mouths open feeding . . . spectacular.

The food was phenomenal, like chocolate souffle . . . swordfish . . . and . . . wonderful. Jen, you are a wonderful cook and hostess. Sam's grilling was to perfection.

But the two of you are exceptional in everything, i.e., attentiveness to our every need & many we did not even know about -- like the muffin delivery window!! It is you that makes the cruise something that will always be remembered with a smile and feelings of calm and relaxation. Thank you for sharing a small piece of this paradise with us. May God continue to bless you both and all of your guests as well.
Love,
Joe

Dear Sam and Jen,
Thank you, it was fabulous: times 20 isn't enough. From the first moment when "Kevin Costner" met us at the taxi van to the final day with homemade muffins and Jen taking the superfluous sun block off my face to keep me from irritating my eyes, your attention to detail is remarkable. You both have hearts of servants so your guests "feel the warmth." With prayers for your continued health and success,
Love,
Steve

(All from Michigan)
(Starfish note: Many guests comment that Captain Sam looks and sounds like Kevin Costner.)

Wanted to let you know that we had an unforgettable family experience and thank you for your help.

Sam and Jen went out of their way, in every way, and the boat was extremely comfortable and well appointed with kayaks and paddle boards, etc. The meals and service were first rate and there were great little touches like surprising us with champagne at the bubbly pool on Jost Van Dyke. It was also relaxing to see a husband/wife team working together so easily and professionally.

My personal favorite is snorkeling and Sam made sure that we visited some of the most remote and coolest spots. We got to see turtles, squid, rays, plus a rainbow of fish amidst colorful coral gardens.

Again, thanks so much for your help, we will be sure to recommend you and Starfish to all our friends.

-David
Nashville, TN

How did you enjoy your cruising vacation?
It was spectacular, we all enjoyed it very much and were sad to leave.

How would you describe your Captain and crew? Were they Courteous? Helpful? Friendly? Attentive? Knowledgeable?
They were both complete professionals. Sam was very skilled in captaining the boat and we all felt completely safe and secure in his care. He also did a nice job taking us out snorkeling and was always more than willing to take out any of the toys (i.e. paddle boards) for us to use. Jen is an accomplished chef and kept the boat in immaculate condition, everything was very clean and tidy. They were both extremely courteous, knowledgeable and accommodating at every turn as well as friendly and fun to be around.

Tell me about your meals? Did the menus meet your expectations? Did your crew pay close attention to your Preference Sheets?
The food was fantastic. We were all impressed by how diligently Jen adhered to the requests that we made. The meals were fresh, presented beautiful and delicious. We have even requested that some of the recipes be sent to us so we can recreate our favorite dishes. Jen paid attention to every detail - including lovely place settings for each meal. We were also very impressed by the wine selection. We requested a few wines that are difficult to find and Jen went out of her way to do some research on comparable grapes and then purchased that wine.

How is the yacht? Is she clean and well-maintained? Were your cabins comfortable? Was the cockpit comfortable? Was there enough shade?
The yacht was perfect- we felt there was plenty of space for the four of us (plus Jen & Sam), it was spotless, completely clean and well-maintained. I was very comfortable every night, the sheets were soft and high-quality, the beds and pillows were extremely comfortable and I had a wonderful nights sleep every single night.

What did you like most about the yacht? What did you like the least?
I cannot answer this question because there was nothing that I didn't like. The boat was spacious and comfortable, there were plenty of fun toys, they supplied us with suits to snorkel in so we'd be comfortable, they supplied us with very nice snorkels that keep the water out, etc.

How did you find the pace and the itinerary of your vacation?
Perfect for us. One of the best parts of the trip was that we were neither rushed nor bored- they clearly took the time to evaluate what kind of trip we wanted and what we enjoyed and took that into consideration. They were always attentive to what we wanted.

Would you charter this yacht again? If not, please explain:
Yes!

Absolutely fantastic from start to finish! Beautiful boat, surroundings, food and crew. Thanks so much for an unforgettable family vacation.
-Nicole

This was an amamzing vacation -- Jen's food was delicious, and she was always flexible with particular requests. Thank you Jen! We went to so many beautiful islands. Thank you grill-master and Captain Sam! You both truly care about your guests, and your boat, and it shows.
All the best,
Danielle

Thank you so, so, so much for a truly awesome week. It was just the right balance of doing nothing and doing tons. I especially enjoyed going to the Baths and getting pulled around on the tube. The food was also really great and Starfish is a really cool boat. Thanks again for a great week.
-Alexandria
Redding, Connecticut

Jen and Sam,
An amazing week on the Starfish thanks to your incredible hard work --from planning the perfect spots to snorkel, swim, paddleboard, relax on the rafts or tube, to amazing meals morning noon and night, or great stories from your travels around the world -- we have had the most perfect time. You made us feel welcome, found the right balance for perfection and created. Family memories for a lifetime. Our two teen girls had a blast as did we! Thank you for everything you did for us.
-Craig and Family
Redding, Connecticut

Thank you so much for an incredible trip! The boat was very nice, and I had a blast riding on the raft/tube behind the dinghy. The food was absolutely fantastic, and you certainly assured me that my many fears were nothing to worry about.
Thank you!
-Elizabeth
Redding, Connecticut

Sam and Jen, Thanks for making our charter so special. The food, adventure, amenities and numerous unique fine touches made it a trip to remember. The International Man of Leisure and Kenny reveled in the activities and attention. Your way with the kids was awesome!! We wish you guys the best and hope our paths cross again in the future.
P.S. Thanks Sam for all the boating knowledge you passed on. Hearing about you and Jen's cruising experience was inspiring.
-John
San Clemente, California

Thanks Sam and Jen for a wonderful trip. I had a lot of fun swimming, snorkeling and paddleboarding. The food was delicious and the boat felt like home. I hope I can join this boat again.
-Kenton
San Clemente, California

Thanks for such a great trip and it is one that I will never forget. My brother has already written about everything. I hope I can come again soon!
-Grayson (aka International Man of Leisure)
San Clemente, California

Thanks for a fantastic trip! Jen, you are a great chef and Sam the best captain ever! Goodbye shipmates. Hope to see you on a future voyage!
-Geri
San Clemente, California

Bye Starfish, I had an amazing time being aboard with you. This was a great experience. Arrr D arrrr mate.
-Peter
Boulder, Colorado

Adios Starfish! It amazes me the infinite amount of memories we packed into 5 days, but nevertheless we will never forget this trip! Thanks so much!
-Marina
Boulder, Colorado

I found a new security blanket in the skin suit. Wherever I went, she went with me -- saved me from many a sunburn. I like to say that I paid a lot of $ for my "spa" treatment -- marl mud face mask -- natural sunscreen -- followed by a bubble bath in the Bubbly Pool! Luxury at its BEST. My final "Magic Hour" floating in the water off the stern of Starfish in Jost Van Dyke -- Priceless -- Wishing I turned 50 every year. Miss you already.
-Pat
Boulder, Colorado

Starfish, Jen and Sam - thanks for helping me pull off the surprise vacation of a lifetime. Memories we will never forget and family moments that will be talked about for decades.
-Tom
Boulder, Colorado

The lopster (sic) lost the war. [Note: He had a whole lobster for himself for dinner at Potter's on the Beach in Anegada.]
-Vincent
Boulder, Colorado

SOS, Starfish! Thank you for the best vacation! I will absolutely be going through boat/food withdrawals! Can't wait to come back and be the Dinghy Captain for life!
-Casey
College student in Kentucky

Ahoy, Starfish! I can't believe the week is over! I'm starting to experience sea sadness (instead of sea madness). Ha ha. I'm going to miss you all and Jen's amazing cooking. I hope to be back again soon!
-Katie
Illinois (College student in Kentucky)

Jen and Sam:
Not enough superlatives or adjectives in the English language to describe how wonderful our cruise was. And made all the more enjoyable by your companionship. We will remember our adventure forever. Best regards and thank you again for a wonderful time.
-Bill
Marion, Illinois

To say our time aboard Starfish was wonderful and relaxing would be an understatement. Of course having the BVI as a backdrop didn't hurt either. Sam and Jen made us feel like family and even though the limitations of our aged 50+ bodies were hard to ignore, they made sure we had the adventure of a lifetime.

Our journey began with a flight into St. Thomas. The next morning we boarded the Starfish and headed for snorkeling in St. John followed by a wonderful champagne lunch. We then set sail for Sopers Hole, Tortola, that evening. From there we snorkeled the Indians (a highlight), visited the Caves on Norman Island and had massages on the beach at Peter Island. In less than 48 hours, a complete state of relaxation had settled in. We explored the Baths at Virgin Gorda and snorkeled the Dogs on our way to Leverick Bay to see Michael Beans Pirate show (another highlight). The next morning we braved the crossing to Anegada and explored the island on scooters, complete with a lovely al fresco lobster lunch. We ended our whirlwind tour of the warm and sunny BVIs on the quaint island of Jost Van Dye, sipping Foxy's rum drinks and swinging lazily from hammocks on the beach.

Jen, like the perfect concierge, navigated us through the details of arranging our itinerary and making the necessary reservations for our outings. Sam, besides being the consummate captain, negotiated our way quickly through customs, patiently and cheerfully guided us through the water sports, and got us safely on and off each island. We were told the most significant aspect of a boat charter is to choose your crew wisely, and we hit the jackpot with Jen and Sam!

The Starfish was beautiful and well appointed with plenty of room to move about. Many times we were moored next to other catamarans that weren't nearly as well-laid out as the Starfish. All of our home cooked meals were delicious and well-planned. We never had to think about a meal, a snack or a drink - they just showed up!

All-in-all, this was the trip of a lifetime for the four of us -- one we will never forget and one we thankfully spent aboard the Starfish!

We had an amazing trip on Starfish!

Since we had never chartered or visited the BVI, we weren't sure how to begin or what to expect. . . .The boat was great, very well equipped, clean and comfortable. There were a bunch of little extra touches, such as the Bath & Body Works toiletries, nice sheets and towels, and memory foam mattress toppers, which really made it seem like a luxury vacation. Jen and Sam were wonderful...well organized and very professional, yet warm and welcoming. We had an in-depth conference call with them a few weeks before our trip, which was very helpful and informative. Jen also helped us to reserve a taxi service for our transportation between the airport and the marina. Once aboard, we really enjoyed their company, and they were great with our kids, making us feel really comfortable. The food was excellent and abundant. When completing our preference form, we purposely did not include too much detail, as we thought it would be best to allow Jen to prepare her specialties, which worked out very well for us. Jen prepared gourmet meals, but was able to adapt little things to accommodate the kids' pickier eating habits. Overall, the food was excellent, and it was so nice to be catered to for the week. Since we had no prior chartering experience, we followed Jen & Sam's suggested itinerary, which was great. We felt that we really saw and did a lot in a week. Jen recommended the Michael Beans show at Leverick Bay,which was very enjoyable. Also, we did go to Anegada, which we loved. We did a lot of snorkeling, with Sam as our guide, which was really helpful as he was very familiar with the good snorkeling locations. Overall, Sam & Jen were a great crew and we had a wonderful trip aboard Starfish! We hope to be able to charter with them again in the future.

Dear Jen and Sam - Thank you so much for our much needed relaxing vacation aboard the spectacular Starfish! From the calm waters of Compass Point to the "high seas" of Anegada, we were pampered like guests and treated like family. We will miss you and hope to see you again soon!

Warmly,
Mike and Janie
Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you so much for an amazing trip! We appreciate you sharing all the fantastic stops of the BVI -- it wouldn't have been the same without you! You took such great care of us! The food, the snorkeling, the company -- the love of the water you have shines through. Thank you for the trip of a lifetime!
-Ray & Leslie
Purcellville, VA

We had an amazing week aboard Starfish! It was the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure with great people, great food, great snorkeling and a great boat!

Jen - your meals were amazing and abundant! We were so impressed by the ease with which you created such great cuisine in such a small space. And we really appreciated all the extra touches around the boat which made us very comfortable.

Sam - you were a great tour guide for all our excursions, from snorkeling to beach bar! Your experience and knowledge of all the "good spots" really made our adventures enjoyable.

We've truly enjoyed our week here on "paradise time." We'll be heading back to reality today, but leaving with some unforgettable family memories!

Thank you both for everything! We hope we'll be able to join you again in the future!
-Debbie, Kevin, Kyle & Rachel
Melrose, MA

My family had an amazing family vacation. One we will remember for the rest of our lives. Sam was a terrific "Pirate." Jen was an amazing chef. Each meal was outstanding. Together, they made us feel safe, fully fed and "hydrated." :) They are a Dynamic Duo! Amazing! Fun!
-Ken
Long Island, NY

Dear Sassy Sam and Jammin' Jen: Thank you for your meticulous attention to our every need/whim. Thank you for the amazing cuisine experience every time we sat down to your gorgeous table. We had a trip we will always remember. With great affection to both of you -- till we meet again.
XO.
-Cathy
Long Island, NY

Thank you soooo much for this past week. We had an amazing time -- better than I ever expected. We hope to see you guys soon! Good vibes and easy living!
Love,
Kenneth

Thank you for the trip of a lifetime and a vacation we'll never forget!
Love,
Emma

We had an amazing time. :) Sam and Jen are awesome. Hopefully we see you all again.
-Joseph

Thank you both so much for an incredible trip! We all had an amazing time with amazing food and amazing activities. You are the best. Hopefully we can keep in touch.
-Sarah

My favorite trip! The food, the movie, the games, and the water activities.
Thanks a lot,
Layni

Being our first yacht charter experience, there were a lot of questions and a few concerns. Sam and Jen were very thorough in their pre-charter dialogue and quickly put our questions and concerns to rest (even my 9 year old daughter's concern of the boat tipping over) . Everything from pre-charter transportation, meal ideas and itinerary were discussed and arranged so all we had to do was show up.

From the very beginning of our trip, my wife and I knew we had made the right choice. Our son's luggage was left in Atlanta (luckily we had arrived the day prior to our cruise departure) and within an hour of meeting Sam and Jen on the Starfish, Jen was on the phone trying to locate his luggage (which she did and we were only delayed an hour from our original departure time).

Sam and Jen made us feel right at home on the Starfish and within a couple of hours of departing St. Thomas, the stress of everyday life was a distant memory. Jen does an amazing job with her daily menu so variety was never an issue. Every meal was well prepared and balanced, she even accommodated our lone picky eater with additional options at times.

You can tell that Sam and Jen were/are great parents because they took great care of making sure our kids had a great vacation. Our son (12), had recently earned his boaters license and the number one thing on his list was to drive the dinghy. Sam not only accommodated this request but also let him drive the 46ft. Cat a couple of times. Needless to say, driving the dinghy was a highlight or our son's trip.

The Starfish is a first-rate sailing vessel and Sam and Jen have done a wonderful job decorating and providing many comforts of home for our journey. The itinerary Sam and Jen pulled together for our family was perfect and our Christmas lobster dinner on Anegada (along with limbo contest) was a great family memory.

Sometimes its the small things that make a difference in a vacation and the one thing I didn't expect was to leave with new friends. I miss my sailing time and morning coffee chats with Sam. He's a great captain and a great conversationalist.

While this was our first sailing experience, it won't be our last. It was a great way to spend time together as a family and a trip we will never forget. We look forward to our next sailing journey on the Starfish.

The food was delicious. The snorkeling spots we were taken to were amazing. The food was amazing! Snorkeling was amazing because of all the colorful fish and coral. It was like a whole other world.

This was truly an amazing trip that I will never forget. Thank you so much for the fabulous food, games, and high adventures! Thank you again! Please come visit or maybe we will come back!

Best week ever! You guys were the best and accommodated all of our needs. Thank you so much for everything. It was perfect!

Our trip on Starfish was absolutely wonderful. Jen and Sam are just amazing and so attentive to every detail and every need. Her food was absolutely delicious and all completely homemade. My kids now have some new favorite foods. Mahi Mahi Dinner and Fish taco lunch were favorites along with ROTI and of course loved a good old hamburger lunch and steak dinner. All the breakfasts were just delicious too! And Jen's presentation and table setting were always so nice! Fresh cloth napkins for every dinner and Thanksgiving dinner was a real act of love!! The yacht was just perfect for our family stocked well with games and water toys for all. Clean and comfortable. Can't say anything but great things about Starfish and Jen and Sam!
-The MaxXXXX
Georgia