Charter November 2009
To whom it may concern:
In paradise, on Paradise. The latter, longer than advertised by about 6ft, so we’ve actually got more boat than we paid for. Best of all, and more important than whether the boat is 54ft long or 60ft, is the layout. Many boats of this length are advertised as accommodating 6 guests plus the crew; often because the aft cabin has been partitioned to create two smaller double berths with a shared head. Not so on Paradise where we took the forward cabin and our friends Alison and Trevor took the aft cabin.
Both cabins are proper double berths with plenty of room. We shared a head with Bernie and Ruthie, but somehow their own personal biology’s seem to have mutated to suit ship life because we never actually saw them use the joint facilities.
The other key feature of Paradise is the layout of the deck. Many larger or similar sized charter boats we’ve seen in BVI don’t have Paradise’s excellent above deck seating area. We used this for every meal and never once ate down below. It also provides a perfect area for sitting and reading when underway. Had we hit poor weather the saloon is plenty big enough to cope with two couples and the crew.
There’s an exceptionally large galley on Paradise, but its impressive size is nothing compared to the talent that works in it. I’m not sure if Michelin extends its star system to ocean going restaurants and chefs, but if it does Ruthie warrants an automatic three stars. Every day we were fed lovely organic meals. Fruit and cereal for breakfast accompanied by a surprise. Pancakes, cold meats and more.
Apparently British guests are rare aboard Paradise but it didn’t take us long to school the crew in key points of the clock when tea, gin and tonics are required. Every evening we ate on deck with musical company from Bernie’s iPod – over 5,000 songs.
We’re all BVI virgins so let the crew plan itinerary for our holiday. It worked out perfectly with regular stops for snorkelling and swimming and quiet and safe moorings at night.
Our first taste of Caribbean cruising has been an unqualified success. Bernie and Ruthie provide not only an immaculate boat and superb food, but entertaining company with a great sense of humour. We felt we were served as guests but treated as friends. Several late nights were spent under the stars putting the world to right while emptying Paradise’s cellar. Great weather, great company, great boat and stunning surroundings. As relaxing a holiday as you could hope for!
Thanks Bernie and Ruthie and to A. Charters for pointing us in their direction.
Colin & Amelia
Trevor & Alison
Great Britain
Dear Captains Bernie and Ruthie,
It was a pleasure to meet you and to see how professional sailors operate. This was a vacation like no other we have had. The ten days spent on Paradise were relaxing, entertaining and educational.
You gave me (Linda) the confidence to tackle my fear of the water. Snorkelling was fun and living on the boat gave us a different perspective of the islands. In addition, the meals were delicious and expertly prepared. We wondered how each one could be better than the last.
We appreciated your concern for the welfare of our friend, John, who had some health problems. But, you adjusted and made this a dream come true for him as well as all of us. We will be forever grateful for our experiences on Paradise.
We would encourage anyone looking for adventure or a unique vacation to sail with two experienced captains, Bernie and Ruthie, on Paradise.
Chuck and Linda Thomas
SY Paradise BVI – The Best Choice
Dear Kathy (Broker), Bernie and my sweet Ruthie,
Thank you for the fantastic trip. Bernie (Capt) and Ruthie (Admiral) started out as just that but by the time we left they had become our friends. This was our fifth boat trip to the BVI and by far it was the best. The boat was immaculate and Bernie is a sailor supreme that I would sail anywhere with. Both of them know the islands like the back of there hand. We would highly recommend the Paradise to any of your clients. Every meal was wonderful and delicious. The presentation was artistic and the conversation was interesting and funny. They are the consummate couple that never stopped doing there best to make sure that we were comfortable in every way. Sleeping accommodations were very comfortable, clean and private. They have given us wonderful memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives.
Best Regards, John and Sally Bergman
Dear Ulla (Broker), Dearest Ruth and Bernd!
So we are back in good old Germany now, fun is over, but our memories will last a lifetime... Ruth and Bernd asked us to write a testimonial about our impressions, so here it comes (please do not notice the incorrect use of words, grammar...):
First of all, we want to thank you, Ulla, for your friendly assistance in finding and selecting the matching ship / crew and with all the booking and payment works. We were quick decision makers and with your help we were lucky enough to get just what we wanted (and even more!). And, of course, extra thanks for the nice day we spent together, with you as a perfect guide showing us the beauty of Tortola!
How can we find the right words about our time with you, Ruth and Bernd? My wife and me are enthusiastic, but not well-experienced landlubber-sailors, and we like to be away from all crowds. We made a very long charter - 18 days - and we don't want to miss a single one! We were sailing everywhere in the BVI und US Virgins, visiting all the islands, bays and great places, we could think of. Our daily itinerary was suggested by Bernd and Ruth, and we were never disappointed in their choices. And - we were sailing with strong winds all the time, what a fun! Bernd (and also Ruth) is a very experienced sailor, who always gives you the warm feeling of perfect safety. So, if you want to do just gentle sailing, they are the right ones, but if you want to have a little more competitive sailing, Bernd's eyes will show a special glow...
But much more than perfect sailing was Bernd's and Ruth's friendliness, heartiness and helpfulness. They are simply the best, every wish you could ever think of, is fulfilled in a second, and always with a perfect smile. Bernd and Ruth are very sensitive hosts, and our time onboard was the perfect balance of privacy and sharing our time with them. These wonderful evenings with lots of good stories, philosophy, laughter and fun brought us together, so, after a while, it was much more a company of friends sailing together than a charter. (To make your day, ask Bernd for the imitation of the young calf's cry ...)
As often written in the testimonials, the dining experience is extraordinary and exceeded our expectations in every way - they only buy the best organic food and you will taste the difference - it's simply gourmet cuisine!
Of course, the boat is clean, well-maintained and very roomy, if you want to, they provide music, films, and games ... For us it was just fine to sit under the stars, enjoy a good conversation and let the world go round....
We are experienced travellers and we have seen many beautiful spots and places all over the world. We know about the standards of 5star-hotellery, but these 18 days were different, they were unforgettable. Paradise is not just the ship's name...
Thank you, Ruth and Bernd, for your extraordinary hospitality, thank you for sharing your stories, your time and your emotions with us. We will meet again, anytime, anywhere, hopefully onboard Paradise!
Hans-Peter and Annett
To whom it may concern:
In paradise, on Paradise. The latter, longer than advertised by about 6ft, so we’ve actually got more boat than we paid for. Best of all, and more important than whether the boat is 54ft long or 60ft, is the layout. Many boats of this length are advertised as accommodating 6 guests plus the crew; often because the aft cabin has been partitioned to create two smaller double berths with a shared head. Not so on Paradise where we took the forward cabin and our friends Alison and Trevor took the aft cabin.
Both cabins are proper double berths with plenty of room. We shared a head with Bernie and Ruthie, but somehow their own personal biology’s seem to have mutated to suit ship life because we never actually saw them use the joint facilities.
The other key feature of Paradise is the layout of the deck. Many larger or similar sized charter boats we’ve seen in BVI don’t have Paradise’s excellent above deck seating area. We used this for every meal and never once ate down below. It also provides a perfect area for sitting and reading when underway. Had we hit poor weather the saloon is plenty big enough to cope with two couples and the crew.
There’s an exceptionally large galley on Paradise, but its impressive size is nothing compared to the talent that works in it. I’m not sure if Michelin extends its star system to ocean going restaurants and chefs, but if it does Ruthie warrants an automatic three stars. Every day we were fed lovely organic meals. Fruit and cereal for breakfast accompanied by a surprise. Pancakes, cold meats and more.
Apparently British guests are rare aboard Paradise but it didn’t take us long to school the crew in key points of the clock when tea, gin and tonics are required. Every evening we ate on deck with musical company from Bernie’s iPod – over 5,000 songs.
We’re all BVI virgins so let the crew plan itinerary for our holiday. It worked out perfectly with regular stops for snorkelling and swimming and quiet and safe moorings at night.
Our first taste of Caribbean cruising has been an unqualified success. Bernie and Ruthie provide not only an immaculate boat and superb food, but entertaining company with a great sense of humour. We felt we were served as guests but treated as friends. Several late nights were spent under the stars putting the world to right while emptying Paradise’s cellar. Great weather, great company, great boat and stunning surroundings. As relaxing a holiday as you could hope for!
Thanks Bernie and Ruthie and to A. Charters for pointing us in their direction.
Colin & Amelia
Trevor & Alison
Great Britain
Dear Captains Bernie and Ruthie,
It was a pleasure to meet you and to see how professional sailors operate. This was a vacation like no other we have had. The ten days spent on Paradise were relaxing, entertaining and educational.
You gave me (Linda) the confidence to tackle my fear of the water. Snorkelling was fun and living on the boat gave us a different perspective of the islands. In addition, the meals were delicious and expertly prepared. We wondered how each one could be better than the last.
We appreciated your concern for the welfare of our friend, John, who had some health problems. But, you adjusted and made this a dream come true for him as well as all of us. We will be forever grateful for our experiences on Paradise.
We would encourage anyone looking for adventure or a unique vacation to sail with two experienced captains, Bernie and Ruthie, on Paradise.
Chuck and Linda Thomas
SY Paradise BVI – The Best Choice
Dear Kathy (Broker), Bernie and my sweet Ruthie,
Thank you for the fantastic trip. Bernie (Capt) and Ruthie (Admiral) started out as just that but by the time we left they had become our friends. This was our fifth boat trip to the BVI and by far it was the best. The boat was immaculate and Bernie is a sailor supreme that I would sail anywhere with. Both of them know the islands like the back of there hand. We would highly recommend the Paradise to any of your clients. Every meal was wonderful and delicious. The presentation was artistic and the conversation was interesting and funny. They are the consummate couple that never stopped doing there best to make sure that we were comfortable in every way. Sleeping accommodations were very comfortable, clean and private. They have given us wonderful memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives.
Best Regards, John and Sally Bergman
Dear Ulla (Broker), Dearest Ruth and Bernd!
So we are back in good old Germany now, fun is over, but our memories will last a lifetime... Ruth and Bernd asked us to write a testimonial about our impressions, so here it comes (please do not notice the incorrect use of words, grammar...):
First of all, we want to thank you, Ulla, for your friendly assistance in finding and selecting the matching ship / crew and with all the booking and payment works. We were quick decision makers and with your help we were lucky enough to get just what we wanted (and even more!). And, of course, extra thanks for the nice day we spent together, with you as a perfect guide showing us the beauty of Tortola!
How can we find the right words about our time with you, Ruth and Bernd? My wife and me are enthusiastic, but not well-experienced landlubber-sailors, and we like to be away from all crowds. We made a very long charter - 18 days - and we don't want to miss a single one! We were sailing everywhere in the BVI und US Virgins, visiting all the islands, bays and great places, we could think of. Our daily itinerary was suggested by Bernd and Ruth, and we were never disappointed in their choices. And - we were sailing with strong winds all the time, what a fun! Bernd (and also Ruth) is a very experienced sailor, who always gives you the warm feeling of perfect safety. So, if you want to do just gentle sailing, they are the right ones, but if you want to have a little more competitive sailing, Bernd's eyes will show a special glow...
But much more than perfect sailing was Bernd's and Ruth's friendliness, heartiness and helpfulness. They are simply the best, every wish you could ever think of, is fulfilled in a second, and always with a perfect smile. Bernd and Ruth are very sensitive hosts, and our time onboard was the perfect balance of privacy and sharing our time with them. These wonderful evenings with lots of good stories, philosophy, laughter and fun brought us together, so, after a while, it was much more a company of friends sailing together than a charter. (To make your day, ask Bernd for the imitation of the young calf's cry ...)
As often written in the testimonials, the dining experience is extraordinary and exceeded our expectations in every way - they only buy the best organic food and you will taste the difference - it's simply gourmet cuisine!
Of course, the boat is clean, well-maintained and very roomy, if you want to, they provide music, films, and games ... For us it was just fine to sit under the stars, enjoy a good conversation and let the world go round....
We are experienced travellers and we have seen many beautiful spots and places all over the world. We know about the standards of 5star-hotellery, but these 18 days were different, they were unforgettable. Paradise is not just the ship's name...
Thank you, Ruth and Bernd, for your extraordinary hospitality, thank you for sharing your stories, your time and your emotions with us. We will meet again, anytime, anywhere, hopefully onboard Paradise!
Hans-Peter and Annett