BVI + USVI Charter Yacht Shows 2019 [Event Recap]

Charter broker Laura Jagielski, recently attended the 35^th Annual BVI Charter Yacht Show in Tortola, BVI and the 3^rd Annual VIPCA USVI Charter Yacht Show in St. Thomas, USVI.  See her full event recap below.

I had the pleasure of attending both the BVI Charter Yacht Show and the VIPCA USVI Charter Yacht Show. This was my 4^th year attending both, and between the two shows, there was over 100 yachts in attendance.  From 40′ to 141′, there were sailing catamarans, power catamarans, sportfishing yachts, restored classic schooners, and motoryachts.  These two shows are my favorite charter shows, as I specialize in the Caribbean cruising area, specifically in crewed catamaran charters.

Catamaran charters are a fantastic way to spend time with family and loved ones.  Most catamaran charters in the Caribbean are all-inclusive, which means all of your food, beverages and watersport activities are included in the charter price.  Catamaran charters are very popular as they offer tons of space for the whole group (with massive flybridges, sunpads, trampolines and alfresco dining), the cabins are ensuite featuring queen to king size beds, catamarans are stable while underway and at anchor, making it super comfortable to spend a week vacationing on.   

The BVI Charter Yacht Show was from November 7 – 10, held at Nanny Cay Marina, on the island of Tortola.  Over the course of the show, the yachts competed for Best in Show, a cocktail blending challenge, as well as a Culinary Contest featuring appetizers, lunches, dinners, and desserts. 

My 3 favorite yachts were: 2019 65 Horizon Power Catamaran, named MUCHO GUSTO, the 2013 Lagoon 560 named ALTESSE and the 2019 Lagoon 620, named OCULUS.  All three of these boats still have availability for charters in The Virgin Islands this Winter season.  You can learn more about these boats here.  

The USVI Charter Yacht Show was from November 11-14 at Yacht Haven Grande Marina, on St. Thomas.   This is the 3^rd year, VIPCA has hosted the show and each year the show has grown.  Denison Yachting has been a sponsor of the show from the beginning, hosting the crew party each year.  My favorite part of the show and a nice perk of being a charter broker, is having lunch aboard the boats.  Not only do you get to have a more intimate experience with the crew and yacht, but you truly get to experience what your clients would while on charter.  Having that first hand experience is what makes a great charter broker. My main priority is matching my client’s needs with the right boat and crew. 

This year I had the privilege of attending 3 broker’s lunches during the USVI Show.  I enjoyed a three-course, entirely vegan meal aboard XENIA 74, a beautiful 75ft Privilege sailing catamaran.  Chef Kate prepared a carrot salad, a Buddha bowl and a coconut milk panna cotta with a poached pear.  On EXODUS, the 2015 Fountaine Pajot, I enjoyed a delicious, two-course meal prepared by Chef Louise.  Service was absolutely on point, with Captain Alan playing bartender and storyteller, as we learned that his Father was a chef for the Royal Family.  My third lunch was aboard the 2013 Lagoon 560, VIRAMAR.  Chef Erika prepared a three-course feast, with Captain Tyler playing grill master for us.  This boat is all about fresh ingredients. For our lunch, we enjoyed fresh caught tuna and lobster by Captain Tyler himself; ending it with a decadent chocolate molten cake. 

My 5 favorite yachts from the show were: the 2019 Lagoon 450F, named RAPSCALLION, the 2014 Lagoon 620, named TWIN FLAME, the 2015 Fountaine Pajot 58 Impanema, named EXODUS, the 2019 74 Horizon Powercat, named SEAGLASS and the 2019 Sunreef 60, named RELENTLESS.  Stay tuned for my video on these 5 amazing boats.

To see videos on Denison’s trip to the BVI Charter show, or for more catamaran videos, see all of Laura and her husband Wiley’s videos on their YouTube channel.