🛥 Best of the Best: Top Charter Yachts in the Virgin Islands for 2025
- Captain Randy and Shelly
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Award-Winning Crewed Yachts Selected From the Caribbean Charter Shows
If you’re dreaming of turquoise water, unforgettable meals under the stars, and a crew who remembers how you like your morning coffee (because yes — that really happens aboard the right yacht), then you’re in the right place.
Capt. Randy & Shelly Tucker attend charter yacht shows each year to personally inspect the yachts, meet the crew, taste their artfully plated cuisine, and get a feel for the onboard experience before recommending a vessel to you. Presentation matters — not just for the yacht, but for the entire journey ahead!
Here’s how we like to describe it:
"As charter brokers, our entire first impression lives online — through photography, video, and the way we present each yacht to you. We often have just one moment to help someone fall in love with the experience and say, “Yes — that’s the one.”
"Then comes the magic of stepping aboard. Crew hospitality, uniforms, service style — it sets the tone instantly. A warm welcome can define an entire charter. In this industry, exceptional presentation isn’t extra — it’s essential.
With that said, here are the standout winners from this year’s Caribbean yacht show season — These are the Best Crewed Charter Yachts in the Virgin Islands 2025 who are raising the bar for luxury, service, cuisine, mixology, and guest experience in the BVI and U.S. Virgin Islands.
🌟 2025 Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association: Yacht Show Winners
🏆 Best in Show — 40' to 54'
🏆 Best in Show — 55' to 59'
Winner: Whiskey Sunset — Crew: James Cotter & Phoebe Hooker
Runner-Up: Catamaran Hourglass — Crew: Adriana Vega & Daryl Hanna
🏆 Best in Show — 60' & Over
Winner: Reverie — Crew: Doyle Van Horn, Christina Merianos & Jetske Van Rensburg
Runner-Up: Catamaran Little Giant — Crew: Guy Abramovici, Minnette Gous, Sofiya Bereza & Jason Cooke
Best Crew in Show
Winner: Doyle Van Horn, Christina Merianos & Jetske Van Rensburg — Catamaran Reverie
Runner-Up: Guy Abramovici, Minnette Gous, Sofiya Bereza & Jason Cooke — Catamaran Little Giant
Mixology Competition — Tito’s Vodka
People’s Choice: Minnette Gous — Catamaran Little Giant
Mixology Competition — Cruzan Rum
Culinary Awards
🇻🇬 2025 BVI Charter Yacht Society Winners
👥 Best Crew Award
1st: Hylton & Amy Wessels & Candace Flatley — Catamaran C'EST LA VIE
Runner-Up: Bastian Tromp, Kiki Bouman, Dylan Holm & Sarai Ben Ari — Catamaran SIETE MARES
🥂 Table Setting (House Award)
1st: Sarai Ben Ari — Catamaran Siete Mares
2nd: Ariel Thrasher — Catamaran Stella Mares
Honorable Mentions: Kristen Wells — Catamaran Azuria
Coty Fernandez — Catamaran Jan's Feline
🍸 Cocktail Competition — Mount Gay Rum
3rd: Candace Flatley — Catamaran C'est la Vie
💦 Designer Water Contest — CYBA / Charter Yacht Brokers Association
1st: Candace Flatley — Catamaran C'est la Vie
2nd: Chene Nel — Catamaran Aeolus
3rd: Sarai Ben Ari — Catamaran Siete Mares
👨🍳 Culinary — Best Appetizer
1st: Cole Lackey — Catamaran Xandros
Runner Up: Emma Stanley — Catamaran Do More
Honourable Mention: Loic Doan Jausoro — Catamaran Jan's Feline
🍨 Culinary — Best Dessert
1st: Ulrika Fredrikson — Catamaran Endless Horizon
Runner-Up: Bianca Cox — Catamaran Paloma
🥩 Culinary — Best Entrée
1st: Kiki Bouman — Catamaran Siete Mares
Honourable Mention: Loic Doan Jausoro — Catamaran Jan's Feline
Runner-Up: Ulrika Fredrikson — Catamaran Endless Horizon
Best in Show — Up to 50ft
1st: Florian Rutsch, Michael Makonnen & Sisi Eva Helgadottir — Catamaran Purpose
Runner-Up: Henru Strampe & Clara Nicolai Balina — Catamaran On a Whim
Best in Show — 51ft to 59ft
1st: Ariel Thrasher & Matea Kosovic — Catamaran Stella Mare
Runner-Up: Ruth & Terry Ross — Catamaran Rhapsody II
Best in Show — 60ft & Up
1st: Keith Allen, Casey Strickland, Chene Nel & Christo Theron — Catamaran Aeolus
Runner-Up: Christian Klopper, Lida Fourie & JD Veldsman — Catamaran Huntress
Best in Show — Motor Yacht
1st: Bastian Tromp, Kiki Bouman, Dylan Holm & Sarai Ben Ari — Catamaran Siete Mares
Runner-Up: Hylton & Amy Wessels & Candace Flatley — Catamaran C'est la Vie
Ready to Choose the Perfect Crewed Charter Yacht?
If one of these yachts caught your eye — or you'd like help exploring options based on your group size, preferred itinerary, cuisine style or vibe — we’d love to help you plan the perfect charter.
📩 Message us anytime to begin planning your 2026 adventure.
The Virgin Islands are calling — let’s get you there!
-Your Charter Yacht Vacation Expert & Concierge!
CYBA Accredited Yacht Charter Brokers: Capt. Randy & Shelly Tucker
If you want to experience a luxury yacht charter vacation first hand and up close, there is no better way than on your own privately crewed yacht with a full-time professional Captain and Chef/First Mate. We've been sailing and chartering for well over thirty years.
How We Got Started:
The U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands were our "backyard" which we came to love and cherish. So much so, that we sold everything in 1997, became a USCG licensed Captain and moved to Charlotte Amalie, USVI as owners & operators aboard the 72' sailing yacht. We do know the ins and outs of this special place & the people who live there. That's what makes us an official "Yacht Charters Guru”!
Never been on a chartered yacht vacation? We will help you personally design your charter yacht vacation in the Caribbean or Mediterranean! Imagine being able to sail into small bays with beautiful white sands & fantastic snorkeling. A yacht vacation is a great way to spend quality time with your friends or family!
Why use a CYBA Accredited Yacht Charter Broker?
BE SAVVY WITH YOUR YACHT CHARTER CONTRACT!
Is Your Charter Contract Real or Fake?
As a member of CYBA, the Charter Yacht Broker’s Association, we adhere to strict yacht charter booking protocols. We have access to the CYBA industry escrow account and E-Contract to protect your money. This is made available by CYBA for electronic use only by established, industry recognized and reputable Yacht Charter Brokers with a verifiable contract number at CYBA.net
Charter yacht owners, their hired crews and travel agents do not have access to this account. Check your contract verifcation number at CYBA.net
We have time to answer ALL your questions. If the crew are taking care of guests onboard, they honestly do not have time to answer a lot of questions.
This is what differentiates professional CYBA yacht charter brokers from anyone else trying to book a charter vacation.
Very Important! It is not safe to send your hard-earned money directly to a business or yacht that is not accredited by a professional charter industry association to handle yacht charter client funds. Always ask & verify!
We frequently receive compliments on how we've arranged our site, making it easy to see yachts within your price range. Choose from an extensive list of hand-picked yachts on our site that we have personally chosen to represent, including our spacious and stable catamaran charters, power catamarans, traditional monohull sailboat vacations, or high-end luxury motor yacht charters in the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Belize, Croatia. Greece, and the Mediterranean.
Yacht Charters Guru Does Not sell Yachts like many other agencies so there is no conflict or distraction in our focus for your yacht charter. Our service is free to you. We travel extensively to boat shows and yacht charter shows worldwide year-round to personally view and inspect as many of the charter yachts and the crews as possible.
Avanta Yacht Charters | The Yacht Charters Guru is Proudly Accredited by
These Professional Associations!
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