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Dream Yacht Charter

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Dream Yacht Charter - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Dream Yacht Charter

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Dream Yacht Charter - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Dream Yacht Charter

284-345-2186

Our passion is to make your dream vacation come true, and we’ll go the extra mile to ensure that happens. We want you to enjoy every minute of your sailing holiday, which means we take care of all the details so you can relax and enjoy. Our charter fleet includes a wide range of models from top manufacturers such as Jeanneau, Beneteau, Bavaria and Lagoon catamarans; yachts from 28 feet up to 54 feet; plus monohulls from 35 feet up to 60 feet. We offer a wide range of sailing holidays, from relaxing to adventurous; and we have something for everyone. From the Canary Islands and Madeira to the Balearic Islands, Corsica and Sardinia; we’ll take you on unforgettable sailing vacations in Europe. We offer a wide range of sailing holidays, from relaxing to adventurous; and we have something for everyone.

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Articles On What To Expect In The British Virgin Islands

These articles aim to help control customer expectations when chartering on the British Virgin Islands. The pretty pictures of light blue water and tan attractive people don't always tell the full story. Here are some of the other things to expect. These are written from first-hand accounts. We've tried to identify the major things that have led to people having a negative experience. These articles are not meant to dissuade you from enjoying the British Virgin Islands. On the contrary. Instead, they are intended to arm you with the right information to maximize your excellent vacation time! They are organized by title, not by priority.

You Are On The Ocean!

First you must be safe. Then you must ensure you remain safe. Then you can have a good time. One of the biggest things overlooked when going to the British Virgin Islands is that you are ON THE OCEAN. Always respect the fact you will be living on a boat on the largest, most powerful…

In the name of knowing what to expect, you can expect heat. You can expect humidity above 70% and you can expect that makes you sweaty and sticky. Yes, with more heat and sweating you’ll break out more, get more zits and find it harder to not stink. Don’t let this be a deterrent to…

The Mornings

The mornings are a critical part of everyone’s day, and everyone has their own morning needs and routine. The mornings also set the pace and attitudes of many on the boat. With hangovers, dehydration, sleeping in a new environment, along with many other things that may cause irritation, the morning can certainly set the tone…

BVI Charter Costs

When planning a charter vacation, it’s important to understand that costs can vary greatly depending on a number of factors such as the season, demand, boat, and amenities. While some charter companies may offer packaged deals, it’s best to be prepared for all types of additional costs to avoid any surprises. When considering a charter,…

Before you embark on your adventure you need to know what the food situation is. Before you get into where you might eat, provisioning is a part of the charter, and often a hefty cost. With current prices, food for 5 people for a week may exceed $1500. Who is paying for the provisions? Who…

Believe it or not trash and how to handle it can be a large friction point. First, it should go without saying, that trash should never be disposed of in the ocean. While there are specific laws around this, this will hold true while on charter in the BVIs. Many people feel it is okay…

A close second to trash would be dishes. There is an amazing variety of attitudes when it comes to dishes. Some can not stand to see them. Some feel they need to let their dishes soak. Also, people have different habits with dishes. Some fill up both basins. One with soapy water and one with…

Cleanliness

As if dishes and trash weren’t enough, yes, overall cleanliness on a boat is something you will not be able to hide from anyone or anyone from you. This is also a habit-based attitude that is hard to adjust. So while it helps to be mindful to pick up after yourself, many have a different…

By heads we mean toilet. The head on a boat is not like your toilet at home, or even in an RV (although RV living helps). Things going wrong with the head have been the core of some ruined trips. Most heads now do not have a manual pump handle to literally suck the waste…

Water Usage

Water usage on a boat needs to have everyone’s attention to it. The issue created with no fresh water is that you’ll incur costs to fill your tanks in both time and money. You’ll also have to dock, and depending you may find yourself waiting on others, filling their large tanks. If you lose half…

Chores are a big one. Who does what, who wants to do what, and how they get done are all things that can cause issues between people on a boat. Here are the common chores that need to be done on a boat. Deck cleaning Dishes Trash Cooking Dinghy cleaning (birds like to sit and…

Wash your pits and your parts. Nobody likes a stinky boat mate. The Caribbean is hot and humid and sweating is part of the game. There is little you can do to escape this and enjoy the environment. Your clothes also take the brunt of this punishment. Where are you keeping your dirty laundry? Stinky…

Have you ever noticed that your mindset can often determine your experience? This is as true on land as it is on the high seas. Just as a skilled sailor adjusts their sails to catch the wind, so too must we adjust our attitudes to fully embrace the bare boat charter experience. Imagine your attitude…

The islands exist in and within the service industry. That means people live on gratuity or tips. Do not skimp or cut corners on showing your appreciate and gratitude to the locals by not giving them cold hard cash. The reason we bring this up is that many people have different attitudes about gratuity or…

Be sure to bring vinegar and Benedryl on your trip! What the pictures of the beautiful blue waters and luscious reefs don’t show you are the jellyfish you’ll encounter. Jellyfish have no eyes and seem to aimlessly move around. This means there is little consideration for your presence if you are around one. The key…

Barracuda while Snorkeling

Have you ever glanced at the mirror-like surface of an azure ocean and wondered what enigmatic wonders lie beneath? Have you been magnetized by the allure of the underwater world, waiting to explore the spectrum of life that makes the sea its home? As you prepare for your bare boat charter voyage, we invite you…

Sea sickness

We take for granted our understanding of up and down. Our inner ear has little hairs inside it that react to fluid passing over them when we move. Those hairs then send signals to the brain to interpret your orientation. Sea sickness is when your inner ear becomes confused with all the signals given to…

Top 5 Hazards In The Ocean In The British Virgin Islands

Jellyfish and other stinging creatures: Many species of jellyfish and other marine animals, such as sea anemones and coral, can cause painful stings if touched or brushed against. Strong currents: The ocean currents around the British Virgin Islands can be quite strong, especially around inlets and channels. Swimmers and snorkelers should be mindful of these…

The Basics To Be Aware Of

Here are some tips to protect yourself from the elements when visiting the British Virgin Islands. Each of these represents a portal to a world of pain, inconvenience and a robbed vacation. Sun Protection: Wear sunscreen with a high SPF and reapply it frequently, especially if you’re sweating or swimming. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and…

10 Things To Always Be Mindful Of When On Charter

Have you ever wondered how to make your bare boat charter experience as smooth and memorable as an expertly steered sailboat? Or perhaps you’re like a first-time sailor, trying to navigate the vast sea of charter tips and tricks with little more than a compass of curiosity. Either way, you’re in the right place. In…

The Caribbean island of Anegada, located in the British Virgin Islands, is known for its beautiful beaches and clear blue waters. But one of the best ways to experience the island is by renting a Mini Moke and exploring the island’s unique landscapes and hidden gems. The Mini Moke is a small, open-air vehicle that…

Top Questions To Ask Yourself Before Chartering A Bareboat In the BVI

Here are some questions that tourists should ask themselves before chartering a bareboat in the British Virgin Islands: Do I have experience sailing and handling a boat of this size and type? Are all of the people on the charter party comfortable with the idea of sailing a bareboat and aware of the potential risks?…

Be Prepared For “Island Time”

Island time is a term used to describe the relaxed and laid-back pace of life found on many tropical islands. It is characterized by a slower sense of time, where deadlines are not as pressing and people tend to take things at a more leisurely pace. This philosophy of island time is about not forcing…

What to look for in your charter boat captain

Minimum Top Things To Look For Licensing and certification: The captain should be licensed and certified by the appropriate authority, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, to operate the type of vessel being chartered. Experience: The captain should have significant experience operating the type of vessel being chartered, as well as experience navigating the area…

Safety Considerations

Safety is what allows you to have a great time. A person or the boat suffering damage or injury is one of the quickest ways to ruin a vacation. So look at it like Safety is your best and cheapest insurance policy to preserve your good time. Safety is a game everyone can and should…

Extra Gear To Bring To The BVIs

When planning a bareboat charter vacation in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), there are some additional gear items that guests may want to consider bringing to enhance their experience and make the most of their time on the water. Here’s a list of some items that you might want to consider: Personal floatation devices (PFDs)…

What if our hired skipper is the Man Over Board?

Any person overboard is a big problem. And while in your imagination it may not seem dangerous, a man overboard situation can be a big deal in calm water in a harbor, especially if the injury is involved. To have your skipper go over is a problem. A big one. While very uncommon, it is…

Dream Yacht Charters Restores its Fleet and Helps Continue the Awe-inspiring Rebirth of the BVI!

March 4th, 2018

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Dream Yacht Charters provided the following update on their website. They reported, “What can be said about what the British Virgin Islands went through last year? It was heartbreaking to see one of the world’s most popular sailing destinations facing down one of the worst hurricane seasons on record in terms of damage. It’s been tough for the community and, boy, have they been working hard. Their efforts are amazing and in just a few months, so much has been restored, rebuilt and reopened. That #BVIstrong spirit is in abundance and the islands’ entrepreneurs and staff are doing everything they can to get back to normal. Since November, our customers have been returning to the BVIs and we’ve had so much positive feedback about their charters. All that is needed is you and your support. So make your 2018 vacation a BVI one and take a look at our bareboat fleet and all-inclusive by the cabin charters!” 

Dan Lockyer, General Manager , Dream Yacht Charter North America also added that, “Since the the hurricanes, we’ve worked to mitigate the impact on our customers by purchasing 20 new replacement boats for the St. Martin and BVI fleets that were delivered at the end of 2017. They include Lagoon 52s, Bali 4.5 catamarans, Dufour 520 and Sun Odyssey 519 monohulls, just in time for the upcoming tourist season.”

Dream Yacht Charters has a large fleet of catamarans and monohulls in the BVI to suit any sailor, whether you’re looking for a bareboat, by-the-cabin or crewed yacht charter. Their BVI base in Tortola has its own docks and you’ll be greeted by our friendly and knowledgeable team.

Dream Yacht Charters: +1 855-650-8902 |  [email protected]

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Dream Yacht Charter   Reviews

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Dodging any issues.

We lost one day of our charter due to our freshwater being pumped into the starboard engine bilge whose bilge pump was not working and consequently filled up with water , at one point we thought we were sinking ! We returned to base as we had no water and no way of keeping it in the tanks even if we could have refilled. In another incedent in a torrential downpour a fixed cabin window leaked and destroyed my laptop. The reply from DYC main office was less than helpful. The laptop destruction was our fault as we put it in the wrong place and the lost day was ignored. Be very carefull when dealing with the main office they seem only to want to dodge any issues which involve any sort of refund.

Date of experience : April 17, 2023

Reply from Dream Yacht Charter

Thank you for contacting us, Doug. Customer satisfaction, safety, and happy sailings are and always have been our top priorities. To assist you with this issue, please fill in this form (https://bit.ly/dreamyacht) so we can investigate your case further. We sincerely appreciate and value feedback from all guests, as comments like yours help us to improve our service. Thank you for letting us know, the Dream Yacht team

What an AMAZING experience

What an AMAZING experience. We’ve just returned from a week long skippered charter from Corfu, sailing around the beautiful islands of the Ionian. Paxos, Antipaxos and Corfu Old Town were beautiful and the secluded bays we had the pleasure of visiting thanks to our local skipper, Nicholas, were simply overwhelming. Fly and flops are no longer for us - we’ll be chartering with DYC for the foreseeable future. Shout out to our skipper who made the holiday as fantastic as it was. We couldn’t have asked for a better week.

Date of experience : July 02, 2022

Hi David, Thank you for your wonderful review. We're glad you had a great time with us in Corfu and we will pass your review to your captain :) We look forward to seeing you again soon with pleasure. The Dream Yacht Charter team.

Friendly, professional & efficient

Just returned from a 1 week charter out of Pomer Marina, Croatia. The Dream charter team were 1st class throughout, Davor the base manager was professional, courteous & extremely competent. The yacht was spotlessly clean & ready for departure well before time. I highly recommend Dream Yacht Charter & will certainly use them again in the future.

Date of experience : July 11, 2022

Hello James and thank you for your review ! We are happy you had a great time with us and we look forward to welcoming you back onboard again ;) Best wishes, the Dream Yacht Charter team.

Horrendous Experience - Took ALL our money and no holiday

Horrendous Experience Dream Yacht Charters cancelled our holiday before the departure date due to Covid—19 lockdown in UK & Greece BUT then refused to return a single penny We lost the entire amount we paid - 100% of the holiday price They just ripped us off They are NOT ABTA either Do NOT use them under any circumstances

Date of experience : April 10, 2020

Hi Paul Smith Our thoughts are with all those affected by this worldwide pandemic and our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our customers and staff. In response to the unprecedented travel disruption, we have a clear policy to accommodate our customers which allows for flexibility where possible to help with rescheduled bookings. Please contact us with your booking reference details so we can help on [email protected]. Best wishes the Dream Yacht Charter team

Very bad experience chapter 2

After having the bad experience described in my post of 04/11/2022 (see below Title "Very bad experience") Dream Yacht Charter asked me filling the form bit.lydreamyacht I filled in the form on 20/11/2022 but I never got a reply... If no compensation is soon accepted, after discussion with a lawyer, I plan a legal action. The complaint will be located in France. I also propose sharing the practical information (submit of a complaint to the court, steps...) for French customers wishing running a legal complaint. References of my contract Booking First 30 in La Rochelle (France) Contract 889258548 sailing trip cancelled April 2022 .

Date of experience : April 08, 2022

We booked our Aug 2022 holidays in…

We booked our Aug 2022 holidays in Dubrovnik (Croatia) with Dream Charter via Boataround agency in Sept 2021. Initially booked catamaran FP44 Hellia. Easy communication with Boataround, 10% discount. I give Boataround 10/10. In June Dream Charter upgraded the catamaran to almost new FP47 Saona 'Beyond' for free. All went super. The boat was ready on time and by 18.00 we were heading to Korchula. The holidays were perfect. Questions about sensors operation (in Hvar city) on the yacht were answered by phone on time w/o any stress. Dream charter is offering easy communication, professional service 10/10. I would deal with them again.

Date of experience : August 19, 2022

Baja is my favorite place now

Baja is my favorite place now. There was something for everyone: sailed under northerlies with mostly calm evenings, snorkeled, fished, bummed it on the sandy beaches, enchanted by pelicans feeding, greeted by the barking sea lions and explored the Ispiritu Santo island geology. DYC La Paz base provided competent professional support with a well provisioned and maintained boat. We were nourished well by an onboard cook arranged with DYC freeing us all for more play. A vacation and an adventure connected with nature.

Date of experience : January 25, 2022

Hi Taiyoko, Thank you for your review, we're glad you had a wonderful time in La Paz :) We look forward to welcoming you onboard again! Best wishes, The Dream Yacht Charter team

Boat was in perfect order and plenty of anchorage In February

Boat was in perfect order. There are plenty of anchorage In February. Water is blue. We explored ridge (North) part of the island. Quite pretty area. Base was very helpful with suggestions, docking and weather. Definitely want to go back and explore Southern side of the island.

Date of experience : February 18, 2023

Cabin charter in Corsica South cancelled with no explanation

Booked and paid last May a cruise (cabin charter) in Corsica South for the w/c Aug 7 (2 cabins); two weeks before the start of the vacation (overall 2 weeks with trips to Paris and Bordeaux already booked), my cruise was cancelled for "overbooking". Despite several attempts to get an explanation, an excuse or a counteroffer, no one from both DYC Italy nor DYC.com replied so far (after a month). I'm very very disappointed for this, especially because I was a DYC client since years (5 cruises so far). While I want to thank Mondovela, the Italian DYC agency, for providing me with a backup solution in Sardinia, saving at least partially my summer holidays. P.N.

Date of experience : August 26, 2021

Hi Piero Thank you for your feedback. We are so sorry to hear about your issues booking with us. At the time your booking was made we were in the process of migrating our reservation system and your booking was received on our old system which resulted in an overbooking of the cruise. We were in touch with your broker and proposed alternative dates and destinations which unfortunately did not work. We are so pleased they found an alternative solution for you. We hope you will return to us so we can show you how our booking process has improved. Best wishes the Dream Yacht Charter team

Look no further.

I can’t fault this company, they were brilliant from start to finish. Any queries or questions there was always someone there to assist. Lorraine was so good at getting back to us it gave us all the confidence we needed and will definitely use again.

Date of experience : September 09, 2023

Nightmare Yacht Charter

My husband and I, and several of our friends, recently returned from a trip with Dream Yacht Charter. (see full review at tripadvisor.com as this site limits length) Overall: service was terrible. Captain and crew were unprofessional, and abandoned the guests on the boat, which was unsafe. Captain would leave the boat unmanned for hours at a time, not returning until 3am.Captain and stew arguing in front of guests. Stew quit on us mid charter. Generator broke. We had no AC and limited clean water so we were told we could not shower. Food was not good. We spend our own money for provisions. Company will not make this right and refuses to offer us a reasonable compensation for a terrible experience. Stay far far away from this company. Kelsey D. Canton, OH, USA

Date of experience : May 27, 2023

Hello Kelsey, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re so sorry to hear that your boat did not meet your expectations and fell below our standards. We see that your complaint has already been addressed by our customer experience team, and has been settled. Still, learning about your situation helps us understand where we need to improve and allows us to prevent it from happening again. Thank you for letting us know, the Dream Yacht team

We had a fantastic holiday from Pozzuoli Italy

We had a fantastic holiday from the Pozzuoli Marina. Really easy introduction from the base staff and the engineers before and after we returned they are very friendly. We visited all the many Islands that are in easy reach of this Marina in our luxury Bali 5.4 Procida, Ischia,Ventotene,Ponza,Positano,Amalfi and Capri. We have been sailing with DYC for 5 years France, Palma, Martinque, Bahamas, Greece and Croatia and we look forward to our next 5 years. Thank you DYC

Date of experience : August 20, 2022

Hello Gary and thank you for your wonderful review. We're glad you had a great time in Italy and we will be happy to welcome you onboard again soon. Best regards, The Dream Yacht Charter team

Best Trip Ever!

My group of 8 adults who have sailed together in the past had a wonderful experience chartering a catamaran in the USVIs from Dream Yacht charters. The cat was a Brand New Lagoon 42 and we were it's very first charter. We loved the boat! It was very comfortable and easy to sail/operate. We went to Culebra, St Thomas, St Johns, and Buck Island during our 7 day voyage. It was the most fun I've ever had on the water. The Dream Yacht team from booking and preparing for the trip to the port folks who oriented us with the boat and sailing areas were all fantastic. We will definitely charter with Dream Yachts again!!

Date of experience : April 22, 2023

RUN away from DYC

Run, do not walk, away from these people. "Dream" Yacht Charter should be "Nightmare" Yacht Charter. We had the misfortune to give them a deposit for a charter in Tahiti before Covid hit. While other travel industry companies tried to be reasonable, DYC continually tried to squeeze us (like initially demanding full payment far in advance of our charter that never happened.) I understand Covid was hard for everyone, but the way these people jerked us around, changed the rules, made unreasonable demands, is just too much. Eventually my group decided we would rather lose our deposit rather than give these people another dollar of our money. You have been warned.

Date of experience : May 12, 2021

Dear Mike H, Thank you for your feedback. Hearing about your customer experience helps us understand where we need to improve. This year has been a challenge for many in the tourism industry. We adjusted our booking policy to try and make it as flexible as possible and we are sorry your booking was impacted. Best wishes, the Dream Yacht Charter team

An efficient and tightly run operation!

As a boat owner/partner with Dream Yacht of a Lagoon Catamaran in Croatia I was initially anxious as to how my boat would be maintained by the Marina Team. However to date I can say that the entire experience has been trouble free with all the staff making every effort to look after the boat and ensure that everything aboard is in good working order for their clients. Although a very busy base they run a very professional and tight ship with Marco the base manager personally getting involved to make sure things run smoothly. Full marks guys!

Date of experience : November 04, 2022

The Exumas 2023

My wife, along with my two kids have just returned from a 10 day charter in the Exuma’s. Based on all the feedback we were reading on the forums we were showing up to Nassau with low expectations. Our experience was totally awesome!! From the initial stages where we were booking the trip to our reception, along with the technical overview, everybody was completely professional. At one point we were out of propane, because there was a slow leak they actually delivered down into the Cays extra propane bottles. And if I was to rate our experience, it would be VIP all the way.

Date of experience : March 12, 2023

Excellent Experience

Excellent Experience on both of my charters (Lefkas/Greece, Mallorca/Spain) with DYC this year. The customer care team and the teams at the charter bases were fantastic. The whole experience was flawless every time.

Sailboat Chartered in Tortola in Horrible Condition

The captain was great but the boat was in total disrepair. The generator never worked, the toilet either did not work or worked poorly, the furniture down below was taped together with yellow tape, the ladder was dangerous etc. For all the money we spent to rent this boat we should be treated better

Date of experience : February 15, 2022

Hi Elliot, Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry you experienced difficulties and that your experience fell below our usual high standards. We can see that your booking is via a broker and our team has been in contact with them to move your concerns forward. After looking at your booking, we can see the base team offered assistance swiftly to minimize disruption to your charter. We can see an offer about compensation has been sent. Best wishes, the Dream Yacht Charter team.

Excellent customer service

We reserved a by cabin charter out of Guadeloupe Oct 2021. No flights into Guadeloupe from Canada and we could not re-enter Canada from Guadeloupe either eu to Covid 19 protocols The very gracious Dream Yacht team allowed us to book in Oct 2022, they had our deposit for over a year as we had originally booked in Feb 2021. We had notified them of an issue Two months prior. The Oct 2022 cruise with the Guadeloupe crew was fabulous. Highly recommend.

Date of experience : October 08, 2022

Excellent new base manager and great boats

We have our boat in the DYC Antigua base. The new base manager, John, is excellent, and the staff are always attentive and competent. The boats are in great shape and the marina is beautiful. We have visited many DYC bases arround the world and Antigua is definitely one of the best.

Date of experience : March 04, 2023

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An absolute nightmare

An absolute nightmare! I regret to say that my experience with Dream Yacht Charters BVI was utterly disappointing, warranting a one-star rating. The boat we rented was in deplorable condition, plagued by a plethora of issues. From cockroaches scurrying about to incessant leakage, malfunctioning batteries, broken drawers and cabinets, and a malfunctioning anchor, it was a nightmare from the start. Moreover, the absence of electricity, because of a malfunctioning battery pack/alternater, resulted in no power for essential appliances like the fridge, navigation instruments, anchor and lights which only exacerbated the situation. The poorly insulated engine turned the interior into an unbearable sauna, making our journey intolerable. Adding insult to injury, the caleche was leaking, further dampening our spirits. Despite these glaring problems, the office's response was appalling. They attempted to shift blame onto us and offered minimal assistance, if any. The litany of issues disrupted our planned route, forcing frequent stops for shore power every 2-3 days, driving up expenses due to exorbitant harbor prices. Additionally, the malfunctioning anchor necessitated costly moorings, further inflating our financial burden. In summary, our experience with Dream Yacht Charters was marred by incompetence, neglect, and a complete lack of accountability.

Date of experience : 14 February 2024

Don't let your dream vacation turn into a nautical nightmare like ours!

Dear sailors and travelers, I am writing to you with a heavy heart and the need to warn you about my disastrous experience with Dream Yacht Charter (DYC). Recently, I entrusted this company for a dream trip through the Caribbean, only to find myself plunged into a nautical nightmare that dashed our carefully planned vacation and endangered our lives. From the outset, DYC's service left much to be desired. While the first few days of our journey went smoothly, everything unraveled when we experienced serious mechanical issues with the vessel. Two engines failed mysteriously, leaving us stranded in the middle of the ocean with no propulsion. Imagine the anguish and fear of being stuck at sea with families and children on board! But the worst was not just the mechanical failure, but DYC's incompetence and lack of accountability in addressing the situation properly. They ignored our distress calls, left us adrift for hours, and only after the situation became critical did they decide to take action. And I can't even begin to describe the additional problems we faced when we were finally "rescued"! DYC's response to this disaster? A refusal to acknowledge their responsibility and an offer of insultingly insignificant compensation. Not only did they refuse to reopen our claim, but they also attempted to discredit our version of events, implying that we were never offered the additional sailing days we claimed. Dear sailors, if you value your safety and your vacation, I urge you to steer clear of DYC like the plague. This company not only lacks integrity and professionalism, but also jeopardizes the lives of its customers with its negligence and lack of care. Don't let your dream vacation turn into a nautical nightmare like ours!

Date of experience : 27 October 2023

Poorly maintained boats

For reference, I've chartered in the BVIs about 12 times over almost 45 years, as well as Greece, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere. We chartered in late Jan (2024) from Dream Yacht Charters out of Hodges Creek Marina near Fat Hog Bay on Tortola. On the one hand, sailing in the BVIs is always wonderful, so I'm not doing a hand-wringing "our trip was ruined" post. On the other hand ... The older boats at Dream Yachts are very poorly maintained. We faced myriad problems, including an ancient repeatedly patched bimini and dodger that ripped on the first windy day, and a hole in the galley floor caused by one of the checkout crew, that was never fixed. Multiple systems were leaking into the bilge or broken, including the A/C pump (leaking at the thru-hull!) and the galley seawater pump. The fresh water system broke halfway into the trip. Most alarming was the failure of one of the head macerator pumps -- they checked to see if "we'd clogged it". The "technician" disappeared into the head with a wad of paper in his hand, closed the door behind him so I couldn't see, and then announced that the pump output pipe (that I had previously checked) was clogged! A complete scam/ripoff. The sails on our boat were old and patched, the V-berth mattress and all the cushions mold- and mildew-stained, and everything generally tired. The galley was awful, with two wine glasses (for max pax of 8) and zero tumblers. We had to ask for a pot big enough to cook pasta, and for a colander. The shore power at the marina didn't work (we didn't stay at marinas elsewhere) -- which threatened to spoil our newly-purchased provisions. Of folks we met from other boats, one had a problem with their winch, and I heard of many other problems. Bottom line -- they don't maintain their boats. I'll never charter from Dream Yacht again (at least in the BVIs).

Date of experience : 12 January 2024

Dream Yacht Charter is HIGH Risk - Avoid!

If I can prevent just one more bad, unsafe DYC boat experience, maybe yours, then writing this review was worth it. We have discovered Dream Yacht Charter has earned a highly questionable reputation for providing poorly maintained boats for charter and based on our recent experience it is well earned. See the fast-growing 2,400 Member Facebook page: groups/dreamyachtchartersuck and TripAdvisor.com's almost 50% 1-star DYC reviews. Most of those with posted DYC issues have received no recourse, may have faced serious safety situations due to poor boat maintenance and/or support, may have sued, but like us, are seeking to prevent others from experiencing DYC’s lack of concern for charterer safety, maintenance incompetence, and blatant contract breaches. Charter DYC at your own risk. If interested, here’s our DYC experience. We chartered a boat for 8 days out of Nassau with indicators of issues to come on day 1 - the generator not working (yes, it worked at the dock and we did as thorough a boat check as allowed). The following 3 days turned into hell due to a dysfunctional boat promised in their contract to be in "good working order.” DYC breached our contract in 3 important ways. By day 3, the boat’s batteries were completely depleted. We had lost 2 nights sleep due to alarms going off throughout the night and a generator out of oil as we hung on an anchor in 35 knot winds completely without power for engines, navigation systems, lighting, windlass, or icebox cooling, etc. The batteries were truly dead, and would not hold a charge for more than 1 hour. DYC later denied this important fact – they missed the source maintenance problem. In the end, we had to count on our own backup phone batteries to have any communication at all. By this time, we were labeled a “distressed vessel” by the National Park Ranger who checked on us repeatedly until DYC eventually showed up. This, a second contract breach when a support vessel was not sent out as promised within 4 hours, let alone the next several days. Of note, 4 other DYC boats within a 5 mile radius also had crippling issues, including a broken halyard, a damaged transmission, broken generator, and disabled engine. After 3 days on anchor, DYC’s repair crew arrived and jerry-rigged the generator (their words), never fixing the batteries, and we were evacuated from the boat. A 3rd contract breach, no other boat or lost charter time reimbursement was then provided to us per our contract (and their own marketing materials and salespeople). During one long night while waiting for assistance, we discovered that the chartplotter listed all the same engine and battery alarms we were experiencing during the charter before ours – evidence of questionable maintenance and safety. Despite the evidence, and after multiple requests, no refund or credit was offered, and only a denial of our experience was received by DYC. While some of you may have had a more positive DYC experience, should you charter from DYC in the future you do so at your own risk and may also be left in a dangerous situation with wholly inadequate charter support and a company that does not appear to value customer safety, its own contracts, or satisfaction. Based on our research and the Facebook page, it appears DYC’s poor maintenance is experienced in nearly every charter location worldwide, and its corporate integrity a systemic safety issue. We encourage you to read the reviews before signing up, and taking them seriously - their contract is worthless to you. Bad charter boats do happen, but it appears DYC's are the worst, obfuscated by great marketing. We encourage you to stay safe and to look into other charter company alternatives.

Date of experience : 08 December 2023

DYC makes it really easy to charter

DYC makes it really easy to charter a bareboat sailing vacation. Having done a dozen trips with the competition in BVI, Bahamas, Greece, Italy, etc I feel more confident in Dream's ability to get you on a high quality boat on time and in good condition. When they missed the boat (pun intended) in one situation, they were also gracious about admitting fault and offering a credit to future trips. I especially want to call out Savannah Collins on the American sales team who was a joy to work with over the phone. Thanks for everything Savannah!

Date of experience : 10 November 2023

Unsafe yacht

I chartered a 52 ft yacht in Antigua and it was unfit for purpose and potentially dangerous. There was an extensive list of faults which ruined our holiday, including a windlass that did not operate, an anchor that did not swivel, reefing lines jammed in the boom and hazardous swim ladder. The yacht also lacked basic appliances, had a hole in the kettle and missing fire extinguishers. This is an accident waiting to happen. I could go on… Dream yachts refused to even acknowledge my emails and sent no apologies. Avoid them at all cost.

Date of experience : 13 December 2023

Dream Yacht Charter Raiatea Bora Bora

We had a blast on a 5-days trip around Raiatea, Taha’a & Bora Bora. Conditions were exceptional so was the crew. We had a beautiful and confortable catamaran for the 7 of us with plenty of space. The crew was super friendly and knowledgeable bringing us to beautiful snorkelling and cultural places around the different islands. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience!

Date of experience : 05 January 2024

Incredible Bali Catspace

We just come back from a bareboat charter with Dream Yacht charter Uturoa with my family on a Bali Catspace This cat is just incredibily easy and confortable We has the feeling to be on a much bigger boat Sailing this cat is so simple no need to have years of practice

Date of experience : 30 December 2023

Antigua charter January 2024

I researched Dream Yacht Charters before chartering and I had reservations as a lot of the reviews were quite negative, I should have taken notice of those reservations. I chartered a Lagoon 45s catamaran out of Jolly Harbour Antigua, the boat was their "comfort" class so was a few years old. It was obvious the boat lacked proper maintenance from the start, the VHF didn't transmit, the water maker didn't show a proper water quality during the brief but the technician said it would clear when out of the marina as the water quality there was so poor - of course it didn't. The wind instruments didn't work, there were only four standard fenders which isn't enough for the size of boat, the anchor light didn't work, there was no hot water in the starboard cabins, no plugs in the sinks, all hatches leaked, a couple badly, no wine glasses, no large tumblers, the fridge burst open in any sea as the latch didn't work - I could go on. When we reported the lack of wind instrumentation we were asked to return to base, the technician looked at instruments, confirmed they weren't working then said it was a known problem and nothing could be done about it! Why couldn't we be told at the brief or when we reported it? Presumably because we would have refused the boat? The water maker did not work at any point during the charter, we had two video calls with the technical department and we proved that the control panel solenoid was at fault. No spares were available! We had a visit from two technicians at English Harbour to try and fix the problems but all they succeeded in doing was to put a bolt on the faulty fridge door. Whilst arranging this visit the base manager Virginie offered to let us stay out the last night rather than return to base, this was accepted (I knew the boat wasn't going to be chartered until the next weekend so this wasn't going to cause them a problem or cost them anything) but when the technician was leaving (in fact he had cast off) he gave me a form to sign accepting the boat for the extra night. BE AWARE I didn't read it properly the last line of the form stated that by accepting this it released DYC from any further claims. So although I have complained and asked DYC to compensate me for a spoiled charter and refund me the cost of water we had to fill up with (as per the booking contract), they say I have been compensated enough and have waived my right to further claims. All in all a shabby way to operate, the boat was poorly maintained and on reflection in a dangerous condition and I will never charter with them again. Be warned, if you have doubts, don't touch them.

Date of experience : 23 January 2024

SAIL BOAT CONDITIONS and OPERATION

SAIL BOAT CONDITIONS and OPERATION TOILETS ● Working very well. Motors ● In general working well. See additional comments. MAINSAIL-should be replaced. ● Medium Size Tears ● Repair tape disintegrated. ● Mainsail cover ripped. ● Bimini cover above cockpit is TORN. JIB SAIL-should be replaced. ● Medium size tear KITCHEN ● Fridge not working. ● No freezer (not working) ● Fridge lock-latch broken (does not allow to close the fridge) ● Both units leaking water after using tons of ice to keep our food healthy. Still, because of this condition we lost of food ● Propane tanks: Insufficient capacity for 8-10 people on board ● BREAKABLE porcelain and glassware - this is risky to dangerous. ● Plates ● Mugs ● Glass ● DANGEROUS on a sail boat ● Secondary tap not working. UTILITIES ● No generator ● Batteries: Insufficient capacity. We had to run the engines for 3 hours every day. ● Water tanks: insufficient capacity for 8-10 people on board ● Outboard: weak capacity DINGHY ● Motor cover: Coming off continuously with the slightest move/touch ● Boat should have a bigger dinghy for the 8-10 people capacity CABINS ● Hatches ● Leaking ● Supports: three hatches had the supports broken ● Weather sealed broken in one of them. ● Bow port hatch glass/vinyl broken. ● Bow starboard hatch had no support. ● Bow starboard portlight: glass/ vinyl broken and duct taped shut ● Doors: ● Starboard bow & aft cabin not locking ● Lamps filled with rust ● Cabin mattresses in bad shape OPERATION ISSUES ● Left winch top broken ● Anchor lights not working ● The navigation panel switches wiring is wrong. ● Inadequate FIRST AID KIT ● NO proper, even basic tools like pliers, screwdrivers, etc. ● Anchor size inappropriate for the size of the sailboat MOTOR & STEERING ● Wheel does not lock, this is dangerous when backing with the boat. It can damage rudders if wheel is not firmly held by a co- pilot ● Wheel - it is very difficult to hold direction with this wheel ● The motor control is very difficult as it is not responsive, particularly in reverse mode. HULL ● Overgrown with algae all over ● Propellers filled with algae and sea dirt ● Rudders filled with algae and sea dirt

Date of experience : 28 January 2024

Fantastic experience all round

Fantastic experience once again delivered by Dream Yacht Charters in the UK. Transparent pricing from the start and excellent value. Could not believe that the insurance indemnity was included in the price! Lorraine could not have worked harder to guide us on location and yachts to suit our needs. Any questions were dealt with quickly and professionally. The yacht we chartered met with our expectations and I have no doubt that had we experienced any difficulties at the base, Lorraine would have done her utmost to sort. Thank you for such a first class service. We will continue to charter from Dream Yacht Charters without reservation

Date of experience : 30 September 2023

First experience with DYW and first…

First experience with DYW and first time with DY Croatia. Preparation and briefing with the service team in US was so thorough that when I got to Dubrovnik ACI Marina everything run smoothly. No hidden costs, everything very transparent. We took a skipper who happened to be top notch, a local celebrity. Trip was excellent in all respects but we had little wind and we had to motor most of the time: next time I will make sure we reserve minimum guaranteed winds of 15 knots LOL

Date of experience : 19 August 2023

Fantastic Charter - Great Trogir Base Manager and Staff

We chartered a 45ft catamaran. Boat was in excellent shape and we had no issues. Well equipped with chart book, extra propane and all other amenities. Base staff was super friendly and helpful and always asked us if everything was ok or if we needed anything when we passed them on dock. Base manager Tommi was super friendly and engaging, ensuring all of our needs were met and also took the time to suggest ports as well as booking slips for us. What a fabulous country and superb charter!

Date of experience : 20 May 2023

Unfortunately disappointing (Abacos)

Unfortunately our 3rd tour with DYC was disappointing. The captain was disinterested, rude and barely present. The Abacos are still worth seeing - with a different crew. Despite our feedback, Dream Yacht Charter didn't get in touch. Bad customer service for us. We sailed the last time. Well, we hardly sailed.

Date of experience : 09 December 2022

Reply from Dream Yacht Charter

Hello Lasse, Thank you for taking the time to share your concern. We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations and fell below our standards. In order to investigate the case, please fill in this form (https://bit.ly/dreamyacht) as it is our goal to provide the best experience, and we take that commitment very seriously. Thank you for contacting us, the Dream Yacht team.

Great charter with Dream Yacht in St John

Had a great bareboat charter sailing around St John out of St Thomas with Dream Yacht Charter in a brand new Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40. Thanks to Dawn Fingers and the rest of the team for helping to accommodate our last minute booking. Highlights were Zozo’s at Caneel Bay and Cruz Bay. We’ve booked bareboat charter with Dream Yacht a number of times in the past and have they seem to be the best outfit in terms of boat maintenance and professionalism.

Date of experience : 03 July 2022

Hello Colin, Thank you for your wonderful review. We're glad you had a great time with us in the USVI and we will pass your review to our team :) We look forward to seeing you again soon with pleasure. The Dream Yacht Charter team.

No Dream in Dream yacht Charter

This was my worst vacation. We bare boated and the boat broke down, for 5 days we were stuck in a marina, while the boat was repaired and DYC has refused to do anything. these additional costs, we didn't plan for, and we lost a huge part of our vacation. before you book with them, try getting a hold of the base in the Bahamas, or a supervisor or someone who deals with complaints or refunds. Aside from sales/customer service (booking) you wont get past the iron curtain!

Date of experience : 11 December 2022

Hi Davey J, thank you for your review. We are saddened to hear of your dissatisfaction with this situation. Our team works tirelessly to provide boats in top condition, and we’re truly sorry that you experienced these issues. Please fill in this form (https://bit.ly/dreamyacht) with your booking details so we can investigate your case further. We want to provide the best experience to our customers, and your feedback helps us improve. Thank you for letting us know, the Dream Yacht team.

Love the staff and service

We most recently chartered our first Catamaran in Exumas Islands, Bahama and had a magnificent experience. That was our 4th charter with Dream Yacht Charter and are very happy with the overall service, boats and staff at the base. All the bases we have visited are very busy- but we always feel we get what we need and are attended to. Love that they have bases all around the world. Have 2 more bookings this year - La Paz tomorrow and Naples, Italy in July. Never think about looking for alternative companies

Date of experience : 18 February 2023

Appreciation to the DYC team in Zaton/Sibenik, Croatia

Unfortunately, our charter (Lagoon 42 Grand Tour) is over, boat was quite stable and we had a great time! Let me express my appreciation to the DYC team here in Zaton/Sibenik, Croatia and the quality of this boat (knowing a lot of other DYC bases and boats woldwide, since I am yacht owner at DYC myself). The boat maintenance and customer care is really recognizable good, fast and reliable. Very convenient and it supports a lot our life on board. Everybody felt very well. MERCI BEAUCOUP for this!!

Date of experience : 17 June 2023

Top experience!!

I am a seasoned skipper and have chartered with many companies in the past. A few months ago, I met Dream Yacht’s Head of Customer Experience, Edouard, at an event. His passion for customer centricty convinced me to give Dream Yacht a shot for my next trip that I was planning in La Paz. From my arrival at the base in La Paz, the Base manager, Ernesto, his staff, and the crew on board, made my trip memorable. I will definitely be booking again with Dream Yacht and will highly recommend to anyone looking for an amazing experience.

Date of experience : 07 May 2023

Dream yacht charter Dubrovnic…

Second charter to Aci Dubrovnic Croatia.From arriving early at the marina the team were fantastic. They were friendly and very efficient. The yacht handover was relaxed and the engineer was exceptionally helpful. With great information the team put you at ease and fill you with confidence that they are available should you need them. Thank you we will be back !

Date of experience : 22 April 2023

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