SERENA GUESTS COMMENTS
Late May, 2026 guests aboard SERENA said:
Thank you for a wonderful week! The food was fabulous at every turn! We loved getting to sail together as a family again for the first time in 35 years and to get to introduce our kids to such a magical place.
We appreciate your hospitality and even more your flexibility with our crew!
Very best wishes to the both of you through this summer and your many other endeavors.
Hope to be with you again!
Danielle & William (17)
_____
Hugh & Vivi,
Thank you for the great week in the BVI – from the dolphins playing around the boat from the very beginning to the great sailing days! Ben was over-the-moon about getting behind the helm for a while again after so long and Will loved learning more.
The food was incredible and we found some good beaches.
Thanks again and I hope I’m able to return soon!
Lynne Summers
Happy Sailing!
_____
Chef and Cap’n:
Cannot say enough about this trip. From “spirited” seas to dodging the local Poker Run, really imagine these memories will last (and grow with) the test of time.
God Bless the Serena and all those welcomed aboard as we were.
The Herds
Ben, Isabel, Sofia
We appreciate your hospitality and even more your flexibility with our crew!
Very best wishes to the both of you through this summer and your many other endeavors.
Hope to be with you again!
Danielle & William (17)
_____
Hugh & Vivi,
Thank you for the great week in the BVI – from the dolphins playing around the boat from the very beginning to the great sailing days! Ben was over-the-moon about getting behind the helm for a while again after so long and Will loved learning more.
The food was incredible and we found some good beaches.
Thanks again and I hope I’m able to return soon!
Lynne Summers
Happy Sailing!
_____
Chef and Cap’n:
Cannot say enough about this trip. From “spirited” seas to dodging the local Poker Run, really imagine these memories will last (and grow with) the test of time.
God Bless the Serena and all those welcomed aboard as we were.
The Herds
Ben, Isabel, Sofia
Early April, 2026, guests aboard the 63 ft sloop SERENA wrote:
Capt. Hugh & Chef Vivi—
Thank you for an unforgettable week! Our first charter, first time to the BVI and you made it incredible. Traveling with teens is a challenge of balancing having “things to do” and enough food and some downtime. This trip knocked it out of the park! There was something for everyone and no one asking mom what are we doing today or what is for dinner!
I can’t remember the last time Rob & I got to relax so much and have so much quality time with the kids. Reid & Clare will always remember the attention you gave them and such a special experience. I can’t wait for Reid to cook his new recipes for us at home!
Thank you—can’t wait to book with you again!
Sarah and Rob
This was the best vacation my family has ever gone on & with the best captain & chef ever. 10/10 recommend 🙂
C
Thank you for all the fishing, all the cooking, and all the jokes this vacation, with all my heart!
R
The Strassheims
Thank you for an unforgettable week! Our first charter, first time to the BVI and you made it incredible. Traveling with teens is a challenge of balancing having “things to do” and enough food and some downtime. This trip knocked it out of the park! There was something for everyone and no one asking mom what are we doing today or what is for dinner!
I can’t remember the last time Rob & I got to relax so much and have so much quality time with the kids. Reid & Clare will always remember the attention you gave them and such a special experience. I can’t wait for Reid to cook his new recipes for us at home!
Thank you—can’t wait to book with you again!
Sarah and Rob
This was the best vacation my family has ever gone on & with the best captain & chef ever. 10/10 recommend 🙂
C
Thank you for all the fishing, all the cooking, and all the jokes this vacation, with all my heart!
R
The Strassheims
Late March guests aboard SERENA wrote:
The food on the Serena exceeded our expectations by three times. Consistently better than any 5 star restaurant by far. Each and every breakfast lunch dinner and desert.
Over the top. And nice people as well.
Over the top. And nice people as well.
First guests of the 2025-2026 season, they wrote of their charter aboard SERENA:
Capt Hugh & Chef Vivianne,
What an experience!! Loved the trip, the stops, the food, the stories and above all, the sailing.
The hospitality was superb and the food out of this world.
This has been an exceptional experience and a true bucketlist trip. Thanks for letting me drive Serena from BEYC to White Bay, reminding me how much my soul needs sailing and the sea. Truly reinvigorated!
Hud & “Rolly”
Jacksonville
And...
Capt Hugh & Chef Vivi,
Thanks for an amazing trip, especially the two full days of sailing & the menu created by Vivi!
The long sails, dining, snorkeling, and food were tremendous.
As a group, we all agreed Hugh was a one-man comedy show. And to watch him jump into action — jack of all trades — fix any and everything was a feat to watch.
Additionally, his grasp of all things about the voyage, wealth of information (delivered in a humorous banter) was amazing. At no time were we bored — nothing but great dialogue, restful sails, and great sleep.
5 stars from this windward traveler!
Jack & Wendy
Wilmington
What an experience!! Loved the trip, the stops, the food, the stories and above all, the sailing.
The hospitality was superb and the food out of this world.
This has been an exceptional experience and a true bucketlist trip. Thanks for letting me drive Serena from BEYC to White Bay, reminding me how much my soul needs sailing and the sea. Truly reinvigorated!
Hud & “Rolly”
Jacksonville
And...
Capt Hugh & Chef Vivi,
Thanks for an amazing trip, especially the two full days of sailing & the menu created by Vivi!
The long sails, dining, snorkeling, and food were tremendous.
As a group, we all agreed Hugh was a one-man comedy show. And to watch him jump into action — jack of all trades — fix any and everything was a feat to watch.
Additionally, his grasp of all things about the voyage, wealth of information (delivered in a humorous banter) was amazing. At no time were we bored — nothing but great dialogue, restful sails, and great sleep.
5 stars from this windward traveler!
Jack & Wendy
Wilmington
Guests aboard the 63 ft sloop SERENA for the last week of January, 2025, said:
Captan Hugh and Vivi,
Yacht Serena and the both of you werejust what the Dr. ordered! Even though things got a little crazy back home, you helped us unplug and relax. The accommodations were perfect. Your meals and cocktails were fantastic - even going out of the way to find special treats! Hugh has the best stories. We can't wait to come back and hear some more! Thank you for taking us to the most charming spots in the US & British Virgin Islands.
Sarah & Reza
St. Louis
Yacht Serena and the both of you werejust what the Dr. ordered! Even though things got a little crazy back home, you helped us unplug and relax. The accommodations were perfect. Your meals and cocktails were fantastic - even going out of the way to find special treats! Hugh has the best stories. We can't wait to come back and hear some more! Thank you for taking us to the most charming spots in the US & British Virgin Islands.
Sarah & Reza
St. Louis
Mid January, 2025, guests aboard the Beneteau 63 sloop SERENA said:
Dear Captain Hugh and Vivianne,
After many decades without sailing, this was the exact experience we were looking for. The scenery and the food… amazing! We’ll not soon forget the awesome dinners on deck under a full moon, just soaking in the beauty and flavor of the islands. But it was the sailing we came for, and that did not disappoint! We loved the informal racing with opponents that may not have even known they were in a race. We felt like accomplished winners with every win.
After many decades without sailing, this was the exact experience we were looking for. The scenery and the food… amazing! We’ll not soon forget the awesome dinners on deck under a full moon, just soaking in the beauty and flavor of the islands. But it was the sailing we came for, and that did not disappoint! We loved the informal racing with opponents that may not have even known they were in a race. We felt like accomplished winners with every win.
November 2024 guests aboard SERENA said:
Capt. Hugh and Chef Vivi -
Thank you for an unforgettable six days! the laid-back rhythm of the trip - waking up to a new island every day and embracing the beauty of "go-with-the-flow" adventure - was exactly the kind of relaxation we needed.
The food was absolutely outstanding. A special highlight was the incredible ceviché made from fish we caught together... After many days of trying.
This is the first of many charters together... See you in Italy!!!
The Leland party
Thank you for an unforgettable six days! the laid-back rhythm of the trip - waking up to a new island every day and embracing the beauty of "go-with-the-flow" adventure - was exactly the kind of relaxation we needed.
The food was absolutely outstanding. A special highlight was the incredible ceviché made from fish we caught together... After many days of trying.
This is the first of many charters together... See you in Italy!!!
The Leland party
Mid-June, 2024, guests aboard SERENA wrote:
This charter has been truly phenomenal. We sailed this gorgeous ship. We snorkeled glorious reefs. We saw squid, shark, puffers - things we've never experienced before. The Virgin Islands are amazing, but what truly makes Serena remarkable are its owners. Between Vivi's amazing meals and Hugh’s enchanting stories this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We feel like we've added family, we have enjoyed our time with Hugh and Vivi so much. The Pittman/ Baldwin/ Tolliver group are so grateful for the memories we've made this week. We will miss this beautiful area when we head back to Detroit, but we will miss these remarkable people even more.
Heather Pittman
P.S. Our nighttime sing-a-longs were epic! Best parties ever!
Captain Hugh and Vivi are Masters of Improvisation and Adaptation. The previous page covers what a fantastic week this has been. Adding to that is that we have 5/6 guests with various allergies, and the food was high end restaurant quality even when 3-4 different platings/ingredients were juggled. Vivi and Hugh adapted to our schedule of being late sleepers, and we still maximized our two main focci, Snorkeling and Sailing.
We saws how much effort this took, and we appreciate it!
Thank you.
Neil Pittman
Heather Pittman
P.S. Our nighttime sing-a-longs were epic! Best parties ever!
Captain Hugh and Vivi are Masters of Improvisation and Adaptation. The previous page covers what a fantastic week this has been. Adding to that is that we have 5/6 guests with various allergies, and the food was high end restaurant quality even when 3-4 different platings/ingredients were juggled. Vivi and Hugh adapted to our schedule of being late sleepers, and we still maximized our two main focci, Snorkeling and Sailing.
We saws how much effort this took, and we appreciate it!
Thank you.
Neil Pittman
Mid April, 2024, guests aboard SERENA wrote:
Thank you Hugh!! Words cannot express how much we loved our time aboard Yacht Serena with you & Vivi…. truly the trip of a lifetime!!
Early April, 2024, guests aboard SERENA wrote:
As we were filling out our preference lists, we figured you’d be dreading your week with us - fish lovers who can’t eat anything spicy, a teenager who eats no fish and vegetables, and a Vegan (gasp!) who likes very spicy things… Poor Vivi!
Luckily, we all like sailing, so at least you handsome fun on the boat on the extra windy days this week!
Serious hats off to Vici for crafting such amazing (individualized) meals to keep everyone happy (especially the F*#%ing Vegan) And Hugh, thanks for getting Taffy out for snorkelling trips without a hitch and listening to all Jeff’stories. You’ve learned far too much about this family - try not to use it against us😊
Thanks for everything….. I can’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed & well cared for. I hope we will be back for another Serena cruise!
Come visit us ❤️
Cheers, Melissa
Jeff loved sailing your beautiful boat & helping Milo learn the ropes. This, our first crewed charter was so relaxing, fun + delicious food unbelievable. Thank you both!
Taffy & Jeff
Thanks for the adventure - Milo
Luckily, we all like sailing, so at least you handsome fun on the boat on the extra windy days this week!
Serious hats off to Vici for crafting such amazing (individualized) meals to keep everyone happy (especially the F*#%ing Vegan) And Hugh, thanks for getting Taffy out for snorkelling trips without a hitch and listening to all Jeff’stories. You’ve learned far too much about this family - try not to use it against us😊
Thanks for everything….. I can’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed & well cared for. I hope we will be back for another Serena cruise!
Come visit us ❤️
Cheers, Melissa
Jeff loved sailing your beautiful boat & helping Milo learn the ropes. This, our first crewed charter was so relaxing, fun + delicious food unbelievable. Thank you both!
Taffy & Jeff
Thanks for the adventure - Milo
Early February, 2024, charter guests aboard SERENA said:
Including 85-years young Dad, see the hand-written comments below.
Fan Mail from recent charter guests
Fan Mail from recent charter guests for yacht SERENA, the new Beneteau 63 sloop.
