COCKTAILS & DREAMS

Thank you for an unforgettable week! It was truly an incredible experience. Thank you Eleanor for your cooking mastery and Francois for your impeccable steering!
Thank you 
Sophia

Thank you for an incredible week exploring the British Virgin Islands! the trip was absolutely unforgettable, and we truly appreciate all the care and attention that went into making it so special.
A huge thanks to our captain Francois, whose expertise and knowledge of the islands made every moment seamless and exciting. He navigated us to the most stunning spots, each more breathtaking than the last. Another big thank you to Eleanor for your warmth, kindness, and constant dedication to ensuring we had everything we needed.

One of the highlights of the trip was the amazing meals Eleanor prepared for us three times a day. Those times together as a family were truly special - sharing delicious food while surrounded by the beauty of the islands. We created memories we will always treasure.

The memories we made this week - sailing the clear blue waters, exploring different islands, visiting hidden coves, and enjoying the culture of the BVI - wills tay with us for a lifetime.
Thank you again for an exceptional journey. We hope to sail with you again some day! 

Parker, Ashley, Jolee, Job and Jules

What a magical way to turn 50!! It would have never been the same without you! You are both kind, professional, fun and very special people who we will always remember and want amazing things for.

Every aspect of the trip was perfect - from the decisions and healthy meals to the fine captaining, to the night at Foxy's for New Year- thank you for it all and forever being a part of the best memories of our lives.
We wish you good health, prosperity and everything you both dream of.
Thank you
The C. Family

First and foremost THANK YOU for the most unforgettable trip! We have been talking about planning this trip for the last 10 years! 

You both made it so incredibly special for us. From the moment we stepped on the boat y'all spoiled us rotten! From planning the perfect excursions, to 5 star meals, each and everyone tasted so delicious!

The boat was always kept so clean and organized.
There is something magical about going to sleep and waking up on a boat. 
Francois and Eleanor, we cant thank y'all enough and if you are ever in Houston don't hesitate to reach out to us so we can spoil y'all back!

We hope to get to do this again and we definitely will request that you guys are our crew!!

We looked forward to this trip for years. We knew it would be full of adventures and memories. You both made it more than we could have expected! Eleanor the food was unbelievable and Francois you did such a good job fixing anything and making it look easy. The Thanksgiving dinner was over the top!
Thank you for introducing us to "Uncle" Willie T - lots of memories there :)
We enjoyed having you become part of our family this week and hope that our paths cross again in the future. Until then God Speed....Dream Big!

Every tour & luxurious stops were magnificent! Thank you!
What a wonderful trip! We totally enjoyed sailing with our family & crew! The southern views over the top, so much fun! 

Thank you both for taking us to so many beautiful islands & giving us so many new experiences.

We hope to sail with you again!

Love,
Aunt Kathy, Uncle Bill
KP, Eli, Tom

Brilliant, extraordinary, outstanding, exceptional, really good!
Exceeding expectations is always a good look and you guys are right on! I am so appreciated with the level of involved activities with family and friends.
Always felt relaxed and looked after. We all always felt very safe.
The meals, presentation and variety were excellent. The variety was my favorite part.
All the best.

Dearest Crew,

What can we say except for the fact that we don’t want to leave!
It has been an amazing time reconnecting with close friends and making new friendships with you both. Every day was a perfect day with snorkeling, relaxing, island hopping, sitting at the top chatting and getting some sun.

I’m not sure how to amazingly put into words every day, but we will take the memories from this trip and enjoy them forever. You both have a place in our hearts and a house to stay in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Chicago. To our first Captain and Chef, the memories will last forever.

We look forward to reconnecting in some way in the future. You both are amazing at your place in a beautiful boat and fortunate to make us feel so welcome and like friends. We are so blessed to have met you both and this experience we had this week. Amazing sailing and amazing food. The rose was the cherry on top!

— Thank you!

We will forever be changed after spending these last several days sailing with Nantes and Liam! This has been such a special way to celebrate a milestone birthday and share time together as a family before Roh heads to university. You have both been the most kind and gracious hosts and we will never forget it. We loved learning from you and hearing the amazing stories of your sailing + cooking adventures.

Thank you thank you thank you for making this trip be both a rich experience and a relaxing getaway. You are both so great and we hope our paths will cross once again in a beautiful place like this.

Wishing you all the best for a great season and a super festival next week in S.A.!

Our best, 💜💜
 

Best sailing and cooking I’ve ever had on the ocean onboard Cocktails & Dreams! Also, thank you for teaching me how to play poker and blackjack, even is the greatest at it!
— Micaela Hartley-Barbee

Thanks for letting me help with the boat driving and anchoring. It was very fun to learn how to drive the boat. Also thanks for the lucky glasses, probably wouldn’t have won without those.
— Caden Butler

The mates above have said it all but thanks for showing us all your secrets. Please let us know when you are ready to see the ways of the great lakes!! 300 miles by 100 miles are the Lake Michigan dimensions. 1000 ft depth. Come see us!
— Brian

I don’t even know where to begin. What an incredible trip. Thank you for helping us to create some unforgettable memories. Learning about how to navigate and sail the catamaran, stories, inspiration. 

Nantes, your energy, education, discussions, dinghy rides, multiple returns to the boat for forgotten items. 

Chef, the incredibly creative and tasteful foods, the presentation, variation and perfection.

From delicious food
to capable skipping,
to hospitality,
most importantly, creative!
You hosted the crystal blue memories for us & the kids.
Thank you, thank you!

Erick & Sharon
Maddie 😊
10/10 – Neila

Thank you for providing us with this trip that has provided beautiful memories for our family. We are truly thankful for guys and this trip would have significantly more dull without y’all. Liam’s cooking brightened our mornings and Nantes’s kind and made us feel welcome. Here’s one more dull joke; Why did the scarecrow get an award?
He was outstanding in his field.

You guys are officially our favorite South Africans!
Thank you for hosting our idyllic Caribbean journey. We love experiencing new things - 30kt winds, sea sickness, paradisical landscapes, turquoise blue waters.
You both did a great job taking care of us & showing us BVI!

Family of 8, ages from 20–64!
Everyone's needs/wants were fulfilled. The crew was very attentive and knowledgeable.
Great activities geared toward the interests of the group.
Food! Lots of great food!
Cheffy brought back conch and lobsters from an excursion and made the best lobster risotto on short notice! Lots of great dishes and desserts — out‑of‑this‑world double chocolate mousse!
 

You are amazing! From the couple who charters their own boat — this was a very special experience for us!
Nantes, what can I say? You are an incredible captain, very talented & calm in all states of the sea. (And that is coming from Chris who is an accomplished sailor for over 20 years!) Loved chatting with you on Sailing(!) And your DJ skills — incredible / good luck!
Liam — your chef skills were amazing. The food absolutely delicious (perfectly cooked!), perfect proportions & perfect timing. (Coming from two people who love to cook & Chris cooking in his everyday life — we were impressed with your skills & knowledge.) Thank you for sharing your cooking wisdom with Niki (& your spices!!). You are both incredibly kind, beautiful, welcoming, fun, talented & thoughtful! Literally could not ask for a better crew!!
Cheers mates!! ❤️
Niki & Chris
Napa, California

I would like to extend the biggest, heartfelt thank you to the both of you!
Zipping around the BVIs on our one‑day charters always left me wanting something more. This week‑long charter was what my life found that was missing all these years! My heart is overflowing with gratitude for the memories that you’ve provided to my friends and myself. It will live forever inside my soul.
Thank you both for expertly navigating us around the BVI, showing us everything — but also to dive from Scrub Island to Anegada + back with teamwork and talent.
Nartes → Your natural expertise and knowledge of the boat life far exceeded your age. I loved the early morning talks after coffee and learning everything from boating to philosophy and all in between! Thank you!
Liam → Thank you for the great meals, my friend. Your desserts were amazing, especially the rum & banana bread! Also appreciated the extra assist on the boat! Good luck to you both in all your future endeavors, and no matter what the winds give you — keep adjusting. Make sail!
Rob + Stewart + Chris

This was the best family vacation ever and all thanks to you two! Nantes, knowing all the great spots to hang out and where our favorite plays were — the baths, an Indians & Peter Island. Swimming with sea turtles & snorkeling!
Chef Kipp — thank you for all the amazing meals! Best pulled pork & banana cream pie ever!
We made some of the most incredible memories & will never forget the role you played in those memories! We hope to stay in touch for future adventures! We wish you both the best! Thank you again to the best crew on Earth!♥️ Thank yous!
P.S. Thank you for my little NCAA bracket fun!
Kate, Pat, Jack & Knowles McMullen
Fort Collins, Colorado

You know, for South Africans you are not that bad.
Great week and a great time and thank you for taking such good care of this crazy crew. It was a great week.
As a fellow captain and chef, I would sail with you both anytime.
Cheers and good seas,
Carl & D’Anne
P.S. Come visit Monticello, Danvers.

Best days of our lives!
We have been so blessed with the best friends + best crew! Nantes + Liam gave us the greatest trip. It was healing + bonding and something we will remember until the end of time.
— Megan

We love y’all! Thanks Liam for cooking amazing food + Nantes for scheduling the best trip ever! We couldn’t have had a better vacation thanks to you two. Hope to do this trip again one day. BEST TRIP EVER
— Best, Madeleine + Rob

The most amazing week! Liam and Nantes thank you so much for showing us the best time — everything was so perfect!

Thank you for providing us with a trip that has provided bountiful memories for our family. We are truly thankful — you guys made this week! We would have been more dull without y’all’s jokes! Liam’s dad jokes every morning (and Nantes’) plus made us feel welcome.
Here’s the “dad joke” of the week:
Why did the scarecrow get an award?
He was outstanding in his field.

Thank you Nantes for being a great captain and taking me to the wakeboard for the first time. I had a blast! You guys are so fun and lively, and now I’ll start saying lekker all the time 😄 Also thanks for helping with all my injuries 😊
— Gisella (+ sea urchin)

In-love with getting to know you both better.
I will let you know when I’m in South Africa — you both are journeying very well. Thank you for this atmosphere. All the best ♥️
— Mandie