We did our first Festiva charter in October and it was the one of the best of our seven trips to the BVI, with six private charters and one land-based previously. We did not have a timeshare, went off-season on an all-inclusive crewed charter, meals and BOOZE and diving, all for $3400 a couple! Time-share couples were about a $1000 less but they also pay yearly dues. You just can't beat it--our gourmet chef had lived in New Orleans and did a great job, seasoned well. She boiled potatoes for a salad and the fruits and veggies very fresh and crisp. We had filet mignons and pork loin with a tamarind sauce that was excellent. Then there was the banana pancakes, frittatas, bloody Mary's, and Bailey's with the coffee to start the day off. We also had gluten-free bread and crackers available per request. Festiva have staff that buy and stock each charter based on preferences, and the chef works with what they have, so no two charters will be ever be the same. We celebrated an anniversary and the crew made a scrumptious cake and served champagne. The other couples we were with were compatible but there were some on the other boats I was very happy weren't on our cat...if you have friends or family to fill the the other cabins, it would be easier to lime than with an obnoxious woman that would rather be on a cruise ship. However, anyone adventurous enough to do it at all will probably have like-minded people on board. The Lagoon 440 was the best layout of any we have been on, with ample fridge space. We couldn't have afforded a charter without the good airfare using points and the charter deal in off-season when it was quiet and uncrowded. We went to Anegada, Jost(White Bay and Great Harbor), Cooper, Virgin Gorda, Peter, Sandy Spit, Norman, and CGB + and hit a lot of beach bars. After buying some very expensive pre-charter drinks and meals on Tortola, our expectations had plummeted before we boarded . We were very pleasantly surprised, the crew excellent, food and drink good and plentiful, and the memories pricelss. I highly recommend Festiva and would do it again in a heart beat. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />