BACCHUS

Captain Evanne and Chef Stijn,

Thank you for the most incredible vacation and experience for our family. Traveling with two young kids (5 and 9) can sometimes feel like a lot, but you made it feel effortless.

From the second we stepped onboard, you created something that felt like a floating five-star resort, but even better because it was so personal, warm, and just easy. Evanne’s quiet confidence and calm, elegant presence set the tone for everything. You have this way of being steady and grounding while still fun and personable.

Stijn’s cooking was unbelievable, every single meal somehow better than the last. We appreciate how thoughtful you were with the kids adding in things like chicken tenders, steak bites, and sauces on the side let them stay in their comfort zone while still being exposed to new flavors.

Every day felt like a new adventure, snorkeling, seabobbing, exploring, and somehow it just kept getting better. All of it set against the beauty of the USVI, with accommodations that were incredibly comfortable and luxurious.

We will never forget coming back from the beach and hearing our 5-year-old ask for “alone time” on the boat with you both. The way you just naturally took him in and cared for him like family meant everything. It gave us the freedom to explore, knowing he was completely safe and happy, and that kind of trust is rare.

We’ll never forget spotting eagle rays, turtles, dolphins, and even a surprise donkey. Of course how could we forget, the teddy bear rescue after it went overboard (just one more example of how you went above and beyond).

We’re leaving with tears in our eyes and so much gratitude for the experience you created for our family. It truly felt like the adventure of a lifetime.

Really hoping this isn’t goodbye, but “see you again.” We would sail with you both again in a heartbeat.

To our next adventure…

The Smith Family

Dear Evanne & Stijn

We are excited to give our recent Bacchus charter a 5 star review!
Evanne our incredible captain and Stijn our chef were extremely skilled. We were thoroughly impressed with how accommodating and helpful the crew was as they always wanted to make sure we had the best trip possible.

Evanne ensured that all of the preferences from the three generations of our family were considered in order to make a trip plan that kept everyone happy. Not only is she a skilled captain, but she is also a sommelier who paired great wines with the Michelin level meals prepared by Stijn. Stijn prepared, with enthusiasm and passion, tremendous meals that fit all of our food preferences and dietary restrictions. As a finale on our last evening champagne and appetizers were served on the fly bridge overlooking Caneel Bay! After toasting our crew, we descended to an incredible candlelit dining table and a heavenly six course Michelin style dinner.

Let us not forget the boat itself!! Bacchus is a brand new 59 foot charter! Its interior is stunning & spacious…. very comfortable beds & sleeping quarters plus an outstanding Salon! The Michelin level of dining is enhanced by a gas stove, big green egg and a pizza oven! The boat is outfitted with all of the toys needed to enjoy the perfect holiday. Stijn and Evanne happily helped everyone learn how to use the e-foil and sea bobs. They also encouraged us to take the tender to nearby places like the Bitter End and to beaches for beach walks.

All in all, none of our group could imagine a more perfectly orchestrated charter. Once again, thank you to Evanne and Stijn for creating an unforgettable family memory. We highly recommend Bacchus and its crew for future adventures in the Virgin Islands!
~The Stokely Family

Dear Evanne & Stijn,

I just returned from an incredible week-long vacation sailing around the British Virgin Islands aboard the Bacchus yacht. Bacchus is a beautiful, well-appointed 59’ catamaran that is spacious and comfortable.

The captain, Evanne Soeten, and first mate/chef, Stijn Van Der Bruggen, made the vacation even more memorable. They are two very professional, talented, and skilled people who went out of their way to accommodate my family and me.

Evanne is very safety conscious. She sailed Bacchus around the BVI with reassuring confidence, always finding the calmest anchorages for us to enjoy the many water toys.

Stijn is a professional chef who made every meal a culinary delight. It was a Michelin-like experience that exceeded our expectations in every way.

In addition to being the captain, Evanne is also a sommelier. She paired delicious wines with every dinner. Each nutritious meal was thoughtfully planned with the perfect mix of flavors, textures, and colors. I’ve never taken so many pictures of meals!

We look forward to planning our next vacation aboard Bacchus with Evanne and Stijn.

I also included several pictures of the meals. I hope the Bacchus owner gives both of you a raise—you deserve it. Have a great summer.

~Kennedy’s

We came to cruise the Virgin Islands but ended up cruising the world!

What could be better than experiencing a brand new charter boat! The Bacchus is a a beautiful 59 feet cat that is fitted out so well.  The furnishings provided comfort and space for our party to both join together for wonderful meals and sunsets but also have plenty of room and different hideaways to enjoy personal time. 
We loved all the toys on the boat — the sea bobs, paddle boards, floating sofa and lily pad, and the e-foil.  One of our party even achieved vertical lift off thanks to Stijn’s expert tuition.

Evanne is a brilliant captain who briefed us daily on the plans for the week and specifics for each day  and mastered all the crossings from point to point both under sail and power brilliantly.  She is calm, capable and charming but very much in control as Captain.  She is also a knowledgeable sommelier and makes a mean margarita!

Stijn is an amazing chef!  He produced Michelin star quality food for breakfast, lunch and dinner and never repeated himself.  We had delicious cuisine from around the world — Italian, Mexican, Korean, Caribbean and Dutch to name but a few. He cooks with passion and a deep knowledge of how to prepare and present fabulous meals. When complimented with Evanne’s sommelier experience this makes for very memorable meals which we looked forward to with great anticipation.

Together Evanne and Stijn are the perfect package, their commitment to make their clients feel at home with every wish anticipated and catered for, makes for an unforgettable experience.

We leave with massive smiles on our faces and definite plans to return. 

James & Victoria Corcoran

Sincere thanks and appreciation for everything you have done for us this past month.
You both were beyond amazing, you are both so great at your jobs, and you are also such nice genuine people who really take pride in everything you do.

We are so grateful (and lucky) that we landed you two as our crew this past month. As I’ve told you multiple times, you both made our trip special. So special, that when we come back for a month next year, we can’t imagine not having you with us. We have so much respect for you both, and for how hard you work all day every day. As we wrote in the Borrowed Bounty book, you represent your company so well, they should be very proud and appreciative to have you on their team.
We view you both as friends at this point and look forward to staying in touch between now and our trip back to BVI next May.

We wish you both the very best, and if there is every anything we can do for you please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Thanks again for making this trip so memorable!

Evanne & Stijn
Thank you for another great week in the BVI. You planned an excellent itinerary and worked diligently to make sure we had the best experience.
The Borrowed Bounty was a new boat for you as a crew, and when there were A/C and generator issues, you never gave up and worked hard to resolve them—all while still making sure we were well fed and enjoying each location!

Evanne, you always found the best mooring spots and you are both kind and joyful.
Stijn, your meals were incredible! We felt like we toured the world through your cuisine.
You catered excellently to dietary restrictions while maintaining variety and incredible flavor in each meal.

Overall, we loved how well you worked together. It was a blast getting to know each of you—we look forward to more trips in the future!

Dear Captain Evanne & Chef Stijn,

Sincere thanks for making our charter so memorable and special.
Evanne, your positive attitude, constant smile, and exceptional customer service made it an absolute pleasure to sail with you. You are a highly knowledgeable and competent captain, and we always felt completely safe with you at the helm.
Stijn, your food was impeccable. We looked forward to every single meal. The way you combined flavors and presented each dish made us feel like we were dining in a different five-star restaurant every day.

Thank you so much for taking such thoughtful care with our daughter’s food allergies as well—it meant the world to us. Evanne and Stijn, over the course of our month-long stay, you became more than our crew—you became our friends. Every day brought something new, and you graciously adapted to our last-minute plan changes.
The month flew by far too quickly. We highly recommend you to anyone lucky enough to have you as part of their crew. Your company is incredibly fortunate to have you representing them.

We wish you both all the very best, and if there’s ever anything we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

What an adventure!

Pre-trip communications were easy, thorough and excellent. Stijn and Evanne organized a Zoom permeating to meet/greet, discuss menus and preferences regarding activities and destinations.

They arranged reservations for meals out, transfers and logistics. They incorporated our preferences and provided alternate suggestions.

Evanne’s professional ability and maturity are beyond her age. Winds gusting to 30 knots were abnormally strong. Her seamanship and marine critical judgement exhibited a calm professional demeanor. Her ability to manage many things at once was demonstrated during the maneuvering of the boat in open waters, tights spaces and high winds.

Stijn’s passion for feeding people shines. His scratch cooking with fresh ingredients showcased his culinary knowledge of international cuisine. He adjusted menus to accommodate dietary restrictions. Our group of well-traveled fun-loving seniors have eaten at some of the finest restaurants around the world and have not had such consistently superb meals. He deserves a Michelin star!

Evanne and Stijn worked as a seamless team. They supported each other and the passengers. Their hospitality created a tabling experience that was inviting and inclusive.
We’re coming back to charter with Evanne and Stijn wherever they are!

Had the most amazing week on Ad Astra with Evanne and Stijn.

We were a party of 10 and the level of service they provided was outstanding. So impressed with both of them.
First – Stijn’s prowess in the kitchen is unmatched – we have used chefs before – he is #1 in our book.
Evanne’s knowledge and professionalism as our captain was impressive. Not our first charter – would sail with her again.
Their suggestions for excursions were awesome. We had so much fun and I feel they gave us the best of the BVI.

This Boston crew will follow Evanne and Stijn anywhere.

Thank you to Evanne and Stijn for an amazing week in the BVIs!

They were absolutely top-notch. The food was incredible, and everyone was happy. The yummy cocktails offered throughout the trip were a great touch of service, and they truly went above and beyond.

Evanne was always calm and confident, making everyone feel safe. They took us to amazing spots—both off the beaten path and the well-known gems—and we appreciated both.

We’ve done a similar trip before, and we all agreed: Evanne and Stijn are the very best of the best! Thank you from all of us!