Emil, Sophie

At almost 69, I can truly state that I have never been so well taken care of and made to feel so special every moment of this trip.

Emil’s knowledge, confidence and his energy was so genuine.

Sophie’s food was exceptional and that isn’t really giving the proper context. If Sophie had a restaurant near me, I would not only eat there every week, but I would plead to be an investor.

Truly an experience unlike any I have ever experienced. Thank you for memories that I will hold dear for the rest of my life.

Jim & Deb

I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for us during these dreamy weeks. Besides endorsing every word written below, I’d like to add my deepest gratitude for taking such amazing care of my dietary needs.

Only at home had I been able to completely relax and enjoy a meal “with closed eyes” knowing that Sophie had my back 1000/100 and nothing bad was going to happen to me while eating.

It restored for me the unusual pleasure of just surrendering to the pleasure of a well-prepared meal (and what a meal!!!!) without any anxieties.

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!!!
Deb

Emil & Sophie,

Thank you for serving us great food. Also captaining the boat for us. Thank you for taking us snorkeling, tubing, water skiing and surfing, also knee boarding and the rope swing. Thank you for making our bed the way you make my stuffed animals. I loved playing cards with you. You are amazing at games. Sophie makes the best food and has the best dance moves. Thank you Emil for always saying yes. We had the best trip EVER.
From: Neve

Emil & Sophie,

We almost canceled over the trip at the last minute because of our busy lives. Instead, we traveled across the US and enjoyed an amazing week with our family & two strangers.

You guys were so friendly, kind, knowledgeable, professional, & fun. We are so grateful we chose “Livin”. Every day was unique, adventurous, & enjoyable from hitting gold balls from the top of a mountain or off the dock, to exploring the Baths or surfing behind the boat, the trip will go on our top 5 list.
Thank you for taking care of our family & showing us a great time.

Happy Days!

Ben
Rose
Stevie
Neve

Emil ★ and Sophie,

Thank you so much for everything, it was amazing.

Sophie – You are great at games especially Left, Right, Center. You are the G.O.A.T at cooking and games, plus dance moves. You have great jokes and style. In a week you were just two people that were going to help us with the boat then you basically became family to me.

Emil – Thanks for saying yes to everything. You had great stories to each adventure. Thanks for taking us tubing, waterskiing, surfing, and wakeboarding. Even though you didn’t win Left, Right, Center you still are good at games. You are the BEST captain. Sailing at night was fun and a good idea. You were a stranger 7 days ago, you became family to me.

Emil & Sophie,

Thank you for the most incredible week. The best “Holiday” as you would say. The food was over the top. Truly, 5 star quality. You also made exceptions for the kids that was so kind, but not expected and very appreciated. We were all wowed at EVERY meal!

I also loved learning about your cooking background from your accommodations but also your Momma ♥ Can’t wait to bring the recipes to Big Harbor.
Emil was the best captain. He does it all always so you can comfortably sit back and relax, feel safe and enjoy the water. Everything on the boat is ready, prepared and secure. Down to the cute stuffed animals displays in the AM! He’s the best YES guy and my family adored both him and Sophie.
Wishing they come and visit us or we will have to come back. Life is short—book LIVIN. Always, Ron & … (last name unclear)

Dear Emil & Sophie,

This was sincerely a trip of a lifetime! Thank you for sharing your home with us & giving us the most magical vacation.
We had no idea what to expect – but you made it EPIC!
Your parents should be so proud of you and the special life you have created together.
We will forever keep these memories close to our hearts.

Wishing you lots of love & success on your adventures.
Hope all your days are filled with happy times & sunny skies.
No thank you could ever be enough.
Hope we meet again!

XO Kat, Alan, Ava & Jesse

Thank you for making this a trip to remember filled with unforgettable memories & amazing food ♥
xo Ava & Jesse

Your overall star rating?: 5

How would you describe your yacht? Was the yacht comfortable and clean? Well ventilated? Sufficient Shade? Sufficient Space to relax?
It was perfect!! Options for sun, shade, reading, chilling and great spaces to enjoy the sailing!!

How would you describe your crew? Were they courteous? Helpful? Friendly? Attentive? Knowledgeable? Accompanied you on your activities/land excursions? Wore uniforms and acted professionally?:
Crew was phenomenal!! Warm, friendly, helpful, engaging and professional. We would love to take another trip with Emil and Sophie!

Was the food great and well presented? Did the menus meet your expectations? Did your crew pay attention to your preference sheets?:
Food was amazing! Beyond our expectations! The menu aligned with the input we provided before the trip.

How did you find the pace and the itinerary of your charter?
Great balance of activities and time to relax.

Additional comments about the yacht and the crew?:
Emil and Sophie thought of everything. We were spoiled all week long.

Was it easy to travel to and from your yacht?:
Yes

Did you like the area you chartered in?:
Yes

In the future, would you consider : Charter again, Book the same Yacht again, Follow the crew onto another yacht, Sail a different destination
Any additional thoughts about your charter experience?:

Absolutely fantastic adventure! We have done bareboat in the past. Having a talented crew handling the boat and meals allowed us to truly enjoy every minute with our friends soaking in the BVI experience.

Thank You!

Uno Champ

Dearest Emil & Sophie,

You guys are the BEST!!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
We are so grateful for the memories we have made on this trip. From the moment we met to our final hours on the boat, we have felt your warmth, love and passion for life on the sea.

Emil, you are a MASTER captain. We are so impressed by your skills, knowledge and love of sailing. You know you’re the best when everyone in the area on Anegada cannot believe their eyes when you pop open the sails before leaving the bay. Wow!

Sophie, I often say, “Food is love,” and boy, you take this to a whole new level. Every single meal was incredible and your friendliness and sense of humor were so appreciated (especially as parents of a 9-year-old!). Thank you for being so kind and patient with Evie.

First lost tooth on Livin!!!

Sophie & Emil

To say this was once in a lifetime experience isn’t quite accurate because we can’t wait to come back. In every facet of this adventure you have exceeded our expectations!

Sophie, the care you take & the love you put into each & every dish is truly unbelievable. You aren’t just serving us food, you are providing us an experience each & every time. How each meal could get better than the next is truly remarkable. Michelin stars be damned—you’d earn 5!

Emil, you are the GOAT (greatest of all time!)! Your sailing skills are truly remarkable and not only provide all of us confidence but provide the thrill of the sail. You know all the “insider” tips – from the hikes, to the best snorkeling places, to the history of the islands, and you can make a track run memorable for the birthday boy!

To you both, we are so impressed with your relationship, your communication skills, your witty & wonderful sense of humor. We’ve fallen in love with you both. I hope our paths cross again. We can’t thank you enough for an amazing week!

XOXO,
Scott & Kimi
Tom & Kelley

P.S. There is no detail that goes unnoticed. The beds made daily, the fresh towels midweek, the water on the hikes, always a helping hand!

P.S.S. The wonderful and thoughtful birthday cake made the day (3/23) so special!! TY!

Emil & Sophie

Wow! What an experience. You two have been absolutely amazing! Thank you for your hospitality and for helping us create beautiful family memories that will stay with us for a lifetime.

The adventures and sailing were amazing… from the beautiful locations to the fun hikes… to the Baths, snorkeling & water sports & much more! Oh… and the unforgettable Moke experience (Ha!);)

Thanks to Emil for guiding us through.

Sophie – thank you for your warm reception & hospitality. The food was incredible at each & every meal. Plated to perfection & absolutely delicious, & even catered to our individual preferences. The meals exceeded our expectations every single time.

Thanks for a wonderful experience and for taking great care of us. You both juggle many roles & do it gracefully. It was great to get to know you both. I wish you the best!

Happy Days “y’all”!
John, Lori, Connor, & Austin

Your overall star rating?:
5

How would you describe your yacht? Was the yacht comfortable and clean? Well ventilated? Sufficient Shade? Sufficient Space to relax?
Great.

How would you describe your crew? Were they courteous? Helpful? Friendly? Attentive? Knowledgeable? Accompanied you on your activities/land excursions? Wore uniforms and acted professionally?:
Emil and Sophie were very hospitable.

Was the food great and well presented? Did the menus meet your expectations? Did your crew pay attention to your preference sheets?: Sophie made delicious meals and her plate presentation was beautiful. How did you find the pace and the itinerary of your charter?
Very good.

Additional comments about the yacht and the crew?:
I suggest that at the very beginning you go over the weeks itinerary to see if the customers want to make any changes and to ask again as the week goes on.

Was it easy to travel to and from your yacht?:
Yes
Did you like the area you chartered in?:
Yes

In the future, would you consider : Book the same Yacht again, Follow the crew onto another yacht, Sail a different destination. Any additional thoughts about your charter experience?:
Can’t say enough good things about Emil and Sophie. This was our 4th charter and by far the best.

My first BVI sail trip was at age 34 with my 2 kids and my dad (Deeves). Now about 8 trips later at age 72 I have experienced a good amount of crews & vessels.

This was a wonderful trip. Emil is top notch at navigation. Our sail to Anegada was easy. Sophie and Emil are perfect sailing hosts.
The boat was kept immaculate. Great meals. Very knowledgeable of the islands, friendly and willing to please us with any request.

Most likely in about four years I will need “some BVI and would gladly join Livin and this crew.

Patty Balke

I could not have asked for more nor wanted for more than what Sophie & Emil provided for us.

Pleasant, charming & interesting young couple. I cannot say there was a meal that I did not appreciate – loved every meal. They were with fresh ingredients, creative display – always a surprise to look forward to.
Loved my time on this trip and it was much because of their being there.

Linda W.

Emil and Sophie were terrific, helpful, skillful, and answered all inquiries.
Always polite and considerate. They answered all our inquiries and more than willing to accommodate all our inquiries and concerns.

Everything went smoothly.
Very skillful captain, unobtrusive and accommodating.
Always willing to meet our desires and give us information that we were unaware of.
Both Emil and Sophie are valuable assets as they should be held in high regard.
Very happy with this wonderful crew.

Emileand Sophie
Both captain + captainess were fantastic!
The perfect balance between welcoming comfort and service with a smile. They were informative and thorough when we asked questions about the geography and locations we visited but never intrusive as they always gently gave us our privacy.

We also travelled to Anegada and the route was quick and easy opposed to our prior trip to Anegada. They also recommended some unique locations that we were to try.

Howard Berke

Emil & Sophie

We struggle to find words big enough to express our gratitude for our bucket list BVI sail! From the wind in the sails to the sunset on deck, it was absolute perfection.

You both are exceptional! Hats off to Chef Sophie for the world-class meals plated to perfection and savor beyond belief.
Emil delivered a sailing adventure beyond anything we imagined possible!

We are in awe of your skills + talents and cannot imagine sailing without you both.
We hope to sail with you next year.

Fair winds + following seas… love you!

Jen, Trey, AJ, Greg, Kyra, Wade, Bev & Bob
Austin

Your overall star rating? 5

How would you describe your yacht? Was the yacht comfortable and clean? Well ventilated? Sufficient Shade? Sufficient Space to relax?
Perfect

How would you describe your crew? Were they courteous? Helpful? Friendly? Attentive? Knowledgeable? Accompanied you on your activities/land excursions? Wore uniforms and acted professionally?
Very professional, yes uniforms, accompanied us on excursions, helpful, attentive, all of the above.

Was the food great and well presented? Did the menus meet your expectations? Did your crew pay attention to your preference sheets?
Payed attention to sheets, beautiful presentation and absolutely delicious

How did you find the pace and the itinerary of your charter?
Perfect

Additional comments about the yacht and the crew?: Excellent duo

Was it easy to travel to and from your yacht?: Yes
Did you like the area you chartered in?: Yes

Any additional thoughts about your charter experience?
Livin was lovely and it was a treat! Such a beautiful week in paradise

What a great week!
We have had the best trip — one for the books!
Every detail is thought out by Emil & Sophie — from name labels on Yeti cups to timing excursions and activities when there were fewer people, to Sophie’s amazing meals!

Emil & Sophie provide a top-notch experience.
THANK YOU!!

Jemney

We have done this trip one other time.
It was an amazing bucket list experience to say the least. To top that trip seems nearly impossible… but that is what happened this time with Emil & Sophie!
The navigation, service, hospitality and culinary experience was world class.
Honestly we felt like we were sailing with our brother & sister!
Hope this duo is around for a long time! Well done ❤️

Keith & Jamie N.
Happy Days

Emil and Sophie:

You two are the cutest and sweetest!!
The reality is that because of you this trip was EPIC!
Riding first class from start to finish. True professionals that made everything PERFECT, comfortable and fun!
So good, so good, so good. ❤️

Jamie N.

Thank you so much for making this a trip we won’t forget!
Being in business for many years it’s easy to recognize great people and you are just that.

I’m envious of your life’s experiences at such a young age. I know you will move on and do great things.
My favorite part of the trip wa night sailing, what a great experience. I wish we could meet again.
Sophie is a great chef! The food was better than any island food I’ve had. Customer service is key, a must, and it does not get better than this!
Thank you!

Jeff F. & Paul A.

Let me start off by saying you two are quite the combo. I wish you both much success, all the happiness, and epic adventures. I had the absolute best time over this past week. Y’all are incredible hosts. You set the bar extremely high. I’m taking home memories that will last a lifetime and you both are a huge part of it.
Thanks for making my 44th B-Day special.
New to my grocery list:

Keep livin’ y’all’s best lives.
Kenny F.

Emil & Sophie –

This was our first time chartering a boat, and we truly couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Traveling as a three-generation family with a wide range of needs and wants, you accommodated everyone seamlessly with genuine kindness and care.

Emil, we came aboard with a list of places we hoped to visit, and you not only took us to every one of them but also introduced us to even more special spots along the way. We especially loved spending time walking beaches in search of sea glass, and you brought us to some truly incredible locations that added beautifully to our collections. The fact that you joined us on many of our excursions and generously shared your local knowledge made those experiences even more meaningful.

Sophie, where to begin with your incredible meals. Each one outdid the last, and despite our dietary restrictions added with a couple picky kids, you somehow managed to delight everyone at every meal.

Together, your hospitality, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail made this trip truly unforgettable. You exceeded our expectations in every way. Thank you both so much — we will treasure the memories!

Mike, Melodie, Bryan, Jen,
Liam & Finley

Emil & Sophie,

Matt and I could not have asked for a better experience. This is the most memorable vacation we have ever been on, and that’s because of the two of you.

Emil, thank you for taking Matt on excursions.
Sophie, thank you for your non-stop cooking — amazing food and talent.

Thank you both for sharing your knowledge, experience and friendship with us. We truly enjoyed this week and getting to know the two of you.

We look forward to doing this again and that trip will require the two of you!

Love,
Matt & Rachel

Sophie & Emil,

From the bottom of our hearts, we cannot thank you enough for the most perfect week we could have imagined. You made our mom’s birthday the most special and memorable time, everything and more we hoped for.

From the moment we stepped on the boat, we appreciated your warm, friendly energy, attentiveness, and attention to detail in each of our personal experiences, especially food preferences.

Special shoutout: food was impeccable. We truly looked forward to every meal. Additionally, the daily activities, and special island locations were more impressive each day.
We felt so grateful to experience spending time on our own private beaches and islands.
All in all you both made our trip so special and we can’t wait to travel back to the BVI and hope to sail with you again.
Thank you! Thank you!
It was the best week ever!!!
Warmly
Barbara, Madison, Jake and Ofer

This trip is “livin’”!!

Thank you for an amazing journey!
Great crew of Sophie and Emil to head our trip

Wonderful food, fun and laughter the whole time.Every day was all in, great meals made with love. So yummy and presented with pride.

We gained weight for sure. Had to clean our plates because each meal was so delicious.
Then we had lots of serious fun with our captain. Hiking, boarding, water sports and the best sailing.
Thank you — can’t say enough. But know this has been the best trip out of 8 times in the BVI!!! Woohoo!
It is clear you are a wonderful team and look forward to the next trip with you guys.

Big hugs,
Nick & Krista G.

Emil and Sophie, where to start?

I have been on a few boats and I have to say that you are a class act.
Super balance between safe, competent sailing, and great fun.

Food was fantastic – nothing was too much trouble – great cocktails also 🍸🙂.

We covered a lot of ocean in our first week in the BVIs, plenty of relaxation and hikes, boarding and much more too.

A special thank you for sourcing the fishing tackle and getting us into barracuda, jacks, tuna, mahi mahi and needlefish (caught by hand 🙂) – fun fishing.

Thank you to you both – GREAT job.

Jane and Andy B.

Emil and Sophie, where to start?

I have been on a few boats and I have to say that you are a class act. Super balance between safe, comfort, sailing and great fun.
Food was fantastic — nothing was too much trouble — great cocktails also 😊.

We covered a lot of ocean in our first week in the BVIs, plenty of relaxation on the beaches, boarding and much more too.

A special thank you for sourcing the fishing tackle and getting me into barracuda, jacks, tuna, mahi mahi and needlefish (caught by hand) 😊 — fun fishing.

Thank you to you both — great job.

Jane and Andy B.

⭐ Emil & Sophie,

I could not have asked for a better experience. Thank you so very, very much for everything you’ve done for us all this week. You are quite appreciated for your knowledge, wisdom, expertise, professionalism, kindness, grace, patience, and for so much more!

It has been an unforgettable week of sheer bliss, from sailing to snorkeling, paddle boarding and sea scootering, fine dining w/ Sophie’s culinary expertise & Emil’s perfect pairing of cocktails and wine, all the fine history lessons along the way, knowing just the right places to go & guiding us through it all!

Both of you have such an eye for detail & a natural gift of generosity that does not go unnoticed.

Sophie, let me know when you’re ready to write your cookbook!
Hoping to see you both out on the seas again soon — gotta get busy livin’!

Thank you for tolerating my silly song writing and torturous singing — you are true troopers!

With ✌️💛🙂🌞 & safe sailing! xoxo
Micheleeeeeee

Thank you Emil & Sophie!

We had the best week onboard with you two. Your hospitality & care was par none. Your amazing culinary and care that we had the best experience is so appreciated.

The land / sea days and thoughtfulness of the charter did not go unnoticed. You made sure each of us was happy and satisfied.

Our trip to Anegada and the octopi at Peter Island were magical. The rainbow at Norman Island just added to the joy.

Thank you, thank you for the best cruising week! You made us all feel so welcome!! ♡♡

Betty Ann & Will Cameron, Long Island, NY ♡♡

What a blessing — you both are a beautiful example of grace, kindness and love — thank you both so very much.

What a vacation of a lifetime for our family! Everything from start to finish was next level and went beyond our expectations. Both of you are a joy to be around and have the best vibe about you. Your easy going nature made us all feel at home. Sophie the food was truly SPECTACULAR! Not enough words to describe the incredible meals we experienced. You are a true talent! Emil was so great with all our excursions – especially the hike 🙂 – was epic.
We have made friends for life. We wish you two all the success in the world.
xoxo
Jeanne and Bill C

Thank you both for the most amazing trip we have ever had!
The food was absolutely incredible at every single meal. We will be dreaming about these meals for a very long time. Especailly the cookie butter cheesecakes and Alaskan duck tarts. We had the most fun ever this week.

From soggy dollar, to snorkeling, to fishing, to rope swinging, to playing fish bowl with you two – there was never a dull moment.
Thank you both for all of your hard work this week to make our trip incredible. it was EPIC!
wishing you two the best and hopefully we all get to do this again.

Thank you so much for a magical time! the food was so incredible, fresh and creative. we loved how “casual and go with the flow” everything was. The Baths were a truly out of this world experience! We loved learning about the both of you and the wonderful place you call home. Please let us know if you make a cookbook 🙂

Meg and William

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to both of you for an unforgettable 7 day charter in the Virgin Islands. From the moment we stepped aboard, we knew we were in for something special – but you both exceeded our expectations in every way.

Emil. your expert guidance, calm presence, and extensive knowledge of the islands made each destination feel like a hidden gem. Whether it was navigating into amazing snorkeling spots, sharing stories from the helm, pointing us to awesome beach bars or leading us on fun road adventures, you created a relaxed and confident atmosphere that allowed us to truly unwind and enjoy every moment on the water.

Sophie, your meals were absolutely incredible! Every dish you prepared was not only delicious but beautifully presented, and the care you put into tailoring each meal to our preferences did not go unnoticed. mealtimes became some of the highlights of our trip, something we will all be talking about for a long time to come.

From unforgettable dinners and so many laughter-filled moments getting to know you both throughout the week, the entire experience was filled with warmth, fun, and genuine happiness. Together, you made our journey seamless, safe and incredibly enjoyable. Your hospitality and professionalism turned this trip into a truly cherished memory.

THANK YOU for sharing your talents and kindness with us – we hope to sail with you again someday.

Brad, Jen, Adam, Sima, Jamie, Chase Michelle and Gabe

Dearest Sophie and Emil
We wanted to take a moment to express our deepest appreciation to both of you! The dedication, skill and camaraderie you brought to these ten days made all the difference – not just in navigating the waters but in creating an experience that is truly memorable. Though we’ve been coming here for 30ish years you helped us to see new places as well as old places in new ways.

What a wonderful week!! The two of you have made a top notch experience.
Sophie’s meals and artful presentation are beyond expectations! I especially want to thank you for catering to my gluten free meals – some of the best GF food I have ever eaten – anywhere!!
Erik and I have traveled all over and dines in some of the best restaurants and your food competes. You have a real talent.

Emil your mariner skills, confidence and natural ease as well as your bartending skills have created an EPIC experience. It has truly been an amazing adventure. We wish it would never end! We would love to keep up with your adventures.

We wish you all the best and know you will have much success with all you do
Thank you

Michele and Erik N.

I’m struggling to find words to describe what a magical experience our group has had.
You have provided such a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Every detail made such a huge impact. “Nice & Tight” beds, catering to the anti-fish girl, the best wine selection, the beyond “delicious” meals, catering to the gluten free gals!!
I can go on and on …..but why give up the secrets!

Thanks once again for your easy going, trip and meal planning magic.
Kiki and Gregory S

Our group was a bit concerned about how young Emil & Sophie were.
We were dead wrong!
They were beyond amazing! So hospitable, inviting and made us feel at home.
Sophie’s talents rival any chef we’ve ever encountered. She is a true culinary treasure!!
Emil is so knowledgeable, professional, caring and went above and beyond to make our experience “EPIC”! (His favorite word 🤣)
Our group honestly can’t imagine doing this trip without them. We cried when we left.

To sum it up, all the islands are beautiful and offer such unique experiences. But none measure up to having a phenomenal crew!
We are all forever grateful to have been on this journey with Emil & Sophie.

We love y’all so much! We knew this trip would be amazing, but it exceeded all our expectations because of your hard work, hospitality and expertise! Sophie, your meals and presentation were absolutely incredible!!!
We are wondering how we will survive life after this without you.

We made so many special memories onboard! From wakeboarding and tubing to snorkeling with turtles, barracudas and stingrays to hiking Virgin Gorda (and eating at the wrong restaurant) from sunset cocktails to ‘sailing naps”, these memories will remain with us forever. this was the very best way to celebrate Chris’s 40th birthday (and Michael’s 39th). We can’t imagine having a better crew than the two of you. May God bless you and bring you joy and love in the years to come.
We hope to stay in touch! If you ever want to spend your holiday in Georgia, we would love for you to visit us in our home!