We just returned from SEA ESTA last week and had Bubba and Ally as our crew. I have been planning this trip mentally for years, and actually making it happen over the last ten months or so. It is a trip I have always dreamed of, an unforgettable experience that I heard from others before me was the trip of a lifetime. Of course the beauty of BVI, the amazing experiences, and breathtaking scenery all contribute to this amazing adventure. However, I attribute a majority of one of the best experiences of my life directly to Bubba and Ally. The attention to detail, hospitality, kindness, and warmth made us feel welcome and safe right off the bat. They gave us experiences I would never have imagined, shared their favorite things with us, and customized our trip to meet our expectations and WAY beyond. I am forever grateful to them for leaving me with memories to last a lifetime, and experiences and adventures I will never forget. They are two beautiful souls who were meant to be in this industry, and if you are blessed enough to sail with them then count your lucky stars!!! We will see them again, and we can’t wait for that day! Thank you Bubba and Ally for all the beauty and fun you shared with us, we are forever grateful for you and our new found friendship! 

Bubba & Ally,

Thank you for the best week ever!
Hurricanes, jellyfish, trying new food, (shout out to Ally), excursions by Bubba and storytelling… best week ever! Thank you for putting up with our crew and making us feel like family, our trip would not have been the same without the two of you! I can’t wait to tell stories from this trip for the rest of my life, truly memorable! The Eagle and I will be back to the Virgin Islands and I hope it’s with you again!

Love y’all,

Carly

Bubba and Ally,

Time flies when you’re having fun. Thank you both for an amazing week. This trip has easily been one of the best vacations I’ve ever had. We are also fortunate to have such an amazing crew – it is so cool to experience the combination of hard work and genuinity in you! Bubba is an absolute stud of a captain and Ally a rockstar chef and co-captain. I’ve really been looking forward to this trip because I knew in my gut Carly and I needed a special experience like this to solidify the fact that she will hopefully consider me as her husband. This trip was the experience and much more. Thank you for making it happen.

-Ben

Bubba and Ally,

This was the best week of my life and I really think nothing can top this. I will tell my kids about you and the ways Bubba got me out of my comfort zone like I’ve never been. You made me feel safe and you don’t even know how hard that is. My favorite part was snorkeling with you and watching you cliff jump. You’re just cool and awesome. Ally, don’t even have words except I am really going to miss you. You are an amazing human but seriously a girls girl, and just so fun to be around. All in all I am so lucky to have met you. Bubba, you are also a friend. Joe hard you both worked to put us first out of everything and still hung with us to the point that we are family and true friends is beyond so special words can’t say this enough but thank you!!

Love you both!

-Brada

Bubba and Ally,

Guys where do I begin… This week has been one I will never forget! When we got on board you said your goal is to make It a week we will never forget and the only thing I could say mission accomplished. The other word mentioned was family when we got on and with this crew family is a must and we’re so happy to have you. It’s weird I’m gonna miss you right? I don’t care!

Xoxo,

Ellie Labarr

My goodness talk about lifetime memories! Our parents have been talking about this trip for as long as I can remember. Thank you for living up to it. You two are truly impressive. Thank you for feeding us, keeping us safe, and happy!

Xo,

Masie Labarr

Ally and Bubba,

Hey, it’s me Mary. I am so thankful and fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet you two amazing human beings. You two remind me not to take life too seriously and to live the life you want. It’s a cool thing when you meet someone and you feel like you’ve been friends/met before, that’s how I felt with you all. Thank you guys for the tiramisu and chum bucket.

Love,

Mary Labarr

Thank you for the absolute best week of my life. I am so blessed to have had you as our crew. I had even more fun getting to know both of you. This trip would not have been the same without you. You guys executed the week perfectly. Made everyone feel safe, made everyone feel welcome, and truly felt like family. The memories I was able to make with my best friends, family, future family has been so special. I do believe our paths will cross again.

I also look forward to flying out to visit the ranch. Thank you guys again for welcoming us into your home and creating an unforgettable week.

Love,

Matt Bano

Bubba and Ally,

Susan and I saw this trip as a chance to have a memory to be shared with our four boys that would bring us closer… It did that but it also promised personal growth I never dreamed possible. Thank you for getting to know our boys as if they are your own family. Thank you for learning what would make each person’s experience the most incredible, then delivering the experience with the best energy.

Our first trip was spectacular, but doing this with our family and with you as extended family exceeded all expectations. Thank you for letting us into your life, being real, and sharing in abundance. Our comfort zones have been stretched, our heart have been filled, and we head home with hearts of gratitude for this blessing. Can’t wait to see you in Boston and South Dakota.
Love you and cannot wait until the next adventure!

Ally, the food was outstanding and you made it look so easy to juggle all your roles. Your roots in
St. John run beyond just family. You have that aura. Thank you for sharing it this week. Awesome job!

Love – Suzanne & Will Current

Dear Bubba and Ally,

The idea of writing isn’t one that usually excites me… However, this is an exception – while being a great crew, captain and chef y’all have been better role models and family. The idea of the last hurrah for the family before additions were added, came about a couple of weeks ago. Without a moment’s hesitation, the stories of Captain Bubba and the boat trip revealed this to be the only option. With high expectations for Iceland I didn’t know what to place the same burden on a trip or crew however, I couldn’t contain the butterflies. Even with overwhelming expectations you guys delivered. The precise mix of food, adventure, and rest, led to an amazing experience. However, I couldn’t have predicted the conversations that would occur. That waited years to arise, ones between brothers, parents and kids, and between friends. You all allowed the place for these conversations to flourish while engaging with new perspectives. The food, hikes, snorkeling, diving, e-filing, etc.. are experiences that will remain with me. Lastly, I’ve been able to watch my family enjoy themselves. I watched Jack conquer his fear of heights, and Henry observed another free spirit balance, work and fun. You all blessed my parents and I with the time to become friends rather than just a son or a parent. Tripp you all allowed to be Tripp and to do Tripp/ While I’ll be taking away a full belly and some new clothes, the conversations and the adventures I will cherish forever. Words can’t express my gratitude, but thank you Ally and Bubba for the vacation where there was a little heaven on earth.

Cheers,

George

Fresh catch and enjoying the sights!

Exploring caves and hiking through the terrain.

Refreshing Caribbean waterfalls!

We have traveled quite a bit and this trip tops them all. We had the opportunity to charter a trimaran 20 years ago thinking nothing would match that experience, and this trip exceeded our expectations. The boat was comfortable with the ability for us to sleep in a cabin at salon level as we were nervous to go downstairs to our cabin.
The food was outstanding, with a touch of island flare. The boat felt like home by the end of the first day. There was plenty of room for our family to spread out with the flybridge, bedroom patio seating, outdoor dining table, and front trampolines, which our grandchildren loved.
We will definitely be back to Sea Esta!

-Carl and Eunice Frey

We have been on cruises before, which we love. After this trip, we may not ever cruise again. We loved the personalized attention and the care the crew took to insure our children were safe, happy, and having fun every day!
Our kiddos ate foods they never would have eaten at home, and hiked trails that they talked about for days after we returned home. There was adventure around every corner, but relaxation if we chose. We saw the islands in ways that one can only reach by boat.
Thank you Sea Esta for an unforgettable week!

-John and Julie

We have been on the Islands of St. Thomas and St. John before, but never around the islands on a crewed catamaran! What a treat to have the variety of adventures. Our crew was attentive to our desires to visit familiar spots (Maho Bay and Cruz Bay were must-stops), and surprised us with places we had never been. Having pizza delivered to our boat in Christmas Cove was unique. We snorkeled every day, seeing sea turtles and sting rays. We loved the balance of relaxing on the boat with a drink in hand, as well as visiting the petroglyphs and finding a cove to body surf on paddle boards.
Our kids loved getting a chance to be at the helm under the supervision of the captain, and helping create napkin designs with Chef. Thank you for a wonderful trip.
We will definitely be back to Sea Esta!

-Hans and Mandy

We chose Sea Esta to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary with our friends. It was perfect for our celebration.
We were able hike to Anaburgh Sugar Mill, visit Windmill Bar from a short open-air taxi ride from Cruz Bay, and experience Lime Out floating taco bar. Our crew was ready with easy harbor drop offs in the rain, short cuts to hiking trails, and were ready to accommodate our requests with a smile. The food was always enough, as I went back for seconds several times for the amazing cuisine.
Sea Esta was ready to sail the open ocean, or motor in the quiet coves. Hot tea and coffee in the salon was the homey feel we looked forward to in the morning.
We have recommended Sea Esta to our other Michigan friends as a warm escape in the winter months, and hope to be back sooner rather than later.

-Dirk and Jenn

Wow, wow, wow, is all I can say.
Our trip was a reunion of 4 college friend couples. This trip offered us plenty of time to spend together, while also having space to feel like we could have time as a couple.
Sea Esta was spacious, with plenty of room for everyone to be together, or be apart.

Every meal was more delicious than the previous one, and Chef knew exactly how to meet everyone’s preference of drinks and food. We loved the surf and turf from the grill, as well as the island inspired meals. The cocktail of the day, as well as personalized itineraries felt very special to us.

Our crew knew just where to take us for the variety of preferences of our group. Island hiking, snorkeling quiet bays, watching the sunset atop the hills, and our own personal concert on the our last day were highlights. We loved the opportunities to relax on the lily pad and floats, as well as play board games around the table at night. This was a perfect setting for us to reconnect from our busy lives.

The breeze atop the flybridge while open sailing listening to island music is a feeling I will long remember.
I miss Sea Esta already.

– Steve and Molly

Ally & Bubbah,

I feel like I have known this crew forever. Their attention to details, safety, and fun are beyond what I imagined. Waking up every day to the sunrise, and spending days with an equal balance of relaxation and adventure was perfect!

-Dean & Jo Ash