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MYSTIC Guest Comments
July 2023
What a great adventure! To have such a wonderful and new experience with family made us feel very blessed, and it was topped off with such a fantastic crew of Captain Rob and Chef/First Mate Belinda Bentley on the Mystic 5.4 catamaran. Not only was the catamaran absolutely stunning and accommodating, but the Bentleys also ensured we enjoyed every minute of it!
Captain Rob is an experienced professional, all the while being polite, personable, and dedicated to not only the boat but also the guests. He shared his extensive knowledge of manoeuvring the boat, the sail functions (when and how to use them), and the complex navigation system with the guests interested in the operation of the catamaran.
Chef Belinda was meticulous in every meal’s preparation and presentation. Every meal was made with love and care while considering the guests’ specific dietary needs. Her incorporation of exotic, local flavours and spices elevated the meals even more! Not only did she prepare three meals a day, but she also provided a snack between meals. Never to disappoint the guests’ tastebuds! Her food is worthy of a James Beard Foundation Award!
Together Rob and Belinda took excellent care of the guests and the luxurious catamaran. While traveling to various islands, Rob and Belinda briefly described the island’s intriguing history, where the best places to swim/snorkel are, and the attractions, restaurants, and shopping available. Both made sure the guests knew water safety and the use of the equipment provided to ensure the guests had the best experience in the beautiful Caribbean seas. Captain Rob even led a group snorkelling and showed the best place to view the magnificence of the creatures in the water. While guests were off the boat or lounged on one of the decks, Chef Belinda was guaranteed to be in the kitchen preparing the next meal, snack, and dessert.
They work so well with each other and interact with the guests delightfully and sincerely. Captain Rob and Chef Belinda truly felt like family by the end of the adventure! No words can express how grateful we feel to have been with the Bentleys on our vacation. They have set the bar so high that we MUST have our future vacations with them on the Mystic 5.4! Sincere thanks to Captain Rob and Chef Belinda Bentley!
July 2023
You can charter other Bali 5.4 catamarans, but unless you charter the Mystic 5.4 crewed by the couple Captain Rob and Chef Belinda Bentley, you’ll be missing half the experience of your BVI sailing adventure! This couple/crew are hospitable, knowledgeable, charming, warm, and funny with a great sense of humour. They complement each other so well as 1st mate and sous chef! They provided tips on and gave historical and nice to know facts of the islands we visited. By the time our charter ended I felt we were one happy family.
Captain Rob navigated the Mystic with skill and finesse, in and out of marinas and bays like he was eating a piece of his wife’s delicious cake. He ensured our safety on board and in the water. I personally have balance/mobility issues, and he made sure I could confidently access all areas of the Mystic. He and Belinda both used the hydraulic swim platform so I could safely enter and exit the water. He even snorkelled one on one with me so I wouldn’t miss out on that experience.
Chef Belinda…I can’t say enough about her culinary skills. Her meals were delicious, flavourful and the presentation/plating were indescribably beautiful. Without missing a beat, she was able to adapt her widely varied menus to meet the dietary requirements of all guests. I can’t thank her enough for the lengths she went to decorate the salon and provide a delectable cake for a surprise birthday celebration for 2 guests on the last night of our charter.
I can say without hesitation, were it not for the crew of Rob and Belinda Bentley on the Mystic 5.4, this sailing adventure would not have been the experience of a lifetime it was.
Merci infiniment, muchas gracious, gracie mille……I can’t say thank you to Rob and Belinda too many times or in too many ways….you’re The Best!!!
Valarie
Mystic: 7/15-7/22/2023
December 2023
We had an incredible trip. The boat, islands, food, weather, etc.. were all fantastic but Rob and Belinda really made the trip. They are an awesome team and did a great job not only hosting but engaging our entire family. We left after 7 days not only with a great vacation experience but two new friends.
We will definitely book again and look forward to it.
February 2024
If I said that my trip with Rob and B and the Mystic was the number one best trip of my life, I wouldn't be lying! Private sailing, crystal blue waters, snorkeling with turtles, and stingrays, and wonderful conversation with my favorite people, what could make it better? I'll tell you what could make it better, "B!!!" Belinda took this vacation to another level. Each meal was part of the adventure. Exquisite in flavor, and designed to our tastes, she made exception after exception in making exceptional cuisine, and plated it like it was the art that it was. Rob was an amazing captain, who brought so much security and comfort to the group knowing that we were in such capable hands. If you are lucky enough to get them to lead your charter, get him to tell you his adventure stories of years of sailing around the world and his famous experience at Everest base camp. Well worth the investment to spend time with not only amazingly talented people in their own rights, but such wonderful people. I can't wait to do another adventure with them!
We recently returned from a sailing trip with Rob and Belinda on the Mystic. This was our first sailing trip. It could not have been better. Belinda prepared amazing meals for us. We had a former chef in our group and even he was amazed and what Belinda came up with in a small boat kitchen. Rob was terrific. He was always happy to take us where we wanted to go. He had very interesting stories about his life on the sea and other places. It would be hard to imagine a better crew. The boat was also very well appointed. We hope to do another sailing trip in the future and would pretty much find where Rob and Belinda are going and then go with them.
There are experiences, and there are experiences! We had the time of our lives with Rob and Belinda. I struggle to imagine anyone performing better than they did. Rob was the consummate professional, always supporting any activity we wanted to do. Belinda created meals and eating experiences that were amazing. I still struggle to understand how she pulled it off from a tiny galley. I would follow them to any vessel they serve on.
March 2024
Rob was incredible - he led us on so many great excursions, showed us things we never would have seen on our own, and planned lots of fun adventured for our kids. He taught us a bit about sailing and shared so many great stories of his own sailing adventures. He was patient with our kids and just made the whole trip wonderful. We all felt very safe and secure the whole week knowing that we had such a capable and knowledgeable skipper in Rob!
Belinda's food was INCREDIBLE. She is warm, friendly, loving, and was always asking if we needed anything. Bea was a funny, steady, caring presence on the boat, and I loved getting to talk with her. She was so kind to my children, and took their ages and preferences into account when planning our menu for the week. Her food is as beautiful as it is delicious!
The Mystic is a beautiful yacht! It was so clean that we felt like we were first people to ever sail on it. She beds were comfortable, and the air conditioning worked great in our rooms at night. The finishes on the yacht are beautiful and comfortable.
crewed@visailing.com | (800)382-9666 | (941)966-9387