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THE BIG DOG Video

11-5-2016 to 11-12-2016

Big Dog, huge fun! Thanks for a great sail and awesome meals. If anyone asked us to describe "The Big Dog" experience in one word, it would be INDULGENT. Thank you for every detail, It was the BEST! Karl & Cindy Danielson

11/12/16

To the crew of The Big Dog After a year of looking forward to this trip, the planning, the hype, etc... The risk was we would have built things up too much. Not the case. Quite the opposite. Everything was perfect. The cruising, snorkeling, diving, etc.. all great meals, snacks and booze all 5-star. Thank you for taking the time to make our trip so special. We all leave with a beautiful shared memory. Best wishes, Lynn & Bruce Fetter

Trip of a Lifetime

Dear Ann We had a trip of a lifetime and Terry and Ruth were absolutely brilliant. It was a great match for what we wanted and they could not have been better for us and especially the kids, who all came back having had a wonderful time in the BVIs and the sailing was fantastic, food terrific. Unfortunately we nearly missed our flight back thanks to the terrible Liat Air who I never want to go near again! As they say time to spare, fly Liat Air Thanks for all the help David and Elizabeth

Without a doubt we hope to do it again

The entire yacht was gleaming, welcoming, and set a great tone. The cabins and beds were slightly larger than expected. The bathrooms were well designed and had all needed equipment. Terry & Ruth did a phenomenal job keeping everything tidy and clean. Towels were changed out during the week and everything was comfortable. There was more than enough space for all six of us to spread out and relax. The front netting was a fantastic place from which to enjoy the boat under sail. The yacht had a great mix of lounging space with each of us being able to sun or shade at will. I was never once nervous with Terry at the helm. He was patient and explained all questions thoroughly. He was incredible when interacting with the kids! It is very apparent Terry knows the area well. He created a good mix of secluded coves and those with more activity. The dives were well thought out, as well as the snorkeling experiences. Ruth is a treasure! How anyone prepares five star meals in a galley that small is beyond me! She went above and beyond to make sure everyone enjoyed every meal. The desserts were also INCREDIBLE Ruth and Terry both did a great job with the two teenagers on board. The absolute best endorsement I can share is that the sixteen year old (very social and at first not thrilled with being away from friends) didnt want to go home!! Without a doubt we hope to do it again in the next few years but only with Terry & Ruth!

New Years 2018/19

Our family of seven had the trip of a lifetime with Ruth and Terry Ross aboard The Big Dog. The sailing was beautiful and relaxing. Our grown children enjoyed all the toys on board with water skiing, tubing, scuba diving, paddle boards and sea kayaking. Terry and Ruth are so gracious and accommodating. The food on board was 5 star gourmet. How Ruth does it in the galley kitchen is pure magic! The menus were varied and the food was delicious and plentiful. The boat is immaculately maintained with plenty of room to spread out and relax. My only regret is that the trip ended after an amazing week in the BVI. I would highly recommend them to anyone! Kathleen M and Family, Jan. 7th, 2019

January 2019

The trip was fantastic!! From the time we met Terry and Ruth at the dock and boarded the Big Dog until our departure on Scrub Island nothing could have been better. The yacht was in great condition, very comfortable and well stocked. We cruised and sailed to so many great islands and always felt safe. Terry and Ruth, they must be the best team in the BVI’s!! Very professional and lots of fun. And Ruth is a great cook with a menu that couldn’t have been better. And Terry’s “cocktail of the day” was just great too! I can’t say enough about them. We felt like friends together. I could go on and on, on a 1-10 scale the experience was a solid 10. We plan on doing this again in the future and hope Terry and Ruth will be available to charter us. Thank you also for making this trip work. Art & JoAnne

April 2019

This was our 5th BVI charter and the first for us on The Big Dog with Ruth & Terry. Ruth & Terry were great. They made us feel comfortable and right at home. the trip was amazing from the diving, the snorkeling, the food, the painkillers and the bushwhackers. We highly recommend The Big Dog. Chris V.

New Year Charter 2019 -2020

"We cannot wait to come back. Perfect week on a perfect boat with a perfect crew- we feel like we gained new friends for life. ” The Fletcher family, New year trip 2020.

Early February 2020

“On our first visit- 30 years ago, we drove to the airport with tears in our eyes. We knew we had to be back. It will happen again today- this time we feel like we’re leaving family behind”. Brock Johnson, Feb 2020.

Mid Feb 2020

“Mere words are insufficient to describe the incredible trip and wonderful honeymoon with our friends and the two of you. Your wit, charm, hospitality and fabulous food will stay with us for many years. Thank you for making our sailing trip in paradise so special. Debbie and Patrick Kruczek,

Multi repeat guests - March 2020

We think of you both so often. Once again, we had the most incredible trip with you on the Big Dog. We keep thinking about all of the delicious meals, the incredible swims, snorkeling, paddling, cocktails, sunshine, we are so grateful to you both for all that you do to make it so heavenly for our whole family. Friends for life. The Garrels

April 3 - 9, 2022 Surpassed All Expectations

When you arrived, your first impression of the yacht was: Surpassed all expectations. The size of the boat, the cleanliness, the overall space – and the amazing welcome from the crew – Terry and Ruth. Booking a yacht on-line can be difficult. I really wasn’t sure what to expect, but Els with BVI Charters listened to what I was looking for in both a boat and crew and her recommendations for The Big Dog were spot on. What did you think about your accommodation? Cabins, beds, bathrooms: The cabins were fantastic. VERY clean and very comfortable. Every morning I would walk up to the deck and say good morning to Terry and comment that we had not slept this well in a long time. Very quiet rooms and comfy beds. The bathroom was spotless and more than I expected to find on a boat. Salon, cockpit, deck space: We spent the majority of our time in the cockpit and deck/trampolines. The salon was beautiful – great bar and spacious table. Given the beautiful weather and our love for the water, we didn’t really spend any time in the indoor salon (which did have wonderful light/windows/etc. A few of the family used it for playing games later in the evening. The cockpit was perfect and spacious – and very comfortable. It provided some cover from the sun and served as the location for all of our meals. Was the boat kept clean during your charter (your cabins, the bathrooms/heads, your towels, bedding, the cockpit, the galley)? The crew cleaned the cabins and bathrooms daily. They remained clean throughout the trip. The rest of the boat was always spotless. Not sure how they found the time to keep up with it given very busy days of sailing, cooking and taking care of us. Did you miss anything on board? Absolutely nothing was missed. The boat was well equipped with fun gear for activities and outstanding food and drink! What did you enjoy the most on board? The crew. Terry and Ruth became a part of our family. I really can’t put into words how fond we are of them after such a short time. Everything about them, the boat, the fun activities, the time with our kids – it was the best vacation we have ever taken. Please describe your Captain (professional/outgoing/friendly etc.) Terry was incredible. Knowledgeable, friendly, engaging and fun. We all enjoyed him. He was happy to “teach” and encouraged everyone to have a good time…all while doing “what you wanted to do” on each day. We thought it was also great that he was excited to get our group out into the water. Whether it was snorkeling, wake boarding, kayaking or rides on the hot dog, he approached it with a grin. He is very knowledgeable about the BVI and various locations to enjoy a variety of activities. What do you think about your itinerary, the places and bays you visited and the activities you have done? Wouldn’t have changed a thing. We basically told Terry and Ruth that we where in their hands and open to all of their recommendations. There were a few things that we wanted to check out and they incorporated that into the daily planning. That was a piece we really liked – each morning they would sit down with us and ask what we wanted to do that day. They would then tailor the day accordingly. Each of the bays we spent nights in were beautiful and calm. Terry remained flexible, depending on weather forecast, to determine the right spot to anchor for the night as he wanted it to be as calm as possible. Again, he was spot on. Each day consisted of some sailing and then some “playing” in the water. Terry and Ruth were completely fine if some wanted to have more activity while others rested and enjoyed the boat. Please describe your chef (professional/outgoing/friendly etc.) Ruth was amazing! The food definitely surpassed our expectations. Breakfast, lunch, dinner – and hors d’oeuvres for evening cocktails – were delicious and beautiful. We were amazed, and beyond impressed, that she was able to create such exceptional food in the boat’s galley. For a week, nothing was repeated and every meal was fantastic. Ruth is lovely. Warm, welcoming, engaging. We could not have been happier. Please describe your meals (presentation, quality, quantity) As stated above, each and every meal was amazing. The diversity of menu, the quality of the food, the quality of the ingredients – all fantastic. And each meal was beautifully presented. We could not have found an upscale restaurant that would have provided the same level as Ruth prepared for us. Again, I can’t say enough about her creativity and preparation. The quantity of food was also perfect. There was always plenty and not much waste. She gauged what we ate each day to ensure it was enough and not too much. Do you feel the meals and drinks reflected the requests you made in your preference sheet? We completed the preference sheet but I didn’t really think they would follow it closely. They did follow it closely. All the elements that we requested prior to our trip, were plentifully stocked. And the personalized menu she prepared and served reflected our comments on the preference sheet. Well done! Would you sail with us again? Most definitely! With our three sons all getting married within the next year, it will be a few years before we can come back. But we will for sure! It will be fun to reboard The Big Dog and spend time with Terry and Ruth for our second voyage. We will also be recommending to family, friends and colleagues. If you had children in your party, what did the crew do to make their vacation special (food, games, toys, etc)? Our “children” were all in their mid to late 20’s, but it was fun to see Terry and Ruth engage with them. Terry always had something “fun” for them to do. He would “listen” to comments from a particular snorkeling outing and then determine something specific that they would love on the next outing.

May 2022 BVI charter

When you arrived, your first impression of the yacht was: • Wow! She is more beautiful in real life than I could have imagined. What did you think about your accommodation? Cabins, beds, bathrooms: • Super clean & comfy! Plenty of space to unpack and put everything away. It was nice not having to bring shampoo, soap, sunscreen, etc. • Since the fourth room is smaller than the other three, we used it for storing bags, etc. Having the extra space was nice. Salon, cockpit, deck space: • Fantastic! So many places to sit, relax, and enjoy the adventure. It was perfect for our group of six adults (eight would have felt crowded). The look and feel of the boat was very elegant. Loved the colors, the accents, the furniture, the towels, the coffee mugs, the spice garden, the table settings, everything. There was something just “special” about The Big Dog and her Crew. Was the boat kept clean during your charter (your cabins, the bathrooms/heads, your towels, bedding, the cockpit, the galley)? • Absolutely – everything was always ship shape. We weren’t expecting our rooms to be tidied every day! What a nice touch. • They provided re-usable water bottles for each of us, which was not only incredibly convenient (fresh water easily accessible on tap), but it was also a neat souvenir to take home. • Also loved the Turkish beach towels and the speaker system that we could use to play music from our phones. Did you miss anything on board? • Can’t think of a thing. What did you enjoy the most on board? • The food, happy hour cocktails, and the crew. Please describe your Captain & Chef (professional/outgoing/friendly etc.) • From the minute we met both Terry & Ruth, they were so welcoming, friendly, and fun. It was obvious that they truly enjoy what they do, and they have an unassuming way of making their guests feel special. We really enjoyed visiting with them in the evenings and while we were sailing. They are both very engaging and gracious people. What do you think about your itinerary, the places and bays you visited and the activities you have done? • We had the perfect variety of activities – from relaxing in secluded bays, to hikes, water sports from the boat, snorkeling excursions, island touring, sailing, etc. All the people Ruth and Terry introduced us to were great – it was evident they wanted to be sure we were in good hands when not with them on The Big Dog. Please describe your meals (presentation, quality, quantity) • The meals and cocktails were unbelievable! Truly exceeded our expectations. We had three beautiful meals every day, followed by a dessert / drink combo, and a happy hour cocktail with snacks every afternoon. The presentation and attention to detail did not go un-noticed. From the table setting, to general ambiance and lighting, all was incredible. We always had plenty of food, and everything was delicious. There were snacks out & available all the time, and the bar and fridge were well stocked. Do you feel the meals and drinks reflected the requests you made in your preference sheet? • Yes – everything we included / excluded on our sheet was honored.

March 2023

My experience was by far better than I could have imagined. The boat fit all of us perfectly with enough room to find our own space, yet small enough for intimate meals. It was important to all of us to have our own bathrooms, so enough said about that. Let's talk crew -- Ruth & Terry... I do not know where to start as they were flawless, fun, communicative, smart, detailed+++! Every question we asked about the BVI's or the ocean in general they could answer. To watch the dynamic duo in their element was a spectacular flow of energy whether it was anchoring, sailing, making beds, meal prep, dive prep, cooking spectacular meals, showing us brilliant dive/snorkel spots and following us around to pick up after us made our journey unforgettable. I highly recommend choosing this crew hands-down! Terry's sense of humor (his April fools joke got us good!) suggesting to take slow-mo video from his dingy and his quick comebacks kept us laughing. Ruth's MOST AMAZING meals EVER!!! Nuff said! We are a group of well-traveled individuals, with sophisticated palates and she blew our minds night after night. They are a solid team and so refreshing to watch them do their thing, whatever it was. Thank you to all of you! You guys make travel dreams come true. Fondly, Arden G

April 2023

1. Crew Friendliness: A+ 2. Crew Knowledge: A++ 3. Quality of Service: A++ 4. The Professionalism of Crew: A++ 5. Value of the Cost of the Charter: A++ 6. On-Board Cuisine: A++ 7. Destination / Location: A++ 8. Water-Sports: A++ 9. Overall Satisfaction: The entire experience was amazing. Terry and Ruth were wonderful. You can really tell the difference between a seasoned crew and the younger crews we’ve experienced in the past. Terry was always whistling and cheerful, had endless patience teaching us all about Cat vs Mono sailing and the quirks of The Big Dog, answered a thousand questions and never once seemed put out by our endless curiosity and thirst for knowledge. We dove with Terry 3x and he was a wonderful dive master…taking us to 3 sites with a lot of variation and interest. He is always watching out for everyone’s safety above and below the water and has ninja-like abilities to appear with the dinghy just as you need a ride back to the boat from a shore excursion. The condition and layout of The Big Dog is amazing…everything was spotless and ship shape. Spacious cabins, comfortable mooring/anchoring sites, water maker (water pressure was impressive!) and ice maker were a real luxury too! Ruth’s meals were outstanding and she is a warm and cheerful presence on the boat. We loved the size of The Big Dog for 8 of us-her spacious deck space, the big fly deck, the cabins…everything. The layout with the galley being down below made it seem as if meals magically appeared out of nowhere. That was a fun surprise as we hadn’t been on a Cat with that configuration before. We would give this boat and crew our HIGHEST recommendation. This is now our 4th crewed charter in the VI’s and The Big Dog takes the prize in every category. First class crew, first class cuisine, first class vessel.

May 2023

Hi [Broker], Terry, Ruth, the Big Dog, the entire trip was fabulous! We were able to enjoy all the amenities, (diving, waterskiing, banana boating, paddle boards), the food was fabulous, cocktails were flowing, and perfect weather. And yes, the only negative is the week went by too quickly. My husband Vince even asked if they had limoncello and there was only one drink left so Ruth surprised us by contacting her off charter crew friends who arrived in their dinghy with a full bottle! I would definitely recommend this crew and The Big Dog without hesitation. Thank you! Cindy

Reviews

Hi [Broker], Terry, Ruth, the Big Dog, the entire trip was fabulous! We were able to enjoy all the amenities, (diving, waterskiing, banana boating, paddle boards), the food was fabulous, cocktails were flowing, and perfect weather. And yes, the only negative is the week went by too quickly. My husband Vince even asked if they had limoncello and there was only one drink left so Ruth surprised us by contacting her off charter crew friends who arrived in their dinghy with a full bottle! I would definitely recommend this crew and The Big Dog without hesitation. Thank you! Cindy