Reviews

Read some of the reviews from our past Caribbean Sailing Vacations. We try to make every part of your trip as perfect as can be. With hundreds of successful term charters, you can be sure that your sailing vacation is in good hands. Read some of our reviews below...



Featured Article


Rocketeer was featured in an article by Tom Wuckovich, who is the former senior editor of AAA Going Places magazine and now freelances from his base in Tampa Florida. Tom and his family had a great Caribbean Sailing Vacation aboard the Rocketeer and he wrote a very descriptive review of his vacation.
Click Here to Read His Review (Clicking this link will open a new window)



Guest Reviews and Testimonials

Name: Trent, Hanover, NH
Yacht: ROCKETEER with Glenn Howell & Grassa Liesenberg
Charter Dates: March 2014
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands / Vieques & Culebra

Hi Glenn and Grassa,
I just went thru my diary about our 9 day odyssey aboard "Rocketeer" and it is amazing to review all we did. You two could not have been more accommodating and fun to be with.
Of course Grassa's cooking was the best. She was my morning Sunshine as she greeted me with my morning coffee and a big smile. Breakfast was a choice of everything from waffles to scrambled eggs with ham. Lunches and dinners were always a gourmet delight. We never knew what we would be served out of her galley.
Glenn- the sailing was fabulous. We jetted along at an average around 10K and I think we hit 12.1 as a high. Flying the spinnaker was an added bonus. The bays you took us to were beautiful. Especially the secluded ones in Culebra and Vieques!
Thanks for making this such a memorable vacation.
Trent, Hanover, NH




Guest Reviews and Testimonials

Name: Lisa; Baltimore, MD
Yacht: ROCKETEER with Glenn Howell & Grassa Liesenberg
Charter Dates: March 2014
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands / British Virgin Islands

Hi Glenn and Grassa,
We were an extended family traveling with two grandparents, one parent, and one teenager. And Glenn and Grassa made sure that each member of the family had the time of their lives! The teenage boy put away his electronics for the week and lived in the moment - he had never sailed before and did not think he wanted to learn, but Glenn patiently taught him the basics of sailing, and he was thrilled! He was never bored, and he fell asleep happy every evening. The youthful grandparents sail, and so they were delighted about Rocketeer, which is designed to be plush and fast! Gramma and Grandad assisted in any sailing chore that needed their attention. And the parent just needed a relaxing, fun vacation, and Rocketeer exceeded her expectations! We sailed around the British Virgin Islands, looking for spots that were quiet and beautiful. We were not looking for nightlife - we wanted snorkeling and swimming and beaches like you see in travel magazines, and we found them. We were delighted with the fish and conch and sea turtles and rays and coral that we saw while snorkeling (plus the bioluminescent fish we saw one evening!). Glenn and Grassa have tons of water toys, but we only tried the pedal kayak. We hiked one day, and we explored a couple of towns to buy some vacation t-shirts. But otherwise we were sailing and enjoying the view and the sunshine and the beautiful water and islands.
Grassa's culinary magic in the galley is unbelievable! Every meal was delicious and healthy, from the shrimp salad to the paella to the Anegada lobster! She makes everything from scratch, from the yogurt to the hummus to her famous ice cream! She really should publish her cookbook, so we mere mortals can aspire to her culinary greatness. We took photos of most of the meals, because her presentation was as good as the food.
The 55 foot Rocketeer was plenty of room for the four of us. The cabins are sizable, but the bathrooms are unbelievably big for a sailboat! The forward open cockpit allowed for plenty of space to view where we were heading; the inside salon was quite large; and the aft deck was also large enough for a dining table, plus chairs and table for happy hour! We had a breeze most of the time, and in the evening, we were actually cool and wore jackets or long pants - no need for air conditioning! I had never spent a week on a sailboat, but it was easy on Rocketeer. Glenn was very accommodating about taking us to islands we wanted to visit and snorkel spots we wanted to try. He and Grassa were such gracious hosts! I would highly recommend them to anyone!
Thanks, Sally, for pointing us towards Glenn and Grassa!
Lisa,
Baltimore, MD




Guest Reviews and Testimonials

Name: Elizabeth & Todd, VT
Yacht: ROCKETEER with Glenn Howell & Grassa Liesenberg
Charter Dates: Feb 2014
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands / Vieques & Culebra

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your Caribbean Sailing Vacation. Please answer the following questions and add any comments you may have.

1. Generally, how did you enjoy your vacation?
Beyond our expectations.

2. Was the the crew friendly and accommodating?
Glenn and Grassa were amazing. They anticipated our every need. We felt welcomed from the moment we stepped onto Rocketeer. They consulted with us often to ensure that the trip met (and exceeded) our expectations.

3. Was the yacht clean, well ventilated, and in good working condition?
Rocketeer was very clean and well maintained. We had a blast sailing her under Glenn's expert supervision.

4. Did the crew do a good job of familiarizing you with the yacht and her workings?
Yes. Glenn readily agreed to show us how to sail Rocketeer and ensured that we had ample opportunities to participate in sailing her. Rocketeer sailed fast and comfortable, even to weather.

5. Could you describe the quality of the cuisine? Did the menu meet your needs and expectations?
Grassa is a great chef. She prepared and served healthy, yet interesting and diverse cuisine. We had everything from sushi, fish curries, to ink pasta. She also prepared yummy desserts like coconut and avocado ice cream and an assortment of cakes. Every meal was more amazing than the last.

6. How did you like the area in which you cruised?
We were thrilled to experience the Spanish Virgin Islands with their diverse wildlife and pristine beaches.

7. How did you like the pace and itinerary of your charter?
The pace and itinerary were perfect. We covered all of the places we hoped to sail to and more. In addition to the great sailing and snorkeling, we also enjoyed a couple hikes thanks to Glenn and Grassa's local knowledge of the Islands.

8. Was there anything else that we could have done to help you in any way?
Warn us about how awesome the trip would be.


Name: Rick V.G.
Yacht: ROCKETEER with Glenn Howell & Grassa Liesenberg
Charter Dates: December 22, 2012 - January 1, 2013
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your Caribbean Sailing Vacation. Please answer the following questions and add any comments you may have.

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
The crew was fantastic. They catered to our every need and desire.

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
The yacht was very comfortable and well maintained.

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
Absolutley no issues with ventilation.

4. Was the food good and well presented?
The food was fantastic. Grassa prepared incredible meals for us. She should really put out a cook book. Everything was prepared from scratch.

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
The waters we traveled were awesome. Our Captain Glenn took us to some great places.

6. Could we have helped you further in any way?
Everything was handle without a problem

7. May we post this review on our website?
Yes

8. Additional comments on your charter?
Glenn and Grassa made this one of the best vacations we have ever had. If and when we sail again it we definetly be with them. We could not have asked them for anything more.


Name: Lee Ann N.
Yacht: ROCKETEER with Glenn Howell & Grassa Liesenberg
Charter Dates: March 10-16, 2013
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your Caribbean Sailing Vacation. Please answer the following questions and add any comments you may have.

1. Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Yes! They were very hospitable, friendly and fun!

2. Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
The yacht was very comfortable, spotless and spacious.

3. Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes.

4. Was the food good and well presented?
The food was delicious and beautifully presented. The meals were a highlight of the trip! Cudos to Chef Grassa!

5. Did you like the area you sailed?
We loved the natural beauty and variety of the areas we visited in the Virgin Islands.

6. Could we have helped you further in any way?
Can't think of anything further.

7. May we post this review on our website?
Yes

8. Additional comments on your charter?
This trip had just the right balance of relaxation and activity. We were pampered by the crew and enjoyed getting to know them. They did their best to make it our best vacation ever! Thanks for recommending Rocketeer!


Name: Steve & Family
Yacht: ROCKETEER with Glenn Howell & Grassa Liesenberg
Charter Dates: June, 2013
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your Caribbean Sailing Vacation.

Not much can put a damper on sailing a catamaran through some of the most beautiful waters in the world. Just visiting the Virgin Islands is a trip of a life time, let alone sailing amongst them on a privately chartered boat. While my family was exploring the options for this trip we came across the catamaran "Rocketeer." This extremely capable ship offered a polite crew and amazing food to say the least. Captain Glenn is extremely nice and was very patient while attempting to teach us "motor- boat loving" people the ways of the sail boat. His first mate Grasia is extremely polite and accommodating too. They gave us a tour of the BVI and US Virgin islands that left nothing to be desired, making our trip "one for the books".

While on the boat we explored many reefs and saw a remarkable collection of wild life. Captain Glenn really knows his stuff and even showed us a small cave that you can snorkel though to the other side! It was fun swimming though the tunnel. From the sea turtles to the daring climbing hermit crabs on the islands Captain Glen knew where to catch the wild life in action. The Captain made sure the trip had its fair share of wildlife and excitement, showing us the islands always from a fun loving perspective.

When we weren't sailing, sightseeing or snorkeling at one of the amazing reefs, remote islands or quaint island towns, we were eating. To say the least the food prepared on board is fantastic. First mate Grasa has lived in many countries and has learned how to prepare the best local cuisines in each of them. From the paella to the beef stroganoff you will not be disspointed. My advice would be to not eat off the boat to avoid missing another euphoric meal. In addition to being a fantastic cook she is a wealth of information and a lot of fun to get to know.

All in all our family had an amazing trip. The tropical charm of the Virgin Islands was really amplified by our fantastic experience on Rocketeer. I would suggest this to all! Hope to do again next summer!

Steve & Family
Palm Beach, FL


Name: Steve & Family
Yacht: ROCKETEER with Glenn Howell & Grassa Liesenberg
Charter Dates: July, 2013
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your Caribbean Sailing Vacation.

Hi Glenn, Grassa,

I finally had a chance to speak with Steve about the trip. He gave it an A+. Just fabulous in every way so congratulations and THANK YOU to both of you.

The food was gourmet but healthy - and there was so much! The boat was comfortable and roomy, in excellent shape. He did mention how they loved to help out with the sailing etc as they are boaters themselves. They loved how it sailed so fast and left all the other cats in the dust! And as you mentioned they did it all - snorkeled, hiked, played with the water toys, etc. He was shocked that they didn't have to use the a/c. LIving in So. Florida it's a must so he still can't believe it but it was so comfortable without.

Great job and you'll definitely be hearing from me very soon!

Steve & Family
Palm Beach, FL


Name: Korinne
Yacht: ROCKETEER with Glenn Howell & Grassa Liesenberg
Charter Dates: Feb, 2013
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your Caribbean Sailing Vacation.

Korinne and I wanted to send you some more detailed thoughts on our charter on Rocketeer. We just went through all the photos when we downloaded them to our computers. What a great time we had! I’ll send this to Seth as well, if it will be helpful. Here you go:

The best thing to say about Rocketeer and Glenn and Grassa is that we definitely want to join them again soon, and this time we’re bringing some friends.

Where else to start? Glenn and Grassa were both so welcoming of us into their “home,” and made us feel like we belonged there. They were willing to give us our own space, but we had more fun eating meals and hanging out with Glenn and Grassa throughout the trip. When we wanted time by ourselves, they gladly faded into the background. We truly enjoyed dining with Glenn and Grassa, and especially loved Grassa’s cooking. They asked lots of questions before and during the trip to figure out what we wanted to eat and drink, and Grassa was so creative to prepare things that we devoured. Both food and drinks!

Rocketeer itself was a great sailing vessel. It’s faster than the typical charter catamaran, so it’s possible to go further or get to the destination faster and see more on the trip. There is plenty of room on board, and we had lots of privacy when we needed it. There is A/C, but we never needed it with the breezes through the cabin.

More importantly, Glenn was very knowledgeable and friendly as captain. He took us to the right places, guided us when we needed it, but also left much of the itinerary up to us. Plus, my wife and I had just learned how to sail, so Glenn let us crew when we could be helpful. We know Grassa could have done a great job captaining Rocketeer as well, as she clearly knew what she was doing too. We definitely were able to see some great spots around St. Martin and St. Barth that we’d never seen before.

Overall, we had an unforgettable time on Rocketeer with Glenn and Grassa in St. Martin/St. Barth/Anguilla. We can’t wait to join them again in in the Virgin Islands!


Name: Steve L.
Yacht: ROCKETEER with Glenn Howell & Grassa Liesenberg
Charter Dates: June, 2013
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your Caribbean Sailing Vacation.

"Not much can put a damper on sailing a catamaran through some of the most beautiful waters in the world. Just visiting the Virgin Islands is a trip of a life time, let alone sailing amongst them on a privately chartered boat.
All in all our family had an amazing trip. The tropical charm of the Virgin Islands was really amplified by our fantastic experience on Rocketeer. I would suggest this to all!" Steve L. June 2013


Name: D.J.
Yacht: ROCKETEER with Glenn Howell & Grassa Liesenberg
Charter Dates: March, 2013
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your Caribbean Sailing Vacation.

Just wanted to let you know that we had a great time with Glenn and Grassa on Rocketeer. It was a great trip, as we went to some interesting spots, led by an outstanding crew on a fantastic catamaran. Thanks for hooking us up with Rocketeer.

D.J.


Name: Jon
Yacht: ROCKETEER with Glenn Howell & Grassa Liesenberg
Charter Dates: 2012
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your Caribbean Sailing Vacation.

"We had a great time with you and Grassa! I'm just getting back up to speed at work, lets talk in a few weeks about future trips...
Best, Jon


Name: Vince
Yacht: ROCKETEER with Glenn Howell & Grassa Liesenberg
Charter Dates: 2012
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your Caribbean Sailing Vacation.

“We are back , went thru NY at 25degrees. Big change. I lost 2.5 pounds. The food was so good, but I have been loosing a pound a week? Not sure how you did it, but thanks for the good eats, Grassa!”
Vince, North Carolina USA


Name: O.N. (Romania)
Yacht: ROCKETEER with Glenn Howell & Grassa Liesenberg
Charter Dates: 2012
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your Caribbean Sailing Vacation.

This was our first sailing trip for longer period and our first trip to the BVI and we have to say that it was much, much better than going into a luxury resort! Rocketeer is very well arranged and there is enough place for sitting outside, eating or sunbathing. The living room is quite spacious and has all the amenities such as air conditioned, surround music from radio/cd/iPod. As we were 3 people, we use 2 rooms on one side of the boat with ensuite bathroom/shower and we had privacy and enough storage/sleeping area. But what we enjoyed very much was the genuine hospitality and all-time efforts of Grassa and Glenn to make us feel as part of their family. We were spoiled with attention, consideration and genuine 5-star service all the time. Grassa has prepared incredible food based on our preferences. We fall in love with her coconut shrimp, fish curries, grill lobster, crab cake. Our daughter specially liked the coco and passion fruit ice cream, while me and my wife enjoyed the whole guava cheese pie prepared fresh for us. Not only that Grassa is a wonderful cook, but also the ingredients are very good quality. Same we can say about the drinks and fruits we served on board. Glenn is a very patient captain which always chose routes and harbors for our comfort and pleasure. He even managed to make me retrieve and secure a mooring after our 5 days of sailing. He was very good in explaining a novice some sailing tips regarding wind-sail relation and it was special for me to get a lesson from a real champ! The choosing of the BVI was also good as we’ve been before only in USVI and missed the secluded beaches of Anegada and the pitoresque bays from Virgin Gorda, Peter Island and the Dog Islands. We hope to come back soon and sail again with this great couple and their 55 feet Rocketeer catamaran.
ON ( Romania)


Name: The Naylor Family
Yacht: ROCKETEER with Glenn Howell & Grassa Liesenberg
Charter Dates: 2012
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your Caribbean Sailing Vacation.

What a fabulous vacation in paradise! This has been the most wonderful and memorable trip that our family has had! The weather was great and with Captain Glenn at the helm we saw many beautiful sights. So much better than a cruise ship. Chef Grassa’s culinary skills shone at every meal…..so delicious. The accommodations were very comfortable and the hospitality was amazing. Thank you for a perfect vacation! Happy sailing until we meet again.
The Naylors. NC, USA


Name: Rick
Yacht: ROCKETEER with Glenn Howell & Grassa Liesenberg
Charter Dates: 2012
Area Cruised: Virgin Islands

We hope your charter lived up to your expectations. We would love to know some of your impressions about your Caribbean Sailing Vacation.

Just wanted to drop you a note. We arrived safely home but not to as good a weather as we left behind. We want you to know that we had an excellent time with you and Grassa. You both treated us to a real first class vacation. If we sail again you can be sure it will be on Rocketeer with you.
Thanks again and all the best for 2013.
Rick