Travelers Choice Awards – 12 years in a row!!
Stormy Pirates Boat Charters Honored With Traveler’s Choice Award – Again!
Ahoy! And welcome aboard!
Yo Ho Ho! And shiver me timbers! It’s time to raise the Jolly Roger. For 12 years running – that’s right, TWELVE! – Stormy Pirates Boat Charters has been awarded a Traveler’s Choice Award by Tripadvisor. No, this award isn’t booty captured by force or shenanigans. It’s recognition that our company is doing what we set out to do: Give customers a 5 star experience on the water that is fun, safe, adventurous and memorable.
Our salty crew is taking the accolades to heart and shivering with delight. And yes, we probably broke open a bottle – or two – of rum to celebrate, but receiving the news was also a reminder that we have a fabulous fan base who wrote reviews and made recommendations on Tripadvisor, making this award possible. For that, we are so very grateful.
So from the bottom of our hearts (and cups!), we salute each and every one of our loyal customers for their efforts. Our goal has always been to help visitors and locals alike to discover, explore and make memories in and around our home in the Virgin Islands. Receiving The Traveler’s Choice Award (formerly the Certificate of Excellence) is like a warm pat on the back telling us that our efforts are paying off. It’s also a motivator for us to improve our services in hopes of meeting even more amazing customers – or “hearties” as we pirates like to call our friends and comrades.
After organizing and officiating every kind of gathering aboard our boats from engagements, to weddings, Bachelor & Bachelorette parties, to birthdays, family reunions, as well as the spreading of ashes, we feel that all of our customers are more family than clientele.
How Winners Are Selected
Every year Tripadvisor picks recipients for the Traveler’s Choice Awards based on the quantity and quality of traveler’s reviews and ratings that are posted on the Tripadvisor website over a 12-month period. In other words, winners of the Traveler’s Choice Awards are decided by real travelers from all over the world who share their opinions, recommendations and stories.
To be eligible to receive an award:
* a property, business, destination or point of interest must have been listed on Tripadvisor for at least 12 months
* they must receive a threshold number of reviews within the evaluation period
* they must maintain or exceed a minimum bubble rating on Tripadvisor
Traveler’s Choice Award-Winners Are Among The Top 10% Of Listings On Tripadvisor
Residing in the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor is no small feat, especially when a business changes ownership as Stormy Pirates did in 2017. Here’s a bit of background for those who don’t know the story.
The Weiss family, otherwise known as lead pirates Kristie, Rich, and son Tyler, who was only 12 at the time, were no scallywags to life on the water when they settled on St. Thomas and decided to purchase the boat charter business. In fact, they had spent quite a few years on the briny deep sailing around the Caribbean on their personal sailing catamaran, Sail Pending. In July 2017, they dropped anchor in the Virgin Islands and purchased the two boats, Stormy Petrel and Pirates Penny, just as the hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the islands.
To say the timing wasn’t ideal would be an understatement, but the Weiss family wasn’t about to abandon ship. Rather than feeling marooned, the Weiss family bravely shouted, “Heave ho!” With their two newly purchased boats, Pirates Penny and Stormy Petrel, and their catamaran, Sail Pending, this small band of pirates set about to flourish no matter the circumstances. And they did – greeting every customer with gratitude and smiles.
“When we purchased Pirates Penny & Stormy Petrel, we knew the reputation that we had to live up to,” Kristie reflects. “We knew there were guests that returned year after year. We also had a great reputation to maintain and the original owner trusted us to continue with his vision.”
Attention to details, excellent customer relations, and putting humor and a boatload of fun into each excursion paid off. The business has steadily grown the past six years and now includes six additional boats and 18 full-time crew members, including Tyler, who is now a licensed captain and the fleet manager.
New boats include: Sail Pending 2, a sailing catamaran; Buccaneer, a center console 27’ HydraSport; Pirates Passion & Pirates Priorities, both 37’ Axopars, and Pirate Girl, a luxury SeaRay Sundancer. Next season, Gorda Pirate will be introduced into the fleet, a 55’ Power Catamaran that will provide an all inclusive, luxury experience to explore Virgin Gorda and the surrounding British Virgin Islands.
The list of returning guests has also grown every year, a fact that underscores the company’s commitment to excellence.
“We just had a review from a guest who took their 34th trip on board with us,” Kristie adds, commenting that guests like these are extra special.
Variety + Excellence + Comfort = Great Boat Days!
Looking to visit the British Virgin Islands for the day? Or perhaps, you’d rather spend your time sighting around the US Virgin Islands swimming with turtles and eating pizza? Whether it’s a family fun day or a reunion of best friends looking to indulge in a bit of bar hopping, Stormy Pirates Charters has you covered. With a variety of options – everything from a catamaran sail to Jost Van Dyke to circling the islands of St. John – Stormy Pirates Charters offers you personalized service with options for Power boats or sail boats along with a knowledgeable crew to guide your trip no matter where your final destination may be.
Read what other customers have to say and you’ll frequently see comments like “They know all the good snorkeling spots,” “Wonderful hosts,” “Attentive & caring,” “Never felt rushed,” and “Did a great job filling our drink cups.” Over and over again, reviewers stress the crew’s “knowledge, professionalism, and cheerfulness.”
Every Guest becomes a part of the Stormy Pirates Family!
While returning guests have a special place in the hearts of Stormy Pirates crew, we love meeting and entertaining new guests. Whether you’re interested in a three-hour Sunset Sail or a full day cruise, the Pirate Crew is committed to making sure you have an amazing time.
“We strive to make everyone’s boat day the most memorable day of their vacation,” says Kristie, “and we appreciate every time someone takes the time to give us a five star review.”
End Notes: As any good pirate would say, “Avast ye! Isn’t it time for you to experience what everyone else is raving about?” If there’s a trip in your future to St. Thomas or St. John, why not pick up the phone and start a conversation with one of the crew at Stormy Pirates Charters. Or, visit their website and book your experience. They’ll gladly put the gang plank down and escort you in style! And for all you attentive pirates out there who caught the more than a dozen “pirate speak” terms in this blog – CONGRATULATIONS!!! Have a read-thru again just to brush up because National Talk Like A Pirate Day (September 19th) is quickly approaching.