Testimonials
Australia, Whitsunday Islands
We had such a fantastic time with you on our charter in the Whitsundays! Thank you for trusting John & Sharon’s judgement we’d be good travel partners, thank you for getting us where we needed to go safely, and thank you for all the time and effort you put into planning a fun and successful voyage! Whether on land or water (another charter?!), we do hope to see you and enjoy your company again before long.
Julie & Jake London – Centerville, Massachusetts
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
We are still struggling to come up with words to describe the experience we just had with you. You two are simply amazing! Your skills, knowledge, planning, etc. are simply indescribable. We both learned so much from you and can’t wait to go again. Jill’s birthday was magical. Who would have thought we would start out our trip as a little more than acquaintances and end up as close friends?
Jill & Paul Fedorko – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Croatia 2022
This group has known each other a very long time and the “come as you are” attitude made for easy acceptance of everyone...especially first thing in the morning! The crew worked well together, willingly jumping in to contribute where their skills were best served.
This was our 3rd trip with Anne and Barry’s Datum Charters. The other two (Spain’s Gold Coast out of Gibraltar and San Juan Islands in Washington State) were excellent, but the combination of this trip’s factors put the Croatian experience above the rest. Croatia was a wonderful surprise; one we hope to experience again.
John Rorquist & Sharon Wood– Phoenix, Arizona
Italy: Naples & Amalfi Coast
Barry & Anne, A million thank you’s again for an amazing trip. We will have beautiful memories to last a lifetime. Hopefully it’s the first of many great adventures with you and the Gagnon family.
Veronica & Jeff Gagnon & Family – Westport, Massachusetts
Turkey, Marmaris
This trip was truly epic and memorable! We are blessed to travel around the world, and this was our favorite holiday get away. We really enjoyed all the beauty of every stop in Turkey, the colors and clarity of the water were amazing, along with the fantastic swimming. A top highlight was the day we did an inland tour of Dalyan, cruising up the river, seeing the ancient rock tombs, historical city, mud bath and our fantastic lunch at La Boheme. We had the experience to immerse ourselves into the culture, and it was incredible. What great memories we have made. We can’t wait for our next trip. Thank you, Anne & Barry, for your camaraderie and fun on this amazing trip!
Lynn & Joe Holloway – Camas, Washington
Croatia
Dear Anne & Barry, you played a big part in helping to orchestrate our honeymoon! And what a honeymoon it was-Wow! It was so incredibly thoughtful of you to give us our beautifully decorated “honeymoon suite” on board our fabulous cat! We sure felt special and that was super generous of you! The entire trip was an experience of a lifetime, and we loved getting a taste of Croatia. Your expertise made it all possible and we cannot thank you enough for all the time, effort, and attention to detail that you both invested to make it exceptional! Not to mention FUN. We are already excited about future trips to come and the opportunity to be a part of your crew once again.
Erika Olson & Jeff Calegari – San Francisco, California
Maldives
Anne & Barry, I can’t thank you enough for what was truly the trip of a lifetime. Your efforts to ensure everything was the best it could possibly be are very much appreciated. I enjoyed getting to know you better. You are amazing humans!
Joni Moss – Holladay, Utah
Croatia, Dalmatian Islands
I’ve traveled to 63 countries on every continent. I’ve swum in every ocean including the Arctic and the Southern. I’ve loved every place we’ve gone. I wasn’t sure what to expect on a private yacht charter, but Datum Charters did far more than meet my expectations. Barry and Anne are amazing hosts. The six of us began in Dubrovnik, visited six ports in the Dalmatian Islands and ended in Split, Croatia. We had an amazing time. I’m 76 years old. I understand that I may be limited when I travel, but Barry and Anne made sure I was safe and able to get to every location. The history was great, the conversation and meals were wonderful. The water crystal clean and the scenery exquisite. On this trip, history becomes real because you can understand the hardships and the motivations of early settlers and colonizers. But the best part was clearly the relaxation, the unhurried drama of each day, the beautiful scenery, and the explanations of where we were and where we were going. Barry and Anne made every adventure possible and make every evening unforgettable. More than Captain and First Mate, they are friends and fascinating people. It’s an experience you will never forget.
Rick & Gina DeGraw – Phoenix, Arizona
Martinique
This was our 5th charter with the fantastic duo of Captain Barry & First Mate Anne.
We loved not having to worry about the preparation details such as, the stays for the night, where the reefs are, where the shoals are, etc. All the planning, driving the vessel, and every detail was done so well by Captain Barry. Then, having amazing Anne as our first mate kept things interesting and fun. Knowing that she was there to help Captain Barry, was really nice too as we didn’t have to do much at all.John & Helen Alexander – Maricopa, Arizona
Lake Powell, Arizona, USA
One the highlights of the charter was getting into the small boat and driving through the Forbidden Canyon. Jim enjoyed getting a serious workout digging the trenches for the anchors! Not necessarily! We would not have selected here; however, because of Covid we had to switch from a charter around Fiji to a houseboat on the Utah/Arizona border. But it was probably just as exotic as Fiji, and it was right here in the US. It was awe inspiring. I never had any idea this area was so beautiful. It was great that Captain Barry knew the best places to go and how to get us there safely. We especially enjoyed the evening fires first mate Anne set up.
Jody and Jim Luntsford – Charleston, South Carolina
Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Another adventure with Datum Charters was filled with new sights, great seafood & fun times. From the streets of Rock Hall, MD where George Washington walked, to the amazing Naval Academy in Annapolis, to jousting at Christ Church near the town of Port Republic… we enjoyed every day!! The Bay is a huge body of water, but not very deep. So cruising was slow & relaxing which was great. Passing a tall ship under full sail was quite the site. We will always remember the three days our daughter Deanna joined the crew. It happened to be her birthday & Anne made sure it was celebrated in style!!! Another cruise in the books. Special people, special times. Thank you, Datum Charters.
Darrel & Diane Steege – Waverly, Iowa
La Paz, Mexico
Isla Partida was a favorite! We picked up fresh fish to cook ourselves. This island had two homes so close to the water where fishermen sold the fresh catch of the day. We got grouper; it was outstanding! They were so happy to see us and really catered to us for so little money. It reminded me of how life can be stress free. Very primitive, and the whole trip was simple and stress free. I felt like a boy scout again when we cooked and camped. Everything was great, we could jump in the water anytime we wanted, there was no dressing up, life was simple , effortless, and free; the packing for this trip was very easy. Each island was great in its own way, its very hard to pick a favorite. One of the best was San Evaristo, there was internet available and the moon at night was amazing. The restaurant gave the true local flavor of that island and they treated us like we were celebrities. They were all so happy and friendly. Doing the hike on the San Francisco Island was amazing, walking to see the crescent views of the island was so special. We made it to the postcard view in person.
Susan & Anthony Del Pozzo – Cave Creek, Arizona
Martinique
The trip to Martinique was a once in a lifetime experience! Captain Barry and First Mate Anne were very knowledgeable and such fun. I loved the whole trip, but my favorites were seeing Mt. Pelée and going into St. Pierre. Wonderful food and people. I also loved taking the dingy into shore.
Joanne Roberts – Niangua, Missouri
Lake Powell Wahweap Marina, AZ State, USA
We were so happy to be able to take a wonderful charter to get away from all the troubles of the world and be there in the present taking in the amazing natural beauty and surroundings of our own state. Being on and in the water, as well as taking the small boat into the narrow slot caverns was a joy! Going through the “secret canyon” was most memorable! We had never experienced anything like that before. Captain Barry & First Mate Anne will take you places that you didn’t think you could even go!
They know how to plan a great mix of adventure and relaxation. Having those relaxing evening campfires on the beach after a full day of fun was the perfect way to end our days. The sunset cruises we took every evening were outstanding. We also really enjoyed our hiking adventure to Rainbow Bridge, as well as our stop at Horseshoe bend. The memories, pictures, and videos we have from this fantastic charter will last a lifetime! We want to experience more of our beautiful world and can’t wait for our next “Datum Charter” in La Paz, Mexico.Susan & Anthony Del Pozzo – Cave Creek, Arizona
Bahamas
This was a trip of a lifetime. You can’t put a price on fun, and this was money well spent! I’ve always dreamed of going to white sandy beaches and enjoying clear blue waters. Anne & Barry delivered. We swam with sharks, snorkeled an airplane crash site, relaxed on a beautiful and secluded white sandy beach; it couldn’t have been any better! Great friends, great hosts, great adventures with just the perfect amount of activity vs. unwind time. We can’t wait to do another trip with Datum Charters, we are already thinking about doing their Greece trip when I retire!
Eric Lovingfoss – Longview, Washington
Florida Keys
When we first arrived and we took a pre-yacht boat ride in Ft. Lauderdale, I saw right away that Anne & Barry really had the expertise to make it perfect, we saw so many amazing sights! They knew where to take us and we appreciate their experience. I loved so many things about this fantastic trip! Waking up every morning to the beautiful sun, crystal clear waters and all the fantastic stops we had on our journey. Among my favorites was listening to Jimmy Buffet singing from our boat at sundown at our own happy hour on our private yacht with our party lights on! Everyone was so nice, especially at the marinas we went to. Among my favorites was Marlin Bay Yacht Club, Marathon Key; the pool and jacuzzi was so nice and our Dock Master, Gregg was so helpful and fun. Not far from there we found some cute shops, and a wonderful family-owned jewelry store. For some time, I had been wanting to go back to one of my Dads favorite places, Duval Street, Key West. It was incredible to walk around where he went and experience some of the places he loved to visit. Datum Charters made it such a special trip, knowing just where to take us and they made sure I was able to do that. There was also plenty of relaxing times on and off the yacht. At one stop, I was sitting with my feet in the water and a huge manatee came swimming by! Another day while traveling along, a pod of 8 or more dolphins followed us and some came right next to our boat, it was like they were dancing just for us. We will always cherish the memories and amazing pictures that Captain Barry took for us.
Dawn Heuer – Longview, Washington
San Juan Islands, WA State, USA
This was our second trip with Captain Barry and First Mate Anne. Our first was a week out of Gibraltar, cruising Spain’s Gold Coast, in 2019. The San Juan Islands archipelago is an area of hundreds of islands that my wife Sharon and I have wanted to explore for some time. We’ve been near them before, while on Orca whale watching trips from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The majestic Mount Baker can be seen from many places on the water. Our 7-day trip started from Anacortes, WA. Our vessel was a well-equipped, luxurious Carver 48. Our ports of call included Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor on San Juan Island and the Rosario Resort on Orcas Island. We spent one evening anchored in Reid Harbor, a peaceful, uninhabited cove on Stuart Island. The week was active and relaxing. Days were spent transiting between islands, sometimes lunching while tied to a mooring ball or exploring the villages where we ported. Evening happy hours and dinners were spent on the flybridge. Barry and Anne do a professional job. As a crew, they are very accommodating, encouraging you to do as much or as little as you want. They are knowledgeable of work to be done to maintain and operate their charter boats safely. They’re responsible and responsive to their passengers' needs and once the boat is secure for the day/night there is always time for fun and relaxation together. We recommend them highly. Currently we are working on details for another cruise with them in 2022.
John Rorquist & Sharon Wood– Phoenix, Arizona
Captain Barry and First Mate Anne provided a chance of a lifetime for me that I will never forget. A check off the bucket list for me!
They are such responsible, fun hosts, an absolute delight to be with. I think I could have asked Captain Barry a thousand questions; he is so interesting. By the way, Anne, he is nice to look at, great choice. You both are so respectful of each other.
The trip was beautiful. Even though I live in Washington I had never been there… I will never forget this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Andrea Heuer – Longview, Washington
Phuket, Thailand
Captain Barry and First Mate Anne were awesome guides on our trip around Phuket, Thailand, and the surrounding islands. Every evening we fell asleep to spectacular views and when we woke up it was even more beautiful. They seemed to order us the most perfect weather for the most fantastic trip. Thank you, Anne and Barry, we can’t wait for our next adventure with you!
Jody and Jim Luntsford – Charleston, South Carolina
Turkey: Istanbul, Fethiye & Göcek
I have traveled all over the world, as my family and I have been in the travel business for many years. This yacht trip was one of my favorites, I loved how they have boat grocery stores that come right to you! Also loved the great photos Captain Barry took & the movie now on your Datum Charters YouTube channel! Thank You again Anne & Barry for all the work you did putting this all together, it was amazing!
Mary Hammerle – Scottsdale, Arizona
Italy: Naples & Amalfi Coast
We traveled to Italy with Captain Barry and First Mate Anne in August of 2019. This was a trip of a lifetime for us! We had not traveled overseas before and the pre-planning with Barry and Anne coupled with their expertise during the trip allowed us to see amazing scenery and landmarks without the worry of traveling internationally on our own. We flew into Naples, Italy and experienced the culture firsthand…from the beautiful churches to the amazing food. We boarded the Leucosia and cruised from island to island. We visited Procida, Capri, Sorrento, Positano, the Amalfi Coast and Pompei. Seeing the beauty of Italy from the water was breathtaking! Barry and Anne were amazing hosts, taking care of the details so we did not have to. We WILL plan another trip with Datum Charters and think you should too!
Lawain & Marcella Biermann –Tripoli, Iowa
Captain Barry and First Mate Anne, thank you so much for the lovely motor-boat vacation. We both loved it and enjoyed our time together. We appreciate your kindness, expertise, and knowledge. Steve just can’t say how much he loved this trip and spending time with both of you. We look forward to our next adventure come what may. Enjoy your next trip to Martinique. We can’t say thank you enough. Thanks for being such phenomenal hosts.
Sharon & Steve Particka-Laing – Roberts, Wisconsin
We had 6 nights aboard our beautiful yacht, the Leucosia, as we cruised the Mediterranean from port to port. Me & Darrel's first trip to Europe together and certainly our first time on a yacht in the Mediterranean! Not being a water lover and worrying about motion sickness, I had some anxieties about spending time on the open water, so my first day was full of apprehension. I had the behind the ear patch as a precaution and was relieved to find the lower deck was stable - very little motion. After that first day, I relaxed and enjoyed the view. The first day I witnessed Barry's capable hands as our captain, and his serious demeanor while cruising continued throughout our trip. Barry is steady and reliable -- taking his responsibilities very seriously. I appreciated his attentiveness to all that is involved in being the person in charge of our safe trip. Barry and Anne also helped us with the language barrier. With their extensive traveling experience, they guided us throughout the week to see as much as possible in this amazing part of the world.
Diane & Darrel Steege – Waverly, Iowa
Spanish Riviera & Morocco
Captain Barry and First Mate Anne provided a great, one-week, boating trip out of Gibraltar, cruising Spain’s Costa Del Sol. The weather was great and the waters calm. With stops at Malaga and Marbella, they knew the locales well. The sightseeing in these Old Towns was good and restaurant selections were excellent.
They were flexible with the week’s itinerary, so we were able to include a two-day trip to see Chefchaouen, Morocco’s Blue City, and Tangier.
We’re sailors, so doing a motor yacht trip was a new experience. Personally, I enjoyed helping to crew the boat and to learn some new techniques I wouldn’t normally do on a sailboat.
They’re a fun couple to spend time with and are very conscientious regarding guest comfort and safety. We are already planning another European trip with Anne and Barry for next year.John Rorquist & Sharon Wood – Phoenix, Arizona
Seven days cruising the Costa Del Sol in Spain on the Mediterranean was the ultimate trip for my wife and myself. Never realized how beautiful Spain is and the trip went way beyond our expectations. Our yacht, the 47’ Durban Lady docked in Gibraltar was the perfect size for the 6 of us.
Captain Barry was professional and very accommodating to our needs. First Mate Anne was the consummate host and made every day at sea fun and entertaining. Captain Barry even guided us on a side trip to Morocco on a day the water was too rough for yachting. We were mesmerized at how lush and beautiful Morocco is.
Our trip had an adventurous and busy itinerary, but one we would do again in a heartbeat. We definitely recommend Datum Charters to anyone considering a yachting vacation.Roy and Micki Mosel - Phoenix, Arizona
Costa Del Sol
We come to the South of Spain & Marbella from England from time to time; this was our first time taking a yacht charter. We had an impromptu tour around the harbor of Marbella.
Captain Barry was flexible and accommodating, he took us on a lovely tour, and we had an excellent time. We felt very safe in his capable hands; his first mate Anne was a great hostess! She took photos and entertained us at the spacious bow.Jo & Danniella Crichton – London, England
Greek Islands
I was happy but apprehensive as I’ve had severe motion sickness on a cruise in the past, but having put on an ear patch I was amazed that even at night with the boat gently rocking It was absolutely perfect and I didn’t feel like I was on a boat.
Captain Barry knew the islands and waters so well, he was able to maneuver us into many different ports and types of docking for swimming, dinners, and tours comfortably and safely. He took us to so many amazing places in and around Corfu, Paxos and Antipaxos, it seemed that each place we went was more beautiful than the next. Of course, First mate Anne was always making sure we were comfortable and having a great time while taking care of all other details on the yacht.
Everything about this trip exceeded my expectations completely! I look forward to doing this again!Kimberly Beaver - Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Captain Barry and First Mate Anne were the perfect guides on our trip to Greece. We had been looking forward to this trip for a long time. We were very happy with the diversity between Tourist Sights and hanging where the locals go, while enjoying a variety of different foods and drink. Thank you both for a dream vacation.
John and Helen Alexander - Vancouver, Washington
Catalina & Redondo Beach, California
We were so excited to plan our 3-day Yacht trip to Catalina and Redondo Beach with Anne & Barry. For the past few months, we had been looking into a cruising trip. Anne & Barry shared with us several of their itineraries. Because we were short on time, we chose to take their 3-day California trip. It’s wonderful that they have so many options… from the number of days to the different locations around the world… to choose from. We really enjoyed our time with them, and the floating party pad was a fun way to relax on the water. We went to sleep in Catalina and woke up in Redondo! It was an incredible feeling to wake up to a different city, having been chauffeured at night. They were amazing hosts and so much fun to do activities with. Captain Barry was so professional and knowledgeable. He is also an excellent photographer. We have so many great photos! We can’t wait to go on our next adventure!
Sonia Nolte & David Santos – Scottsdale, Arizona
Anne & Barry were gracious enough to take me in on a last-minute opening on a 3-day cruise to Catalina and Redondo Beach. Walking into this 56’ beautiful yacht, I was in awe of its spaciousness, deck height and cleanliness. Even though I was in the smallest cabin, the headroom was very comfortable. Captain Barry craftily navigated the ocean swells and First Mate Anne was a wonderful host.
Laura Crews Salywon - Tempe, Arizona
Atlantic Spain
We had two days of bliss on a 56’ beauty out of the Sanxenxo Marina on the Atlantic coast of Spain! This was the 1st time Anthony and I spent the night on a yacht! What an amazing experience with amazing friends! Visited one of the world’s most beautiful beaches according to the Telegraph in 2014, Rodas Beach in the Cies Islands. This beach, this boat, my husband, these friends & views…. Unbelievable…Thanks, Anne & Barry for setting us up! this again!
Susan & Anthony Del Pozzo - Cave Creek, Arizona
Anne & Barry are great hosts, and we did so many fun things! I have been on five cruises and have always wanted to try a smaller boat. It allowed for us to visit places that were not so busy with all the cruisers. We all got to help out too like rolling up the rope and washing the boat if we wanted to.
I loved the quaint little towns where we were exploring, shopping, and eating dinner outside on the cobblestone streets. I enjoyed going to the island beaches where there were few people, and we could walk the beach and have picnic lunches. It was fun to try new foods like the appetizer of little green peppers where there is one spicy pepper mixed in and you don't know who might get it, kinda like edamame with a kick! I loved the paella; it was absolutely amazing eating it right next to the ocean! I had never tried mussels before, so it was great to have the opportunity to try them fresh.
The boat was awesome, very spacious…all of us could be in each of the different areas at the same time, like the dining area, the bow, stern, upstairs on the flybridge…there was enough room for the whole group to be together, but you could go to a separate area if you wanted to be more private.
Lots of great memories, so glad I took the trip.Julie Kamrowski - Brooklyn Park, MN
Our hosts and Captains, Barry & Anne left no stone unturned. They made sure we were ready for our trip including planning out a great itinerary with us. They had all the answers to our questions, down to packing tips and how much money to bring. We had 5 days/nights on the yacht. Wonderful and spacious. With our own yacht we were able to enjoy the private islands and small quaint ports of the Galicia area of Spain. I enjoyed every moment! I created so many memories and can’t wait to go back!
Karen Kamrowski - Las Vegas, Nevada