Yacht Connections Special Occasions Client Testimonials
“I booked California Spirit for a corporate event where we hosted some local employees as well as our international partners.
I called Stephanie early in the day prior to our charter to let her know we had a really bad experience with a walking tour the night before and that we were really looking forward to our event that evening to close our time together and hopefully erase the walking tour from our memories. Oh yea, I also told her we needed to add 10 to our group!
Stephanie was very reassuring everything would be great and it was! I received nothing but great feedback on the food, drinks, and staff. The weather couldn’t have been any better and the yacht was perfect. There is plenty of space and restrooms.
Our banquet was San Francisco Favorites, while it wasn’t a sit down dinner it was very filling, satisfying and tasty.
Also, YCI is very reasonable with their rates. I initially worked with Jeanavive and I let her know my budget and she was able to make it work.
Everyone I worked with at YCI really went above and beyond. Highly recommend.” – Maritza
“Just celebrated my 40th birthday aboard California Spirit and it was the best birthday ever! Phenomenal boat, amazing service and fantastic food and drinks. I couldn’t have been happier with my decision to have my party here.
YCI is not only very easy to work with and responsive, but they are also very professional and friendly. Once on-board the boat, it’s 5-star service with top-notch food and handmade cocktails. Amazing ahi taco appetizers, gorgeous Mediterranean spread with fresh veggies (and not just your typical veggie platter – fresh asparagus and many others too!), beautiful fresh fruit platter, delicious hummus, yummy flatbreads, super cute Chinese chicken salads in little to-go Chinese food boxes, mushroom sushi (for my vegan guests)….everything was delicious and it was easy to provide options for the various dietary restrictions of my guests. They freshly squeezed limes for our margaritas too!
I looked at other boats and California Spirit is, by far, the nicest. Definitely tour their two boats if you are considering renting a boat for any reason. Originally, I was a little concerned that my group was only 30 people and that the boat was so big, but it was perfect! The 3 hours on the bay goes by way too fast; everyone wished we had more time.
You will not be disappointed if you choose to work with YCI for a charter! In fact, you’ll find yourself looking for another reason to get back on one of their boats!” – Jenna G.
“They made my wedding day a true experience. The food was delicious, the views breath taking and the crew was delightful. Everything I wanted and more.
Thank You from the bottom if my heart Yacht Connection Crew and Staff!” – The Bride
“We’re so glad we picked California Spirit as the venue for our wedding!! We got so many compliments from guests on how gorgeous the scenery was and how it was one of the most memorable weddings they have been to.
…the captain and the super dedicated crew were all amazing!!! They really helped to make my wedding vision come true. Thank you all!” – Dee D.
“It was a magical evening and I sincerely appreciate all of your efforts to create an amazing experience for everyone that attended. The food was fantastic, the staff attentive and the boat absolutely stunning.” Bordoux Jane Adams
“I threw my boyfriend a surprise birthday party on the California Spirit back in September 2012. Over 50 of our closest family members and friends were in attendance. I have nothing but great things to say about the experience. It was phenomenal! We cruised around the Bay, going around Alcatraz and under the GG Bridge.
The yacht was an absolutely amazing ship that is even more gorgeous and posh than the beautiful brochure photos. Although the affair was somewhat pricey, it was well worth the cost. It was nothing less than swanky and first class. We received VIP treatment, for sure.
The yacht staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The planning process was easy, stress-free and enjoyable.
If you’re looking to plan a 5-star event that both you and your guests will never forget, look no further.” – Carah
“My fiance and I had a 100 person party celebrating our engagement on the California Spirit and we adored our experience. What a fabulous night! Our out of town guests loved the tour of the Bay including the Alcatraz drive by and going right under the Golden Gate Bridge – there were cheers galore when we went under! Even the lifelong Bay Area residents were gushing about the trip – many said that even thought the grew up here they’d never been on a cruise.
The decor of the ship was gorgeous, the staff was thoughtful and helpful, and the varied rooms and seating of the ship made for excellent party flow. The whole experience was so classy and, somehow, cozy. We felt at home. I recommend this heartily!” – Lauren G
“Spectacular views, fabulous food and wonderful, friendly, engaging service were the words used by the guests who attended our wedding aboard the California Spirit. Mardi, Keith, Captain Bill and the YCI staff created an elegant atmosphere for our wedding which we will never forget. It was more than what we could have envisioned. Everyone said that they had a great time and thought the yacht was spacious and beautiful. Captain Bill performed the ceremony making it very special to us. If you want a five star experience with every detail attended to, call on YCI.
Peter and I had been widows for nine years and when we decided to marry again, we wanted our celebration to be elegant, memorable and fun. Thank you YCI for exceeding our expectations.” – JoAnn
“I booked a 30 person cruise on the California Spirit to celebrate my 40th birthday and the whole event was spectacular! The YCI staff did an amazing job throughout the initial planning stages and setting my expectations for the event, what they would do, what to consider, etc. The service and attentiveness of the yacht staff was top notch and really allowed my birthday event to flow extremely well, keeping everyone focused on the party and not on unnecessary matters. The food was excellent and the bar staff were extremely friendly and accommodating. Everything was just seamless and so well executed. I highly recommend YCI and the California Spirit to anyone for a social event, wedding or birthday!” – Tim H.
“I joined the YCI for the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, for which they threw the classiest 1930’s party. I thought it would be the perfect occasion to have a mother daughter evening, so my mom and I as well as our favorite mother daughter friends all dressed up in vintage 1930’s dress and joined the yacht for an evening of cole porter, dancing, Manhattan’s, exquisite food and a fireworks show that won’t be forgotten.
The YCI was a beautiful boat! Excellent staff, who were just the kindest people looking to make your experience as authentic as possible. It didn’t feel too packed or stuffy. There was always a place to sit. Open bar. A live band upstairs, and a full spread of food including two different kinds of noodles made with whatever you wanted on the spot, bread bowls for clam chowder, sourdough rolls, and much more.
It was a phenomenal evening that we talk about every chance we get. YCI is absolutely a flawless experience.” – Whitney
“We booked Yacht Connections for our Company outing. This outing was especially important for our staff since it was organized to appreciate all of the work our staff has done since 2006.
Yacht Connections was INCREDIBLE.
– Wait staff was attentive, polite, professional, cheerful, helpful
– Wait staff were always refilling glasses (wine, beer, champagne always refilled promptly)
– We were greeting on the yacht perfectly and were made to feel important and welcomed
– The yacht itself was beautiful, clean, fancy and amazing
– Food was GREAT
– Drinks (premium wine/beer/champagne) were amazing
After the event and an amazingly happy company outing, we decided to send an additional gratuity to the wait staff.
We can’t wait to book again. I highly recommend them, without a second thought.
Thanks Yacht Connections. You’ve exponentially exceeded my particularly high expectations for myself and for the well being and care of our Company’s highly valued staff. We thank you” – Olivia
“My husband and I had our wedding aboard the California Spirit and had an AMAZING experience from beginning to end. They also worked within our budget without any hassle at all. The yacht was absolutely beautiful and clean and perfect for an intimate wedding and super-fun celebration afterwards (we fit 70 people total for the cruise with dinner/dancing and it wasn’t overcrowded at all).
Captain Bill married my husband and me in a short sweet ceremony. The staff was so nice and hospitable and were able to keep our celebration ON SCHEDULE which I’m so grateful for.
I highly highly highly recommend using YCI for any special occasion- I guarantee it will be a worry free experience.” – Candice
“Thank you for creating such a memorable and special experience for us on our wedding day. We are so grateful to you and all of your staff for welcoming us aboard the California Spirit and being so hospitable. It was a gift. The food was exquisite, the service was first-class, and the ambiance was incredible.” – Dilon & Adrian
“I want to commend the staff for making my Mother’s surprise 75th birthday party a tremendous success. It was a once-in-a-lifetime event that she and all of our guests will forever treasure.
We would unconditionally recommend your services to anyone seeking an exceptional event encompassing five-star cuisine, impeccable yet unobtrusive wait staff and attention to detail, down to the sauces on the desserts and the centerpieces on the tables. All of the above could only be made better by the fact that it is all presented on board a luxury Yacht.
The elegantly appointed California Spirit cruising effortlessly around the San Francisco Bay was a perfect venue. The sunset framed by the Golden Gate as the backdrop made for a truly world-class experience.
Our guests ranged from seasoned travelers who flew in from all over for the weekend festivities to “locals” who have experienced much of what the Bay has to offer…the common and recurring feedback “Wow!”. That you and your staff exceeded the expectations of this sophisticated group is a testament to the outstanding event you provided.” – Jon Lewis
“We wanted to thank you for all of your tremendous help on our wedding. Thank you for making our visions come true on our special day. Everything turned out as beautiful as we had imagined. We really appreciate all your hard work to ensure everything went smoothly. It was a pleasure and an asset having such a dedicated crew on our side on our special day. Our special thanks to the Captain for reading our vows in the most beautiful and touching way.” – Jie & Dominque
“The Cruise was the BEST, the Chef was great, very accommodating, very talented and the service was perfect. – Terri O’Connor
“I can not thank you enough for all of your hard work that went into hosting our party on your 100′ California Spirit. For over 6-months I worked with the YCI Team to plan an extra-ordinary event for our friends…and that we did! our guests were amazed!
The Yacht was stunning and the crew made us feel like royalty. When YCI says it is their pleasure to have our business; they mean it! from the top on down…Unbelievable! your company left such an impression on me. It is so rare to find the impeccable customer service you and your staff offered to both me as the host, as well as our guests. Everything about your company is top-notch professional. – Christy
“What a FANTASTIC experience! My boyfriend and I found out about YCI through the concierge at the W Hotel.
Boarding this beautiful yacht, every last detail was attended to: from the warm welcome from the captain, and crew, to the coat check, to the impeccable service of passed hors d’ourves and dinner service, to the tasty drinks at the 2 premium bars….everything was so first class! The yacht itself is beautifully appointed, and Marti was such a gracious host. There was even some wonderful jazz entertainment upstairs!
The highlight of the night was when the yacht positioned itself close to the Golden Gate Bridge for the 75th anniversary Fireworks show! It was the most impressive display of fireworks I have ever seen! But to top of the ENTIRE night, my boyfriend PROPOSED to me during the fireworks show! It was a moment I will never forget and I cannot say enough great things about the incredible experience we had upon the California Spirit!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR ANY EVENT YOU ARE PLANNING!” – Emmeline
