Worst and most expensive vacation in our lives
We chartered Atlantia from February 15–22, 2026 to celebrate two milestone birthdays—our son’s 40th and my 60th. This was the most expensive vacation we have taken, and unfortunately, it was also the most disappointing travel experience we have encountered.
While the booking and pre-charter communication process was professional, the onboard experience did not align with what was represented. The yacht was marketed as a modern vessel with state-of-the-art amenities and a highly professional crew delivering a curated luxury experience. In practice, we experienced significant gaps across service, vessel condition, safety, and overall execution.
Key issues included:
Communication breakdowns: A customized pre-arrival briefing was never provided, and detailed preference information submitted in advance was not effectively communicated to the onboard crew. The chef we had worked with extensively prior to the trip was replaced without notice, and our preferences were not carried over.
Service and professionalism: The level of service did not meet expectations for a crew of three serving four guests. There was a noticeable lack of coordination and engagement, with limited proactive service and follow-through on requests. The captain and first mate John and Amanda Emlet were very unprofessional. We had to look at the captain’s water ash tray all day which sat across from the table where we ate every meal - it was a disgusting site. Amanda spent the entire trip sitting next to the Captain while he was driving the boat and provided no hospitality of any kind to us. The cook was the only person who interacted with us and served us in any way.
Culinary experience: Meals fell well below expectations in quality, variety, and presentation. Several requested items were not provided despite prior confirmation. Food safety was also a concern due to refrigeration issues and improper storage of perishable items. In fact, food was stored in ice chests on and around the deck and at times the ice had completely melted. We were afraid to eat the food we were served and opted to dine at a couple of island restaurants. This also seemed like the ultimate bait and switch situation - we originally had an experienced chef with an impressive resume and he was replaced with a cook.
Vessel condition and equipment: The yacht did not appear to be maintained to the standard presented in marketing materials. Multiple equipment failures were observed, including nonfunctional refrigeration, which directly impacted food quality and safety. General cleanliness and upkeep were inconsistent.
Experiences and itinerary: Despite clearly communicating our desire for an active, experience-driven itinerary, no structured plan was provided. Activities were minimal, onboard amenities were not offered, and opportunities to explore beaches and surrounding areas were limited. We never even visited a beautiful beach. The experience did not reflect the “bespoke” or curated journey that was advertised.
Due to the cumulative impact of these issues, we made the decision to terminate the charter early and secure alternative accommodations at our own expense.
We notified La Roma Yachts about the entire situation with written documentation and photos to support our claims. Despite all of these issues and completely ruining a once in a lifetime event, no effort was made to make amends or compensate us for our additional charges or to reimburse any portion of the charter that was the exact opposite of what was marketed to us.
Given the premium cost of this charter, we believe it is reasonable to expect a level of quality, safety, and service consistent with the representations made at booking. Unfortunately, that was not our experience.
February 15, 2026
Unprompted review
