Booking with Caterina proved to be an unfortunate experience. Initially, she was responsive, but once I committed to the booking, she became unresponsive. I had to contact Click & Boat to obtain a response from Caterina after she failed to respond for over six weeks to my inquiries. Furthermore, we confirmed that all expenses were included in the price, which was not the case. This seemed like a financial exploitation, as she was willing to assist during the booking process but backed away once the payment was made.
When the captain reached out to initiate final planning directly, it was quickly noted that all the previously agreed-upon details had not been communicated or accurately transmitted to the captain. We informed Caterina of our pick-up and drop-off locations when we requested a fuel estimate, but her estimate was significantly lower than the actual amount (her estimate was $1200 and it came in over $2500). Consequently, we had to alter our itinerary and arrange for a van pickup to take us to our residence after the three-day boat trip due to this massive failure in her estimate.
Additionally, upon boarding the boat, we were informed that we owed port fees, which was another aspect not previously communicated and, worse yet, required in cash. Initially, the fuel was requested to be paid in cash, but we were able to transfer it to a card. However, the port fees were still demanded in cash, which was an unexpected amount exceeding $2,500. This request was unreasonable and should have been communicated upfront. Also, upon boarding the vessel, we encountered a notable disparity between the initial expectations and the actual conditions. While our captain, Gerry, and second-in-command, Johnny, displayed a courteous demeanor, we observed a lack of transparency regarding the communication onboard.
The cleanliness of the boat fell short of our aspirations. Despite the potential impact of saltwater on exposed surfaces, we found that one of our cabins’ ceilings was infested with insects, and both bathrooms were not adequately sanitized. Furthermore, despite assurances that towels would be replaced, they were never provided, and the sheets on the beds lacked a satisfactory level of cleanliness or laundering. Additionally, the floors were not swept, and upon our arrival, we discovered that the sink was filled with dirty dishes.
The communication on board was severely lacking. For instance, we were not informed of the inclusions of our breakfast reservation, which was only mentioned to us after receiving the bill and contacting Gerry. He informed us that a croissant and a cappuccino should have been included. Such information should have been provided prior to our arrival rather than after. Furthermore, the layout of the boat was not clearly defined, resulting in confusion and difficulty in locating essential amenities.
During our initial night on the boat, two of the three cabins exhibited an unpleasant odor reminiscent of diesel fuel. We promptly contacted Gerry, but unfortunately, he failed to respond to our initial text messages or three phone calls. Upon finally reaching him, we discovered that effective communication was hindered by the need to resort to texting through WhatsApp to convey our concerns. After exchanging messages with Gerry, he expressed no concern about the odor and insisted that we turn off all electrical devices to alleviate the issue. Notably, he refrained from personally investigating the source of the smell. Given our lack of boating experience, we were uncertain about the appropriate course of action. Furthermore, the decision to completely shut off the electrical systems resulted in a miserable night’s sleep for all occupants, as the boat’s interior temperature was significantly elevated due to the hot outdoor conditions. We acknowledge that Gerry is a seasoned boat captain, but we found it unfortunate that he handled the situation with such casualness, especially considering the concerns of the passengers and the presence of someone who had recently had surgery and newly-pregnant individual aboard.
Upon disembarking, we gained additional information about the boat’s amenities, including a variety of snacks, the locations of the two refrigerators, and other resources that we were previously unaware of. While there were some language barriers, these matters could have been easily communicated in person or with the assistance of Google Translate.
Despite the overall positive experience, we identified several areas where the boat’s management and the cost of our stay fell short of expectations. This experience, coupled with the lack of effective communication, was particularly disappointing, especially for citizens who do not reside in the country or speak the local language.
We sincerely hope that the boat’s management will consider implementing a refund as a gesture of goodwill, given the unacceptable nature of the experience and the communication breakdown.