What is your family history at sea?
My family has a long history and tradition at sea, stretching back to the 19th Century. I am the 7th generation of captains and boat owners in my family.
What drew you to the sea?
I have been at sea since I was born; some of my earliest memories are spending time at sea with my grandfather and father. I consider myself lucky to have had this time with my father and grandfather and to have learned from them. This instilled my passion and is how I fell in love with the sea, sailing, and tourism. Becoming a captain was never a question.
Tell us about Navilux?
My family always had boats; I knew I wanted to make something more luxurious and sophisticated, so that is how the idea of Navilux was born. We were a part of the entire project – the design and build, Navilux was a dream turned reality. We pride ourselves on being the first family to make a custom luxury yacht in Croatia. Many people didn’t believe in our vision but 9 years later, we have a successful business, an excellent reputation, and a long list of loyal clientele.
My father has been the captain aboard Navilux the entire time, both of my sisters have worked as chief hostess over the years, and most of the crew have been with us for years. For the last 3 years, I was the captain aboard the sister ship – luxury yacht AIAXAIA. Now, my father is retiring which is why I will take over as captain aboard Navilux. We pride ourselves on delivering 5-star service and our ability to adapt to every client – our reputation speaks for itself in this.
Have you sailed other destinations besides Croatia?
I have sailed in Greece, Italy, and the Caribbean. I love to explore new destinations, though Croatia and the Adriatic will always have my heart above all else.
What keeps you passionate about sailing and tourism?
I enjoy everything that is connected to life at sea – it is a lifestyle more than a job. I am the most passionate about sailing and tricky maneuvers, this is something that excites me every time.
What is your favorite part about working as a captain on a charter yacht?
Being able to show my country to new people. I love showing our guests the beauty of Croatia, many do not know what to expect, and we never cease to wow them every time. Many people know about some of the more prominent destinations like Hvar and Dubrovnik but honestly, some of their favorite moments end up being a hidden bay or quiet village. There are so many opportunities to create memorable experiences for our guests, this never gets boring as it is new every time.
What are some of your favorite memories aboard?
There are far too many to name but something that stands out is having time in the evening to catch squid and prepare it fresh for the guests. The crew loves doing this, and the guests are delighted – od mora do stola – “from the sea to the table”. It is a simple thing that shows a genuine aspect of our way of life in Dalmatia, it also shows that sometimes – simple pleasures are the best.
Do you have return clients on Navilux?
We are proud to say that most of our clients are repeat clients or their referrals. We have clients who have been returning every other year since Navilux was built. This is something that makes us immensely proud – knowing that we did an excellent job that is recognized by our guests.
What do you think people do not know about Croatia or should know?
Croatia is a country with a million hidden gems along the coast. Most people know about the most attractive islands and cities but there are so many interesting small islands and villages to explore. Croatia is a very clean and safe country. Croatian people are welcoming and friendly. Coffee culture is very important here; so, if you want to make a nice gesture – take us for a cup of coffee.
Sail with Ante on Luxury Yacht Navilux
We have worked with Navilux for nearly a decade; it has been a pleasure to watch this dream come to reality, and to watch Navilux’s story of success and excellence continue to grow, even with growing competition over the last few years Navilux continues to accomplish excellent booking results because of her brilliant reputation. Navilux has 6 luxurious cabins and can accommodate up to 12 guests. Read more detailed information about Navilux here or contact us for questions and inquiries.