What is your history and experience at sea?

I was born and raised by the sea, so I was surrounded by boats from an early age. Growing up, I often went fishing with family or friends and always looked forward to any contact with a boat – this is when my love for the sea and boats was born.

At the age of 15, I got a job aboard a mini-cruiser as a deckhand – a seasonal job that ran parallel to my schooling. I was lucky because the captain of this ship saw my passion for boats, so he invested time and energy to teach me more about the ship and nautical skills. By the age of 17, I learned how to run a 36 m boat. After graduation, at 19 years old, I finished my captain’s exam and began working on Stella Maris as a deckhand. The following year, I became the captain and have remained so ever since.

Why did you want to work at sea?

It was my desire to discover new places and people which drew me to a life at sea; alongside my long-held love for boats and freedom. Before high school, I was at a crossroads, trying to decide which direction to go. At that time, my first choice was to become a boat engineer because I loved mechanics. However, after working as a deckhand, I realized that this offered a more dynamic and exciting work environment. Working on a yacht, you get to communicate with guests and be at their disposal; in this way, every day is different. My innate desire to grow and progress meant that my final goal was to become a captain – which is exactly what I did.

How long have you and your crew been with Stella Maris?

Stella Maris had her first charter season in Croatia in 2014, when I joined as a deckhand. The following season I was offered a captain position and have been the captain ever since. The current crew on Stella Maris have been together for 3 years now, some crew even longer. We have a great atmosphere aboard which guests instantly feel.

Tell us about Stella Maris, what makes her different?

Stella Maris is a beautiful and timeless yacht. There is not a thing I would change in her overall design. However, during the years, a lot of time, money, and effort had been invested to improve all areas. Just one of the many examples is the solar panels we installed. We did this to make our cruising ‘greener’ and Stella Maris more sustainable. Stella Maris is one of the few luxury yachts in the Adriatic with solar panels which makes us proud.

Stella also differs from other yachts in her space and capacity – Stella even proudly bears the title of ‘the largest gulet on the Adriatic Sea’. There are 8 spacious cabins with en suite bathrooms. She offers a large salon, aft deck, sun deck, and bow space. Every guest will find their favorite place to have a cocktail or relax while watching the sunset and listening to the sea.

What keeps you passionate about sailing and tourism?

I feel honored to be a part of Croatian tourism. I love that my job allows me to show the beauty of our coast to our guests. I may be biased but I think nautical tourism – sailing Croatia – is the best way to discover Croatia.

What do you love about being a captain and what are some of your favorite memories aboard?

My favorite part of being a captain is when everything is going as it should – when the crew is harmonious and the guests are satisfied. Every charter is a memory in itself. In all these years, I can honestly say I have only positive and beautiful memories. The thing I cherish the most is getting to know the guests and becoming friends after only a few days. By the time it comes to say goodbye, no one is indifferent, and often, there are tears. I could write a book with just beautiful and fun stories. We have many return clients or clients who have been recommended by their friends – this is one of the greatest compliments in this role.

What is something you think people don’t know about Croatia?

Croatia is full of beauty, particularly our coastline. While the highlight destinations are worth visiting, I always recommend our guests to explore lesser-known areas. In my opinion, this is where the true beauty of Croatia lies. Visiting remote or unknown destinations is often when our guests really relax, unplug, and just enjoy the moment. And this, I believe, is the full holiday experience.

Sail with Antonio and Stella Maris

We have been working with Stella Maris and Antonio since their first season in the charter. It has been a joy to watch Antonio develop as a captain and the continuous renovations and improvements made to Stella Maris year-after-year. Guests are always beyond satisfied with their time aboard. Stella Maris is a luxury yacht with incredible space and entertainment options and is suitable for larger groups (up to 16 guests in 8 spacious cabins). Read more about Stella Maris here or contact us for bookings and inquiries.