Yacht Charter Croatia, Meet the Crew of Gulet Lotus. At Otium Yachts, we pride ourselves on working with some of the best in the industry. With more than a decade’s worth of experience, we learned that the crew is the heart and soul of a yacht charter experience. The crew are the ones who transform a good holiday into an exceptional sailing holiday. Hence, we are just as passionate about presenting the crew from the yachts in our fleet as we are the yachts themselves. This week, we introduce you to the crew from gulet LOTUS.
Roko Lelas, Captain
A Professor of Kinesiology, a passionate sailor, a sportsman, and a musician - Roko is a man of many talents, though it is the sea and tourism that have his heart. Roko’s family purchased their first charter vessel in 2004 and Roko has worked aboard ever since. Roko began as a sailor and later took the helm as captain. The Lelas family always had ambitions to grow within the industry and after years of searching for the perfect gulet, they bought LOTUS in 2018. Now that Roko has the perfect yacht to showcase all of his knowledge and skills, he aims to deliver the best possible service and experience to his guests. Coming from a family with a long tradition in the hospitality industry, Roko is devoted to meeting the demands and expectations of his guests. With extensive sailing experience gathered on the Adriatic, Roko always finds the perfect spots for his guests to enjoy and he can make personalized recommendations to suit any wish. Read our interview with the captain Roko here.
Jure Bilandžić, Chef
Jure has worked in some of the best restaurants along the Croatian coast, as well as in restaurants throughout Austria and Germany. Always looking to learn and grow as a chef, Jure was ready for a new challenge and experience, which brought him to a career at sea. Jure loves the freedom to create that working on a yacht provides. Jure also enjoys the intimacy and ability to communicate directly with guests, so he can dedicate himself to their wishes and preferences. Jure loves preparing seafood dishes and showcasing Mediterranean and traditional cuisine - with a modern twist. Jure considers teamwork and a comfortable working atmosphere, essential ingredients for quality customer service. Jure hopes that together with the rest of the crew, he will bring Lotus to an enviable level. When Jure is not in the galley learning, exploring, creating, and presenting his culinary skills, he spends his free time sculpting, fishing, hiking, and taking photos.
Šime Sladoljev, Deckhand
Living on the coast, Šime grew up by the sea, fishing with his father from a young age and enjoying everything that coastal life brings. Šime graduated with an electronics technician diploma and started working on yachts from the age of 17. For 6 years, Šime was sailing the Dalmatian coast, working on various cabin charters and traditional wooden boats. Šime started as a waiter, and later transitioned to working as a deckhand. Šime has also worked a summer as a skipper on speedboats, doing one-day excursions in Central Dalmatia. This year (2022) is Šime’s first season aboard Gulet Lotus. Šime loves the dynamic atmosphere of working at sea “an office job is just not for me”. Outside of yachting, Šime loves all sports and has a passion for computers and technology.
Katarina Grgić, Stewardess
Katarina grew up in Kučiće, a small village near the gorgeous old town of Omiš on the coast. Katarina studied and became a Professor of History and Sociology, and taught in a high school for one year. Following that she worked as an accountant for five years. Desiring a change in scenery, Katarina joined Lotus at the end of their 2021 season as the stewardess and remains aboard for the 2022 season. Katarina has a quiet but sweet nature which makes guests feel welcome. As a sole stewardess, there is a lot to do, Katarina is always moving around, and keeps the interior immaculately which guests appreciate.
SAIL WITH GULET LOTUS
During our trip, one of us noted one feature about our crew and Croats in general: “God, what good people they are! How they want to please us in everything.!” But the longer I thought about it I realized that they are not just eager to flatter us, that is also the way they are because they love their country and they clearly understand its economic interests. They just get better and better every year. That is why I’ve been spending my vacation in Croatia for 7 years now. Thanks a lot, Lotus crew, I hope to see you again next year!
Read more detailed information about Gulet Lotus here, contact us via email at info@otiumyachts.com or fill the form on the contact page for questions and inquiries.
Lotus team is looking forward to welcoming you onboard and ensuring your stay is a pleasant and unforgettable experience!