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 two decade’s worth of experience, we learned that the crew (and the service they provide) 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 do 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. Since 2004, when his family purchased their first charter vessel – a mini-cruiser - Roko has spent every summer working on it - at the beginning as a sailor, and later as a captain. His family always aimed for more than just to provide good service, so they decided to step up. After years of searching for the perfect gulet, in 2018 they bought “Lotus”. Now, that he has the perfect yacht to showcase all his knowledge and skills, Roko is keen to provide the best possible service to guests on board Lotus. Coming from a family with a long tradition in the hospitality industry, Roko is truly devoted to meeting his charter guests' demands and expectations. With a huge sailing experience gathered on the Adriatic, Roko will find perfect spots and suggest the best places for any kind of preference.
Jure Bilandzic, Chef
After working in restaurants in Austria and Germany and great restaurants along the Croatian coast Jure was ready for new challenges and experiences so he decided to continue his career on a yacht. He just felt that in a way he would have more freedom when preparing meals and he could directly communicate with guests and dedicate himself to their wishes and preferences. His favorite dishes are the ones including the fish and his favorite cuisine is Mediterranean, but he loves adding a modern twist and his touch on traditional dishes. He finds that teamwork and a comfortable working atmosphere are essential ingredients for quality customer service so he 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 cooking skills he spends his free time sculpting, fishing, hiking, and taking photos.
Marin Jakovac, Deckhand
Born and raised in the vicinity of the sea, Marin's natural affinity for maritime life led him to land a job aboard a yacht, now entering his second season aboard the Lotus. With prior experience as a waiter, Marin aims to provide an enjoyable and friendly atmosphere, delighting guests with his interaction and entertainment skills. He embodies the qualities of a hard worker, team player, and avid learner, seamlessly integrating with the crew and enhancing the onboard experience aboard Gulet Lotus with his valuable set of skills and positive attitude.
Georgij Grubar, Deck Steward
Georgij, born in Petrinja, Croatia, is a deck steward with a background in inland navigation. Despite his family not having a maritime legacy, his father's career in river navigation inspired Georgij's path. He completed his studies at the Secondary School for Inland Navigation and gained hands-on experience as a deckhand on a gulet. The sea's beauty, the new destinations, and the connections with people bring Georgij fulfillment. As he transitions into the role of a deck steward, he eagerly anticipates the upcoming challenges and adventures. Outside of work, Georgij enjoys fitness, sports, photography, and traveling, which reflect his active and adventurous spirit both on and off the ship. His dedication to service and exploration on the open waters aligns well with the rest of the crew, and we are confident that this all-male team will have a successful season.
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 out the form on the contact page for questions and inquiries.