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 (and 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
Roko is the much-loved captain and spirit of Gulet Lotus, he leads his crew with a genuine enthusiasm that is felt by all. Roko is a man of many talents, a professor of Kinesiology, a passionate sailor, sportsman, and musician – though it is the sea and hospitality which is his ultimate love and passion. Roko has been at sea since he was a child. In 2004, Roko’s family purchased their first charter vessel which Roko worked on every summer, first as a sailor, later as captain. The Lelas family has always looked at ways to improve and grow in the yacht charter industry; after years of searching for the perfect gulet, in 2018 they bought gulet LOTUS. Now, Roko finally has the perfect yacht to showcase his knowledge, skills, and passion for hospitality – his goal is to provide the best service to his guests aboard Lotus. 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 knows the Adriatic Coast intimately, he always finds the perfect spots for his guests to enjoy and can make personalized recommendations to suit any wish. We aim to “Provide a high level of service with a relaxed family-style atmosphere” (Read Roko’s full captain interview here).
Jure Bilandzic, Chef
Jure has worked in some of the best restaurants along the Croatian coast, as well as restaurants throughout Austria and Germany. Always looking to learn and grow as a Chef, Jure felt ready for new challenges and experiences, which brought him to a career at sea. Along with new experiences, new scenery, and a new team, Jure was attracted to the “freedom to create” that working on a yacht provides. While working in restaurants, you are limited to seasonal menus, on a yacht, there are always opportunities to innovate. Jure also loves having the ability to communicate directly with guests, so he can adapt his menus and dedicate himself to their wishes and preferences – and he is always looking for ways to surprise and delight guests. If he had to choose, seafood is what Jure loves preparing, as well as traditional dishes and Mediterranean cuisine – with a modern twist. Jure considers teamwork and a comfortable working atmosphere, essential ingredients for quality customer service; he hopes that together with the rest of the crew, he will help bring gulet Lotus to an enviable level. When Jure isn’t in the galley learning, exploring, creating, and presenting his culinary skills to guests, he spends his time sculpting, fishing, hiking, and improving his photography skills.
Domagoj Prlic, Deckhand
Domagoj has grown up by the sea and been around boats since childhood. Being from an area that is heavily involved in nautical tourism – known for the largest fleet of mini-cruisers (per capita) in the world – working on yachts was a natural path. Domagoj has 7 years of experience as a sailor aboard various charter yachts, and he comes highly recommended by every captain he has ever worked with. Besides his experience, diligence, and professional attitude, Domagoj is appreciated for his easy-going attitude and team spirit – as a crew member, he has no issues helping wherever needed. Roko considers Domagoj his right-hand man and an integral part of the crew. Domagoj loves working with people, so it is no surprise he feels comfortable and is drawn to the tourism and service industry. Outside of yachts, Domagoj is a Kinesiology student, loves being active and outdoors, and is also a certified rafting guide.
Jelena Lelas, Stewardess
Jelena is Roko’s younger sister, and just like Roko, she grew up at sea and around boats. For Jelena, yachting is the perfect career to combine her passion for hospitality and travel; she also loves the dynamic atmosphere and meeting new people. Jelena’s service style is the perfect balance between intuitive and attentive; she is always at hand to meet or pre-empt her guests’ wants and needs without being overbearing. This is a skill not everyone has, and Jelena does it with ease and grace, making everyone’s stay aboard Lotus a relaxed, enjoyable, and memorable experience. When Jelena isn’t showing the beauty of the Croatian coastline to guests, she is a student at the Music Academy and, in the future, hopes to become a violin teacher. Jelena’s warmth and personable skills are the perfect complement to this team.
Sail with Gulet Lotus
There you have it, this is the young (yet experienced) and passionate crew of Gulet Lotus. The beauty of gulet Lotus is that each crew member is on the same page when it comes to service, and their skills and attitudes complement each other. Our guests always comment about how professional the service was, while simultaneously having a relaxed ‘homely’ atmosphere. Sail with gulet Lotus and discover what this means for yourself. The crew from gulet Lotus are looking forward to welcoming you aboard with a smile.
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