Lending a hand in Hawaii
Join Marie Molls on board METSUYAN IV in Croatia.
Published 19 June 2020
Geographically and experientially, Croatia is halfway between the chic French Riviera and the laid-back Eastern Mediterranean cruising grounds of Greece and Turkey. Like the Eastern Med there are islands speckling the azure sea in their hundreds and it's easy to escape to a beautiful, secluded bay that's yours and yours alone, or shared with a rustic and relaxed konoba serving seafood straight from the sea. It also has the beach clubs and nightlife of Dubrovnik, Hvar and Split, a sprinkling of Michelin stars and some wonderful vineyards making some epic wines.
As a destination Croatia is irresistibly on the rise, as Athens-based broker Marie Molls reports. Here's a little glimpse into what it's like to cruise Croatia on board the 36.2m METSUYAN IV.
About Marie
Marie, a Dane, joined Burgess in 2002, assisting in yacht sales, retail charter and charter management. Now she looks after East Med retail charter and the charter fleet from the Athens office.
Contact Marie
About METSUYAN IV
Jacuzzi | outdoor 3D cinema | zero speed stabilisers | approved RYA centre for watersports | great selection of watertoys
Ask about METSUYAN IV
Broker on board
Why did you make the trip?
We've taken on METSUYAN IV as a new Burgess charter yacht so the owner invited yacht manager Bella and me to meet him, enjoy the yacht, understand the features and experience Croatia.
We boarded
How did the trip start?
We boarded in Cavtat, a charming little port near the airport, and headed north up the coast to Dubrovnik and the isles beyond.
broker on board
What was your first destination?
After cruising north for a couple of hours we anchored in Šipanska Luka. The crew broke out the watertoys and we had a great time waterskiing, wakeboarding and paddleboarding.
broker on board
What's the food like?
I just love Chef Dylan. The grilled lobster was amazing and, oh, the bao buns! Dylan's variety was impressive. He could make anything from exquisite Asian-style food to a seafood BBQ.
broker on board
What is the must-do activity?
Hike the walls in Ston. It's is a beautiful UNESCO-protected town made rich by its salt pans. Fortifications were built in the 14th century to protect it, it's like a mini Great Wall of China.
broker on board
How did the crew follow that?
When we got back on board the chef was barbecuing on the sun deck, seafood, meats, salads. It was a beautiful day and it was great to socialise with the chef as he barbecued.
broker on board
What is your most memorable moment?
An unforgettable breakfast experience. I woke up in this new place and there's a table beautifully set on the main deck aft with exotic fruits and juices, a beautiful day, calm seas - so special.
broker on board
How was the evening entertainment?
After dinner the crew set up the sun deck cinema and we watched 'Back to the future' together. They had made personalised popcorn bags for us, hot teas, drinks and little snacks. That was special.
Describe the captain in five words
Helpful, professional, passionate, dynamic and service-minded. He is brilliant, always up for it and has some great ideas. One was a competition with guests versus crew where you have to match personal facts to the person throughout the charter, who has won a marathon, who has climbed Mount Everest, who had all their teeth replaced aged 10 - really!
It was a clever way to bring us all together, firstly as guests when we had to talk about ourselves to each other, then learning about the crew as individuals. It was so much fun, we were really into it, it got us talking and laughing after dinner. The crew won, they seem to be able to read the guests, understand them really well.
broker on board
What most struck you about the yacht?
The yacht feels much bigger than 36m. With its full beam main saloon and sky lounge, and CBI Navi’s high volume design, there are very large deck spaces and so lots of room for dining and relaxation.
broker on board
What condition is the yacht in?
She's immaculate, a huge credit to her owner and crew. I couldn't find any signs of wear and tear. We go on a lot of yachts and quickly know whether a yacht is well maintained or not. She is A1.
broker on board
What feature will guests love most?
The homey feel, the space to spread out, inside and out, not to be sitting so close together if you want to find a quiet place to read or work maybe. There's a place for everyone on board.
broker on board
Why would you charter her?
It's the long list of little details that makes the difference, like at the bed side when the cabin is turned down, each guest finds a novel and local tour guide to enjoy.
broker on board
How would you describe the whole package?
This is a great yacht and the professionalism of the crew and their passion for their jobs on board really shines.
About METSUYAN IV
broker on board
About Croatia
Ideal for family charters. Quiet bays even in high season with small, sleepy towns surrounded by lovely green hills, stunning. Raw natural beauty with calm, clear waters.
Explore Croatia & Montenegro
broker on board
When to visit
From early June to late September. We arrived on 1 October and the weather was beautiful, the sea was still warm and there was hardly anyone else around, we really felt we were the only ones there.
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