Capt. Max Craven
Max's love affair with the sea began early in life, and it's been a lifelong journey of adventure and discovery. Born and raised in the UK near the water, Max's passion for sailing grew as he did. He is Yacht master qualified and happiest at when at sea.

Although Max initially pursued a career in the banking in the city, the call of the open water was too strong to resist and so he decided to leave the corporate world behind and embarked on a new adventure as a yacht charter captain. It was a life-altering decision that allowed him to prioritize his passion.

With extensive experience in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Polynesia. These vibrant and diverse cruising grounds have become his second home, and knows many hidden gems and secret coves that these regions have to offer. For Max, the British Virgin Islands are more than just a destination; they're his home. Nestled among these pristine islands, Max has cultivated deep connections with the local community, ensuring that every charter feels like a warm and inviting journey through his own backyard.

Growing up in a big, close-knit family, Max understands the importance of creating a sense of family and belonging on every charter. He strives to infuse every voyage with a welcoming atmosphere, where guests can forge lasting memories with loved ones, friends and us.


Chef Elise Lindbergh
Elise was initiated into the culinary world by her food-centered family. As a child, she would help cultivate the garden, and her family would invite friends to join them in the spacious kitchen to help make homemade pasta. Elise’s father then would select the best tomatoes and basil leaves from the garden to make the sauce. Everyone would then gather outside to enjoy the meal as the sun was setting. This was a beloved social event. Elise’s devotion to food blossomed, and at the age of 14 she started a baking business where she would be commissioned to bake elaborate specialty fondant cakes. She continued this business throughout high school. While studying anthropology and philosophy at Bowdoin College in Maine, she started selling her homemade hummus and cooking weekly meals with her friends. After she graduated, she received a scholarship to attend an 8-week culinary course in Virginia, taught by recognized Swiss Master Chef Rolf Strub, and under the direction of Chef Antwon Brinson. Her culinary interests are informed by her world travels, which include a 9-month stay in India, a month in Nepal, and multiple stays in Europe and Central America. She further honed her culinary skills in the three seasons she worked in the Caribbean as a yacht chef.

Her cuisine is strongly influenced by Asian, French, and Central American methods, ingredients, and philosophies of food. She believes a meal should be both a social event and an experience that titillates all of the senses. Her food is flavorful, colorful, and uses the freshest ingredients. She prides herself on making her own bread, pastries, sauces, and fermented goods to enhance every meal and make every dining experience homemade. She wakes up well before sunrise and uses time as her specialty ingredient— allowing her bread to rise, sauces to marinate, and flavors to infuse. Your meals on board will both excite you and nourish you. Elise’s dishes are exquisite; some of them can be found on her Instagram page, @galley_of_Elise.

Additionally, Elise is as comfortable at the helm as in running the galley: she holds a 200gt Master of Yachts Unlimited ticket, which includes celestial navigation— please ask her about constellations!


Third Stewardess Susanna Rice
Susanna was born in England and has lived in Tortola since she was 6 weeks old. She considers herself to be a true island girl! She enjoys sailing, archery, swimming, wakeboarding, snorkeling, diving, volunteering at the Humane Society, hiking, snowboarding, and traveling. She has been very fortunate to travel to many parts of the world but her heart belongs in Tortola.

Susanna grew up around yachts. Her parents owned and operated an Irwin 65 called Endless Summer II, and she would be down on the docks helping prep for charter and eventually moved on to work on the yacht as stewardess and cook. She loves interacting with people from many parts of the world – yachting and hospitality flow in her blood! She has worked on many boats ranging from 40’ to 100’ both in the BVI and in the Mediterranean. She has sailed boats from the BVI to Baltimore, from Monaco to the Balearic Islands and from Florida to the BVI.
She enjoys giving people a vacation of a lifetime, whether it is by tantalizing your taste buds with a special cocktail, giving you an island tour, taking you on a snorkel adventure or simply by telling you stories about the British Virgin Islands.

Below is a list of dishes that Elise loves to cook— inspired by the food we ate growing up, the places she visited, and the products of successful kitchen experiments. The result is an eclectic and nutritious menu featuring international inspiration from South Asia, Central America, the Mediterranean, and North Africa.

 

DAY BREAK
Patatas Bravas with lemon garlic aioli and choriz- Crispy potatoes in a tangy tomato-based sauce with lemon garlic aioli, scrambled eggs, and chorizo sausage. Served with homemade sourdough bread.

Mushroom Omelet- Omelet with crimini and portobello mushrooms cooked in red wine, three cheese blend, topped with rosemary and served with home fries and Gouda grits.

Eggs Benedict- Homemade Hollandaise, homemade English muffin, crispy woven bacon squares.

Huevos Rancheros- Eggs served atop freshly made corn tortillas topped with black beans, chorizo, sautéed onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and avocado. Served with chipotle salsa & sour cream

Gallo Pinto- Traditional Costa Rican breakfast dish— black beans and rice served with cheesy scrambled eggs and fried plantains, avocado, and homemade corn tortillas

Quiche- With onions, leeks, mushroons, smoked ham, and swiss cheese

Egg Strata- Toasted bread pieces soaked in egg and baked with cheese, mushrooms, and sausage

Homemade Bagels & Smoked Salmon- Freshly baked everything bagels served with cream cheese, smoked salmon, onions, egg, capers, fresh dill and lemon wedges

Crepes- Traditional thin French crepes with served with cinnamon sugar, maple syrup, mascarpone, and fresh berries

Breakfast Pastries- Homemade muffins, pain au chocolat, croissants, and cinnamon rolls

 

MIDDAY
Ahi tuna with Chimichurri Arugula- Seared ahi tuna steak with fresh chimichurri, quinoa, arugula, avocado

Four Cheese and Mushroom Flatbread- Asiago, romano, and Parmesan with portobello, crimini and button mushrooms on a homemade garlic crust finished with arugula, goat cheese and balsamic reduction

Five Spice Chicken Báhn Mì- Chicken sandwich made with homemade french bread and topped with a fried egg. Served with a ginger sesame salad.

Tuna Niçoise salad- Colorful mixed greens salad with pan seared tuna, hard boiled eggs, green beans, potatoes, and capers with a lemon- garlic vinaigrette

Spicy grilled shrimp tacos- Served on homemade corn tortillas, topped with a cilantro lime slaw and served with Mexican street corn

Yellow Submarine- Inspired by a sandwich my parents would get in Atlanta, Georgia— Munster, havarti, fresh sprouts served in a whole wheat roll with mustard and homemade “rainbow” mayonnaise.

Mediterranean Pita Bar- Homemade falafel, chicken kabobs, grilled vegetables, served with homemade tzatziki, lemon tahini sauce, hummus, olives, and homemade pita

 

HORS D'EOURVES
Caprese salad- Fresh mozzarella and tomatoes drizzled with basil oil and a balsamic reduction, topped with Maldon salt and roasted pinenuts.

Indian Sampler- Homemade garlic naan, fried paneer, and vegetable samosa served with raita, mint chutney, and tamarind chutney.

Homemade hummus platter- Hummus four ways: creamy Israeli, lemon, Za’atar, roasted red pepper, enjoyed with pita triangles, sweet mini peppers, cucumbers, and baby carrots. How are you

Bruschetta- Made with homemade Italian bread, drenched in olive oil with fresh tomatoes and diced garlic

Gazpacho- Served refreshingly chilled with fresh bread

Marinated tuna poke- Hawaiian style with sticky rice and plum sauce

Ceviche- Peruvian style raw fish cured in lemon and lime juice, spiced with chili peppers, chopped onions, and cilantro

Stuffed Endive Boats- ohWith pear and gorgonzola, topped with walnuts and honey

 

MAIN
Ginger marinated pork tenderloin with peanut sesame noodles. Served with roasted bok choy and mixed vegetables.

Roast Chicken Breast and Butternut fettuccine. Topped with Gorgonzola and toasted walnuts.

Roasted Vegetable Hummus bowl- Roasted zucchini and grape tomatoes with tofu seasoned with Za’atar spices, served with freekeh and refreshing cucumber salad, topped with homemade lemon hummus and olives

West African Peanut Soup- Thick nutritious soup made from sweet potatoes and peanuts, topped with tofu, scallions, and crushed peanuts

Black Bean Soup- Protein rich and flavorful, my black bean soup is a version of a recipe that has been in my family for generations

From the Sea
Tarka mahi mahi- Seared mahi mahi topped with tarka made of sauteed mustard seeds, garlic, slivered almonds, and olive oil and served with basmati rice and aloo gobi

Chilean sea bass- With spaghetti squash and scampi butter

Smoked tea red snapper- With tangy mango salsa and butterfly pea flower rice

Grilled lobster and porcini port wine risotto- Butterflied lobster, on top of a decadent porcini mushroom risotto, served with grilled lemon and herbed compound butter

 

DESSERT
Molten Chocolate Lava Cake- Crisp sugar on the outside, thick warm dark chocolate lava on the inside. Served still warm from the oven with homemade vanilla ice cream.

White chocolate cheesecake- Drizzled with a blueberry coulee.

Tiramisu- Traditionally prepared and topped with dark chocolate shavings and dark chocolate covered espresso beans.

Pies- Pecan, pumpkin, apple, sweet potato, blueberry, peanut buttter. All with homemade crust and served with homemade ice cream.

Vegan Flourless chocolate cake- This decadent plant-based gluten free chocolate cake earns its rich chocolatey flavor from Dutch cocoa and melted dark chocolate, and its sweetness from dates and coconut oil. Served with dairy-free vanilla ice cream.

Almond Kringle- Danish American pastry with a rich almond filling and buttery crust, served with fresh fruit and homemade whipped cream.

Sorbets and Sorbettos- Dairy free lemon, raspberry, watermelon, or dark chocolate.

 

BAKERY
During charter, I prepare all baked goods from scratch.

Sourdough- Homemade souradough cinnamon rolls, sourdough artisan loaf, sourdough bagels.

Yeast- English muffins, artisan no knead loaf, burger buns, crossaints.

 

SHIP'S BAR
Vodka: Tito's

Rum: Cruzan (3-4 Flavors, a Dark, and a Light)

Bourbon: Bulleit

Gin: Bombay Sapphire

Tequila: Casa Amigos

Champagne: La Marca Prosecco

Red/White Wine ($20-$30 bottles typically): Kim Crawford, Sími, Meoimi, Whispering Angel

Cordials: Grand Marnier, Espresso Vodka, Amaretto. Frangelica, Port

Beers: Corona, Carib, Ciders are you going on the boat how to drive