The wines of Europe in general, and those of France in particular, can seem very confusing. This is especially true for people who may have grown up with more familiarly labelled New World wines. In essence the difference for this...
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Nowadays, before guests sip their first cocktail, the first and most common question seems to be: ‘Do you have internet?’ Internet has become a lifeline for some, and rather than surfing the waves, many spend hours surfing the Net...
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This year marks the 120th anniversary of the ingenious inception of Dr. Rudolf Diesel’s eponymous creation, and few inventions of similar vintage can claim credit for markedly improving the quality of life of the globe’s populatio...
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The act, or ‘art,’ of filling a space which is half the required size with twice the required amount of supplies, with the added psychic ability of the provisioner to ascertain with no prior knowledge whatsoever which particular s...
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The water was sparkling like a thousand diamonds in the early morning sun rising over the quiet anchorage. The guests were arriving up on deck, enjoying their first coffee while starting another day in paradise. The deck crew ju...
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Anyone working as an engineer in the marine industry, whether it be on yachts, commercial vessels, or anything in between, knows that organization, orders and tracking, spare parts and inventory are integral to a successful engine...
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What drives you can be the route to success, and there are many ways to gauge that success. Sure, money is one of them. So is position, size, program, type of yacht. But for the yacht crew I’ve known to be the happiest, the greate...
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Wine is becoming an increasingly important part of many superyacht trips, whether they are for charter or owner. An understanding of wine is often de-rigueur for many crew nowadays as a result of wine-knowledgeable guests, and the...
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Although perhaps not as exciting as a new delivery or christening, there are few events more satisfying to owners, captains, and crews than an uneventful return to their vessel’s home port; as the boat approaches its mooring, the ...
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Tender-handling on board a luxury yacht is one of the most dangerous activities owner and crew alike will undertake while yachting. Conditions are always dynamic, teak decks are wet, and a vessel's trim and list will change during...
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So, I have been in the industry long enough to have witnessed some interesting situations. Working for the ultra rich is always sure to prompt some interesting stories, and we all have them. I often get a call from a friend, crew...
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Changeovers: we’ve all done them at least once, and usually several times, as we progress in this industry. One of my greatest pleasures is witnessing and experiencing the profound pleasures of good crew work and a sound dynamic. ...
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How tips are split between a crew can make for a happy bunch of sailors or a divided pack of whispering gremlins. As per most things on a boat, this generally stems from el capitano’s orders. Tips either: go in the hat, are scaled...
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When, as a chef, I was asked to write an article on the finer points of the chef/crew relationship on board yachts, the initial rush of excitement I felt – and I mean the sadistic, puppy-kicking* kind of excitement a person may fe...
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Champagne – Known for centuries as the Wine of Kings and the King of Wines, any fine meal should start with a glass of Champagne as its apéritif. It is a perfect ice-breaker, delicious palate-whetter and will make a celebration ou...
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I'm frequently approached by Chief Stewardesses that wish to make the transition to Purser and need some tips to help them succeed in their first Purser position.
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