PURA VIDA

MEET YOUR CREW:
CAPTAIN: Maxim Krejsa
CHEF: Zoe Meyer

Growing up in the Netherlands, Maxim developed an early connection to life on the water, which has since taken him throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean as a professional skipper. With more than 5,000 nautical miles and 300+ charter days under his belt, he has extensive experience aboard both catamarans and monohulls.

Maxim’s charter career has taken him through Croatia, Greece, Italy, Antigua and the Grenadines. Most recently, he captained a Lagoon 52 in the Caribbean, managing luxury charters for up to eight guests and taking responsibility for everything from navigation and passage planning to yacht management, onboard maintenance and, most importantly, creating a safe and memorable experience for his guests.

His background sets him apart as a captain who is equally comfortable at the helm and behind the scenes.  His earlier career in commercial and account management also gave him a strong foundation in customer service, communication and relationship building.

An enthusiastic sailor and kite surfer, Maxim loves sharing his passion for the water with his guests. When he isn't sailing, you'll likely find him kite surfing, skiing, hiking, exercising or getting involved in a boat refit or project.

With his relaxed but professional approach, strong technical knowledge and genuine enjoyment of life on the water, Maxim’s goal is simple: to make sure his guests can completely switch off, relax and enjoy an unforgettable week on the water.

For Zoë, a love of food and life on the water have always gone hand in hand. Having grown up sailing in the Mediterranean, she feels completely at home aboard a yacht and brings to the galley a combination of professional culinary training, Michelin-starred restaurant experience and yacht hospitality.

Zoë completed the Chef & Waiter Programme at Hotelschool Ter Duinen as well as a specialist qualification in meat and fish at PIVA Antwerp. Her culinary career has taken her through busy restaurant kitchens in Melbourne and into the Michelin-starred kitchen of Le Pristine in Antwerp, where precision, presentation and attention to detail were an essential part of every service.

She has since brought those skills to the yachting world as a Host/Chef with The Yacht Week, preparing three fresh meals each day while taking care of menu planning, provisioning and individual dietary requirements and preferences. Working aboard different yachts with different skippers and guests has made her highly adaptable and comfortable creating great food from a constantly changing galley. She also assists with docking, mooring and general yacht operations, making her a true hands-on member of the crew.

Zoë loves creating fresh, beautifully presented food that suits both the destination and her guests. Her experience includes menu planning, provisioning, wine pairing and cocktail preparation, allowing her to think about the entire dining experience rather than simply what is on the plate.

Warm, organized and naturally guest-focused, Zoë thrives on the personal side of chartering—getting to know her guests, discovering what they love and creating meals and moments around them.

Together, Maxim and Zoë bring a wonderful balance of professional seamanship, culinary talent, technical knowledge and genuine hospitality to life onboard.

Both have experience with crewed charters giving them an understanding of how important the chemistry between captain, chef and guests is to a successful charter. Maxim brings extensive sailing and charter experience along with a strong technical background, while Zoë brings professionally trained culinary skills and an instinct for thoughtful, personalized hospitality.