The Serenissima Log — Day Zero

Before the first anchorage, a proper introduction to the lady of the trip.

The vessel

A cat called Serenissima

She is a Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67, launched in 2019: twenty metres of catamaran, which in practice means the deck space of a small village square that happens to do ten knots. Being a cat, she sails flat, so drinks stay on tables and books stay open. Her draft is a shallow 1.7 metres, which lets her tuck into bays and creep close to beaches that keelboats can only admire from a distance. Air conditioning and wi-fi throughout, for better or worse.

Aerial view of Serenissima under way — Twenty metres long, and nearly ten wide — the catamaran advantage

The saloon

The full-beam living room

The saloon runs the full width of the boat: lounge, dining space, and a wall of glass on every side so no one misses the view while pretending to read. The chef's galley is on the same level, which is deliberate — you get front-row seats to dinner being built. There is a large flatscreen TV, though the windows tend to win.

Serenissima saloon — The saloon — timber, neutrals, and glass everywhere

Saloon with television — The TV corner, for the theoretical rainy day

Saloon seating — Claim a corner early; possession is nine tenths of maritime law

On deck

Three ways to do nothing

The flybridge up top is the showpiece: an "ocean terrace" with seating, tables and sunpads, and the best view on the boat. The foredeck has twin trampolines and sunken seating built for sunset drinks. And the aft cockpit is the everyday heart of her: banquette seating, a big alfresco dining table, and a day bed that will host the trip's most competitive napping.

Aft cockpit dining area — The aft cockpit — where most of the week will actually happen

Snacks served on deck — Exhibit A: the chef's idea of a light snack

Below decks

Five cabins, no arguments

Ten guests sleep in five cabins: a master suite and four queen-size doubles, every one with its own ensuite bathroom, electric heads included. The décor is crisp and chic — timber panelling, neutral tones, and enough storage that the suitcase disappears on day one. The charter brochures keep the cabin photos to themselves, so the frames below wait for our own.

The master suite — photo to come once we've claimed it

One of the four queen cabins — photo on day one

The helm — where Captain Jiorgos works and guests ask questions

The toy locker

Worth knowing about

Serenissima carries a serious toy collection, and the crew are quick to launch it. Highlights for guests:

Hydraulic swim platform — the stern lowers into the sea; the easiest swim entrance you will ever use, and the trip's favourite feature by day two.
Lomac 460 tender — the runabout for beach landings, taverna runs, and rendezvous diving.
Two stand-up paddleboards and a two-person kayak — best before breakfast, when the bays are glass.
Waterskis, wakeboard and tow toys — adult and kids' skis aboard; the tender does the towing.
Ten sets of snorkel gear — one each, no sharing disputes.
Fishing equipment — results not guaranteed, stories guaranteed.
Two bikes — for exploring ashore when a harbour town deserves more than a stroll.

Good to know

Her shallow 1.7m draft means beach drop-offs most yachts cannot do — expect the captain to anchor close enough to swim ashore. Air conditioning runs throughout, and the wi-fi works well enough that you will want to pretend it does not.

The crew

Captain Jiorgos & company

Three crew look after the ten of us: a captain, a chef whose galley sits in the middle of the saloon for good reason, and a stewardess who will know everyone's coffee order by the second morning.

The captain deserves his own paragraph. Jiorgos Kourtelis has been sailing since he was nine, racing Lasers and Optimists before taking his first command at nineteen. He has crossed the Atlantic twelve times, sailed the Med, the Caribbean, the west coast of Africa and the Pacific coast of Central America, and in 2001 was decorated with a first-class Medal of Honour by the Greek Ministry of Merchant Marine for his part in rescuing passengers from the ferry Samina. He flies ultralight aeroplanes and builds wooden models in his spare time. Ask him for a story; you will get several.

“Twelve Atlantic crossings, one medal, and a soft spot for anyone who wants to learn the ropes.”

Captain Jiorgos, by reputation