Captain: Denis Grubiša

Captain: Denis Grubisa
Nationality: Croatian
Languages: English, German, Croatian

Profile:
Coming from a long lineage of seamen, Captain Denis Grubiša knew from the youngest age that his life’s work would have something to do with the sea. He says he was born with this passion. Growing up in the small town of Krilo Jesenice near Split and spending much time on boats as a little boy further steered me in the right direction. Today, he captains luxury yachts and expert crews with such ease that it’s safe to say he was born for the job. Energetic and very pleasant, Captain Denis is all about providing the best experience for his guests, whose safety remains always the highest priority. His knowledge of the Adriatic region is unparalleled, and he can spice up every route with some gorgeous secret nooks and crannies that not many know about. With a Yacht Master license up to 500GT and all relevant safety certificates, Captain Denis’s expertise spans boat structures, engineering, and technical design. When not working, Captain Denis cherishes the quintessential Dalmatian lifestyle. He loves to cook for his friends and organize gatherings that end up with everybody singing. His two children, now young adults, are slowly following in his footsteps and still occasionally like to join their father for fishing or squid hunting. If fishing is your passion or interest, then Captain Denis is your man, and he will gladly set everything up so that you can share in his great passion.

Chief stewardess:
Anja Grubiša
Nationality: Slovenian
Languages: Croatian, Slovenian, English and German

Profile:
Ensuring that your yachting experience is perfect is the seasoned Chief Stew Anja, whose calm composure stems from decades of experience. Anja grew up in the little alpine town of Kamnik in the majestic Slovenian Alps. Soon after completing high school, she indulged her curious spirit with a bartending job on a cruise ship; it was a life-altering experience. Anja discovered her passion for the sea and boats, and the rest is history. After two years of working on Cunard Cruises, Anja moved to Croatia to work on day-cruise boats. She started as a hostess, mastered the ropes, and worked her way up to the chief of staff, polishing her rich skill to perfection over two decades of experience. Energetic and dedicated by nature, Anja didn’t sit idly in the winter months. She pursued her other passion, interior design, specializing in super yachts and mini cruisers. Among the many ships she helped design over the last twelve years is the gorgeous Black Swan.

Chef:
Grega Skubic
Nationality: Slovenian
Languages: Slovenian and English

Profile:
Your chef onboard the Black Swan is Grega Skubic, a 24-year-old culinary wizard from Grosuplje, Slovenia. With expertise forged in some of Slovenia’s highest-regarded restaurants and alongside great chefs, Chef Grega is ambitious, creative, and highly professional. From 2017 to now, Chef Skubic worked at the JB Restaurant in Ljubljana, the first Slovenian restaurant to make the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Working with the world-famous chef Janez Bratovž inspired Grega’s passion for slow food cuisine, where mindful and imaginative creations are prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients to accentuate their true flavor and delight your palate. His love gets a new dimension in the Adriatic, where fresh seafood comes from local fishermen and organic herbs, fruits, and veggies abound. After graduating as the best in class from the Secondary School of Gastronomy and Tourism in Ljubljana, he continued developing his professional competencies through culinary courses and shadowing in famous venues, from bustling downtown bistros to Michelin-praised taverns. Always up for a challenge, he won awards in multiple culinary contests; his famous risotto took home the gold medal in the 2017 ‘Biser Mora’ gastro-competition on the island of Brač. If you wander into the galley while on the Black Swan, don’t be surprised to find Chef Grega humming or singing. Chefs are artists, and he is one to the bone. Chef Grega is a passionate musician who plays four instruments when not cooking. A man who can sign and cook to your tune.

Sous chef:
Dorijan Drljančić
Nationality: Croatian
Languages: Croatian, English and French

Profile:
After a successful summer in 2023, the sous chef Dorijan Drljanac returns for his second season onboard the Black Swan. Youthful and energetic, Dorijan graduated from the hospitality and tourism school in Osijek, a town in the northeast of the country. During his studies, Dorijan stood out for his versatility and creativity. Thanks to his skill and dexterity, he excelled at the 2019 Gatus student competition in Poreč, which brought together 120 young chefs from the region; Dorijan won the silver medal in the discipline of “preparing a la carte dishes and restaurant desserts." Chef Dorijan’s professional expertise was crafted in fast-paced restaurant kitchens that required sharp focus, quick thinking, and stellar attention to detail. During his first season onboard the Black Swan, he was in charge of the dessert station, where he created delectable treats from fresh and local ingredients, showcasing the beauty of the Mediterranean in every sweet bite. Fluent in English, Dorijan can also speak French (and name his favorite dishes). When not behind the stove, he likes to work off his masterpieces by shooting hoops or exercising at the gym.

Second stewardess:
Sofia Jocheva
Nationality: Macedonian
Languages: Macedonian, Croatian and English

Profile:
Coming from the landlocked town of Bitola in North Macedonia, Sofija Joncheva hardly dreamt of a career at sea. However, her first encounter with the Black Swan in 2023 sealed the deal, and she is now returning as your 2nd Stewardess. Sofija’s main motto in work and life has been to do what she loves with a great deal of passion. That has been the driving force behind her non-linear choices in work and studies. She completed medical high school in Bitola, earning the title of physiotherapy technician. She then enrolled at the Medical University of Goce Delchev, studying to become a medical doctor. In 2021, she added physiotherapy to her major. Hardworking and keen on learning, Sofija has been working in parallel with her studies, building up a strong background in hospitality. She mastered both hands-on tasks and superior service in bartending and waitressing, as well as the front office. Kindhearted and caring, with a strong desire to always do her best, Sofija is a true natural in hospitality. When not working, she likes to keep it moving, whether traveling or simply enjoying an active lifestyle. On the rare occasions when she sits still, she likes to have a good book in hand.

Stewardess:
Lucija Ajhon
Nationality: Croatian
Languages: Croatian, English and German

Profile:
The stewardess Lucija Ajhon hails from Sisak, a landlocked town in central Croatia. Her passion for the sea was a love at first sight that flourished during the many summer seasons spent working in the hotels and restaurants on the coast. As she built up her hospitality expertise, Lucija decided to set sail in the yachting industry. Working in the famous restaurants in Dubrovnik and Hvar made Lucija super-attentive and detail-oriented; she always keeps an eye on the next thing that could make your stay superb. Keen to share her passion for the Croatian seaside, she is an excellent source of information about these hip coastal destinations. With extensive experience behind the bar and additional education in mixology, she’ll happily whip up a timeless classic or a unique cocktail for your special nights. Lucija fine-tuned her communication skills while studying at Libertas University, and she can converse in English, Croatian, and German. With an upbeat demeanor, a positive attitude, and an adaptive personality, she will go above and beyond to ensure that your stay onboard the Black Swan is memorable.

Stewardess:
Andrea Buzov
Nationality: Croatian
Languages: English, Croatian

Profile:
The third stewardess on the Black Swan is Andrea Buzov from Podstana, a small town near Split. Andrea is a person of many interests and passions. She completed the High School for Graphic Design and Sustainable Construction in Split, then enrolled at the Faculty of Agriculture and earned her Bachelor’s Degree. She has been working in hospitality, specifically in bartending and cocktail service, which she is passionate about. Andrea has worked behind the bar, creating imaginative cocktails, keeping guests entertained, and taking care of the inventory, orders, and organization behind the scenes. With a decade-long experience, she knows the standard cocktail list like the back of her palm. But she can also whip something unique for your special event, thanks to her extensive experience designing cocktail menus for private events. A trained barista, she will make your mornings with an espresso served just the way you like it and your sunsets with an espresso martini, just as perfect as the view.

Stew:
Kristijan Crnica
Nationality: Croatian
Languages: English, Croatian
Profile: TBC

Massage therapist:
Anamarija Živković
Nationality: Croatian
Languages: English, Croatian

Profile:
Returning to Black Swan for the second season in a row is Anamarija Živković from Dalmatia’s capital of Split. Her first season on board was in the capacity of a wellness therapist and host. She has demonstrated her excellence and is now returning to work as a massage therapist. Anamarija’s career included working as a spa therapist in upscale hotels, providing food and beverage service in transatlantic restaurants, and holding the physiotherapist position at the beloved Dalmatian football clubs Solin and Hajduk. In addition to her well-rounded experience as a therapist and refined service skills, Anamarija is a quick learner and a great communicator, fluent in English and Croatian. Her ultimate passions span spa and wellness, physical therapy and kinesiology, and overall well-being. After completing the Bachelor of Kinesiology from the Faculty of Kinesiology Split in 2019, she decided to go for another one, graduating as a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of Applied Health Sciences Zagreb in June 2023. With a professional diploma and nearly four years of hands-on expertise, Anamarija is an excellent therapist who can provide a variety of wellness treatments tailored to guests’ needs and wishes.

Chief officer:
Daniel Grubiša
Nationality: Croatian
Languages: Croatian, Slovenian and English

Profile:
Daniel was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia, to a family from Split, Croatia. His infatuation for the sea and hospitality was born early on when he would spend time on smaller tourist boats owned by his family. He enjoyed interactions with guests, day trips, and swimming, which laid the groundwork for his future career. After studying at the universities of Barcelona, Spain, and Split, Croatia, he got his diploma in International management in hospitality and tourism. Daniel has been a member of the Black Swan crew since the very beginning of her journey and has worked on her deck during the summers. During the winters, Daniel worked as chef de partie in high-end restaurants in France and Slovenia. His present-day role as deckhand /stew excellently combines all his passions—for the sea and hospitality. When he is not on the boat, you can find him somewhere on the coast, cooking on an open fire or enjoying winters on the slopes.

Deckhand:
Leo Kapitanović
Nationality: Croatian
Languages: Croatian, English and French

Profile:
Meet Leo Kapitanović, a deckhand with a unique blend of energy, drive, and a perpetual thirst for knowledge. His personal qualities, coupled with his professional skills, make him a standout deck crew member. Immediately after completing his studies at the University of Split in 2020, Leo decided to put his knowledge to practical use. Working in several excellent yachts, he mastered many skills that make him an invaluable deck crew member today. Over his three years of professional experience, Leo was engaged in mooring and berth control, crane operations (that required special licensing), pilotage, emergency assistance, and towing. His favorite remains skippering private tours, where his fun personality and excellent communication skills stood out. This experience also made him a treasure trove of tidbits on the region’s secret gems, so he is in the know when you’re in the northern areas.

Deckhand:
Petar Čeprnja
Nationality: Croatian
Languages: English, Croatian

Profile:
Born in Split, Petar knew from an early age that his work would involve the sea. After completing his high school studies at the Maritime Nautical High School, he moved on to put his knowledge into practice. Always eager to learn more, Petar completed many safety courses, from security awareness and survival craft and rescue boat operations to advanced firefighting and radar plotting. With his wealth of experience, Petar is a versatile deckhand who thrives on challenges. His fluency in English enables effective communication and allows him to share the hidden gems of Dalmatia’s capital, Split, adding a unique value to his role.

Deckhand:
Toni Maretić
Nationality: Croatian
Languages: Croatian, English

Profile:
Toni Maretić is an experienced deckhand who takes great pride in his work. He always ensures that the yacht is in pristine condition for you to enjoy. Now returning to the crew, Toni already knows the Black Swan from her premium boutique cruiser days, when he was part of the team for over a year. With a career in yachting that spans six years and motor yachts between 28 and 50 meters in size, Toni can make any deckhand task look easy, whether it’s mooring, pulling the lines, or setting up water toys. One of his favorite things to do is take off on a speedboat to show you the secret, beautiful nooks of the Adriatic. Currently enrolled at the Faculty of Maritime Studies in Bar in Montenegro, he is actively building upon his boating knowledge. He is also expanding on his immense body of trivia about the Croatian Adriatic with the Montenegrin coast. Friendly and insightful, Toni is the one to ask about fun things to do on islands and in coastal towns.