Superyachting's family values

“My basic principle is happy children, happy parents,” offers Captain Alex Skaris. “Many of the crew members aboard O’Pari, as well as myself, have children of our own and therefore we are well aware of the importance of constant adult supervision. Furthermore, we try to find ways to keep our teenage guests entertained as well. That’s why we make sure we offer a variety of activities, each corresponding to the kids’ age, to ensure that they do not lose their interest and to allow the parents to rest easy, as they can be sure of their child’s safety.”

Skaris speaks to something that strikes at the heart of the superyacht experience – the opportunity to enjoy family time together in an incredible, movable villa on the sea. It’s a chance for families to create unforgettable moments across the generations in a safe, secure and controllable bubble that offers every amenity and opportunity for fun and exploration. The 95 metre Golden Yachts yacht O’Pari which Skaris commands is a prime example. “She is a truly extraordinary yacht with a grandiose presence – no matter which port she enters, she makes all heads turn,” he enthuses. “With amazing interior spaces, an abundance of wellness amenities, and a vast choice of outdoor lounging and dining options, she effortlessly becomes the perfect host to any dream vacation as she offers the ability to entertain in majestic style.”

Among those features are a beach club wellness and activity centre (also served by a large collection of water toys), sundeck alfresco cinema, a fully equipped gym on the bridge deck that leads out to a pool and a spectacular view, and 14 cabins that offer private retreat for up to 12 guests. But superyachting is not measured purely in material luxury or opulence, as Skaris is quick to confirm. “Words cannot do the signature experience justice: its uniqueness lies in the relationships and memories created between the guests and the crew.”

It is this connection that speaks to a wider sense of family and of shared experience – a theme that extends across the superyacht industry, which employs tens of thousands of crew across its global fleet. It’s the human side of yachting that extends far beyond the superficial, and which touches real people living real lives.

“My crew and I are kind of an extended family,” Skaris explains. “For the last eight years Chief Steward Kostas Pistis, Head Chef Takis Papayiannis, Chief Engineer Stelios Fragiadakis and I have joined forces. We have created a wonderful bond, fuelled by our mutual respect. These balanced relations are evident to the people around us so our clients not only see the crew’s high degree of professionalism but also a crew that cares for one another and works as a team to succeed.”

Skaris’s theory for success on board centres on delivering a superior service while maintaining a healthy life balance with his crew. “We have cultivated a strong philosophy and we have the ability to operate calmly and effectively when it comes to problem-solving in tough situations,” he says. “All crew members are well-established and talented, superbly trained and with continuous professional development.”

It’s a philosophy that has clearly rubbed off on other members of O’Pari’s crew. “I strongly believe that leadership in a field is not about being the best but it’s about urging every member of your team to become the best version of themselves,” beams Kostas Pistis, O’Pari’s Chief Steward. “I encourage my team to participate in seminars and conferences, in order to enrich their knowledge and gather more experiences, as I believe that developing a positive and upgraded workplace is the key to success.”

This mutual respect and encouragement is also reflected in the values that Skaris likes to instil in his crew, and this extends to environmental considerations. “As a child, I was involved with beach clean-ups, therefore it is now part of the way I think – I am teaching and passing these values on to my children whilst also sharing them with my team,” he offers.

It speaks to a growing movement among the worldwide crew family to get involved both in local community projects and in doing what they can to assist either with disaster relief or with clean-up operations, as well as citizen science projects. “We are all conscious of environmental issues, therefore we all try to actively look after the environment we work in,” Skaris says. “On O’Pari, we try our best to ensure that our daily practices are environmentally conscious. On the collective level, we try to take care of our local communities, as often as we can; for example, we love organising crew beach clean-ups.”

Ultimately, says Skaris, superyachting comes back to the experience over the material, and that is as true for the crews as for the guests. “I love all the vessels I have been captain of,” Skaris says. “Each has a unique beauty and is host to a plethora of wonderful memories. I feel so lucky to have captained vessels like O’Ptasia, O’Mathilde and O’Ceanos and I am proud to have clients who have chosen to follow me over the course of the years.

“As a crew,” he concludes, “together we have travelled through the entire Mediterranean and Red Sea. We have experienced unforgettable charters together, gaining lifetime experiences while discovering even the most hidden islands of Turkey and Sardinia.” From family values to community spirit, and from mutual respect to shared adventures, the crew of O’Pari are the epitome of the hidden side of the superyacht story – one that is reflected in superyachts all over the world.