Azuria 50 Foot Charter Yacht
With an award-winning yacht and crew, the Azuria is now available year-round in the Virgin Islands.
2019 Award-Winning Yacht & Crew: BVI Annual Charter Yacht Show – 1st Place for Best Multi-Hull Under 50ft. A 2011 Lagoon 500, refit in 2018/19, with year-round chartering ability by two sets of crews. A unique offering by Azuria is that all four crew members are captain qualified which increases the overall safety of the vessel. Accommodates 6 guests in 3 walk around queen cabins, each with their own head and shower. The master cabin is large and includes a couch as well as a stand-alone shower.
Meet the Crew
To maximize year-round bookings, Azuria now has two crews; Mark & Sally will be onboard 1st November through to 31st March and Michael Vaughan and Brittany Kiley (ex Tabula Rusa) will take the helm from 1st April through to the end of October for your summer charters.
Welcome aboard AZURIA and truly have your DREAM VACATION OF A LIFETIME, on our immaculately maintained catamaran.
Mark and Sally have an extensive reputation for being a fun loving, highly knowledgeable, as some of the most experienced crew in the BVI!
This is demonstrated by the high number of repeat guests who come back again and again, for more relaxation, pampering and fun.
Please read our guest comments! Mark and Sally chartered for many years on their own catamaran, VIKING DREAM until she was sadly lost in Hurricane Irma in 2017.
When Mark and Sally first considered the life of the sailing couple, they were on a year’s leave from their corporate jobs in the UK, trying to find some balance in their until-then crazy lives. Sally had been Training and HR manager with a major British retail group, sorting out employees’ problems, whilst Mark had been on the other side of retail, setting up high-end malls in airports. He had 250 staff and 25 managers reporting to him and, when he wasn’t traveling for business, he was dealing with the inevitable headaches of management.
Throughout their many years together, sailing, travel and outdoor pursuits have been the hub of their relationship. So in 2001, they embarked on an invigorating world tour for 12 months. They traveled extensively through America, Canada, Alaska, Peru, Australia & New Zealand, returning over Asia and Europe. Their yachting experience includes cruising in Croatia, Greece, Turkey, the Caribbean, the Whitsundays, Malaysia and Thailand. Not to mention UK waters and a TransAtlantic Crossing! On returning from traveling, they decided to turn a leisure activity they love into a lifestyle.
Cruising the islands and seeking out that idyllic palm-fringed bay, where the sea, the sky and the sand invoke that feeling of total tranquillity and being at one with nature, is what they love to share with their guests. If you would like to learn about sailing they are both qualified instructors and love to impart their knowledge, but are equally happy to pass you a cushion and bring you an iced drink while they sail the yacht!
They are also very passionate about food and presenting their guests with fine cuisine, wines and cocktails. Sally’s dishes are an exceptional variety of styles, reflecting her extensive travels and experience of different cultures. Marks cocktails are legendary, both self-styled and classics. They are also known as Captain Cocktail and Sally in the Galley!
Mark – You’ll find me in the water as much as on it, and I love to lead guided snorkeling safaris. Pointing out the amazing richness and variety of fish and wildlife the Caribbean Islands have to offer. I also love to fish and delight in helping you tempt a nice Tuna or Mahi-Mahi to your lure or a Bonefish to your fly. When at anchor you may like to take some tuition from me on learning to Windsurf. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to assist a total novice in getting up and sailing with a little guidance and encouragement.
Sally – Having sailed with my Father from before I could walk and having helped my Mother in the kitchen from an early age I’ve always had a passion for sailing and food. Graduating from University in Food Technology I have loved creating dinner parties and varied social events or taking part in competitive sailing. I aspire to ensure our guests are able to relax, enjoy good cuisine, and have fun experiencing The Caribbean on their dream vacation.
We have always gelled as a team. Guests enthuse about our attention to detail, professionalism, hospitality, good humor and desire to live life to the full. We have many guests return again and again and refer us to their friends and family.
We are now in our 15th year of chartering and excel at creating very individual, personalized, unforgettable Holidays.
Summer Crew (April through October) Captain Michael Vaughan and Brittany Kiley
CAPTAIN MICHAEL
-USCG 100T Master + Sailing Endorsement
-PADI Dive Master
-Radar Observer Unlimited
-STCW + Proficiency in Designated Security Duties
-Strong Engineering Background
-Adult Sailing Instructor
-Avid Fisherman
-Passionate about Photography + Videography
-Good Mechanical troubleshooting skills – small diesel engines, rigging
While working as a Day Charter Captain and Sailing Instructor in Chicago, Michael met Brittany as she was pursuing her goal of learning how to sail. The two of them soon realized their mutual dream of living and working on the water in the Caribbean, fell in love, and started planning to make their dream a reality.
Together they’ve sailed over 10,000 nautical miles in the Mediterranean, along the East Coast, Lake Michigan, and in the Caribbean. One of their favorite passages was sailing from Faro Portugal to Valletta Malta to deliver a sailing yacht for the Rolex Middle Sea Race. They have also worked on private super yachts, honing their hospitality skills and learning the finer points of yacht service and care.
The two of them take great pride in providing 5-star service while ensuring their guests have an unforgettable experience. When not sailing or entertaining, you’ll find Michael and Brittany scuba diving, practicing yoga, riding bikes, or enjoying a day at the beach.
Michael’s love for sailing started at a young age when on vacation in Mexico his family charted a sailboat for a day. It was on this trip that Michael knew he had found his dream career.
Michael spent many years learning how to sail in Chicago, eventually becoming the Fleet Manager and Lead Instructor for the school that taught him so much. To this day, his passion for teaching others how to sail shows whenever he meets someone eager to learn. Many of his students have gone on to a career in sailing, including several currently working on their own circumnavigations.
Along this path, Michael has found great joy in scuba diving and focused on becoming a leader both above and below the water. As a PADI Dive Master, Michael enjoys leading certified guests of all skill levels under the waves. While diving, guests will experience a world far different than the one they leave behind when they come on vacation.
Whether fishing, free diving, snorkeling or scuba diving, Michael is a natural leader and enjoys sharing these activities with his guests. His warm, welcoming personality will make you feel right at home while relaxing in paradise.
CHEF/FIRST MATE BRITTANY
-Professional Cook Certificate
-USCG 25T Master + Sailing Mate Endorsement
-Yacht Service Professional Level I
– Food Safety Level II
-STCW + Proficiency in Designated Security Duties o PADI Open Water Diver
-Passionate about Food + Wine Pairing
– Aspiring Sommelier and Mixologist
-Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sustainability
Brittany became a professional yacht Chef through the marriage of her main passions in life: food, travel, and the great outdoors. She’s worked as a Private Chef for high profile clients and is comfortable cooking you a wide variety of cuisines.
Brittany’s love for being on the water was instilled in her from a young age where she spent her summers boating, waterskiing, and tubing on lakes in the Midwest. Thanks to the help of her handsome sailing instructor, she now holds a 25T Master USCG License with a Sailing Mate endorsement. This, coupled with her experience in the galley makes her a well rounded 1st Mate.
Brittany was blessed to be raised in a family full of good cooks and has enjoyed cooking for friends and family from a young age. While pursuing a Bachelors’s degree in Environmental Sustainability, she immersed herself in the Farm-to-Table movement by working in both restaurants and on many of Chicago’s urban farms, growing specialty produce for top-tier restaurants in the Windy City. After graduation, she went on to complete an internship with one of Sonoma County’s oldest wineries, teaching her the basics of viticulture and igniting her interest in food and wine pairing.
Brittany loves bringing people together through food and looks forward to providing you with a unique culinary experience.
Details
Azuria has a lot to offer! Here you’ll find all of the information about the yacht, amenities, and a sample menu.
Photos
A few more photos of some of the amazing experiences to be had on Azuria!
