Catamaran Nenne

Throughout the years I moved up the ranks, eventually managing offices on three different continents as the CEO of Relay Worldwide, a Publicis Groupe company. I helped build a full-service experiential and sponsorship agency focused on innovation and proprietary information management systems.

After 25 years in the corporate world, I happily adjusted my course. Now, as the new Captain of NENNE, I am privileged to do what I love most, cruising in the islands, with the one I love most, Steph, my wife and first mate of 18 years.

Over the last 6 years, we have traveled over 15000 NM miles together, including a fabulous trip from Panama to Tahiti, via the Galapagos and Tuamotu islands in the Pacific. We've also enjoyed sailing in the Mediterranean in Greece, Croatia, and Montenegro, as well as extensively in the beautiful islands of the Bahamas.

STEPHANY MAUER– Stewardess/First Mate

My childhood years were spent growing up on the shores of Brazil, the Canary Islands, and the US and UK. It was on the ocean and its beaches where I learned to swim, make new friends, learn new languages, and sail. Because of the diversity of my upbringing, I grew up loving different cultures, food, music, and experiences. I especially enjoy hosting people from all over the world, sharing knowledge, and exchanging stories. I am proficient in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and English.

Eventually, my family settled down in Texas, where I finished high school and attended college. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, I accepted the most awesome job at an event marketing company, designing and implementing promotions and traveling throughout the country. The job was demanding but allowed me to use both my operational and creative skills. It reignited my desire to travel and see the world even more. During this timeframe, I met my husband, Tim, who had the same desire for adventure!

Sailing throughout the Caribbean with Tim has afforded us the opportunity to explore slowly. We really take in our surroundings. Our favorite things to do onshore are to make new friends and experience the local culture. We sample regional cuisine at recommended restaurants and shop at local markets. We enjoy exploring the beaches, reefs, towns, and trails in order to share our knowledge with our guests aboard NENNE.

CHEF AND DIVE INSTRUCTOR ELLIE MAE BYAS:

Ellie Mae Byas has an infectious smile, a subtle sense of humor, and a lengthy list of impressive accomplishments. She was born and educated in Amsterdam, Netherlands, but is truly a citizen of the world. She is certified as a P.A.D.I Open Water Scuba instructor. She has taught scuba at Club Meds, Robinson Clubs, in the Maldives, managed a dive center in Rovinj, Croatia, and owned a dive center in Mallorca. She has R.Y.A Certification Yachtmaster Offshore and has circumnavigated the globe in her own yacht, Bon Bini. With a little coaxing, guests aboard can persuade Ellie into recounting some amazing sea stories.

Ellie has been a charter yacht chef for more than a decade. Although she specializes in recipes with fresh seafood and local ingredients, having lived all over the world she has a sophisticated repertoire. Of course, her menu is based on guest preferences. So, whether the mood dictates a gourmet menu paired with fine wine or sandwiches with a hot cup of Grenada chocolate, guests are never disappointed. Even those on special diets.

Ellie’s hobbies are spearfishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and sailing. She also had a small cottage industry smoking fish. Provided there’s time away from the galley, she welcomes guests to join her in any activities of interest. And she can explain things to almost everyone in a way they can understand it, because she is fluent in English, Dutch, German and French and conversational Spanish.