Serena Description

Hull number 1 of Beneteau´s new line of 62 ft sloops, Serena is style, grace and comfort under sail.

Cruising Area of Serena

Pref. Pick-upRed Hook, St. Thomas, USVI
Other Pick-upYacht Haven STT
Summer PortUS Virgins
Winter PortUS Virgins
Summer OperationsCaribbean Virgin Islands
Winter OperationsCaribbean Virgin Islands

Accommodations

Guests6
Cabins3
Crew2
Queen3
Showers3
Wash Basins3
TP in Heads-
Electric Heads3
Accommodation Details
Master queen forward and two aft queen suites

Draft Beer Aboard! Automatic Cocktail machine!

Specification

Length63 Feet
Beam17.5 Feet
Draft10 Feet
Built2017
Refit2023
A/CFull
A/C NightYes
Sun AwningYes
DeckshowerYes
Sailing InstructionsYes
Guest SmokeStern
Children AllowedYes
Min Child Age5
Voltages110
Water MakerYes
Ice MakerYes
Internet AccessOnboard WIFI
GeneratorYes
Turnaround72 hours

Water Sports

Dinghy (Feet)12 ft jet and 17 ft Whaler
Dinghy Pax8
Adult WaterskisYes
Kids WaterskisYes
KneeboardYes
Snorkel GearYes
TubeYes
Wake BoardYes
1-Man Kayak1
2-Man Kayak2
Floating MatsYes
Standup Paddle1
Swim PlatformsYes
Boarding Ladderstern
Beach GamesYes
Fishing GearYes
Gear TypeTroll and casting
Fishing Rods7

Scuba Diving Scuba Diving Symbol

ScubaYacht offers Rendezvous Diving only
Air CompressorNot Onboard

Entertainment

Sat TvYes
Salon Tv/DvdYes
Salon StereoYes
iPod/Device HookupsYes

Cuisine

Din-in6
Special DietsInq
KosherInq
BBQYes

Green Initiatives

Make Purified Drinking WaterYes
Re-Usable Water BottlesYes
Other Green Initiatives
Solar panels
WATCH VIDEO

Serena Crew Profile

Crew Number2
Captain
CaptainHugh O´Brien
NationalityUK
Born1961
SpeaksEnglish
LicenseRYA
Chef/Mate
Chef/MateVivianne Swietelsky
NationalityUS
Born1964


Capt. Hugh O´Brien -
Born in England and then lived in more than a dozen countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Now a permanent US Resident living in the Caribbean & Florida, predominantly in the US and British Virgin Islands.
Hugh started competitive sailing and ocean racing in the UK & France in 1987 (36 years of ocean sailing experience). He com¬pleted his intensive Royal Yachting Association (RYA) YachtMaster 500 Ton Sail & Power Commercial License in 2002 at the presti¬gious UK Sailing Academy and worked as a Captain & Chef in commercial yachting in the Cayman Islands, Virgin Islands, USA & Japan. Hugh also ran 5 Star Sailing with a 50 ft Beneteau Sloop as a Captain Chef in the Virgin Islands from 2007-2011.
A 20-year career in Marketing & Sales for American IT & Database companies saw Hugh working in some 20 countries and heading up operations in Europe, US, Asia & Latin America.
From 2018-2022, Captain Hugh owned and operated Ocean Star 60, a 60 ft Beneteau sloop. Having worked with Chef Vivi on Ocean Star 60, they have since become partners in Serena Yacht Charters, LLC, and operate the 63-ft sloop Yacht Serena, their new Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 62. Yacht Serena is the Hull #1 of Beneteau’s ultimate Oceanis Yacht cruiser series and has many extras, including a carbon fibre Code 0 racing sail.
Hugh attended culinary classes and schools in France, Japan and America, and specializes in Mediterranean, Latin American and Asian fresh food dishes with premium ingredients.
Hugh is a light social drinker but nonsmoker, no drugs, no criminal record, clean licenses and a broad sense of humor especially when trying to catch fish!

Vivianne Swietelsky
Chef/First Mate Ocean Star

Vivianne, or “Chef Vivi” is based in Water Island, USVI and Coconut Grove, Miami. She is known for her authentic interpretations of the world’s great cuisines - American, Mediterranean, Southeast Asian, and Latin American, and her signature fusion MediterrAsian cuisine. She is also makes amazing desserts and is an inspired cocktail mixologist.
For as far back as she can remember, Chef Vivi has been passionate about food and the artistry of its preparation. Born in the U.S. to an Italian father and a Venezuelan mother, she has travelled all over the world and lived in the United States, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Mexico, and the Caribbean and is fluent in five languages. Her family life revolved around the enjoyment of great food and her mother taught her to cook instinctually, from the heart. Chef Vivi built upon this foundation and has expanded her culinary knowledge and skills over the years.
Chef Vivi attended different culinary schools around the world and studied Hospitality Management at the Florida International Universi¬ty’s School of Hospitality & Tourism. She has been a restaurant Pastry Chef, owned her own upscale Miami catering company, “Truffles Catering”, and worked as Private Chef for HNWI in both private homes and on charter yachts.
Another one of Chef Vivi’s passions is sailing, and she has enjoyed working on sailboats around the world. She also has an ASA Certificate for Offshore Sailing gained in the U.S. Virgin Islands and has owned and operated several Beneteau yachts.
After working as Yacht Chef with Captain Hugh on Ocean Star 60, Vivianne and Hugh became partners in 2023 and now operate Serena Yacht Charters, LLC on their beautiful 63-ft Beneteau sloop, Yacht Serena. Yacht Serena is a very special yacht: she is the Hull #1 of Beneteau’s ultimate luxury Oceanis Yacht 62 cruiser series. Vivianne has enjoyed refitting Yacht Serena with many upscale amenities, including FRETTE sheets and towels, Lanvin products, and Bose sound systems in every cabin.
What Vivianne enjoys the most about being a Private Yacht Chef is the daily interaction with her guests and the pleasure of creating wonderful memories for them. She really loves the feeling of serving wonderful food, drinks, and delivering excellent service on gorgeous Yacht Serena. Her and Captain Hugh’s motto about their guests is, “it’s all about you, all the time”. Nothing matters more to them than delivering a five-star experience and exceeding even the highest expectations.

Serena Calendar

AvailableBookedHold (can be challenged)Unavailable
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Serena Reservations & Port Locations

Start DateEnd DateDetails (Holds can be challenged)
Apr 22, 2024Apr 29, 2024Booked: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Apr 30, 2024May 29, 2024Unavailable: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Jun 13, 2024Jun 14, 2024Unavailable: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Jun 15, 2024Jun 21, 2024Booked: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Jun 22, 2024Jun 23, 2024Unavailable: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Jul 22, 2024Jul 27, 2024Booked: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Aug 02, 2024Aug 03, 2024Unavailable: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Aug 04, 2024Aug 10, 2024Booked: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Aug 11, 2024Aug 12, 2024Unavailable: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Oct 12, 2024Nov 12, 2024Unavailable: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Dec 01, 2024Dec 02, 2024Unavailable: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Dec 03, 2024Dec 10, 2024Booked: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Dec 11, 2024Dec 12, 2024Unavailable: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Feb 20, 2025Feb 21, 2025Unavailable: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Feb 22, 2025Mar 01, 2025Booked: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Mar 02, 2025Mar 03, 2025Unavailable: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
May 29, 2025May 30, 2025Unavailable: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
May 31, 2025Jun 07, 2025Booked: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Jun 08, 2025Jun 09, 2025Unavailable: Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI* to Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI*
Jun 21, 2025Jun 28, 2025Booked: Red Hook to Red Hook

Serena Rates / week

The prices shown are for the entire yacht for a week-long (7 nights) charter.
Low price: $16,900

High price: $22,000

Season2 Pax3 Pax4 Pax5 Pax6 Pax
2023/24 Winter$16,900$17,700$18,500$19,200$19,900
2024 Summer$16,900$17,700$18,500$19,200$19,900
2024/25 Winter$18,000$19,000$20,000$21,000$22,000
2025 Summer$18,000$19,000$20,000$21,000$22,000

Yacht terms: All Inclusive
An all-inclusive charter covers all provisioning and running expenses. This includes a captain and crew that is fully trained and committed to your safety and enjoyment of your trip. A chef will provide the kind of exceptional, personalized meal preparation that you would expect of a five-star restaurant. The listed rate may not include all local taxes, cruising permits, premium beverages and scuba activities. Inquire for more information.

ADDITIONAL RATE DETAILS


Christmas week:
Up to 4 guests: US$22,000
6 guests: US$24,200

New Years week:
Up to 6 guests: US$25,300

Serena Guest Reviews

Early February, 2024, charter guests aboard SERENA said:

Including 85-years young Dad, see the hand-written comments below.

Serena Sample Menu

Breakfast

Classic Eggs Benedict with Canadian Bacon & Tarragon Hollandaise Grenadian Coconut-Infused Banana Rum French Toast with Fresh Berries

Eggs Royale: Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon & Dill Hollandaise Citrus Pancakes/ Orange Glaze/ Banana/ Pineapple

Eggs Florentine – Eggs any style, with sauteed garlic spinach

Granola Parfait: small batch Granola, Berries, Greek Yoghurt

Serena “Pain Perdu” French Toast Bake

Yacht Serena Breadbasket, Assortment of Chef Vivi’s home-made preserves, Salted Beurre D’Isigny Butter

Truffled Slow Cooked Scrambled Eggs with Sauteed Portobello Mushrooms Nutella French Toast with Yacht-made Vanilla Bean Iced Cream

Huevos Rancheros Serena - Mexican-Style Fried Eggs on a Tortilla with Queso Oaxaca, Salsa Ranchera, Crema, and Cilantro

Tuscan Farmer’s Roasted Vegetable Frittata/ Basil Cherry Tomatoes/ French Baguette

Classic Smoked Salmon and Bagel Platter/Capers, Onions, Tomatoes, and Cream Cheese

Smashed Avocado Toast on Whole Grain Bread/Microgreens/ Plain or with Smoked Salmon

Greek Yoghurt Parfait: Toasted Walnuts, Yoghurt, Honey

Chocolate Chip or Plain Buttermilk Pancakes with Whipped Cream and Cherry Maple Syrup

Austrian Palatschinken Crepes filled with homemade Mango Ginger Jam, Strawberry Jam, or Nutella/Vanilla Whipped Cream

Serena Crab Omelet – Lump Crab Meat, Spinach, Lemon Mascarpone/ Toasted Sour Dough Bread

Air-fried Bacon-Wrapped Croissant with Egg and Cheese/ Fruit Medley

Lunch

Seared Sesame-crusted Big Eye Tuna / Ponzu-Roasted Asparagus / Tri-Color Orzo Salad

Insalata Caprese – Burrata, Heirloom Tomatoes, Basil Drizzle/ served with Prosciutto San Daniele / Tuscan Bread

Caribbean Lobster Roll, New England-style / Yacht-made French Fries Thai Ginger Grass-fed Minced Beef in Chilled Romaine Lettuce Wraps

Smoked Salmon Or Chicken Club Sandwich/ Dill Mayo/Tomato/ Iceberg/ Tarragon Potato Salad/ Oriental Cucumber Relish

Mahi-Mahi Jerk Tacos/Avocado/Pico de Gallo/ Latin American Cole Slaw

Tahitian “Poisson Cru” Ahi Tuna Ceviche/ Coconut Milk/ Cucumbers/ Peppers/ Mixed Baby Greens

Charcuterie, Cheeses, and Pâté Grazing Boards for Lunch: Prosciutto, Assorted Hard Salamis, Pâté de Campagne, Mousse de Fois Gras, Assorted Cheeses, Cornichons, Cherry Tomatoes, Assorted Breads

Vitello Tonnato – Thinly Sliced Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin layered with Tuna Caper Aioli Sauce, served cold/ Balsamic Cherry Tomatoes/ Tuscan Bread

Thai Papaya Shrimp Spinach Salad/Grilled Jumbo Shrimp/ Lime, Cilantro, Ginger Vinaigrette

Lobster Couscous Salad: Poached Local Caribbean Lobster Tails with Ginger Vinaigrette / served over Pearl Couscous/ Cucumber/ Tomato/ Fresh Mint & Basil /

Peruvian Ceviche: Catch of the Day, Lime, Red Onion, Rocoto Chile, Corn, Sweet Potato/ Blue Corn Chips

Individual Caramelized Onion and Gruyere Tarts/ Field Greens Cherry Tomato Salad/ Balsamic Vinaigrette

Classic Tijuana Caesar Salad with Grilled Rosemary Chicken/ Shaved Parmigiano- Reggiano/Anchovies/ Yacht-made Croutons

Niçoise Salad – Albacore Tuna, Potatoes, Haricots Verts, Tomatoes, Capers, Olives, Boiled Egg/ Greens with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette

Traditional Greek Salad - Tomatoes, Cucumber, Feta Cheese, Red Onions, Kalamata Olives/ Oregano Vinaigrette/ served with Grilled Shrimp or Octopus/ Crusty Country Bread

Tuna Tartare Tower/ Avocado/ Citrus Soy Reduction/ Oriental Cucumber Relish/ Shrimp Chips

Tri-color Quinoa Salad: Quinoa, Angel Hair Slaw, Red Bell peppers, Mango, Cilantro, Avocado, Pickled Red Onions with Basil Vinaigrette

Dinner

Sous Vide Filet Mignon/ Garlic Rosemary Roasted Potatoes/ Sauteed Spinach/ Malbec Jus French West Indian Grilled Snapper with Caper Shallot Sauce/ Asparagus/ Jasmine Rice Drunken Shrimp La Fourchette: three-times drunk Jumbo Shrimp/ Pinenut Garlic Couscous Fresh Linguine tossed with Lump Crab, Lemon Zest, Watercress and Chili

Herb-marinated Sous Vide Chicken Breast stuffed with Goat Cheese/ Sun-dried & Fresh Tomato Salsa/ Pinenut Orzo/ Grilled Basil Zucchini

Mahi Mahi or Salmon a lo Macho: Pan friend and topped with Peruvian Aji Amarillo, Shrimp, Calamari, Shrimp Cream Pernod Sauce/Jasmine Rice

Thai Basil Green Curry of Pork Tenderloin/ Grilled Oriental Eggplant/ Jasmine Rice

Stanley Tucci’s Spaghetti Alla Nerano: Zucchini/Fresh Basil/Parmigiano Reggiano

Chef Vivi’s Pizza night: customized pizzas made in Ooni Pizza oven

Marinated Sous Vide Outside Skirt Steak /Jalapeno Beurre Blanc / Potatoes Au Gratin/ Arugula, Tomato, Fennel Salad/ Thyme Vinaigrette

Yacht-smoked Ribs and Brisket/ Kansas City BBQ Sauce/ Corn Bread/ Potato Salad/ Cole Slaw Fresh Linguine with Seared Scallops/ Lemon Tarragon Cream Sauce/ Sauteed Summer Squash Pan-seared Pork Chops/ Mango-Ginger Chutney/ Cilantro Citrus Rice/ Tomato & Avocado Salad Grilled Lemon-Ginger Mahi Mahi/ Curried Pineapple Rice/ Beurre Blanc Asparagus

NZ Lamb Chops/ Pomegranate Red-Wine Reduction/ Mustard & Rosemary Roasted Potatoes/ Shitake Mushroom Stir-Fry

Creamy Chicken Breasts simmered in Smoky Chipotle, White Wine, Parmesan Cream Sauce/ Basmati Rice/ Butter Sauteed Chayote

Panko-crusted Mahi Mahi Fingers/ Mango Pepper Salsa/ Plantains/ Calypso Rice

Pan-Sauteed Red Snapper/ Cilantro-Lime Butter/ Basmati Rice/ Steamed Broccoli with Oriental Hollandaise

Brazilian Moqueca Seafood: Shrimp, Scallops, Mahi Mahi simmered in Tomatoes/ Peppers/ Coconut Milk/ Lemon Basmati Rice

Porcini-Rubbed Roasted Pork Tenderloin/ Sauteed Mushrooms & Arugula/ Irish Mashed Potatoes Roasted Summer Vegetables

Dessert

Chocolate Orange Macadamia Nut Torte/ Whipped Cream

Poached Pears in Caramelized Laurel Leaf-Red Wine Reduction/ Crème Fraiche Flourless Fallen Chocolate Cake/ Yacht-made Vanilla Bean Gelato

Yacht-made Iced Creams/ Choice of Toppings

Lemon Panna Cotta/ Fresh Blueberries & Strawberries

Nutella Cheesecake with Ganache Frosting

Ginger Crème Brulée

Panna Cotta/Chocolate Balsamic Drizzle/ Fresh Strawberries

Tortola Rum Cake/ Coconut Rum/ Tropical Fruits

Grenadian Coconut Rum Bananas Flambe/Yacht-made Vanilla Rum Iced Cream Five-Spice Roasted Peach Tartes/ Yacht-made Ginger Iced Cream

Key West Key Lime Pie/Whipped Cream

Venezuelan ‘’Quesillo’’ Flan

Coconut Crème Caramel

Sour Cream Streusel Apple Pie/ Yacht-made Salted Caramel Iced Cream

Sliced Fresh Mango with Stracciatella/ Rosemary Syrup Drizzle

Caribbean Pain Perdu Bread Pudding/ Vanilla Butter Rum Anglaise

Coconut Raisin Rice Pudding

Lemongrass Crème Brulée

Creamy Lemon Parfait with Berries/ Crumbled Biscotti

Classic Chocolate Mousse/ Whipped Cream

Mexican Chocolate Brownies/ Yacht-made Dulce de Leche Gelato Raspberry-Apricot Buckle/ Whipped Cream

Chocolate Cinnamon Brownies with Chili Honey Drizzle, Yacht-made Vanilla Bean or Dark Chocolate Gelato