Jelly and Erik – Skippers of the Amore Vici

“We still get butterflies in our stomach every time guests come on board.”

Sailing has been in Erik’s blood since childhood. “When I was six, I was already sitting at the front of an open boat, trimming the foresail next to my father somewhere on a lake in Europe.”

It started when he was a child, grew over the years, and truly took off after art school, when he set out to explore the world. “I wanted to travel and to sail – that was the only thing I was sure of.”

He began as a deckhand, became a skipper two years later, and ever since has alternated between sailing seasons in the Netherlands and long ocean voyages: the Canary Islands, the Caribbean, South America, Norway – even Spitsbergen.

Jelly came on board later – both literally and figuratively

“Jelly started sailing when we got together,” Erik explains. At first, she only joined him in her free time, but her love for the ship, the sea, and Erik kept growing – and now they’ve been sailing together for fourteen years on the Amore Vici.

“I mainly focus on service and catering,” says Jelly. “Erik handles the sailing, and I make sure our guests want for nothing.” Together, they make the perfect team.

Jelly en Erik (Amore Vici) - Jelly came on board later – both literally and figuratively

Stressed when you arrive, relaxed when you leave

For Erik, sailing is about one essential thing: following the wind. “You have to adapt to nature – and if you can do that, you’ll always have a good day. The wind and the tides set the rhythm.”

His eyes light up when he talks about the Wadden Sea and the Markermeer. “The Wadden Sea is always a joy to sail, especially for longer trips – you can just wander freely.” They also love the Markermeer, especially for shorter journeys. “Edam is our favourite little town. The route there from Kampen is wonderful – you sail across the IJsselmeer, through the IJsseldelta, a bit of river, two bridges, and end up in a charming town.”

Their favourite island? “Vlieland,” they say at the same time, without hesitation.

Full attention for their guests on board

Guests come to Jelly and Erik not only for the sailing experience but also for the sense of calm. “What we often hear from guests is how peaceful it feels on board – and how we still manage to surprise them every time.”

Yet even after all these years, they still feel a healthy excitement before every departure. “We still get butterflies in our stomach when the guests come on board,” Jelly smiles. “It’s a good kind of excitement. It keeps us alert. Our joy comes from the attention and care we give our guests – and we get so much back in return, in the form of happy, relaxed people.”

For them, the joy is in the details – the care, the service, the little gestures. And the best compliment? “That people step off the ship completely relaxed – and sometimes with a new booking already made,” Erik says with a wink.

Jelly en Erik (Amore Vici) - Stressed when you arrive, relaxed when you leave

A personal video for every guest

After every trip, they create a personal video for their guests – a keepsake of a unique experience. It captures not only the people but also the magic of the journey: “Think of sunrises, moonlight gliding across the water, starry skies that leave you speechless. Curious seals popping up, fluorescent ‘glow water’ – what the Germans call Meeresleuchten – and lighthouses, sometimes five visible at once on a clear night. Those are moments you’ll never forget.”

Watch an example of such a video here:

Sailing on the Amore Vici isn’t just a holiday – it’s an experience that stays with you and begs to be shared.

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