Your Crew
CAPTAIN Nicholas Farinha & CHEF Jade Lovell
Nick and Jade are a South African couple who have known each other for eight years and bring decades of combined experience in the hospitality industry. That depth of experience is reflected in how they work together — an easy trust and rhythm that translates into a warm, comfortable, and seamlessly run environment onboard.
Nick Farinha — Captain
Nick is a seasoned charter Captain with eight years of experience, most recently in the Maldives before joining the BVI. He came up through the ranks as a deckhand, completing ocean crossings and charters before earning his RYA Yachtmaster qualification — giving him a thorough, hands-on understanding of every aspect of running a vessel. Warm and personable by nature, Nick has a gift for making guests feel instantly at ease, equally comfortable leading a conversation on local history as he is on marine life or the day’s dive plan. His passion lies firmly in the ocean — diving, surfing, and watersports of every kind — and he takes great pride in sharing that knowledge with guests. He really strives to facilitate the enjoyment of his guests
Jade Lovell — Chef
Jade is a trained chef with additional certification in Thai cuisine, and certified yoga instructor — a combination that informs her holistic approach to food onboard. Her cuisine draws on Thai, French, Italian, and Mexican influences, crafted around fresh, organic ingredients and vibrant flavor, with genuine thought given to how guests want to feel throughout their trip. In 2025, Jade won 1st prize at the culinary competition in the USVI Boat Show. A qualified Divemaster and dedicated nature enthusiast, Jade brings a health-conscious, eco-mindful philosophy to every aspect of the charter — prioritizing organic, fresh produce alongside environmentally responsible products to help protect the ocean she loves. She also enjoys connecting with guests beyond the galley, whether leading a hike, guiding a snorkel in search of octopus, or joining a board game in the evening — always mindful of when to engage and when to allow guests their space.
Together
Nick and Jade are genuinely committed to ensuring every guest feels comfortable and at home onboard, dedicating equal care to the smallest details and the most memorable moments of a charter. As a dive team, they are able to lead guests together on underwater excursions, offering a seamless, coordinated experience above and below the water. Every charter is tailored to guests’ preferences, professional and personal alike, delivered within an impeccably clean, well-maintained setting and a consistent commitment to the highest standard of service.
Reviews for Nick and Jade when on Kismet
<p>Our experience aboard the Kismet Yacht was nothing short of exceptional. Captain Nick and Jade, the chef, work together with seamless chemistry that creates an atmosphere of comfort, professionalism, and genuine hospitality from the moment you step aboard.</p><p>The hospitality was truly outstanding. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, and they went above and beyond to accommodate our group's preferences and make every day feel special. Jade's meals were easily 5-star quality—beautifully presented, incredibly flavorful, and customized to our tastes. One of the highlights was enjoying the fresh-baked breads she made right on the yacht each day, which added such a personal touch to every meal.</p><p>Captain Nick organized fantastic excursions, including scuba diving, snorkeling, and trips to local attractions that allowed us to experience the very best of the area. When we were relaxing on board, they made us feel like family by joining us for cards and games, creating memories that we'll always treasure.</p><p>What impressed us most was their dedication to guest service, even after our charter ended. When we accidentally left items behind, they took the time to carefully package and mail them back to us—an unexpected act of kindness that perfectly reflects their commitment to exceptional service.</p><p>If you're looking for a luxury yacht experience with world-class hospitality, incredible cuisine, unforgettable adventures, and a crew that truly cares about their guests, we cannot recommend Captain Nick and Jade aboard the Kismet Yacht highly enough. They made our vacation unforgettable, and we look forward to sailing with them again.</p><p>Gary and Jill </p><p>🔷</p><p>This was, without a doubt, the best trip of our lives! From the moment we stepped aboard, Jade and Nick made us feel completely at home. They are an incredible team, and we can’t imagine a better captain and chef.</p><p> </p><p>Jade’s meals were absolutely phenomenal—every single one was fresh, beautifully prepared, and restaurant-quality. We looked forward to every meal, and she somehow managed to exceed our expectations every day.</p><p> </p><p>Nick was an outstanding captain who made us feel safe while making every day a new adventure. Both he and Jade were incredibly chill, patient, funny, and genuinely fun to be around. They went above and beyond in every way to make sure our trip was unforgettable.</p><p> </p><p>The boat, the food, the service, and the overall experience were all top-notch. We truly couldn’t have asked for anything more. We would book another trip with Jade and Nick in a heartbeat and recommend them to anyone looking for the vacation of a lifetime. Thank you both for memories we’ll never forget!</p><p>🔷</p><p>This was, without a doubt, the best trip of our lives! From the moment we stepped aboard, Jade and Nick made us feel completely at home. They are an incredible team, and we can’t imagine a better captain and chef.</p><p>Jade’s meals were absolutely phenomenal—every single one was fresh, beautifully prepared, and restaurant-quality. We looked forward to every meal, and she somehow managed to exceed our expectations every day.</p><p> </p><p>Nick was an outstanding captain who made us feel safe while making every day a new adventure. Both he and Jade were incredibly chill, patient, funny, and genuinely fun to be around. They went above and beyond in every way to make sure our trip was unforgettable.</p><p> </p><p>The boat, the food, the service, and the overall experience were all top-notch. We truly couldn’t have asked for anything more. We would book another trip with Jade and Nick in a heartbeat and recommend them to anyone looking for the vacation of a lifetime. Thank you both for memories we’ll never forget!</p><p>🔷</p><p> Dear Nick and Jade, I know I speak for all of us ….we had a fabulous time on Kismet! Everything was perfect and that is because of the planning you put into everyday! We are thankful you were our crew and know that without you we would have missed out on all your special places and suggestions. Our meals were beyond anything we could have imagined! Truly gourmet!! I hope we can charter from you again and stay in touch! </p><p>We will never forget the memories of this past week.</p><p>Hope you get to relax for a few days! </p><p>-Laura</p><p>🔷</p><p>Our week-long catamaran charter was nothing short of extraordinary—truly a five-star experience from start to finish. From the moment we arrived, Captain Nick and Chef Jade set the tone for an unforgettable journey. Their professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail made us feel completely at ease, allowing us to fully relax and enjoy every moment on the water.</p><p> </p><p>The food deserves its own spotlight—every meal was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. It felt like dining at a high-end restaurant while surrounded by breathtaking ocean views. The freshly made muffins and bread were amazing and showed the care and skill that Jade has in her work. The service was equally exceptional: attentive without being intrusive, and always tailored to our preferences. Whether it was a perfectly timed (and delicious!) cocktail at sunset or accommodating special requests, everything was handled seamlessly and effortlessly.</p><p> </p><p>What truly elevated the experience was the crew’s expertise and passion. Nick's sailing knowledge and commitment to safety gave us complete confidence throughout the trip, even when conditions changed. The itinerary was perfectly balanced, with top-notch activities and some of the best diving we’ve ever experienced. They knew exactly where to go for the best sights, often away from other boats so we had amazing, secluded spots to ourselves. Every day brought a new highlight, and it’s clear the crew takes great pride in delivering a world-class experience. We couldn’t recommend this charter more highly. Thank you for turning our dream into such incredible memories that we will treasure forever.</p><p>🔷</p><p> From the moment we stepped on board, this catamaran charter exceeded every expectation we had—and then some. The entire experience felt effortless, luxurious, and unforgettable.</p><p>Our captain was absolutely incredible—professional, knowledgeable, and so personable. You could tell we were in the best hands the entire time, whether we were cruising through crystal-clear waters or anchoring at the most breathtaking spots. Every detail was handled seamlessly, allowing us to fully relax and soak in the experience.</p><p>And the chef… WOW. Every single meal was beyond amazing—beautifully presented, full of flavor, and clearly made with so much care and talent. It honestly felt like dining at a five-star restaurant, but with the added bonus of ocean views and salty breezes. We were constantly blown away by what came out of the galley!</p><p>This trip was the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and pure indulgence. If you’re even thinking about booking—do it. We’re already dreaming about our next trip back!</p><p>Thank you Nick and Jade!</p>
Previous Maldives Reviews for Nick and Jade
<p> </p><p>I want to compliment the amazing crew. I run a business with 60 employees and know how hard it is to find good people that work hard and care about what they do. Nick, Jade, and Jontey were amazing and treated us like royalty.</p><p>🔷</p><p>Captain Nick is very safety conscious and we felt completely safe with him at the helm. Chef Jade is a fabulous cook. The two complement each other very well – you have a great team onboard. The weather didn't always cooperate but these two made sure we had a great time! We were not expecting such wonderful service - were treat like a king and queen for the week.</p><p>🔷</p><p>We had an amazing holiday sailing on shantaram. We loved the snorkeling, fishing, sailing the Blue waters and the delicious food. Nick, Jade and Jonty thank you so much for your amazing effort. You learned us how to freedive and appreciate the ocean and we loved it. We had the best time and we will be back.</p>