OUR STORY
Captain Ernest has spent most of his life on the water. He is originally from Maryland, and grew up sailing with his father. He has extensive experience on various vessels and has had voyages as far as Guatemala. He has been seasonally living in Wrightsville Beach since 2016. Throughout his time in Wrightsville, he has been very involved in the surfing and fishing community. Ernest obtained his Captains license from Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) in 2017 and has been working on a variety of charter vessels in the Wrightsville Beach yachting community ever since.
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First mate Marisa is a North Carolina native and grew up in Atlantic Beach. She was a student athlete at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science focusing her studies toward Marine Biology. She has been serving the Wrightsville Beach community as an ocean rescue lifeguard and emergency medical technician (EMT) since 2016.
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The two started dating in 2016. As time went on, Marisa and Ernest decided to leave Wrightsville Beach to gain more knowledge and experience in the chartering industry so that they could return with something greater for themselves and the community – sailing charters in Wrightsville Beach, NC. Marisa and Ernest worked on sailing and motor yachts learning the industry while gaining essential seamanship skills. In December of 2019 they acquired their first sailing vessel “La Cruz” and renovated her from top to bottom. They began sailing charters in Wrightsville Beach, NC in 2020 and have gained traction in the community. Now, Cruising with La Cruz has not only gotten an upgrade in vessels but Marisa and EJ are gaining a new little mermaid this October of 2023!
**Gender reveal confetti is biodegradable rice paper
THE VESSEL
La Cruz is a 44' Voyage Catamaran and provides luxury charters, sunset cruises, small corporate events, wedding parties, private parties, and photoshoots. With a spacious topside featuring multiple bean bags, two large trampolines, and a centralized cockpit, La Cruz is a perfect setting for you and your guests in Wrightsville Beach this season.
Award Winning Catamaran
The Voyage 440 model won CRUISING WORLD Boat of the Year in 2002 and Best Cruising Multihull in 2002, the first multihull ever to win the overall sailboat of the year award! She has an unmatched blend of performance, quality of construction, and attention to details necessary to qualify her as a true bluewater cruising cat.
OUR SAILING ROUTES
We have different routes depending on the duration of your sailing charter, and the weather. Please let us know if you have a preference of what you would like to do or see. There is a degree of customization to your boat cruise!
Wrightsville Beach
Masonboro Island
Intracostal Waterway
Atlantic Ocean
OUR PROFESSIONAL CREW
Captain EJ
"If I had to describe EJ with three words it would be surfing, fishing, and food. He is an all-around waterman with an appetite! Growing up in Baltimore MD, EJ spent summer breaks with his family in Ocean City, MD before moving there permanently after highschool. This is where he gained experience on all types of different vessels. Since his family is so into boating, he gained all of his experience on various fishing and sailing vessels. EJ has a 6th sense for reading the wind, swell, and current. I am very thankful to have him as my captain!"
-Marisa
1st Mate Marisa
"If I had to describe Marisa with three words it would be cooking, pugs, and compassion. She loves to experiment in the galley, is absolutely pug obsessed, and is one of the most caring people I know. She is a North Carolina native and also has an obsession with the ocean and everything in it. She was a swimmer for UNC-Wilmington and graduated with an Environmental Science degree. She has a passion for ocean conservation, travel, and helping others. Together we make a great team and our lifestyle on the water was inevitable."​
-EJ
2nd Mate Kevin
"Kevin is the newest edition to the crew. Our sweet puggy boy loves the beach, playing in the water, and tanning his belly. Fun fact: Kevin was named after the character Kevin Malone in the TV Series “The Office”. We felt it was appropriate since pugs are notoriously chubby and food-obsessed!"
-EJ + Marisa