SHANGRI LA Yacht Charter Catamaran

Crew Profile

Captain Keith grew up boating, fishing, and waterskiing on the lakes in South Dakota and Minnesota. He was bitten by the sailing bug as a teenager; he first sailed a Sunfish14 and a Hobie Cat 16 on Big Stone Lake in South Dakota of all places! He is an accomplished freshwater and saltwater angler. As a youth he marveled at the adventures of Jacques Cousteau and “Calypso” and dreamed of becoming a scuba diver. Now he shares his love of diving by leading tours as PADI Divemaster.

In 1998 he joined friends on bareboat charter in the BVI and discovered his “sailor within”! His passion for sailing led him to dream of owning his own yacht. In 2002, he put a picture of a 43’ Jeanneau Decks Salon on his refrigerator – 18 months later, he bought “Daddy’s Girl” – a sister ship of the one depicted on his fridge! In 2005, he earned his USCG Captain’s license and began delivering yachts along the Atlantic coast and between the US and the Caribbean, gathering over 50,000 blue water miles. Keith has had the pleasure of skippering luxury yacht charters in the Chesapeake Bay and the Caribbean. Keith enjoys helping others discover their own “sailor within” and hone their skills. Keith is entering his third year as a luxury term charter yacht captain with Paradise Yacht Management in the Virgin Islands.

Keith also has a hospitality background; he loves grilling and bartending. He takes great pride in delivering an exceptional experience to guests. He is an accomplished amateur sous chef, mixologist, and oenophile.


Hailing from Virginia Beach, VA, Amanda was born and raised by the sea, and introduced to the water at an early age at her grandparents lake house and also sailing the Chesapeake on her uncle’s sloop. This inspired her to take to a life on the sea after college brought her to Florida. She has spent the last three years working on sailing catamarans, which have taken her across the Atlantic, up the east coast and all around the Caribbean. All the while she developed her love of cooking and refined her culinary knowledge at the Ashburton Chef’s Academy in Devon, England.

She is passionate about healthful and delicious meals, trying to source only the best ingredients from local and organic sources. Her creative flair is always present working with what is available to provide comforting, wholesome, and satisfying fare with island infusions, and exciting flavors from different parts of the world. With knowledge of vegan and raw food traditions, stepping out of the box is easy for her to do. Although catering traditional meals in a nutritious and delicious way is what she enjoys best!

As a PADI Rescue Diver, and watersports enthusiast, Amanda loves to encourage her guests in the water be it snorkeling, paddleboarding, wakeboarding, kayaking, surfing, or kiteboarding! Her kind and gentle demeanor makes it easy for her to understand what guests need and want to make their vacation exemplary, all while they relax onboard in between unforgettable meals, sunsets, and their favorite sundowners! Keep Calm and Sail On!