L'esprit Cruises
Two Types of Businesses. Two Profit Centers. One Vision. Zero-Emissions Water Excursions in the Carbbean.
L'ESPRIT CRUISES - NEW STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT
Over the past several months, we have carefully evaluated the challenges of financing our original superyacht concept.
Consequently, we have decided to restructure the sequence of our development into two distinct phases.
Phase 1 — Electric Water Taxi
Firstly, we are launching L’esprit's Caribbean operations by starting a zero-emissions water transportation business utilizing Candela P-12 Hydrofoil Water Taxis. This businesss, starting in Aruba, will establish us as a revenue-generating marine operations, develop customer relationships, and demonstrate our ability to manage and expand a sustainable maritime business.
Phase 2 — The L’esprit Superyacht
With an established operating, revenue generating, business, we intend to return to the development and financing of our 130 ft luxury superyacht, incorporating the designs that Lloyd Werft Yacht Builders and 3DELUXE helped us to create.
We have not abandoned our superyacht vision. We have developed what we believe is a more achievable path toward making it a reality.
Phase 1: Hydroplaning Electric Water Taxi
Introducing a New Era of Caribbean Water Transportation-
L’esprit Cruises, Inc. is developing a premium, zero-emission water transportation network designed to transform how visitors and residents move between local stops within each island we service.
Our initial operation will launch in Aruba, utilizing the revolutionary Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil vessels to provide fast, quiet, comfortable, and environmentally responsible passenger transportation.
Unlike conventional water taxis, Candela's hydrofoil technology allows the vessels to rise above the water while underway, significantly reducing drag, wake, energy consumption, and operating noise. This technology offers the opportunity to deliver a superior passenger experience while improving the economics of marine transportation.
Our Business Model-
L’esprit Phase 1 will establish a commercial passenger transportation operation with multiple revenue opportunities, including:
- Scheduled Passenger Transportation: High-frequency service connecting Aruba's cruise terminal area with major hotel and resort destinations, initially focusing on the Oranjestad–Palm Beach corridor.
- Cruise Passenger Transfers: Convenient transportation connecting cruise visitors with Aruba's beaches, resorts, shopping, and recreational attractions.
- Hotel & Resort Transportation: Premium transfers and contracted passenger services for hotels, resorts, and hospitality partners.
- Private Charters: Exclusive transportation for families, groups, corporate events, and special occasions.
- Excursions & Sightseeing: Coastal experiences showcasing Aruba's beautiful shoreline aboard advanced electric hydrofoil vessels.
- Specialized Transportation Services: Additional routes and premium transfers developed in cooperation with tourism and hospitality partners.
Our business model combines individual passenger ticket sales with contracted transportation services, private charters, and tourism distribution partnerships.
Our Customers-
L’esprit Water Taxis will serve Aruba's substantial tourism market, including cruise ship passengers, hotel and resort guests, independent visitors, local residents, and businesses requiring reliable passenger transportation.
Our customer acquisition strategy will leverage relationships with cruise lines, hotels, resorts, tour operators, online booking platforms, and the established Caribbean tourism industry.
Experienced Leadership-
L’esprit is led by a founding team with extensive experience in tourism, luxury hospitality, business development, and Caribbean excursion operations.
Our Customers-
L’esprit Water Taxis will serve Aruba's substantial tourism market, including cruise ship passengers, hotel and resort guests, independent visitors, local residents, and businesses requiring reliable passenger transportation.
Our customer acquisition strategy will leverage relationships with cruise lines, hotels, resorts, tour operators, online booking platforms, and the established Caribbean tourism industry.
Experienced Leadership-
L’esprit is led by a founding team with extensive experience in tourism, luxury hospitality, business development, and Caribbean excursion operations.
- Gordon Merritt, Founder, brings more than 30 years of experience in the tourism industry, including developing online tour and activity distribution businesses and owning and operating a day-cruise excursion company in Aruba.
- Debbi Claxton, Co-Founder, brings more than 27 years of experience in luxury tourism, cruise sales, and hospitality customer relationships through her work as a luxury travel advisor and agency co-owner.
- Gordon “Deuce” Merritt II, Co-Founder and Chief Communications Officer, brings firsthand experience managing day-to-day operations of the family's previous Aruba excursion business, including cruise line relationships, operational oversight, and government relations. He will play a key role in corporate communications, strategic relationships, and business development.
Together, the founders bring a combination of entrepreneurial experience, local market knowledge, tourism distribution expertise, and established industry relationships.
Our Long-Term Vision-
Aruba represents the first step toward establishing a scalable network of premium electric water transportation services throughout the Caribbean.
Our expansion strategy focuses on identifying island destinations where electric hydrofoil technology can improve passenger transportation, create new tourism experiences, and establish commercially attractive marine transportation operations.
The water transportation network also complements L’esprit's longer-term vision of developing luxury superyacht hospitality experiences, with electric hydrofoil vessels providing passenger connections between shore and the yachts.
Mission-
Our mission is to make cleaner maritime technology commercially successful by delivering a better passenger experience—not simply a greener alternative. L’esprit combines advanced marine technology, proven tourism-industry experience, and a scalable operating concept to help shape the future of Caribbean water transportation.
Our Long-Term Vision-
Aruba represents the first step toward establishing a scalable network of premium electric water transportation services throughout the Caribbean.
Our expansion strategy focuses on identifying island destinations where electric hydrofoil technology can improve passenger transportation, create new tourism experiences, and establish commercially attractive marine transportation operations.
The water transportation network also complements L’esprit's longer-term vision of developing luxury superyacht hospitality experiences, with electric hydrofoil vessels providing passenger connections between shore and the yachts.
Mission-
Our mission is to make cleaner maritime technology commercially successful by delivering a better passenger experience—not simply a greener alternative. L’esprit combines advanced marine technology, proven tourism-industry experience, and a scalable operating concept to help shape the future of Caribbean water transportation.
Fundraise Details
Fundraise DetailsThis section is only visible to registered investors. Log in or register as an accredited investor to view.
Ready to Ask For Funding for your company?
Post a Funding RequestKey Facts
- Industry
- {{model.industry | ffIndustry}}
- Location
- {{model.city_state}}
- Year Founded
- {{model.year_founded}}
- Monthly Income
- {{model.monthly_income | ffIncome}}
- Website
- {{model.homepage_url}}