Rethymno: Private Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this private catamaran cruise is the long swimming stop in a clear-water bay near Georgioupoli. You can swim, snorkel, fish, or paddle a SUP, then climb back aboard for a freshly cooked Mediterranean lunch while the crew keeps the drinks flowing.

I like the easygoing setup: your group has the catamaran to itself, and the equipment is already onboard. I also like the food, especially the mix of salads, seafood, chicken, pasta, cheese, and fruit rather than a basic packed lunch. The main consideration is that the published plan centers on one swimming location, so anyone hoping to see several coastal spots may find the route a little fixed.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 15 people: The price covers the group, making the value much better for a larger family or friend group.
• One main swimming stop near Georgioupoli: Plan for time in the water rather than a sightseeing-heavy coastal route.
• Lunch is cooked onboard: Expect seafood, salads, chicken, pasta, cheese, and seasonal fruit.
• Water gear is included: Snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, and fishing gear are available at no extra charge.
• Rena helps make the day personal: She has been praised for taking family photos in the water.
• The cruise runs about 6 hours 30 minutes: It starts at 9:30 am and returns to the same Rethymno meeting point.

Setting Out From Rethymno at 9:30 am

You meet DanEri Yachts at Sofokli Venizelou 37 in Rethymno at 9:30 am. The cruise ends back at this same point, which keeps the day simple. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina meeting point.

This location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in Rethymno without a car. Your mobile ticket is accepted, and the tour is offered in English. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so I would avoid leaving this reservation until the last minute if your dates are fixed.

The private format changes the mood of the day. You are not sharing the catamaran with a large mixed group, and the crew can focus on your party. That matters most for families, birthday groups, couples traveling with friends, and anyone who wants control over the pace of a day on the water.

The boat is described as luxurious, but the real value is practical. You get a spacious deck, a place to sit in the sun, soft music, WiFi, food, drinks, and water equipment without having to organize each item separately. It feels less like a short boat transfer and more like a full day built around one pleasant stop.

The Bay Near Georgioupoli Is the Main Event

The cruise takes you to a bay near Georgioupoli, where the water is clear enough for swimming and snorkeling. This is the heart of the outing. You are not simply passing a coastline from the rail of a boat. You get time to get wet, try different activities, and return to the deck whenever you want a break.

The provided snorkeling equipment lets you look below the surface without bringing your own gear. The tour does not promise particular marine life, so you should treat snorkeling as a relaxed option rather than a specialized wildlife trip. The clear water is the draw, along with the chance to swim directly from the catamaran.

SUP boards add another choice. You do not need to be an experienced paddler, and the activity is described as suitable for beginners. If you have never tried stand-up paddleboarding, this is a low-pressure place to give it a go. You can also skip it and simply swim or lounge on deck.

Fishing equipment is included, though the details of the fishing setup and catch are not specified. Think of it as an extra way to pass the time, not a dedicated fishing charter. The same applies to the inflatable flamingo. It is useful for floating, relaxing, and taking holiday photos, especially if your group enjoys a bit of playful scenery.

One point deserves attention: the advertised plan focuses on this single swimming stop. A private boat can sound like a custom coastal tour, but this outing is better understood as a leisurely swim-and-lunch cruise than a multi-stop sightseeing voyage. One family specifically wished for another location and a different view. If variety matters more to you than a long, relaxed pause, ask DanEri Yachts about the route before booking.

A Lunch That Feels Like Part of the Cruise

While you swim and use the equipment, the crew prepares lunch onboard. That timing is useful. You can spend the first part of the stop in the water, then return to a meal that is served fresh rather than carried aboard in individual boxes.

The menu has a broad range:

• A cheese platter
• Green and Greek salads
• Shrimp pasta or rice with feta
• Mussels in turmeric sauce and ouzo
• Chicken breast with oranges
• Chicken nuggets or pasta for children
• Dessert with seasonal fruit

This is a generous spread for a boat trip. The salads and cheese offer lighter choices, while the shrimp pasta, rice with feta, mussels, and chicken make the meal substantial. The children’s options are also useful for families whose younger members may not want seafood or strongly seasoned dishes.

The mussels with turmeric sauce and ouzo give the lunch a distinctly local touch. The chicken with oranges adds another Cretan and Mediterranean note without making the meal too adventurous. I like that the menu includes familiar food alongside seafood, since a private group can easily include people with different tastes.

The available feedback gives the food high marks, with particular praise for the freshness and careful preparation. One group also liked the welcome snack, which includes traditional cheese pies and biscuits. Coffee and tea are available, so you are not limited to cold drinks all day.

The menu wording allows for some choice, but it does not explain how selections are made or how dietary restrictions are handled. If anyone in your party has allergies or follows a special diet, contact the provider before the cruise rather than relying on a last-minute adjustment onboard.

Drinks, Deck Time, and Simple Comforts

Unlimited drinks are part of the package. These include local dry white wine and beer for people aged 18 and over, along with water, Fanta, Cola, Sprite, and Cola Zero. Coffee and tea are also included, as are welcome drinks with the cheese pies and biscuits.

The alcohol rule is straightforward: only people at least 18 years old may drink beer or wine. Families should find the soft drink selection easy enough, while adults can settle into a glass of local white wine with lunch.

The spacious deck gives you room to change the pace. You can sit in the sun, take photos, listen to soft music, or use the WiFi to share pictures while the boat is connected. That combination makes the cruise feel social without forcing everyone into the same activity.

WiFi is a nice extra, but I would still treat it as a convenience rather than the reason to book. The appeal here is being on the water with your group. Use it to send a quick photo or message, then put the phone away and enjoy the quiet parts of the day.

The inflatable flamingo is another small but memorable touch. It gives children something playful to do and adds a fun prop for photographs. The crew can also help capture pictures. Rena was specifically appreciated for taking family photos in the water, which matters when nobody wants to remain on deck as the unofficial photographer.

The Crew and the Feel of a Private Charter

The crew includes a captain, first mate, and chef. Their roles are clear and useful: the captain handles the boat, the first mate helps with the activities and general service, and the chef prepares lunch onboard.

The strongest praise has gone to the way the three worked together. That is important on a private cruise because the day depends less on a formal script and more on good timing. You want someone preparing lunch while the rest of the crew keeps an eye on the swimming stop and helps people use the equipment.

Rena is the only crew member named in the available information. Her help with taking photographs is a small detail, but it says something about the service style. This is not only a transfer to a swimming area. The crew is expected to help create a relaxed day and preserve a few moments for the family album.

The overall tone is friendly and attentive, with the food and service receiving the strongest praise. Still, the tour should not be sold as a fully customized sailing itinerary. The published schedule gives you one principal bay, and there is no promise of several stops, sailing lessons, or extensive coastal commentary.

What the $2,643.35 Group Price Really Means

The price is $2,643.35 for up to 15 people. That sounds steep at first, but the private-group structure changes the calculation. At the full 15-person capacity, the cost works out to about $176 per person. For 10 people, it is about $264 per person. With only 6 people, the cost rises to roughly $441 each.

That makes this most attractive for a full family group or a large circle of friends. You are paying for private use of the catamaran, a crew, lunch, drinks, water equipment, and a six-and-a-half-hour outing. You also avoid the compromises of sharing a boat with strangers.

For a smaller party, the value is harder to defend unless privacy matters greatly. A couple or small family may prefer a less expensive shared cruise, if one is available for your dates. This particular option earns its price through space, privacy, fresh cooking, and the ability to enjoy the day entirely with your own group.

The unlimited drinks and included gear also reduce the small costs that can add up on a boat day. You do not need to rent snorkeling equipment or pay separately for a SUP board. Hotel transport is not included, however, so add your own cost and planning for reaching Sofokli Venizelou 37.

The cruise is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead time of 43 days. That is a useful signal for planning. If you want a certain date during a busy Crete visit, reserve early and wait for confirmation, which is issued within 48 hours subject to availability.

Who Will Enjoy This Catamaran Day Most

I would put this high on the list for a family or friend group that values privacy more than a busy sightseeing schedule. The children’s lunch choices, inflatable flamingo, soft drinks, SUP boards, and fishing equipment give younger participants several ways to stay occupied.

It also suits adults who want a polished day on the water without having to plan every detail. The crew handles the boat and meal, while your group chooses how much time to spend swimming, snorkeling, paddling, fishing, or sitting on deck with a drink.

The tour is a good fit for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can use the boards and snorkeling equipment, while less active people can stay aboard and enjoy lunch, music, and the view. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

I would think twice if your main goal is to visit many coves or see a long stretch of Crete’s coast. The itinerary is built around one bay, and the main pleasure comes from lingering there. That is not a weakness for everyone. It simply means the trip rewards a slow pace.

Good weather is essential. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

Should You Book the Rethymno Catamaran Cruise?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a private day with fresh food, unlimited drinks, and plenty of time in the water. The strongest reasons are the friendly crew, onboard cooking, included equipment, and freedom to let each person choose a different activity.

Think carefully if you are a small group on a tight budget or if you expect a tour with several coastal stops. This is a single-bay swimming and lunch cruise, not a fast-moving sightseeing route. For the right group, that slower plan is exactly the point: swim when you like, eat well, take photos, and let the crew handle the rest.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

It starts at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, Rethymno 741 00, Greece.

What time does the cruise begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the cruise end?

It ends back at the meeting point in Rethymno.

How many people can join the private cruise?

The private catamaran can accommodate a group of up to 15 people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes items such as cheese, green and Greek salads, shrimp pasta or rice with feta, mussels, chicken, children’s options, and seasonal fruit dessert.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited beer and local dry white wine are included for people aged 18 and over. Water, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are also included.

What equipment is provided?

Snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, and fishing equipment are provided. WiFi is also included.