Rethymno: Private Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

This cruise is interesting because you get a full sea day on your own catamaran, with the Cretan coast laid out in front of you instead of as a side view from the road. It feels like a floating beach club that still has real swimming time and easy activity gear ready on board.

I love the private, premium catamaran setup, especially the way it balances comfort with actual water time. I also like the onboard food and drinks plan, from welcome bites to a fresh lunch with local ingredients and unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks.

One thing to consider is that it is not suitable for everyone, since it is not recommended for pregnant women, and the cruise is also weather dependent. If the sea turns choppy, your timing can change.

Key things to know before you go

• Private sailing catamaran from the Marina of Rethymno for about 6.5 hours, with time to relax and swim
• Ombros Gialos Bay stop, known for clear, turquoise water, plus snorkeling gear and floating inflatables
• SUP and inflatable fun, including stand-up paddleboards and an inflatable flamingo float
• Fresh lunch onboard with Mediterranean-style choices, plus vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options on request
• Unlimited drinks: soft drinks, local white wine, and cold beer, with a music setup you control
• Free onboard Wi-Fi so you can share photos right away, no hunting for signal

Sailing out of Rethymno, in your own time and on your own boat

Starting from the Marina of Rethymno keeps this day straightforward. You meet a crew member in a DanEri logo t-shirt about 15 minutes before departure, then you get local snacks while you handle the quick safety briefing. No hotel pickup means you will want to plan for an easy arrival to the marina, and there is convenient municipal parking in the marina car park.

The private part is what you are really paying for. A day on a catamaran changes the feel of Crete. Instead of bouncing between viewpoints, you slow down, watch the coastline slide by, and build a routine that is simply swim, eat, sip, and repeat. With a group up to 10, you also tend to get a calmer vibe than big public cruises.

Price and value: what you actually get for $2,239

At $2,239 per group up to 10, you can do the math two ways.

• If you fill the max group size, you are in the ballpark of about $224 per person for a 6.5-hour private sea day.
• Even with fewer people, you still get the big-ticket items built into the package: catamaran charter, crew, lunch, unlimited drinks, and a stack of included water gear.

For me, the value comes from the combination. Many day boat experiences give you one or two of these, not all of them. Here you get food plus alcohol plus the gear to enjoy the water stop, which is what turns a “nice ride” into a day you remember.

Welcome onboard: snacks, Wi-Fi, and a crew that runs the day

From the first minutes on the boat, the tone is laid-back, but organized. You get a warm welcome, and the crew keeps things moving without rushing you. There is a selection of coffee and tea plus Greek pies at the start, which is a smart touch if you show up hungry from the morning.

You also get music control. The plan includes a selection of songs onboard, and you can play your own music as well. That matters more than it sounds. It lets the day match your mood, whether you want chill background tunes while sailing or something more upbeat while you are hanging out on deck.

One practical win is free onboard Wi-Fi. You can send photos and messages right away, so this day does not turn into a “no connection, no posts” situation. Just keep expectations reasonable, since Wi-Fi at sea can always vary, but the key point is that you do not have to rely on finding a signal on land.

Safety and comfort details that help in real life

The crew is Red Cross certified, and life jackets are provided. That is not the kind of detail you notice while everything is calm, but it is the kind of thing you will appreciate if you are traveling with kids or you are simply risk-aware.

If you are traveling with children, there is also a box with toys for kids. That small addition can make the difference between “they are bored on a boat” and “they actually enjoy being there.”

The sail time: relaxing catamaran cruising along the Cretan coast

After the initial marina time, you settle into the cruising portion of the day. The schedule includes a stretch of sailing time on the catamaran, which is where you get the slow, open-air part of the experience.

What you should expect here is simple: you get deck space, sea views, and a chance to spend your time without planning every minute. With unlimited drinks available, it is easy to keep things moving through the day without waiting for service.

Drinks on board, and why the unlimited part matters

The drink plan includes unlimited soft drinks, local white wine, and cold beer. That is helpful because it turns drinks into something you do when you feel like it, not something you fit into a limited window.

Also, the day is designed so you are not stuck thirsty while you wait for the next meal or the next swim break. You can sip as you cruise, then keep going after lunch when you head back to the water.

Ombros Gialos Bay: the real reason to book (snorkeling, SUP, floats)

The highlight stop is the Ombros Gialos Bay area, known for clear, turquoise water and a calm feel. Once the boat anchors, you shift from “sailing day” into “water day.”

Snorkeling and swimming stop setup

You are provided with snorkeling equipment and you can snorkel in the bay waters. The gear being included matters. It saves you time, and it avoids the classic travel problem of showing up without the right size or missing an item.

If you prefer a simpler approach, you can just swim and float. There are also inflatables included, including arm floaties and other floating options. There is even an inflatable flamingo float, which is playful and perfect for photos, but also fun if you want to hang out without constantly treading.

SUP boards for a different kind of fun

You also get stand-up paddleboards (SUP). SUP changes the experience from passive floating to active exploring at the bay edge. It is also a good option if you want to move around without the full effort of, say, a hike.

Fishing gear on board

There is fishing gear provided as well. You will not spend the whole day fishing, but it gives you a fun extra activity if you have a curious group, especially with kids or anyone who enjoys trying things on vacation.

Photo stop near Georgioupoli, plus scenery time

Your day also includes a photo stop around Georgioupoli and time for sailing with scenic views. Even if you do not plan on spending time on the shore, the photo stop helps break up the day. It also gives you a land moment before you settle into the water activities again.

Lunch onboard: fresh Cretan Mediterranean food, cooked for a sea day

Lunch is one of the best parts of this cruise because it is prepared onboard and designed for the kind of day you are having. You are not waiting for a restaurant shift. You are eating on a boat that is already part of the experience.

The meal is Mediterranean-style and uses local ingredients. The menu includes options that typically cover seafood, meats, and vegetable dishes, plus Cretan cheeses and a homemade summer dessert. If you have dietary needs, you can request vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, and there is also a special meal option for children.

Why lunch onboard feels better than a land restaurant

On land, lunch can become a chore: you eat fast, then you go back into traffic and crowds. On this catamaran day, lunch is part of the rhythm. You eat, you cool off, you sip a bit more if you want, and you keep your day moving without breaking the mood.

The drink pairing also helps. Unlimited wine and beer are part of the experience, so lunch is not just fuel. It is a relaxing break.

Comfort details: deck space, music choices, and staying out in the sun

This is a deck-first day. You spend plenty of time outside, so comfort is not just nice, it matters.

A few practical thoughts I recommend:

• Bring sunscreen and reapply, especially if you will be out on deck during sailing time.
• Pack a towel because you will be in the water at the bay stop.
• Plan your day around sun time, not just swim time.

There is no hotel pickup, so once you are on the boat you are fully in “boat mode.” That is a plus for people who want a simple day, and it is also why your packing list matters.

Music and Wi-Fi work together for a modern vacation day

The ability to choose music and share photos quickly is a surprisingly good combo. You get a day that feels both special and easy. You can record moments without waiting until you return to Rethymno.

Logistics and timing: what the schedule feels like in real time

The day runs about 6.5 hours. You start at the Marina of Rethymno, get welcome snacks, then go into sailing time before the bay water stop and the lunch portion.

A key thing about this kind of day is that it is built for a relaxed pace. The schedule includes enough sailing time so you feel like you went somewhere, not just anchored and ate. Then the bay stop gives you enough time for snorkeling, SUP, swimming, and floating.

After that, you head back to the marina on the return sailing stretch. You end where you started, which makes the end of the day simple, even if you have dinner plans later.

What to bring, and what you must send before departure

This is where you avoid the day getting stressful.

Bring

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Passport or ID card (a copy is accepted)

Provide passenger details

When booking, you must provide each passenger’s full name, date of birth, passport or ID number, and nationality. Port authorities require this information for permission to sail. If you are traveling with a group, double-check spelling early so you do not scramble later.

Weather and rescheduling

The cruise depends on weather conditions. If conditions are poor, the operator may reschedule or cancel. If you have tight plans later that day or the next, build in some flexibility.

Not suitable for pregnant women

This trip is marked as not suitable for pregnant women. If that applies to you, it is worth asking the operator about alternate options rather than risking an uncomfortable or unsafe situation.

Who this cruise fits best, and who should think twice

This private catamaran day is built for people who want a relaxed, “less planning, more enjoying” vacation moment.

It is a strong fit if you:

• Want a private group experience with real sea time and included activities
• Care about good onboard food and unlimited drinks
• Are traveling with mixed ages, since there are kid-friendly items and adjustable meal options
• Like the idea of snorkeling and SUP but do not want to rent gear or manage logistics

It might not be the best choice if:

• You hate being out in the sun for hours
• You are sensitive to boat movement, especially if conditions get rough
• You need hotel pickup or a door-to-door service (that is not included here)

Also, check your group size expectations. The experience is private and described as up to 10, but one verified booking described their day boat group as 17. If group size matters for your comfort, you should confirm headcount details when you book.

Should you book DanEri’s private catamaran cruise?

If you want a Cretan sea day that feels like a treat, this is a solid choice. The mix of snorkeling gear, SUP, floats, lunch onboard, and unlimited drinks is what makes it good value, especially when you keep it private and actually fill your group.

Book it if your goal is simple: spend hours on open water, have a real meal without detours, and get time in the bay for swimming and easy activities. Skip it if you need strict schedule guarantees, lack flexibility for weather changes, or fall into the category where pregnancy makes the experience unsuitable.