Rethymno Premium Catamaran Cruise: Healthy Lunch & Open Bar

The best part of this Rethymno catamaran cruise is the combination of good food and time on the water. You are not simply ferried to a swimming cove. The six-and-a-half-hour outing gives you a comfortable deck, a healthy brunch, a freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch, and drinks whenever you want them.

I like the small-group feel, with a maximum of 25 people, and the choice between sunny sunbeds and shaded lounge areas. Panos and Kleo have been especially attentive hosts on some departures. The main consideration is the long sailing time: the trip includes about 105 minutes each way, so it suits you best if you enjoy being at sea, not just swimming.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours of sailing each way: The cruise gives you broad coastal views, but the swimming stop is not the whole day.
• Georgioupoli Bay or Skaleta: Your destination depends on weather and sea conditions.
• A proper lunch, not just snacks: Expect fresh Mediterranean dishes made with local Cretan ingredients.
• Open bar included: Water, soft drinks, Greek beer and Cretan white wine are available throughout the cruise.
• Useful water gear onboard: SUP boards, snorkeling equipment, swimming vests, noodles and a pink flamingo float are provided.
• Maximum 25 people: The catamaran feels more relaxed than a large party boat, though group size can vary.

From Rethymno Marina to a quiet stretch of coast

Your day starts at Rethymno Marina. Arrive 15 minutes before departure, find the sailing catamaran Karina, and look for the crew in DanEri T-shirts. A municipal parking lot is available near the marina, but hotel transfers are not part of the standard price. Pickup can be arranged from Bali Village if you choose the appropriate option.

The welcome is more thoughtful than a quick safety announcement. You are offered espresso, tea, detox water and a protein cocktail before the boat gets properly underway. There are also local snacks and a light breakfast bowl prepared with help from a certified nutritionist.

This opening matters because the first part of the cruise is a long sail. The boat spends about 105 minutes heading along Crete’s rocky coast, and a little food in your stomach is useful before the sea begins to move. The crew gives a safety briefing, points out the life jackets, and helps you find a place on deck.

The Karina is designed for comfort rather than speed. You can stretch out on a sunbed, sit in a shaded lounge, or move around to take photographs. Soft music plays in the background, but it is not meant to turn the trip into a loud floating nightclub. You should still be able to talk with the people around you.

What the 105-minute sail is really like

The sailing time is both a strength and a possible weakness. I like it because you get a proper view of the coast from the sea, with time to settle into the day instead of rushing from one activity to another. On calm days, the broad catamaran offers a smooth, easy ride and plenty of room to spread out.

The boat may also raise its sails when conditions allow. That adds a quieter, more traditional sailing moment to a cruise otherwise powered by the catamaran. The route gives you sparkling water, rocky shoreline views and the chance to see flying fish. Dolphins and sea turtles have also been spotted on some outings, but these are lucky sightings, not part of the promised program.

The sea can be rough, even when conditions look fine from shore. Several people have needed help with seasickness, and the crew has responded quickly with practical advice. If you are prone to nausea, bring the medication or remedy you normally use, choose a central place on the boat, and avoid spending the entire crossing at the very front.

The sailing stretch can feel long if your priority is swimming. One useful way to think about the trip is as a relaxed coastal cruise with a substantial water stop, not as a short transfer to a beach.

Georgioupoli Bay or Skaleta, depending on the weather

The main destination is usually Georgioupoli Bay, though the crew may choose Skaleta when weather and sea conditions make it the better option. This flexibility is sensible. The exact cove, current and water conditions cannot be guaranteed in advance, but the crew can choose a safer and more comfortable place.

The stop lasts about two hours and 45 minutes. The crew serves gourmet snacks while preparing the water equipment. You can swim from the boat, use a stand-up paddleboard, put on the provided mask and fins, or float with a noodle. The pink flamingo is there for relaxed drifting and holiday photographs.

The water is often clear and strongly blue, with fish visible in some areas. Some outings have offered excellent snorkeling, while others have stopped in deeper water with less marine life to see. That is worth knowing if snorkeling is your main reason for booking. You are likely to have a beautiful swim, but this is not a dedicated marine-life expedition.

Currents can also affect the experience. At times, swimming has been harder than expected, and the crew may need to adjust how and where people use the equipment. Swimming vests are available, which is useful for children and anyone who is not fully confident in open water.

The boat carries fishing equipment on request, though the main focus is swimming and paddleboarding. Children can also request a box of toys. Unaccompanied minors are not permitted, and children under two require a conversation with the operator before booking.

The food is a major reason to choose this cruise

The meal is one of the strongest parts of the experience. This is not a basic packed lunch handed over in a plastic box. The food is planned as a healthy, balanced menu using fresh, local, biological and organic ingredients sourced from a Cretan farm.

The exact dishes change with the season. Past menus have included salads, orzo, mussels, prawns, grilled chicken, pasta, pita and desserts. One meal included a cheese board, Greek salad, avocado salad, pasta with garlicky tomato sauce and prawns, grilled orange chicken, pita bread and assorted sweets.

The menu is Mediterranean in spirit, but the cruise also tries to cover different needs. Vegetarian dishes and lighter choices are available, and children’s meals can be requested. If you have an allergy, tell the crew before departure. A separate pasta dish was prepared for a passenger with a shellfish allergy, but you should not rely on last-minute arrangements.

Lunch is served after the swimming period, allowing you to return to the boat hungry and relaxed. You eat with open sea views, rather than in a crowded waterfront restaurant. Seconds may be available, but the sensible approach is to tell the company about dietary needs when you book.

The drinks package adds real value. Unlimited still water, soft drinks, Greek beer and local white wine are included. Espresso, tea, detox water and a protein shake are also available. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks beyond beer and wine cost extra, and red wine is not allowed onboard.

A comfortable boat with enough room to spread out

At $170 per person, this is not a bargain boat trip. You are paying for a modern catamaran, a small maximum group, a full meal, an open bar and a long day at sea. The price makes more sense if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, water equipment and a premium boat setting.

The catamaran has sunbeds, shaded areas, an onboard toilet and an outdoor shower. Wi-Fi and music are included. The boat is kept clean and has several seating zones, which helps prevent the day from feeling crowded. Groups of six or nine can usually sit together, but tell the company in advance if you want to be placed with friends because more than one boat may leave at the same time.

There are limits to the comfort. Shade is not available everywhere, especially during the hottest summer hours. Bring a hat and sunscreen, and do not assume the boat’s shaded lounge will be free whenever you want it. Shoes are not worn indoors, and glass objects and indoor smoking are prohibited.

Private cabins are available only on request and are not guaranteed. Towels and personal care items are not supplied, so pack your own towel, sunscreen and swimwear. Personal feminine hygiene products are available onboard, a small but useful detail.

How the crew shapes the day

The crew is central to this experience. Their job is not just to steer the boat and serve lunch. They set out the boards and snorkeling gear, keep drinks topped up, watch the swimming area and help anyone who feels unwell.

Panos and Kleo have been named as especially warm hosts on some departures. Other crew members, including captain Adonis and sailors such as Manolis on earlier trips, have also been praised for their care and professionalism. Names and staff assignments can change, but the service style is clearly meant to be personal rather than hands-off.

That attention is most useful when conditions change. On one earlier trip, rough water forced a route change and the company arranged a transfer to another departure point. The cruise is weather-dependent, so it can be postponed or canceled when conditions are unsafe. You should keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Celebrations can be arranged in advance. For a birthday or anniversary, the crew can provide a complimentary branded gift. A birthday cake has also been arranged on some departures, but request this before the day rather than assuming it will happen automatically.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This suits you if you want a full day that mixes easy sailing, swimming and a good meal. Couples can settle into the shaded lounge, families can use the noodles and paddleboards, and small groups can enjoy the open bar without arranging several separate activities.

It is also a good choice if you care about food quality. The lunch is more substantial than the usual excursion fare, and the healthy brunch makes the early part of the day easier. The boat’s size gives you more room than a large excursion vessel, while the group limit keeps the mood fairly calm.

You may want a different trip if you want several swimming locations, a short boat ride, or serious snorkeling. The main stop can be beautiful, but the underwater scenery varies. You should also think twice if you are pregnant, have a medical condition, are over 95, or regularly suffer badly from seasickness. The company specifically asks people in these situations to check the forecast and speak with the team before booking.

The cruise is not suitable for unaccompanied minors. It may also be less comfortable for anyone with mobility problems, since details about boarding and movement around the boat should be confirmed before purchase.

Practical details that can save you trouble

Bring a towel, hat, swimsuit, sunscreen and a passport or identity card. A copy of your ID is accepted. You need to provide every passenger’s full name, date of birth, nationality and passport or ID number because port authorities require those details for cruise permission.

The QR-code ticket is sent by email one day before departure. Arrive on time. The boat cannot wait for late passengers because of port rules, and delays caused by guests are not covered.

The activity lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. English and Greek are spoken, and private groups are available. Free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is offered.

The listed return options cover Rethymno and nearby areas including Platanes, Adelianos Kampos, Skaleta, Stavromenos, Panormos, Bali and Georgioupoli. Confirm your chosen pickup or drop-off point when booking, since standard hotel transfer is not included.

Should you book the Rethymno catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a polished day on the sea with plenty of food, drinks and room to relax. The strongest reasons are the attentive crew, fresh lunch, clean modern boat, included equipment and the chance to spend nearly three hours at a clear-water swimming stop.

Think carefully if you mainly want snorkeling or several different coves. The long outbound and return sails leave less time in the water than the total duration might suggest, and conditions can limit what you see below the surface.

For the right person, $170 is fair value. You get a six-and-a-half-hour outing, a healthy brunch, restaurant-style lunch, an open bar, water toys, safety equipment and a small-group setting. I would choose it for a relaxed premium day from Rethymno, especially if food and comfort matter as much as swimming.

FAQ

How long does the Rethymno catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. This includes the outward and return sails, the swimming stop, lunch and onboard activities.

Where does the cruise depart?

The meeting point is Rethymno Marina. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure and look for the catamaran Karina and crew members wearing DanEri T-shirts.

Where does the catamaran go?

The cruise may sail to Georgioupoli Bay or Skaleta, depending on weather and sea conditions. Georgioupoli is the main destination described for the swimming and lunch stop.

Is food included?

Yes. The cruise includes welcome snacks, a light healthy brunch and a freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch. Menus change with the seasons and may include vegetarian, lighter or children’s options.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited still water, soft drinks, local Greek beer and Cretan white wine are included. Espresso, tea, detox water and a protein cocktail are also available. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks are extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. High-quality masks and fins, stand-up paddleboards, swimming vests and inflatable noodles are included. Fishing equipment is available on request, and an inflatable flamingo is also onboard.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is not included in the standard price. Optional transfer service may be available from selected areas, including Bali Village, if you choose the correct booking option.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen and a passport or identity card. You should also provide the required passenger identification details when booking.