Rethymno Premium Catamaran Cruise: Healthy Lunch & Open Bar

A good day at sea should feel easy. This Rethymno cruise gets much right: a spacious catamaran with sunbeds and shaded lounges, plus a generous food and drinks program that feels closer to a floating lunch party than a basic boat excursion. I especially like the fresh Mediterranean menu and the chance to use SUP boards, snorkeling gear, and the famously photogenic pink flamingo float.

The main tradeoff is travel time. You spend about 105 minutes sailing each way, leaving roughly two hours and 45 minutes at the swimming stop. That is ideal if you enjoy the ride, music, and sea views, but less appealing if you want several snorkel sites or a full day in the water.

Quick take: what makes this cruise worth considering

• Restaurant-style lunch: Fresh Cretan ingredients, salads, pasta or orzo, seafood, chicken, pita, and dessert may appear on the seasonal menu.
• Small-group comfort: The catamaran carries no more than 25 people, with plenty of room to sit in sun or shade.
• Open bar all day: Water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and local white wine are included, along with espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein drink.
• One main swimming stop: Georgioupoli Bay is the usual destination, although weather may send the boat toward Skaleta instead.
• Helpful crew: Staff are attentive with drink refills, equipment, food requests, and seasickness.
• Good for relaxed families and couples: Children’s meals and toys can be arranged, but unaccompanied minors are not permitted.

Setting off from Rethymno Marina

The cruise begins at Rethymno Marina, where you should arrive 15 minutes before departure. The catamaran is called Karina, and the crew wears DanEri T-shirts, making them easy to spot. A municipal parking lot is available at the marina, but hotel transport is not included unless you choose an option with pickup or arrange a transfer separately.

Boarding starts with a friendly welcome and a short safety briefing. You can settle in with espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail before the boat gets properly underway. A light breakfast bowl or brunch follows, giving you something more useful than a token biscuit before the long sail.

The crew speaks English and Greek. Port authorities require the full name, date of birth, passport or ID number, and nationality of every passenger when you book. Bring the identification document or a copy, since those details are needed to issue sailing permission.

The 105-minute sail along Crete’s coast

The first sailing stretch lasts about an hour and 45 minutes. This is not simply transport to the swimming stop. It is a major part of the experience, so you should enjoy being on the boat rather than viewing the cruise only as a water-sports outing.

The modern catamaran has open deck space, sunbeds, covered seating, an onboard toilet, an outdoor shower, and free Wi-Fi. You can read, chat, listen to the soft onboard music, or watch the rocky Cretan coast pass by. The wide catamaran design also helps prevent the cramped feeling common on smaller boats.

Space is one of the strongest reasons to pay the premium price. With a maximum group of 25, you are not packed shoulder to shoulder. Some departures have had closer to 15 people, though the exact number depends on the day. If you are traveling with a larger party, tell the operator who belongs together, especially if more than one boat leaves at the same time.

The ride can still be choppy. Several people needed help with seasickness even when the water looked calm, while rougher weather has caused more noticeable discomfort. If you are prone to nausea, sit where the crew advises, watch the forecast, and ask the team about practical help before departure.

Georgioupoli Bay or Skaleta, depending on the weather

The planned destination is Georgioupoli Bay, though the captain may choose Skaleta if conditions make it the better option. This flexibility matters in Crete, where wind and currents can change the feel of the sea quickly.

At the swimming stop, the boat anchors near clear water and the crew lays out the equipment. You can use high-quality masks and fins, swim vests, SUP boards, inflatable noodles, and the pink flamingo float. Fishing gear is also available on request, offering a gentle activity for anyone who would rather not spend the entire stop snorkeling.

The water has been described as turquoise and exceptionally clear, with schools of fish visible in favorable conditions. Sea turtles, dolphins, jellyfish, and flying fish have also been spotted during some trips, but wildlife is never guaranteed. The underwater scenery can vary. Some days produce memorable snorkeling, while other stops are beautiful but deep, with limited marine life to see.

That point is worth keeping in mind. If you are booking mainly for snorkeling, this may disappoint you if the chosen cove has little to see. The crew cannot control currents, visibility, or marine life, and the cruise generally focuses on one main swimming area rather than moving from cove to cove.

You get roughly two hours and 45 minutes at the bay, including swimming, paddleboarding, snorkeling, lunch, and time to relax. That is enough for a proper swim and a meal, though some people may wish for a second water stop. I would bring realistic expectations: this is a sailing-and-dining day with water activities, not a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

A healthy Cretan lunch served on deck

Food is one of the cruise’s biggest strengths. The menu is designed with help from a certified nutritionist and uses fresh, local, biological, and organic ingredients sourced from a Cretan farm. Seasonal changes mean the exact dishes will vary, but the aim is a balanced Mediterranean meal rather than heavy buffet fare.

Past menus have included Greek salad, avocado salad, cheese, pita, pasta with tomato sauce and prawns, mussels, orzo, grilled orange chicken, and assorted desserts. Some meals have included generous portions and seconds. The food is prepared onboard, and the dining setting is hard to beat: you eat while looking across the open sea.

The healthy label does not mean the meal is joyless. Reports of restaurant-quality food, fresh salads, seafood, and tasty desserts are common. If you prefer vegetarian dishes, lighter food, or seafood, there should be suitable options, but tell the operator about allergies or dietary needs when booking. A separate pasta dish was prepared for one passenger with a shellfish allergy, and children’s meals can be requested.

The morning food is lighter, with snacks and brunch before lunch. The selection may include cakes or Cretan bites on some departures. One past suggestion was for a wider snack and drink range, so you should not expect a huge café menu. You are getting a thoughtful day of food, not a full restaurant with every possible choice.

What the open bar really includes

The open bar is practical and generous. Included drinks are still water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Cretan white wine. Espresso, tea, detox waters, and a protein shake are also part of the day.

The crew keeps an eye on refills, which helps the service feel attentive rather than self-serve and forgotten. The music creates a cheerful mood without necessarily making conversation difficult. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks beyond the listed beer and wine are not included, and red wine is not allowed onboard.

If you are traveling with children, the nonalcoholic options and water activities make the cruise easy to enjoy as a family. You should still bring sunscreen and a hat, since the drinks do not solve the basic problem of strong Cretan sun.

Water activities, comfort, and practical limits

The equipment is included, so you do not need to rent a paddleboard or bring snorkeling fins. Swim vests are available, and the noodles are useful if you want to float without working hard. The flamingo is mostly a fun photo prop, but it also adds a bit of humor to an otherwise polished setup.

The catamaran provides both sunny and shaded areas, although shade can feel limited during the hottest summer hours. This is especially important if you plan to spend most of the cruise outside. Bring a towel, hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and personal-care items. Towels and sunscreen are not supplied.

Shoes are not worn indoors, and smoking indoors is prohibited. Glass objects, drugs, and alcohol not supplied through the bar are not allowed. You may not touch marine life, a simple rule that protects the underwater setting and keeps the activity safe.

Private cabins can be requested, but they are not guaranteed and are not part of the standard experience. The boat does have a toilet and an outdoor shower, which is useful after swimming.

Is $170 a fair price?

At $170 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water near Rethymno. You are paying for the modern catamaran, a small maximum group, crew service, two substantial food services, an open bar, and equipment for the swimming stop.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, paddleboarding, and snorkeling. It also makes more sense if you care about space and comfort. A packed excursion boat may cost less, but the wider deck, shaded seating, and quieter feel can be worth the difference during a long six-and-a-half-hour outing.

The value is weaker if your main goal is maximum time in the water. The sailing sections total three and a half hours, and the usual format centers on one bay. You may prefer a cheaper, shorter swimming trip if you do not enjoy extended time at sea.

The overall experience has a 4.7 rating from 393 ratings, with especially strong praise for the crew, food, boat cleanliness, and service. The most repeated criticisms are limited snorkeling variety, the long sail to the swimming area, and occasional seasickness. Those are not small details, so consider them before paying the premium.

Who will enjoy the cruise most?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, groups celebrating a birthday, and anyone who wants a polished day without arranging every detail. The combination of food, drinks, music, and equipment lets you switch between activity and rest.

It also suits people who like gentle social energy. You can chat with other passengers, but the catamaran is not designed as a wild party boat. The atmosphere is relaxed, with music in the background and room to stretch out.

This is less suitable if you are pregnant, have a pre-existing medical condition, are over 95, or have serious mobility concerns. Children under two and people prone to seasickness should be discussed with the crew before booking. Unaccompanied minors are not accepted.

For birthdays and anniversaries, tell DanEri Yachts ahead of time. A complimentary branded gift may be arranged for a special occasion. It is a small touch, but useful when you want the day to feel personal rather than purely scheduled.

Timing, pickup, and cancellation details

The full experience lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. Pickup is optional and may be available from areas such as Bali Village, depending on the option selected. The listed drop-off areas include Rethymno, Platanes, Panormos, Georgioupoli, Skaleta, Sfakaki, Stavromenos, and other nearby locations.

Arrive on time. The boat cannot wait for late passengers because of port rules, and delays caused by passengers are not covered. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later.

The cruise depends on weather. Bad conditions can lead to a change of destination, rescheduling, or cancellation. For the best chance of a smooth outing, check the forecast and contact the team before you go.

Should you book this Rethymno catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, food-focused day on the Cretan sea, with attentive service, an open bar, and enough room to relax. The strongest reasons are the quality of the lunch, the friendly crew, and the easy mix of sailing, swimming, paddleboarding, and lounging.

Think twice if you want intensive snorkeling, several swimming stops, or the lowest possible price. The long sailing time is part of the charm for some people and the main drawback for others.

My practical advice is simple: choose this cruise for the whole package, not just the swimming stop. Bring a towel, sunscreen, an ID copy, and seasickness medication if you need it. Then claim a shaded seat, enjoy the Cretan food, and let the day unfold at sea.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Rethymno Marina. Arrive 15 minutes before departure and look for the sailing catamaran Karina and crew wearing DanEri T-shirts.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts 390 minutes, which is six and a half hours. The sailing portions take about 105 minutes each way, with around two hours and 45 minutes at the swimming destination.

Which destination will the catamaran visit?

The cruise usually sails toward Georgioupoli Bay or Skaleta. The captain chooses the destination according to weather and sea conditions.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The cruise includes a light healthy brunch, gourmet Mediterranean lunch, dessert, water, soft drinks, local beer, Cretan white wine, espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, fins, swim vests, SUP boards, inflatable noodles, and an inflatable flamingo are included. Fishing equipment is available on request.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, and a passport or ID card. A copy of the identification document is accepted.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the cruise for a full refund. The cruise may also be rescheduled or canceled by the operator if weather conditions are unsuitable.