Rethymno Premium Catamaran Cruise: Healthy Lunch & Open Bar

Pink flamingos make the sea day easy. This Rethymno catamaran cruise blends healthy onboard meals with an open bar and plenty of water time along Crete’s rocky coast.

I like the deck layout most, with sunbeds plus shaded lounge areas, so you can actually find a comfortable spot. I also like the food plan, brunch and lunch built by a certified nutritionist, using fresh local ingredients and seasonal menus.

One thing to plan for: the sailing is weather-dependent. When conditions turn choppy, your swim window can feel shorter, so pack sea-sickness support if you’re prone.

Key highlights at a glance

• Spacious comfort on a modern catamaran with sunbeds and shaded lounge zones
• Nutritionist-led food with a healthy brunch and a balanced Cretan-style lunch
• Open bar basics done right: unlimited water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and local white wine
• Real included water time with SUP, snorkeling gear, swim vests, noodles, and a flamingo float
• Small-group feel with a maximum group size of 25 on board
• Crew help when you need it including quick support for nausea on the water

Value Check: What Makes This Premium Catamaran Cruise Worth $170

At $170 per person, you’re not paying just for a boat ride. You’re paying for a full packaged day: a modern catamaran, professional crew, onboard food (brunch plus lunch), unlimited drinks in a defined open bar, and a big chunk of activity gear (SUP, snorkeling set, noodles, swim vests, and even a fishing kit).

That mix is why this feels like a “plan-a-day, not just a ticket” type of experience. You can show up, get fed, get drinks, and use the water toys without extra line items. If your goal is to spend a half day on the water plus an easy lunch and drinks, this lines up well.

Just be honest with yourself about what you want. If you’re chasing endless snorkeling variety, you may still enjoy the stop, but the water life you see depends on where they can safely go and how conditions look that day. If you mainly want clear water, photo moments, and an easy swim, you’re in the right place.

Boarding at Rethymno Marina: Your Day Starts With Drinks and a Safety Brief

You board at Rethymno Marina, and you’ll want to arrive about 15 minutes early. Crew members wearing DanEri T-shirts meet you on the sailing catamaran named Karina, and you’ll start with snacks plus a safety briefing.

The welcome set is a good sign: espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail/shake so you’re not starting with just coffee fumes and vibes. There’s also a light breakfast bowl designed by a certified nutritionist. So instead of doing a rushed breakfast on land, you get fueled before the first sailing stretch.

On board, expect practical comforts too. There’s an onboard WC and an outdoor shower, plus life jackets, and free Wi-Fi. Music runs during the day to keep the mood upbeat, but the vibe stays social rather than party-chaos.

The First Sailing Stretch: Comfort on Deck While You Head Toward the Bay

After leaving port, you have about 105 minutes of sailing. The point here is simple: you get the coast views while the crew sets up your day for swimming and snorkeling later.

This is also where the deck design matters. You can spread out on sunbeds, but you can also move to shaded lounge zones when the sun gets intense. That balance is key in Crete, where a sunny deck can go from pleasant to sweaty fast.

If you’re sensitive to motion, this is the part to watch. A few past riders noted they felt sea-sick even when the sea looked calm. The crew was ready to help, including quick support like offering anti-sickness help on choppier days. Bring your own prevention if you know you react.

And yes, the music is part of the atmosphere. The goal is a warm, relaxed energy, and people reported you can still talk and connect without feeling like you’re shouting over a club.

Georgioupoli Bay or Skaleta: The Swim Stop That Powers the Whole Day

Once you reach the chosen bay, you get about 2.75 hours for the main water time and the food flow. Depending on conditions, the crew goes to Georgioupoli Bay or Skaleta. Both are known for striking, clear water in this part of Crete, and that shows up in photos for a reason.

Right when you arrive, you’ll do a quick mix of:

• a photo stop
• a dessert moment
• swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding
• more snacks and drinks
• lunch later on board, once you’ve worked up an appetite

Snorkeling and swimming: what to expect

The snorkeling gear is included and described as high-quality masks and fins. Swim vests and inflatable noodles are included too, which helps if you want to relax in the water without feeling like you need to be a trained swimmer.

Still, here’s the real-world part. Some people found the snorkeling sea life varied, and at least one person wished for a more interesting snorkel stop or more than one swimming location. Water depth, currents, and what wildlife is close to the surface can change the experience fast. You might see a lot. You might see less. Either way, the visuals in clear shallows usually make it worth it.

If you want the most fun, use the gear like a menu. Do a short snorkel first, then switch to SUP or noodles. You’ll cover more possibilities that way, and you’re less dependent on one “perfect” minute.

Photos and the pink flamingo float

The flamingo float is part of the included experience, and it’s made for photos. Even if you skip the floating, it signals what this day is about: comfort plus fun in bright Cretan water.

The Food and Drinks Plan: Healthy Lunch That Does Not Feel Like a Trade-Off

This cruise tries to solve the usual boat-day problem: you get out on the water, then the lunch is often basic. Here, lunch is Mediterranean-inspired and described as restaurant-quality, with a main course, plus dessert.

The big claim is the nutrition angle. The menu is created by a certified nutritionist, and it’s built around fresh local ingredients, including organic and sourced from a Cretan farm. Menus change seasonally, but the core idea stays the same: a balanced meal that still tastes good.

Brunch and lunch timing

You start with a light breakfast bowl before sailing. Then you’ll get lunch later during the bay time. That sequencing makes it easier to enjoy the swim without feeling heavy or hungry.

Drinks: the open bar you’ll actually use

Unlimited drinks are included from the open bar selection:

• still water
• soft drinks
• Greek beer
• local Greek white wine

On top of that, espresso, tea, detox waters, and protein cocktails are included. Several riders also praised how plentiful the drinks were and how often refills happened without you having to flag someone down.

Dietary needs

A big practical win: special dietary adjustments can be handled onboard. One rider reported they received a separate pasta dish for a shellfish allergy. So if you have dietary limits, tell the crew clearly when you board. Don’t wait until lunch time to explain everything.

Water Toys and Extras: SUP, Snorkeling Gear, Noodles, and Fishing

This is not a “stand and watch” cruise. The included gear is built so different people can have different types of fun.

You get:

• SUP (stand-up paddleboards)
• snorkeling gear (masks and fins)
• swimming jackets (life vests)
• inflatable noodles for relaxing in the water
• an inflatable flamingo for photos
• fishing gear available by request

There’s also a box of toys for kids available by request, which suggests the crew can help families keep little ones occupied during calmer stretches.

Fishing is a gentle option, so think casual try-it energy rather than a serious angler setup. If you’re traveling with kids, the toy box and water-friendly float options usually make it easier for everyone to have a good time.

Crew and Onboard Service: Attentive Without Feeling Stuffy

Service is one of the most consistent themes in the feedback you’ll see for this kind of cruise. The crew is described as friendly and attentive, with a quick response when people felt nauseous due to motion.

You may also be lucky with a strong crew mix. Some riders specifically mentioned people like Panos and Kleo as crew members who took care of them. Others referenced a captain named Adonis, with sailor Manolis and chef Kiril on certain days. If your group wants to celebrate something, the operator also offers a complimentary branded gift for birthdays and anniversaries.

If you care about the social vibe, it helps that music sets a tone but doesn’t eliminate conversation. People reported you can chat with others and still enjoy the atmosphere.

Return to Rethymno: The Sail Back Is Part of the Memory

On the way back, you get another 105 minutes sailing. This is often when the day feels like it has fully landed. You’re fed, you’ve used the gear, and now you can just watch the coast slide by.

On calm days, sailing can feel smooth and relaxing. On days with stronger current at the swim stop, you may feel it more on deck while heading back, but the crew manages it and keeps the flow going.

Some riders also reported wildlife sightings along the route, like dolphins or flying fish. No one can guarantee animal encounters, but the geography and clear waters make it more plausible than average.

When you get back, you’ll have multiple drop-off locations listed around the Rethymno area. If you didn’t pick a transfer option, you’ll still want to handle the post-cruise ride on your own.

Who Should Book This Cruise, and Who Should Skip It

This one fits best if you want a comfortable boat day with included activities and food that feels intentional.

Great fit if you are

• traveling as a couple, friends, or a small group
• okay with a weather-dependent route and timing
• interested in SUP plus snorkeling without paying separate tour prices
• the type who likes open bar simplicity: beer and white wine, plus unlimited soft drinks and water

Consider skipping if you are

• pregnant, since the operator lists pregnant women as not suitable
• dealing with pre-existing medical conditions, since the activity is listed as not suitable
• older, since people over 95 are listed as not suitable
• traveling with unaccompanied minors, since unaccompanied minors are not allowed

If you tend to get seasick, this isn’t automatically a deal-breaker. But it is smart to bring your own prevention, and also be realistic about what you want during the swim stop.

Price and Logistics: Transfers, What to Bring, and Simple Rules

A few practical things can make or break your day.

Transportation

Hotel transfers are not included, but pick-up may be arranged when you select the transfer option. The only area listed for optional pickup is Bali Village. Otherwise, you handle your own way to the marina.

There’s a municipal parking lot at the marina, which helps if you’re driving.

What to bring

Bring:

• sun hat
• swimwear
• towel
• sunscreen
• passport or ID card (a copy is accepted)

Towels are not included, so don’t rely on the boat for that.

Helpful onboard do’s and don’ts

Not allowed:

• pets
• red wine
• smoking indoors
• alcohol and drugs
• glass objects
• shoes indoors
• unaccompanied minors
• touching marine life

Also note: the operator asks for each passenger’s full name, date of birth, passport/ID number, and nationality when booking. That’s required for port permissions.

Should You Book This Premium Catamaran Cruise?

Book it if you want a well-run day on the water from Rethymno where food and drinks are included, and the activity gear is part of the package. The biggest wins are the space on board, the nutritionist-led lunch, and the mix of water time plus the flamingo float photo moment.

Skip or rethink it if you know you react strongly to motion, you need guaranteed snorkeling quality, or you fall into the listed not-suitable categories like pregnancy or certain medical situations.

If you’re choosing between a basic cruise and a “premium all-in” day, this one makes sense because you’re paying for equipment, meals, and drink service all under one roof. You can spend the day relaxing, then still come home with photos and stories that feel like more than just a ride.

FAQ

How long is the Rethymno Premium Catamaran Cruise?

The duration is 390 minutes, about 6.5 hours.

Where do I meet for the cruise?

You meet at Rethymno Marina. The guidance is to arrive about 15 minutes before departure.

What food is included onboard?

A light healthy brunch is included at the start, plus a freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch. Dessert is included as well.

What drinks are included in the open bar?

Unlimited still water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Greek white wine are included. Espresso and tea are also included.

What water activities are included?

Included activities and gear are SUP, snorkeling masks and fins, swim vests, inflatable noodles, and an inflatable flamingo. Fishing gear is available by request.

Is Wi-Fi available on board?

Yes, free Wi-Fi is available on board.

Are towels included?

No. Towels are not included, so bring your own.

Is transportation or pickup included?

Hotel transfers are not included, but pickup may be arranged if you select the appropriate option. The only pickup area listed is Bali Village.

What personal documents do I need?

Bring a passport or ID card. A copy is accepted. You may also be asked for each passenger’s full details when booking for port permissions.

Is the cruise suitable for pregnant women or people with medical conditions?

The experience is listed as not suitable for pregnant women and people with pre-existing medical conditions. It’s best to check with the team and review the forecast before booking.