Rethymno Catamaran Cruise: Healthy Lunch & Open Bar

The best part of this Rethymno catamaran cruise is the unhurried time at sea. You get a full morning and afternoon on a modern boat, with healthy food, an open bar, sunbeds, shade, and water gear ready when you want it. I especially like the nutritionist-designed meals and the generous choice of ways to enjoy Georgioupoli Bay, from SUP boards to snorkeling and gentle fishing.

I also like the small-group feel. The catamaran holds no more than 25 people, and some departures have been much smaller. The crew is praised for friendly, attentive service, while the boat itself is clean and well organized. The trade-off is the price, about $174.98 per person, and the sailing time before anchoring can feel long if your priority is swimming rather than being at sea.

Key points to know before you book

• A full 6.5 hours on the water: This is a proper half-day cruise, not a quick coastal ride.
• A calm stop near Georgioupoli Bay: Plan on roughly two hours at anchor for swimming, SUP, snorkeling, floating, and fishing.
• Healthy food with a Cretan focus: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dessert are built around fresh ingredients and local flavors.
• Selected drinks are unlimited: Water, soft drinks, Greek beer, Cretan white wine, espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein shake are included.
• A maximum of 25 people: The boat offers more room than a tightly packed excursion vessel.
• Bring your own towel and sunscreen: Neither is included, and private cabins are available only on request and are not guaranteed.

Setting out from Rethymno Port at 9:30

Your morning begins at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, at Rethymno Port. The scheduled start is 9:30 am, and the cruise returns to this same meeting point after roughly six and a half hours.

The welcome is more thoughtful than the usual quick safety briefing and paper cup of coffee. You can start with espresso, tea, detox water, or a protein shake, followed by a light breakfast bowl prepared with input from a certified nutritionist. That gives the morning a wellness angle without turning the boat into a floating health retreat.

You then choose your place on deck. The catamaran has sunbeds, shaded lounges, and enough room to move around. If you want sun, stretch out on a lounger. If you prefer a cooler spot, use the shaded seating and watch Crete’s northern coast pass by.

The English-speaking crew handles the practical work, including drinks, food, safety equipment, and the water activities later in the day. Life jackets are supplied, and there is an onboard toilet plus an outdoor shower. Music and free Wi-Fi are also available, though the main attraction is still the sea around you.

The sail toward Georgioupoli Bay

The first stretch is sailing rather than nonstop activity. That matters because the cruise is designed as a day at sea, not as a fast transfer to a swimming stop. You can settle into the boat, enjoy the view, and let the morning unfold at an easy pace.

One French-speaking passenger found the time before anchoring a little long and felt the water activities themselves were somewhat short. That is a fair point to consider. If you want maximum time with a mask and fins on, a dedicated snorkeling trip may suit you better.

For me, the sailing time is part of the value, provided you enjoy the boat itself. The catamaran gives you space to lie back, listen to music, take in the coast, and have drinks brought to you. The crew also keeps checking that people are comfortable and have what they need.

The boat’s size helps here. With a maximum of 25 people, you should not expect a private yacht, but you are less likely to feel packed in than on a large sightseeing vessel. Some departures have had only eight people, creating a notably relaxed atmosphere. Group size can vary, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed tiny party.

A generous anchorage near Georgioupoli Bay

When the catamaran reaches Georgioupoli Bay, the tone changes from scenic sailing to open-water recreation. The crew sets up SUP boards, snorkeling equipment, swimming jackets, noodles, and an inflatable pink flamingo. Fishing gear is also available on request for a gentle, casual session.

The water is described as calm and crystal clear, making this the main active section of the day. You can swim from the boat, paddle across the bay, look beneath the surface with the supplied mask and fins, or simply float without doing much at all.

The reported stop lasts about two hours, which is enough time to try more than one activity. I would start with a swim or snorkel while the water feels inviting, then use a paddleboard or noodle when you want something less strenuous. Fishing is a nice extra for anyone who enjoys a slower activity, and children can request a box of toys.

The exact amount of time you spend in the water can depend on the day’s conditions and how the crew manages the schedule. Still, the stop is long enough that you should not feel rushed through a five-minute swim before moving on.

There is also an outdoor shower for rinsing off afterward. Towels are not supplied, so bring one from your accommodation or pack a compact travel towel. Sunscreen is not included either, and the open deck means you should apply it before departure and bring more for the afternoon.

Cretan food from breakfast through lunch

Food is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise instead of a basic boat outing. The day begins with a light breakfast bowl, continues with gourmet bites at the bay, and then moves to a freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch.

The lunch is designed by a nutritionist and made with fresh, organic ingredients from a local farm. The goal is filling food that does not leave you sluggish after swimming. The menu is built around authentic Cretan flavors, so you get a stronger sense of place than you would from a standard sandwich buffet.

The food served during the cruise has received some of the clearest praise. Expect a selection of appetizers, a substantial lunch, and dessert, with the crew making sure the meal is well supplied. You should still ask about any dietary needs when booking, since no specific allergy or vegetarian policy is provided in the available details.

Timing is another plus. Lunch is part of the anchorage period rather than something hurried while the boat is moving. You can eat, take in the bay, and return to the water afterward if you still have energy.

The healthy theme is useful, but do not read it as strict or austere. Greek beer and Cretan white wine are included, along with soft drinks and unlimited water. You get a balance of fresh food and holiday comfort.

What the open bar actually includes

The open bar covers water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Cretan white wine. Espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail are also part of the onboard drink service.

Cocktails and other alcohol outside that selection cost extra. This is worth noting because open bar can sound broader than it is. If you want spirits, mixed drinks, or a cocktail menu, you should not assume they are included.

The crew is attentive with refreshments, and drinks are available throughout the cruise. One practical point from the experience is that service may take a little time while everyone gets settled at the start. Once the day is underway, the setup is designed to keep you supplied without constant trips to a bar counter.

Comfort, music, and the catamaran itself

The vessel is presented as a modern luxury catamaran, but the useful question is what that means for your day. You get sunbeds, shaded seating, an onboard WC, an outdoor shower, Wi-Fi, music, and space for water equipment.

The boat has been praised for being clean, well arranged, and easy to move around. That matters during a six-and-a-half-hour outing. You are not confined to one seat, and you can change from sun to shade as the day warms up.

Music is part of the mood. One person felt the volume could have been stronger while the catamaran was anchored, so do not book this as a guaranteed party cruise. It is better understood as a relaxed sailing day with music in the background.

A private cabin may be available on request, but it is not guaranteed and is not included in the standard package. If you need a cabin for privacy or rest, ask before booking rather than counting on one onboard.

The crew includes a captain and two other staff members. The service has been described as professional, warm, and highly attentive, with the team helping people feel safe and comfortable. The safety equipment includes life jackets and swimming jackets, and liability insurance is included.

Is $174.98 a fair price?

At $174.98 per person, this is not a budget way to reach the sea. The price makes more sense when you count what is bundled into the day: about 6.5 hours aboard a luxury catamaran, breakfast, snacks, a full lunch, selected unlimited drinks, equipment, crew service, and a swim stop.

A cheaper boat trip may give you transport, a short swim, and perhaps a basic meal. This cruise gives you more comfort and a wider range of extras, especially if you plan to use the SUP board, snorkeling equipment, noodles, and open bar.

The value is strongest for people who want the boat to be the destination. If you see the catamaran as a pleasant place to spend the day, the price is easier to justify. If you only care about reaching the bay and swimming, you may feel you are paying for features you will barely use.

The food also helps the calculation. A nutritionist-designed breakfast and lunch using local organic ingredients are more substantial than the usual packaged snack. Add beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and water, and the package covers nearly all your spending once aboard.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it for couples, families, and small groups who want a polished day with both relaxation and light activity. It suits people who like good food, comfortable seating, calm water, and the option to be active without pressure.

Families get swimming jackets, noodles, an inflatable flamingo, and a toy box available by request. Parents should still expect to supervise children around the water, since the supplied equipment does not replace adult attention.

It also works well for people who are not keen on strenuous excursions. You can spend the whole day on a sunbed, take short swims, enjoy lunch, and watch the coast. The SUP and snorkeling gear are choices, not obligations.

I would think twice if you dislike sitting on a boat for long stretches, need a guaranteed private cabin, or want a loud party atmosphere. I would also be cautious if you need a highly specific diet and cannot confirm arrangements before booking.

Practical details that make the day easier

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. The port meeting point is near public transportation, but hotel transfers are not included. Transfers can be arranged on request, so ask about that before making your plans.

Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable boarding a boat and using a shared swimming area. The cruise depends on good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 9:30 am start. Canceling or changing the booking less than 24 hours ahead does not qualify for a refund, and all cut-off times use local time in Crete.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, a swimsuit, and any personal care items you need. Personal feminine hygiene products are available onboard, but it is still sensible to pack your own essentials. The branded gift for a special occasion is a thoughtful touch, though it applies to qualifying celebrations rather than every booking.

My call: book it for the boat time

I would book this cruise if you want a comfortable, food-focused day on the Cretan coast rather than a bare-bones trip to a swimming stop. The friendly crew, excellent meals, generous drink service, clean catamaran, and choice of water activities create a well-rounded outing.

The main caution is simple: you spend a meaningful part of the day sailing before anchoring. That is a pleasure for people who enjoy being at sea, but a drawback for anyone counting every minute of swimming time.

With a 4.7 rating from 79 ratings and 91 percent recommending it, the experience has a strong record. I would reserve ahead, especially since it averages about 28 days of advance booking. Choose a good-weather day, pack a towel and sunscreen, and treat the catamaran itself as the main event.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

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

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 same meeting point at Rethymno Port.

What food is included?

You receive a light healthy breakfast or brunch, gourmet Mediterranean bites, and a freshly prepared Cretan lunch. Dessert is also served.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included. Espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail are also available.

Are cocktails included in the open bar?

No. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside the listed open bar selection are not included.

What water equipment is provided?

The cruise provides SUP boards, high-quality snorkeling masks and fins, swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, an inflatable flamingo, and fishing equipment on request.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included, so bring your own.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, but they can be arranged upon request.

Can the cruise be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.