Rethymno Premium Catamaran Cruise: Healthy Lunch & Open Bar

Crete looks best from the water. This 390-minute catamaran cruise combines a long sail along the coast with a generous Cretan lunch, an open bar, and time for swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding. I especially like the spacious layout and the thoughtful food program, which feels more substantial than the usual boat-trip buffet.

The crew also earns strong marks for attentive service. Drinks are refilled freely, the boat is kept clean, and staff have helped passengers dealing with seasickness. The main drawback is the long sailing time to the swimming area, since you may spend about three and a half hours underway and only around two hours 45 minutes at the bay.

At a glance

• Six and a half hours on the water: You get 105 minutes of sailing each way, plus about 2 hours 45 minutes at the swimming stop.
• A nutrition-minded menu: Breakfast, snacks, and lunch use fresh local ingredients, with vegetarian, seafood, lighter, and children’s options available.
• A proper open bar: Water, soft drinks, local beer, Cretan white wine, espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail are included.
• Comfortable space for up to 25 people: Sunbeds, shaded lounges, an onboard toilet, an outdoor shower, Wi-Fi, and music make the long sailing time easier.
• Water equipment included: You can use SUP boards, snorkeling masks and fins, swimming vests, inflatable noodles, and a pink flamingo float.
• The destination can change: Weather determines whether the boat heads toward Georgioupoli Bay or Skaleta.

Why this cruise feels different from a basic boat trip

At $170 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the Cretan Sea. You are paying for a more polished day: a modern catamaran, a small group capped at 25, meals, an open bar, water equipment, and a crew focused on service.

I would compare it with a floating lunch restaurant that happens to carry you to a beautiful swimming spot. The sailing itself is part of the experience, not just transport. You can stretch out on a sunbed, sit beneath a shaded lounge, listen to soft music, or watch the rocky coast slide past.

The boat has enough room to avoid feeling packed, especially when the group is closer to 15 or 20 people. That matters on a six-and-a-half-hour outing. A crowded deck can turn a luxury cruise into a queue for the shade, but this catamaran has several areas where you can sit, lie down, or gather with your group.

Still, I would not book this expecting a fast trip with several beaches. The schedule gives you one main stop, and the boat may spend more time sailing than you expect. The tradeoff is a relaxed day on a comfortable vessel rather than a high-speed tour built around constant activity.

Boarding at Rethymno Marina

Plan to arrive at Rethymno Marina 15 minutes before departure. The crew wears DanEri T-shirts and meets you aboard the sailing catamaran Karina. A municipal parking lot is available at the marina, which helps if you are driving, though hotel transfers are not part of the standard price.

Boarding begins with a friendly welcome and a short safety briefing. You can start with espresso, tea, detox water, or a protein cocktail before the boat leaves. Local snacks and a light breakfast bowl follow, giving the morning a more substantial start than a simple pastry and coffee.

The crew speaks English and Greek. Service is one of the strongest parts of the outing, and names can vary by sailing. Panos and Kleo have been praised for warm, attentive care, while an earlier crew included Captain Adonis, sailor Manolis, and chef Kiril. The important point is that the staff are not just handling ropes and drinks. They keep an eye on the deck, help with equipment, and respond quickly when someone feels unwell.

Bring your passport or ID card, or a copy. Port authorities require each passenger’s full name, date of birth, nationality, and passport or ID number before issuing cruise permission. The booking voucher arrives by email, with the QR code sent one day before the trip.

The 105-minute sail along Crete’s coast

The outward crossing takes about 105 minutes. That is a sizeable part of the day, but it is also when you get the best sense of the catamaran itself. You can settle into a sunbed, move between sun and shade, and take in the rocky coast from offshore.

On calm days, the ride can feel smooth and easy. Several outings have included the sight of flying fish, dolphins, and sea turtles, though wildlife is never guaranteed. You might see nothing more than open water and the coastline, so treat any animal sighting as a lucky extra rather than a promised feature.

The catamaran’s design helps during this stretch. There are shaded lounge areas, open deck space, music, Wi-Fi, and an outdoor shower. An onboard WC is useful, particularly because the boat remains away from shore for hours.

The sea can still be rough. One passenger felt seasick even in calm conditions, while others needed help on choppier days. The crew has offered natural tips and assistance, but I would bring any medication you normally use for motion sickness. Sit near the center of the boat, keep your eyes on the horizon, and avoid drinking heavily before the sea settles.

Georgioupoli Bay or Skaleta: what happens at the stop

The intended destination is Georgioupoli Bay or Skaleta, depending on weather and sea conditions. Both are chosen for clear water and coastal scenery, but the exact swimming spot is not fixed. That flexibility is sensible in Crete, where wind and currents can change the best route.

Once the catamaran reaches the bay, the crew sets out the water equipment. You can use high-quality masks and fins, SUP boards, swimming vests, inflatable noodles, and the bright pink flamingo float. Fishing gear is also available on request, and children can request a box of toys.

The stop lasts about 2 hours 45 minutes, giving you time to spread the activities out. You might begin with a swim, try a paddleboard, then return to the deck for food and a drink. The water has often been beautifully clear and turquoise, and some stops have offered plenty of fish close to the coast.

Snorkeling quality depends heavily on the anchorage. Some days bring schools of fish and rewarding views below the surface. Other days feature deep water with little marine life. Several passengers wished for a second swimming stop, and that is a fair criticism. If your main goal is snorkeling, this is less reliable than a dedicated snorkeling excursion.

Currents can also make swimming harder. The crew provides swim vests, which are useful for children, nervous swimmers, or anyone who wants to float without effort. You are not required to take part in the water activities. The shaded deck and sunbeds make it easy to enjoy the scenery without getting wet.

A healthy lunch that is more than a slogan

Food is a major reason I can see the value in this cruise. The menu is designed with help from a certified nutritionist and uses fresh, local, biological, and organic ingredients from a Cretan farm. Seasonal menus vary, but the meal is built around Mediterranean flavors rather than heavy fast-food fare.

The day begins with a light breakfast bowl, followed by local snacks and gourmet bites at the bay. Lunch is served back aboard the catamaran and may include salads, orzo, mussels, prawns, grilled chicken, pita, vegetables, and dessert. One detailed meal included Greek salad, avocado salad, pasta with tomato sauce and prawns, grilled orange chicken, a cheese tray, and several desserts.

The food is fresh and plentiful, with seconds available on some sailings. I like that the menu can accommodate different appetites. Vegetarian dishes, seafood, lighter meals, and children’s portions can be requested. If you have an allergy, tell the operator ahead of time. A separate pasta dish was prepared for a passenger with a shellfish allergy, but you should never rely on a last-minute request for serious medical needs.

The open bar includes unlimited still water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Cretan white wine. Espresso, tea, detox water, and the protein cocktail are also included. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside this selection cost extra, and red wine is not allowed onboard.

This is not a party boat built around shots and loud music. The music creates a pleasant mood while leaving room for conversation. On some sailings, passengers have even been allowed to play their own music later in the day, but that should not be treated as a guaranteed feature.

How the return sail rounds out the day

After lunch, you can return to the water or stay on deck. This second stretch is usually slower and quieter. You have already seen the main swimming area, eaten, and found your favorite place on the boat, so the return becomes a chance to watch the coast and enjoy the last drinks.

When conditions allow, the crew may raise the sails. This is one of the most memorable parts of the trip because the boat becomes quieter and the journey feels less like a transfer. With the sun dropping and the sea open around you, the return can be a fine ending to the day.

The sailing time is also the main reason this cruise will not suit everyone. If you want maximum time in the water, a shorter trip with more stops may be a better fit. If you enjoy slow travel, meals, music, and a comfortable deck, the long crossing is part of the pleasure.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it most to couples, families with older children, and small groups who want a special day without arranging food and equipment themselves. It is also a good choice for birthdays and anniversaries. Tell the company in advance and a complimentary branded gift may be arranged for the occasion.

Families should note that children’s meals and toys are available by request, but unaccompanied minors are not allowed. The boat has swimming vests, an outdoor shower, and plenty of seating, though pregnant women, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and people over 95 are listed as unsuitable for the activity.

You should think twice if you are highly prone to seasickness, dislike long periods on a boat, or want serious underwater wildlife. The crew is helpful, but no catamaran can remove the movement of the sea or guarantee a busy snorkeling site.

You also need to bring a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and personal care items. Towels and sunscreen are not included. Shoes are not worn indoors, smoking is not allowed inside, and glass objects, drugs, pets, and touching marine life are prohibited.

Is $170 good value?

The price makes sense if you will use the full package. Add up a restaurant-quality lunch, breakfast and snacks, unlimited beer and wine, water, coffee, a modern catamaran, SUP use, snorkeling equipment, and six and a half hours on the sea. You are also paying for a smaller group and a crew that provides close attention.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quick swim. In that case, you may spend too much on food and comfort features you do not care about. One past assessment called it expensive compared with other boat trips, even while recommending it as a fun day out.

I would book this as a special holiday outing rather than a budget activity. The 4.7 rating from 393 ratings supports the idea that service, food, and comfort are consistently strong. The most common reservations are clear too: the swimming stop can be the only stop, snorkeling can be hit or miss, and transportation from your hotel is not included unless you select an available transfer option.

My verdict: book it for comfort, food, and an easy day

I would book the Rethymno Premium Catamaran Cruise if I wanted a relaxed day where most details are handled for me. The spacious boat, attentive crew, strong food program, open bar, and included water gear create a polished experience without forcing you into constant activity.

I would skip it if my priority were several coves, serious snorkeling, or the lowest possible price. For everyone else, especially couples and families who value comfort and a good meal, this is one of the more enjoyable ways to spend a full day off Rethymno’s coast.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from Rethymno Marina. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure for boarding.

Which destination will the catamaran visit?

The boat sails toward Georgioupoli Bay or Skaleta, depending on weather and sea conditions.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is not included in the standard cruise. Optional transfer service may be available from selected areas, including Bali Village.

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.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The cruise includes a light healthy brunch, snacks, and a freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch with dessert.

Can I request a special meal?

Vegetarian, seafood, lighter, and children’s meals can be requested. You should provide allergy information in advance.

What water equipment is provided?

The boat provides SUP boards, snorkeling masks and fins, swimming vests, inflatable noodles, and an inflatable flamingo. Fishing equipment is available on request.

Should I bring a towel and sunscreen?

Yes. Towels, sunscreen, and personal care items are not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.