Rethymno: Sailing Catamaran Cruise with Meal & Drinks

The best part of this 6.5-hour catamaran cruise is the generous time spent on the water. You sail out from Rethymno, settle into a spacious boat, then anchor in a beautiful bay where swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and floating take over the afternoon.

I like the freshly prepared lunch, which includes seafood, meat, salads, vegetables, fruit, and desserts. I also like the crew’s caring approach, especially when passengers feel unwell or need a special meal. The main drawback is simple: $164 is a serious price for a day at sea, and snorkeling may reveal little marine life in the deeper water.

Key points to know before you book

• Two 105-minute sailing legs: Much of the day is spent cruising between Rethymno and the swimming area, not just sitting at anchor.
• About 2.75 hours in the bay: You get useful time for swimming, snorkeling, SUP, lunch, and photos.
• Karina is spacious and modern: There are several areas for sitting or lying in the sun, though shade is limited.
• Lunch is a real meal: Expect seafood and meat, salads, pasta or similar Mediterranean dishes, bread, fruit, and dessert.
• Drinks are unlimited: Beer, white wine, and soft drinks are included throughout the cruise.
• Plan for open-water conditions: The crew is Red Cross certified, but rough seas can cause motion sickness and change the route.

Sailing out of Rethymno Marina on Karina

You meet the crew at Rethymno Marina 15 minutes before departure. Look for the sailing catamaran Karina and crew members wearing DanEri T-shirts. A municipal parking lot is available at the marina, which helps if you are making your own way there.

The boat is one of the newest catamarans used by DanEri Yachts. Its wide design gives you more room than a standard excursion boat, with different spots to sit, stretch out, talk, or watch the coast slide by. That extra width matters on a six-and-a-half-hour outing. You are less likely to feel trapped in one seat, and people can spread out during the longer sailing sections.

The crew starts with coffee, tea, and local snacks, followed by a safety briefing. This is a relaxed welcome, but the safety talk is worth your attention. You will be using swimming equipment and moving around a boat under sail, so listen for instructions about life jackets, the water entry points, and where to keep personal belongings.

The crew speaks English and Greek. The team has Red Cross certification, and this is more than a line on the inclusions list. Several passengers have needed help with seasickness or illness, and the crew has been praised for staying calm, attentive, and kind. On choppy days, anti-sickness tablets may be offered, but bring your own medication if you already know you are prone to motion sickness.

The first 105 minutes: coast views and a slower pace

Once Karina leaves the marina, the outing settles into its main rhythm: sail, watch the coast, listen to music, and enjoy a drink. The trip includes music on board and free WiFi, so you can share photos or keep in touch, though I would treat the WiFi as a useful extra rather than the reason to book a sea cruise.

The first sailing section lasts about 105 minutes. That is a substantial part of the trip, and it is important to understand what you are buying. This is not a quick transfer to a beach with a short boat ride attached. The sailing itself is the experience.

On a calm day, the catamaran moves smoothly and the time passes easily. You can sit with a coffee, order a beer or glass of white wine, and take in broad views of the Cretan coast. When the wind is favorable, the sails may be raised, adding a genuine sailing element rather than making this only a motorized boat trip.

On rougher days, the same crossing feels longer. One outing had to change its destination because of sea conditions, and the crew arranged complimentary transfers in that case. The cruise can be rescheduled or canceled in bad weather, and a change of swimming bay is possible when conditions demand it. That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should not book this expecting a fixed beach destination at all costs.

Georgioupoli and the bay stop: the heart of the day

The main stop is near Georgioupoli, where the catamaran anchors for roughly 2.75 hours. This is the part of the day most people will remember. You get clear water, open views, and time to choose your own pace rather than being pushed from one activity to the next.

You can swim directly from the boat, use the snorkeling equipment, try a stand-up paddleboard, or simply float on one of the inflatables. A bright inflatable flamingo adds a playful touch, and children have access to arm floaties, life jackets, and a box of toys.

The water can look wonderfully clear and turquoise, especially on a calm day. It makes a strong setting for photographs, and the remote feel of some coves is a welcome change from spending the entire holiday on a crowded beach. The boat provides a stable base for your things, your lunch, and your drinks, so you do not need to carry beach gear onto shore.

There is a practical limitation. The swimming area can be quite deep, and snorkeling is not guaranteed to produce much marine life. Some people find the water perfect for swimming but less interesting below the surface. If your priority is seeing fish, reefs, or underwater scenery, you may want to choose a dedicated snorkeling trip instead.

Equipment availability can also vary during busy departures. The boat carries masks, snorkeling gear, fishing gear, SUP boards, and inflatables, but matching fins may be limited. If you have your own well-fitting mask or fins, bringing them could improve your comfort. The supplied equipment is best viewed as a convenient way to have fun in the water, not as a professional snorkeling setup.

Lunch on board, with seafood, salads, and plenty to drink

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons this cruise can make sense at its price. The crew prepares a full Mediterranean spread rather than handing you a basic sandwich. Menus can include a cheese tray, Greek salad, avocado salad, pasta with tomato sauce and prawns, grilled chicken, pita bread, fruit, and assorted desserts.

The precise dishes may vary, but the pattern is clear: fresh salads, a seafood dish, a meat dish, bread, and something sweet afterward. Portions are described as plentiful, and the food is prepared on board. That gives lunch a warmer, more personal feel than a prepacked meal.

Unlimited beer, white wine, and soft drinks are included. Coffee and tea are available as well, and the crew keeps glasses topped up during the day. This matters when you compare the $164 price with shorter boat rides that charge extra for every drink. It does not turn the cruise into a bargain, but it makes the total cost easier to understand.

The crew can provide vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options if you request them in advance. There is also a special meal option for children. If you have a shellfish allergy or another dietary concern, say so when booking and repeat it to the crew before lunch. A separate pasta dish has been prepared for a passenger with a shellfish allergy, but you should not rely on last-minute arrangements for a serious allergy.

The food is not the only part of the meal. Lunch gives the afternoon a social center. People come back aboard from the water, settle at the tables, and share the day’s stories while music plays. Birthday celebrations have included singing and even a cake, though that should be treated as a possible kindness rather than a guaranteed service.

What the 105-minute return sail feels like

After lunch and the water activities, Karina turns back toward Rethymno for another 105-minute sailing section. This return leg gives you time to dry off, rest, and enjoy another drink before reaching the marina.

If you have spent the whole stop swimming and paddleboarding, the quiet ride back may be welcome. If you prefer constant activity, it may feel like a long stretch. I recommend keeping some energy for this part instead of treating the bay stop as the whole excursion.

Music continues on board, and the crew may create a lively atmosphere. The volume has occasionally felt high during lunch, so anyone hoping for a quiet, meditative sail should choose a seat away from the speakers if possible. The catamaran offers several zones, which gives you a better chance of finding a comfortable spot.

The cruise ends back at the original meeting point. Optional transfers can be arranged from Rethymno, Perivolia, Platanes, Adelianos Campos, Pigianos Campos, Sfakaki, Skaleta, Georgioupoli, Kavros, Petres, and Gerani, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included unless you select the appropriate transfer option.

How much value do you get for $164?

At $164 per person, this is not a cheap way to reach the sea. You can spend far less on a beach day, and you may find shorter boat trips that cost less upfront.

The value improves when you count what is bundled together:

• A six-and-a-half-hour outing
• A spacious luxury catamaran
• Crew service throughout the day
• A freshly prepared lunch
• Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks
• Snorkeling gear and SUP boards
• Inflatables and children’s equipment
• Music, WiFi, and safety equipment

I would call it a good-value splurge for someone who wants a polished full-day boat experience, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, water activities, and transport. It is less convincing for a budget-conscious visitor who mainly wants one swim in the sea.

Group size affects the value, too. One departure was described as having about 20 people, a comfortable number for the catamaran. The experience is not an intimate private sailing trip by default, but it is also not a huge party boat. A private group option is available if you want more control over the atmosphere and schedule.

Sun, shade, seasickness, and other practical matters

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. A copy of your identification is accepted, but port authorities require each passenger’s full name, date of birth, passport or ID number, and nationality when you book.

There is not much shade on the catamaran. That matters in July and August, when six hours in direct sun can become tiring even with regular swims. Apply sunscreen before boarding, reapply often, and bring a hat if you have one. A light cover-up can make the return sail more comfortable.

Sea conditions are the biggest variable. Calm water can make the catamaran feel smooth and easy, while choppy water can cause seasickness even if you rarely experience it. If you are sensitive, sit where the motion feels least intense, avoid drinking heavily before the crossing, and bring suitable medication.

The cruise is not suitable for pregnant women. Children are catered for with a special meal option, floaties, life jackets, toys, and inflatables, but parents should still expect an open-water setting that requires close supervision.

The cruise is available in English and Greek. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later, which is useful when your Cretan plans are still shifting. Weather remains the deciding factor, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Who will enjoy this Rethymno cruise most?

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and small groups who want a full day at sea without having to organize every detail themselves. It works particularly well if you value good food, attentive service, and a comfortable boat as much as you value the swimming stop.

It is also a good choice for a birthday or relaxed group celebration. The crew has shown a thoughtful touch with birthdays and special meals, and the unlimited drinks help create a festive mood without constant extra charges.

You may want another type of excursion if you want serious snorkeling, lots of secluded beaches, a quiet sailing lesson, or a low-cost day outdoors. The bay is beautiful, but underwater life can be sparse. The music and social atmosphere may also be too lively for someone seeking total peace.

One useful detail is the crew’s personal attention. Names and personnel can change, but one outing identified Captain Adonis, sailor Manolis, and chef Kiril. The consistent point is that the crew handles food, drinks, safety, and passenger care as an active part of the experience, not as an afterthought.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a comfortable, food-centered day on the Cretan sea, with plenty of swimming time and drinks included. The boat, lunch, service, and length make it a stronger choice than a basic sightseeing cruise.

Skip it if $164 feels high for a day that depends heavily on weather, or if snorkeling quality is your main goal. For everyone else, this is a polished Rethymno outing with enough time in the bay to make the long sailing sections worthwhile. Keep sunscreen, seasickness, limited shade, and the lack of hotel transport in mind, then book for a calm-weather day if you can.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Rethymno Marina. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure, and the crew can be identified by DanEri T-shirts aboard the sailing catamaran Karina.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts 6.5 hours. The schedule includes about 105 minutes of sailing in each direction and approximately 2.75 hours near the swimming bay.

What food and drinks are included?

A Mediterranean lunch with seafood, meat, vegetables, salads, fruit, and dessert is included. Unlimited soft drinks, white wine, and beer are also provided, along with welcome tea, coffee, and local snacks.

Are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and children’s meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and special children’s meal options are available upon request. Provide dietary details when booking, especially for allergies.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. A copy of the identification document is accepted. Port authorities require passenger identification details before the cruise.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard activity. Optional transfers are available from listed areas around Rethymno and nearby resorts if you select the appropriate booking option.