Rethymno Catamaran Cruise: Healthy Lunch & Open Bar

A healthy lunch at sea beats a bus tour. This Rethymno catamaran cruise pairs an easy sail along Crete’s north coast with an open bar and hands-on time at Georgioupoli Bay. Rethymno catamaran days like this are mostly about comfort, food, and getting in the water without lugging gear.

I love the way the morning starts properly, with espresso, tea, detox water, or a protein shake, followed by a light breakfast bowl designed by a nutrition professional. I also love the overall service style, the crew stays on it, and the lunch is built around fresh, organic ingredients from a local farm. Nutritionist-designed lunch is a real selling point here, not just marketing.

One thing to consider is that the schedule is easygoing, which is great for relaxing, but the travel time to the swim stop can feel a little long, and the active water time can be shorter than you might hope if you want nonstop paddling and floating. Timing matters on a day like this.

Key Highlights You Should Know Before You Go

• Nutritionist-led food: a breakfast bowl, then a gourmet lunch built from fresh organic local ingredients
• Open bar basics included: unlimited water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine
• Water toys without extra rentals: SUP boards, snorkeling masks and fins, plus inflatable noodles and a flamingo
• Modern comfort on a catamaran: sunbeds, shaded lounges, onboard WC, and an outdoor shower
• Low-stress fun setup: the crew handles the water gear, and you can request fishing gear
• Small-group feel capped at 25: the day usually feels roomy rather than crowded

Why This Rethymno Catamaran Feels Like a Premium Half-Day

This isn’t the kind of cruise where you sit on a bench and hope the sea is entertaining. It’s built around a simple rhythm: sail, stop for swimming and water play, then eat well, drink well, and sail back feeling like you actually had a day off.

The catamaran setup helps a lot. You get sunbeds and shaded areas, so you can alternate between “I’m catching rays” and “I’d like a break from the sun, thanks.” And because it’s a catamaran, the ride feels stable compared with smaller boats.

What really makes the day special is the food and drink plan. You start with a proper wake-up beverage, then get a light breakfast bowl, and later a Cretan lunch designed by a nutrition professional. Add unlimited water and soft drinks, plus Greek beer and Cretan white wine, and you’ve got fewer choices to manage and more time to enjoy the sea.

Getting On Board: Start Time, Meeting Point, and What to Bring

The cruise starts at 9:30 am at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, Rethymno 741 00, Greece. The trip ends back at the same meeting point, so you are not stuck hunting down transit after you get off the boat.

You’ll want to plan for no towel and no sunscreen. Towels and personal care items are not included, so bring your own or plan to buy near your hotel. If you burn easily, sunscreen is not optional.

Also, hotel transfers aren’t included, but the meeting point is near public transportation. If you are staying in Rethymno, that’s a plus because you can keep your day simple.

Finally, this is capped at 25 travelers. That limit matters because it usually keeps things from feeling chaotic when the crew is setting up snorkeling gear, SUP boards, and all the floaty extras.

Morning Welcome: Espresso, Detox Water, and a Healthy Start

The first 30 minutes set the tone. You’re welcomed at Rethymno Port and offered espresso, tea, detox water, or a protein shake to start your morning. It’s a fun mix, and it means you can pick what matches your mood, even if you are not traveling like a beach purist.

Then comes a light breakfast bowl made with guidance from a certified nutritionist. The point isn’t that you’re eating diet food in a joyless way. It’s that the meal feels intentional, and it gives you energy before the saltwater part of the day.

If you prefer coffee to “health water,” you’re covered. If you want something lighter, detox water or a protein shake fits the vibe. I like how this removes decision fatigue early, then the rest of the trip is just enjoying the day.

Sailing Toward Georgioupoli Bay: Sunbeds, Shade, and Calm Views

Once you set sail, you get that slow, steady cruise feeling. You’ll head toward Georgioupoli Bay along Crete’s northern coast, and the pace is relaxed enough to work as a break from sightseeing.

This is where the catamaran layout really pays off. Find your spot on deck, then move between sunbeds and shaded lounges as the day changes. The boat includes onboard amenities like a WC and an outdoor shower, which makes a big difference once you’ve been in the water.

You’re also not stuck waiting in silence. Music is on board, and there’s free Wi-Fi if you want to send a quick message or check something. You might not use the Wi-Fi much, but it’s good to have when you do not want to go fully offline.

The atmosphere is casual and social, but it doesn’t feel like a party cruise. It’s more “chill day with good food,” which is exactly what I want for a half-day on the sea.

Water Time Without the Hassle: SUP, Snorkeling, Flamingo Floats, Fishing Gear

This is one of the best parts of the experience because you don’t have to hunt down rentals or figure out which piece of gear goes with which activity. The crew sets everything up.

Included water activities include:

• SUP boards for paddle time
• Snorkeling gear with high-quality masks and fins
• Swimming jackets for comfort
• Inflatable noodles
• An inflatable flamingo you can actually float on, not just look at
• Fishing gear (complete set) available upon request

That “upon request” detail is worth noting. If fishing matters to you, ask early so you are not stuck doing it during the shortest time window.

Also, the day’s water time is organized around comfort and safety. Life jackets are included, and the crew helps with the gear, so you spend more time in the water and less time wrestling equipment.

One practical tip: if you plan to do both SUP and snorkeling, pace yourself. SUP is work, even if it looks easy, and snorkeling takes some coordination. Pick one as your main activity, then treat the other as bonus time.

The Open Bar and Nutritionist-Led Cretan Lunch

Lunch is where this cruise justifies its price.

Back on board, you get a gourmet Mediterranean lunch that’s designed by a nutritionist and made with fresh, organic ingredients from a local farm. That matters because it’s not just a generic sandwich situation. It feels like a planned meal, and it fits the day’s healthy-morning, good-food theme.

On the drinks side, you get unlimited water and soft drinks, plus Greek beer and Cretan white wine. That open bar selection covers the basics most people actually want on a boat day. It also means you do not have to track cash or pay for each drink as you go.

Two small things to keep in mind:

• Toward the middle of the day, some people like drinks right when they sit down. The flow can be a bit slow at first, so if you are drink-first, be ready to wait for the crew to get you settled.
• Cocktails and alcoholic beverages beyond the open bar selection are not included, so do not expect mixed drinks to be part of the deal.

Dessert is part of the meal setup too, and people tend to remember the food more than the average cruise snack.

How the 6.5 Hours Really Feels From Start to Finish

This trip runs about 6 hours 30 minutes total. The best part is that it feels like a real day on the water, not a quick photo stop with a rushed swim.

The rhythm usually goes like this: you start with a warm welcome and light breakfast, you sail out for scenery, you arrive near the swim and water-activity area, you spend time in the bay, then you return for lunch and more relaxed deck time before heading back.

Here’s the tradeoff. The travel time to the anchor point can feel long, and the active water period can be a bit shorter than you might want. If your personal definition of a boat day is “I want to be in the water for hours,” this might not fully match your expectations.

Still, it’s a good balance for most people because:

• you get multiple ways to enjoy the water (SUP, snorkeling, floats)
• you get a proper lunch and drink plan
• you are not constantly moving or changing boats

Also, the maximum group size helps the flow. With a cap of 25, it’s easier for the crew to manage equipment and keep an eye on everyone.

Best Fit: Who Will Love This Cruise, and Who Might Not

This cruise is ideal if you want:

• a comfortable catamaran day with sun and shade
• a serious meal and an open bar that covers the basics
• included water toys, especially SUP and snorkeling
• a crew that actively helps so you can focus on relaxing

It’s also a great option for people who are not super-confident swimmers. Swimming jackets and life jackets are included, and the crew sets up the gear.

Who might not love it is someone who wants long, uninterrupted time in the water. The schedule can feel a bit tight for people who want to maximize swimming minutes, especially if you also want SUP time.

If you are traveling with kids, there is a box of toys available upon request. That’s a nice extra, even if the day is still mainly about adult relaxation.

Value Check: Is It Worth $174.98 Per Person?

At $174.98 per person, this is not a budget “just get me on the boat” deal. It’s priced like a comfort-and-food experience.

Here’s why the cost can make sense:

• You get breakfast, lunch, and dessert, plus unlimited drinks in a defined open bar.
• You get included water gear: SUP, snorkeling masks and fins, plus floaty extras and fishing gear on request.
• You get a modern catamaran with sunbeds, shaded lounges, and onboard WC and shower.
• The day runs about 6.5 hours, so you’re not paying for a short hop.

When you compare it to doing meals plus buying drinks plus renting gear separately, the numbers start to look more reasonable. You are paying for a “turnkey” day, and turnkey days are worth it when you want to relax and not plan every step.

My advice is simple: treat this as a food and water day. If that’s your goal, it usually lands well. If you mainly want the absolute longest swim time possible, you might find the pacing a mismatch.

Should You Book the Rethymno Healthy Lunch Catamaran Cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable Crete sea day where the focus is food, drinks, and included water fun. The nutritionist-led meals, unlimited open bar basics, and crew setup for SUP and snorkeling are the big reasons.

Skip it if your top priority is maximum time in the water with zero schedule tradeoffs. Also, plan ahead for what you bring, because towels and sunscreen are not included.

If you can handle a chill pace, you’ll likely come away refreshed. It’s a clean, well-organized day at sea, and it gives you the kind of “I did something memorable without stress” feeling that makes a trip to Crete worth the planning.

FAQ

What time does the Rethymno catamaran cruise start, and how long is it?

It starts at 9:30 am and runs for about 6 hours 30 minutes.

Where do I meet for the cruise?

You meet at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, Rethymno 741 00, Greece.

What food and drinks are included?

You get a light healthy brunch, a gourmet Mediterranean lunch, and dessert. Drinks include unlimited water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine, plus espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail in the morning.

What water activities are included?

The cruise includes SUP boards, snorkeling gear (masks and fins), swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, and an inflatable flamingo. Fishing gear is included if you request it.

Do I need to bring towels or sunscreen?

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

Is Wi-Fi available onboard?

Yes, music and free Wi-Fi are available onboard.

What is the cancellation or weather plan?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

If you want, tell me your travel month and whether you care more about snorkeling or SUP, and I’ll help you decide the best day to book based on typical sea-day priorities.