Treat yourself to a luxury superyacht cruise around Croatia

Words by Andrew Dent

Superyacht cruises have long been considered out of reach for the average traveller but with more brands now offering this glamorous lifestyle you and I might just have a chance of getting onboard.

Yacht charter agency Goolets, based in Slovenia, is at the forefront of supplying vessels delivering superyacht vacations at an “affordable price”. Before you get too excited, though, we’re far from talking cheap, more like starting prices of €80,000 a week – or €100,000 if you include food, drink and so on.

However, if you’re savvy with your group invites it might prove a getaway that isn’t as pricey as first it seems.

Goolets’ refurbished yacht Ohana operates in the stunning Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia and has 14 cabins, accommodating up to 30 guests (with bookings only available for the whole yacht for a minimum of one week).

Divide €100,000 by 30…and, well, it might be manageable! In fact, it’s not far off the cost of an all-inclusive luxury resort vacation on land in the peak summer months, only this getaway is just you and all your pals on an exclusive crewed superyacht with no one else to bother you. Now we’re talking.

Tempted? Let’s have a peek onboard this superyacht and you soon will be. Ohana, at 49m long, is an impressive sight from all angles. Is that Leo coming in from the sea? Those on shore will wonder in awe.

Communal spaces are beautiful, with the sun deck (complete with a jacuzzi) undeniably the focal point. Exuding a zen vibe, it’s ideal for daytime sunbathing and relaxing while in the evening it transforms into a buzzy social hotspot. Movie night on a large screen in front of the outdoor fireplace, anyone?

The salon is another area on this superyacht where passengers will spend a fair bit of time. The spacious dining area comfortably accommodates the whole gang and the food is a combination of local and luxury. It’s all rustled up onboard by the chef de cuisine – and there’s plenty of tasty seafood on offer.

What’s more, the exemplary staff are happy to take any culinary requests. Birthdays onboard, for instance, are met with cake, candles and lots of singing!

As for cabins, Ohana is being treated to a facelift ahead of its 2023 summer season and upgrades will create 14 en-suite rooms with a mix of double and twin beds. There is also a new children’s playroom which doubles up as a massage suite (no, not at the same time!)

There’s fun to be had off the vessel too. When the yacht is moored up for a swim stop deckhands open up a treasure chest of toys, from jet skis and water skis to paddle boards and kayaks plus all manner of floaties for the less adventurous who just want to bob around in the warm water (perhaps with a drink in hand).

As delightful as life onboard this superyacht is, there’s no denying the real joy of small ship cruising is the accessibility to a destination.

Croatia has become increasingly fashionable over the years; the water there is stunning and the shoreline is much more rugged and less built up than the south of France.

A huge perk of Ohana is that the superyacht is fully equipped to make the most of the Croatian coast – it’s the optimum size to enter some of the more exclusive bays. It can also dock up at night right alongside the harbours of some of the region’s most fascinating historic towns.

It’s worth noting that because it’s a private charter you get the chance to set the itinerary for the trip yourself, including the start and end points. The team at Goolets will advise taking your group makeup and preferences into account. More beach? More culture? More swim stops? No problem, just let the captain know.

The itinerary Sailawaze experienced when we sampled this taste of the superyacht lifestyle started and finished in the historic town of Split. On our first night, the Ohana was moored only a few minutes’ walk away from the old town so we could walk around town before getting back onboard for dinner and bed.

We also stopped at the famous islands of Hvar and Brač. The latter is perfect for beach lovers; the oldest coastal town on Brač is Bol, known for its beautiful shores, of which the most famous is Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape – pictured above, left).

The joy of the charter life is that you can laze on the beach – maybe finally getting through that airport thriller you picked up – whilst keeping an eye on the stunning Ohana glistening in the distance, safe in the knowledge that, unlike everyone else on the beach, you’ll be onboard that very evening enjoying a crisp glass of wine on deck (and maybe a dip in the jacuzzi).

Yes, it’s hard not to feel a little bit smug when immersing yourself in the superyacht way of life… especially when you’re experiencing it at a relatively affordable access point.

Move over Leo, we might be back for more.