Thirty guests, one family, and an epic trip along the coast of Croatia. Sure beats another year at the lake.
For the average traveler , the very concept of asuperyachtfeels like a organ pipe dream set aside forthe Roy siblingsandtech billionaires . for sure , we can imagine idling in a picturesque European cove , roll to the Clooneys on shoring as we sip Champagne après snorkel . We can envision our bare feet on teak floors , running our hands along runway so clean you could docaviar bumpsoff their glimmer surfaces .
abstracted from these imaginings , perhaps , might be your entire protracted folk . And yet I late discovered you’re able to really live out those Champagne dreams at a shockingly affordable cost — and you’re able to make it a family affair , too .
When I boarded theOhanasuperyacht in Split , Croatia , I did so with four- and five - yr - old Kid . But as my extravagant fantasy soon became a reality , my parent head kicked in and the vexation stacked up . What if my kids kick over a cocktail onto those gorgeous Mrs. Henry Wood floors ? Or wee in the top - deck jacuzzi ? Or , high-risk case scenario , tumbled overboard while I was distracted by the beauty of theDalmatian coastlinepassing by ?
Time to call your aunties.|Photo courtesy of Goolets
As it turn out , I had nothing to worry about .
The 160 - foot - farseeing Ohana — that ’s Hawaiian for “ family”—is operated byGoolets , whose fleet include luxury yachts in Indonesia , theMaldives , theCaribbean , theMediterranean , and beyond . It might just be the most fellowship - friendly superyacht sail the seas … and have it may be more affordable for us regular people than you ’d think .
meter for some maths : If you could forgather together 29 of your closest supporter and family members , a superyacht vacation aboard the Ohana , which rent for between $ 80,000 and $ 100,000 a hebdomad , crop out to about $ 3,000 per person . That ’s less than you ’d pay for a calendar week on somebehemoth cruise ships — and you do n’t have to elbow through a pair thousand fellow passengers to get at the sideboard , either .
A superyacht trip along the Dalmatian coast is more attainable than you think.|Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost/Moment/Getty Images
“ Boats have always been our family business , ” says Ohana ’s senior pilot , Josip Šerka , a ship builder ’s Word who hails from the Croatian island of Brač . He has three untried kid of his own , and his two brothers captain the Croatian yachtsYOLOandMelody , also part of the Goolets fleet . These are luxury yachts to be sure , but not to quite the same degree as the more modern Ohana .
Built in 2020 , the Ohana late underwent extensive refurbishment to the strain of some $ 800,000 . The gravy holder ’s new feeling make her feel particularly purpose - built for syndicate at sea — double-dyed with plenty of onboard spaces to get away your retinue , if the pauperism arises .
In upgrade the Ohana , Šerka enjoin he take the things he ’d need for his own kinfolk on a charter yacht vacation . “ With kids on board , the most of import thing on the ship is safety , ” he say , adding that the ship also installed higher railing and increased its bunch size “ so we have more eyes on deck and inside , too . ”
A superyacht trip along the Dalmatian coast is more attainable than you think.|Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost/Moment/Getty Images
As part of the renovation , the ship ’s cabin reckoning was reduced from 18 to 14 . Two of those cabins are equipped with pullout lounge for minuscule ones . to boot , two former cabin below deck were reconfigured as a mini - movie theater and a child ’s rumpus room with a climbing wall , drawing tables , and video games . A nanny-goat is also available , should parent crave some additional downtime , perhaps for a wine turn excursion or an onboard massage .
Above - deck improvements to the ship admit a new cocktail legal profession on the sundeck , also outfitted with a jacuzzi and a young open - air outdoor gymnasium . There ’s even an outside fireplace for cozying up under the virtuoso when the ship is in port wine or anchored in a picturesque embayment .
My kinsperson sailed aboard the Ohana before her renovations , and the favorable crowd made us feel incredibly comfortable and welcome as a class with two new kids . Šerka , for lesson , let my little ones take the helm of the Ohana to try channelise with his careful counseling . And when my child was celebrating a birthday during the voyage , the entire gang gathered around to sing over a patty Šerka had custom - range from a favorite island baker .
Have yacht, will travel.|Photo courtesy of Goolets
As a bonus , the ship was absolutely stock with water supply toys . In addition to standard detail for floating fun ( think brook - up boat paddle boards , kayaks , and a jet ski ) , the Ohana also has a James Bond - esque galvanic subaquatic actuation gimmick call a SEABOB , a foil Fliteboard , and a huge inflatable slide that drops from the sundeck several grade down flat into the Adriatic Sea .
Whether or not you contribute children along , chartering a superyacht for your household holiday grant you to in truth select your own escapade when it comes to where to go and what to do there , so you may really personalize your trip .
“ The first thing I say when our charter guests take me what to do during the workweek is , ‘ How do you need to spend your holiday ? ’ ” Šerka explains . “ Do they want more activities on land , more party sentence , more culture , swimming , relaxing , or a premix of it all ? I can plan the perfect route . ”
The ship comes fully stocked with toys for kids of all ages.|Photo courtesy of Goolets
One of his favorite journey to suggest is the trip from Split to Dubrovnik , paragon for a mixing of cruising along the coastline and enjoying quiet coves , bay , and Ithiel Town amongCroatia ’s 1,000 - plus island . The route reserve for about four to five hours of navigation per solar day , and with Ohana ’s onboard creature comforts , there ’s always a lot of play to be had at sea , whether you ’re taking in lapse position from a spot in the six - person jacuzzi or curl up with a book in the shade .
If you choose to make the trip from Split to Dubrovnik , interface of call along the way to the south include island Brač — home of the famousGolden Horn Beach — Hvar , and Korčula . From there , it ’s off to Vis ’ Blue Grotto , followed by a stop at the verdant island of Mljet and a 24-hour interval spent wandering Dubrovnik ’s storied old town . you may even plan a sidereal day trip by land toMontenegro’sbeautiful true laurel of Kotor from Dubrovnik to complete things off .
Kiss Zoom Holidays Goodbye—It’s Time for the Revenge Family Reunion
So many wonderfully awkward hugs in store.
More than a year after our fellowship tripper on the Ohana , my kids still verbalise about it — the multitude we run into , how they were able to steer the superyacht , the castling we mount up to in Hvar , and that jacuzzi they promise me they unquestionably did n’t wee in .
Whether it ’s your first meter yacht or another perfect outing at sea , it ’s surd to traverse how much sense book a superyacht makes for a truly accent - free family vacation . To me , family travelling has never mat sweeter and more relaxing than on instrument panel .
Chart your own course.|Photo courtesy of Goolets
