Sunset Catamaran Cruise instead of sitting dinner reception?

[CourtandMatt]

Originally Posted by Laura2013 

 

I am not having a catamaran reception, but we are doing a catamaran the day after the wedding. I was concerned about my 82 year old Grandmother getting on and off so I asked about how we get on and off the boat and she told me that we board and exit using a dock so my Grandmother should not have any issues. I am sure diffeent companies probably have different ways (dingy, walking in the water, etc.), but was relieved to know they use a dock.

 

I booked through Denise at Jamaicawatersports (also known as Freestyle). I finally went ahead and booked with them yesterday. I had been going back and forth for awhile now because there isn't a lot of feedback on them and the few reviews that I have read have been great and not so great. In the end I felt that the good reviews held more weight in my opinion and felt ok regarding my communication with Denise. We are just having a two hour open bar trip with snorkeling and not a reception. However I did read a review on here from a bride that did a full reception through them and said it was really great. I booked it so now I am just going have faith that it will be a positive experience!

 

Laura - Can I ask how much you are paying for this?  I want to do a catamaran rehearsal dinner but I can't find anything affordable.  I keep finding quotes for $72pp and we may be having between 60-100 persons, so that's quite a lot. 

[Laura2013]

Originally Posted by CourtandMatt 

 

 

Laura - Can I ask how much you are paying for this?  I want to do a catamaran rehearsal dinner but I can't find anything affordable.  I keep finding quotes for $72pp and we may be having between 60-100 persons, so that's quite a lot. 

CourtandMatt- After lots of emails back and forth with Denise, I was able to get a two hour cruise including transfers with no food just open bar and snorkeling for $50/person if I have a minimum of 30 people. You want to do a dinner so I am not sure how much that would be.

[Cherina]

Sounds Beautiful

[CourtandMatt]

Originally Posted by Laura2013 

 

CourtandMatt- After lots of emails back and forth with Denise, I was able to get a two hour cruise including transfers with no food just open bar and snorkeling for $50/person if I have a minimum of 30 people. You want to do a dinner so I am not sure how much that would be.

 

We finally settled on a catamaran!  We booked a catamaran from 10am-1pm the Friday before our wedding that includes open bar, appetizers, a DJ, snorkeling and a stop at Margaritaville.  The catamaran can take up to 100 guests.  The cost was $2925 plus $10pp for transportation to and from the hotel.  I am sooooo happy that we don't need to think about this any longer.  The cruise is through Island Routes Tours, which is affiliated with Sandals.  

 

Btw, Laura, in case you are interested: Island Routes has the same catamaran but one hour shorter (so a 2 hour catamaran) from $1950 plus $10pp for transportation.  (At least we were quoted this, but they continued to change the prices throughout our conversations).  

[carajoe08]

Thanks for posting about the catamaran, Courtney. My FML is paying for our rehearsal dinner, and I was thinking about doing the catamaran instead of a traditional sit down dinner.

[Cherina]

That could be a really cool think to do for a farewell or welcome dinner or brunch.

[CourtandMatt]

Originally Posted by Cherina 

 

That could be a really cool think to do for a farewell or welcome dinner or brunch.

 

I totally love the idea of a farewell brunch on a catamaran but we had a lot of people against it because they weren't sure if they are leaving on Sunday (the day after the wedding) or later.  However, I really still love the idea.  It is like a thank you to your guests and such an awesome way to end the vacation!

[Cherina]

I look at it as an end to the wedding celebrations.

[Backy]

but if the cruise is $2000, and i only have about 30 guests, do you girls think it is worth it?

[Masha]

Originally Posted by Backy 

 

but if the cruise is $2000, and i only have about 30 guests, do you girls think it is worth it?

It's definitely cheaper. We decided to go with seat down. I planned 20-30 guests, it turned out to be only 12, so renting the whole catamaran just for 12 people didn't make much sense anymore. However our sitting reception for 12 is arm and leg with Sandals, the total is $2900 - this includes guest passes, since none of our guests stay at Sandals or Beaches.