Back in 2014, I was traveling the world to earn a degree in Global Studies.
At the time, there was a new trend on the rise—one that combined the ultra-lux experience of yachting with the decidedly casual world of boat parties.
Ten years later, Yacht Week, as the company is known, remains a hot topic in travel.
In case you missed the zeitgeist, Yacht Week is a bespoke yachting adventure geared towards twenty-somethings.
Travelers gather a small crew, pay a hefty fee, and then join other like-minded partiers as their yachts crawl through the sea together. The vessels dock and link up to throw parties in the water, on the beaches—wherever.
Today, Yacht Week runs five separate revelry-centric programs: two in Croatia, two in Greece, and one in the British Virgin Islands. It’s one of the most accessible ways to get on a yacht and one of the most unforgettable party-based adventures out there.
But what is Yacht Week like today? And what sorts of travelers would enjoy this type of activity? With a solid decade of party-planning under its belt, I imagine Yacht Week is a well-oiled machine.
But let’s dig a little deeper to see what’s behind the glittery mask here. Just what’s going on with Yacht Week in 2024? And what types of festivals is it throwing on the water?
The Yacht Week experience
Think about Yacht Week as a much smaller and more boutique party cruise experience.
It’s also geared toward younger travelers. I’m seeing lots of twenty-somethings in the advertising materials, but I think a few thirty-plus attendees would go unnoticed.
Here’s how it goes: you join a yacht with a small crew, then take off into the sunset with other vessels on a seven-day romp. It’s not necessary to hire a skipper yourself or rent a yacht… though I imagine the vast majority of guests need access to both.
From there, yachts dock so that adventurers can explore unique towns in Greece, Croatia, or the British Virgin Islands.
These floating yacht communities also link up in the water so that partiers can swim and dance and drink to their heart’s end. Or they can do their own thing elsewhere—even on land.
Though guests have the benefit of being part of a large party group, they also have the freedom to lay around and stare at the stars, shop around when docked at a port, and otherwise enjoy their vacation.
Which Yacht Week destination is most popular?
Yacht Week currently operates in Croatia and Greece year-round. There’s also a special event in the British Virgin Islands scheduled for New Year.
In Greece, you can choose from Pêche or Vibras, which are geared toward different types of music.
Pêche is more squarely focused on electronic, including house, deep techno, and even disco. (I’d go with Pêche, personally.) Vibras takes yachters to more Latin-based shows and Latin music culture.
In Croatia, you can choose between Ultra and Rhythm & Waves.
The former is actually tacked on to Ultra Music Festival, allowing you to experience some of the best shows while also immersing yourself in Mediterranean sailing. Rhythm & Waves, by contrast, is more focused on grooving to hip-hop. Also not a bad idea.
The British Virgin Islands excursion focuses on sailing to some of the most stunning tropical beaches in the Caribbean.
There are also plenty of parties scheduled, including New Year’s Eve. This is a great choice for Americans who don’t want to fly across the Atlantic.
What’s the ideal demographic here?
Yacht Week is geared toward younger travelers who want to make friends while partying. It’s really that simple.
Like I mentioned above, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some thirty-somethings here. And it’s not solely about partying.
Many Yacht Weekers have returned time and time again because they loved the experience the first time around. That tells me that there’s probably a pretty cool vibe and atmosphere on the yachts. One that involves making lifelong friends, too.
Plus, you can learn a lot about sailing as you go. The Yacht Week community includes sailors, skippers, and maritime enthusiasts. There’s also a gender ratio in play to help prevent any yachts from being single-gender.
Is it safe?
I’ve read through quite a few blogs that cover first-hand Yacht Week experiences. Overwhelmingly, I’ve heard positive reviews when it comes to safety. Because Yacht Week has been operating for over a decade, the company has the benefit of experience.
Still, visitors need to be aware. Boozing on boats is a notoriously dangerous art.
However, most Yacht Week attendees mentioned smaller risks, like bumps and bruises. Most of these minor incidents seem to come from moving from boat to boat during the night and hopping into water taxis. Nothing major, in my book.