Catamaran Booze Party With Open Bar in Cancun

The main draw here is simple: you spend four hours on a catamaran with an open bar, lunch, music, and a stop near Playa Norte for swimming. It is built for social energy, not quiet sailing or serious snorkeling, and boats may carry as many as 100 people.

I like the easy all-in-one format and the chance to meet other adults without arranging drinks, food, and transport separately. I also like the live DJ and the generous time on the water. The main catch is that the details can vary, especially the music, meal, pickup, and possible dock fees.

Key points at a glance

• Four hours from Marina Las Perlas: The cruise begins at 1:00 pm and returns to the same marina.
• Open bar plus lunch: Alcoholic drinks, soda, and food are included, though meal quality may vary.
• A party boat, not a snorkeling tour: You get a swim stop near Playa Norte, with limited time in the water.
• Up to 100 people: Expect a social, lively setting rather than personal space.
• Optional transport: Hotel pickup is offered in the Cancun Hotel Zone, downtown Cancun, and Riviera Maya, with round-trip transport listed at $10.
• Confirm extra charges: The published price includes fees and taxes, but one account describes an additional $20 dock fee, so ask before departure.

What kind of Cancun day is this?

This is a floating party with a swim stop, not a sightseeing cruise with long stretches of quiet sea time. The boat leaves Marina Las Perlas at 1:00 pm, the bar opens, the DJ provides the soundtrack, and the group spends most of the afternoon together on the water.

The listed price is $54.50 per person. That is a fair starting price for roughly four hours with drinks, lunch, a DJ, and the boat ride included. It can be good value if you plan to drink and want a ready-made social event. It is less attractive if you do not drink, prefer a small boat, or mainly want to snorkel.

The advertised age policy is adults only. One account describes children being on board and the crew accommodating them, but I would follow the stated policy and treat this as an adult party cruise.

Leaving from Marina Las Perlas at 1:00 pm

Your meeting point is Marina Las Perlas, at Hotel Imperial las Perlas, Km 2.5 on Kukulcan Boulevard in Cancun’s Hotel Zone. The first part of the outing is about 30 minutes at the departure dock, including boarding and getting settled.

You can arrange pickup from hotels in the Cancun Hotel Zone, certain downtown Cancun meeting points, and the Riviera Maya. Round-trip transportation is optional and listed at $10. Pickup is the part I would confirm most carefully, since one account describes a delayed or difficult pickup arrangement.

If you make your own way to the marina, arrive with enough time to check in. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity ends back there, which makes the return simple if you have evening plans nearby.

One important money question deserves attention. The package information says all fees and taxes are included, but a complaint describes an extra $20 dock fee requested after booking. That is a serious mismatch. Before paying, ask the operator to confirm the final price, including any marina or dock charge, and keep the answer in writing.

The catamaran setup and group size

The boats can hold up to 100 people. That tells you a lot about the mood: expect a shared party with music, movement, and plenty of people around you. You may meet a group quickly, but you should not expect a private sailing experience or much quiet space.

A smaller boat upgrade may sometimes be available. One account describes paying for a 35-person boat called Megaira and finding the smaller setting worthwhile. This is not presented as a standard feature, so ask about availability, the exact upgrade cost, and the boat assigned to your departure before relying on it.

Boat size affects the day more than many people expect. On a large boat, the bar and swim ladder may get busy. A smaller boat can make it easier to hear the music, speak with the crew, and find a comfortable place to sit. The larger boat may suit you better if your goal is to meet people and join a loud group party.

Open bar, sparkling wine, and lunch

The open bar includes alcoholic drinks, sparkling wine, soda, and other non-alcoholic beverages. The professional guide and crew handle service, so you do not need to plan a separate drinks budget for ordinary onboard service.

If you do not drink alcohol, you are not left with only water. Non-alcoholic drinks are included, and one account specifically noted that the crew kept providing suitable drinks even when the person chose not to drink.

The meal is included, but I would keep expectations moderate. One account describes a good buffet, while another describes a small ham wrap that was soggy and not enough for a full lunch. That is a wide gap in food quality. The safest approach is to treat the meal as convenient party food rather than a highlight of Mexican cuisine.

You may want to eat a solid breakfast or early lunch before boarding. The tour says lunch is included, but the exact portion and format are not fixed in the information available. If you have dietary restrictions, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the crew can provide alternatives.

The included food does add value, especially since a four-hour afternoon on the water can leave you hungry. Still, the open bar is the stronger part of the package. If you are a non-drinker, compare this cruise with a standard catamaran trip before deciding.

Playa Norte and the swim stop

The main stop is near Playa Norte, for about three hours. The description presents it as the place for the live DJ and hip-hop party, with time to swim from the boat.

The water stop is a useful break from the deck party. You can cool off, move around, and enjoy the setting from the water instead of spending the entire afternoon beside the bar. But do not book this as a dedicated snorkeling excursion. One account says snorkeling was fun but too short, and another says no equipment was available.

That difference matters. Equipment availability may depend on the boat or departure, so ask directly if snorkeling gear is important to you. The tour includes a swim stop, not a promised snorkel program with a long guided session.

There is also a possible misunderstanding about the destination. One account says the boat did not go onto the island and instead stopped nearby for swimming. You should think of this as a boat stop near Playa Norte, not a land visit with time to explore the island, walk the beach, or eat ashore.

The three-hour stop sounds long, but it includes the party atmosphere, swimming, and time spent on the boat. The actual time in the water may be much shorter. If you want a full beach afternoon, choose a tour that specifically includes time on land.

Music, dancing, and the party mood

A live DJ is included, and the event is promoted as a hip-hop party. Music is central to the experience, not background decoration. You are booking this for dancing, drinks, and social interaction as much as for the sea views.

Still, the music style may not match the promotion. One account describes Latin techno rather than hip hop. That may be fine if you like a broad Latin party mix, but it can disappoint you if a specific hip-hop playlist is the main reason you are booking.

The group size also shapes the atmosphere. With as many as 100 people, the energy can feel festive and easygoing when the crowd is in the mood. It can also feel crowded, loud, and less personal. I would choose this for a birthday, friends’ outing, solo social day, or couples who enjoy meeting people. I would not choose it for a peaceful anniversary cruise.

The crew can be accommodating. One account praises the crew on the Megaira for looking after the group and helping people with different needs. That is encouraging, but the crew and boat may differ on your departure.

What the $54.50 price really covers

At $54.50, the package gives you a boat ride, open bar, lunch, soft drinks, a professional guide, a DJ, the swim stop, and taxes listed as included. For Cancun, that is a reasonable party-cruise price if you will use the bar and want a simple afternoon plan.

The value drops if extra charges appear. The possible dock fee is the biggest concern, because an unexpected $20 changes the price substantially. Confirm it before booking, even though the package says fees and taxes are included.

Round-trip hotel transport costs extra, listed at $10. That is modest if your hotel is far from the marina or you do not want to navigate Cancun’s Hotel Zone. It is less useful if you are already staying near Marina Las Perlas.

Souvenir photos are not included. You can request them, but add the cost only if you genuinely want a posed record of the day. I would bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want casual pictures, though the supplied information does not promise special photo access or equipment.

The 90 percent recommendation rate and 4.6 rating from 105 ratings suggest that the overall format works well for many people. Those numbers should not erase the practical warnings: food portions, music, transportation, boat size, and possible dock fees can shape your day.

The good and the frustrating parts

The strongest features are clear:

• The open bar removes the need to buy drinks one at a time.
• Lunch is included, so you do not need to leave the boat to find food.
• The DJ gives the cruise a purpose beyond simply sitting on a catamaran.
• The swim stop breaks up the afternoon.
• The trip returns to the original marina.
• Non-alcoholic drinks are available.

The weak points are just as clear:

• A large boat may feel crowded.
• The actual music may differ from the advertised hip-hop focus.
• Lunch may be a buffet on one departure and a small wrap on another.
• Snorkel gear may not be available.
• Pickup arrangements may be slow or unclear.
• A dock fee may be charged despite the stated inclusion of fees and taxes.
• The boat may stop near Playa Norte without giving you time on the island itself.

I like tours that tell you exactly what sort of day you are buying. Here, the best description is a Cancun party cruise with a swim stop. Keep that in mind and the package makes more sense.

Who should book this catamaran party?

Book it if you want a social afternoon, enjoy music and drinks, and like the idea of meeting other adults on a shared boat. It is a good fit for friends, solo adults looking for company, and couples who prefer a lively outing to a quiet sail.

It can also work for non-drinkers, since soda and other non-alcoholic drinks are included. You should still be comfortable with a party atmosphere, because the DJ and open bar are core parts of the day.

Think twice if you want a calm boat, gourmet food, a small group, serious snorkeling, or a true visit to Playa Norte. You may also prefer another option if your plans depend on a precise pickup time or a particular music style.

Before booking, I would send three questions to Cancun Sailing Catamarans: Is the $20 dock fee charged, what lunch is served on my departure, and what music does the DJ normally play? I would also ask if the 35-person boat upgrade is available and if snorkel equipment is provided.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made later are not accepted for a refund, so make your decision before that cutoff.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is a four-hour floating party with drinks, music, lunch, and a chance to swim. The price is sensible for that combination, and the high rating suggests the format delivers a good day when the boat, crew, meal, and pickup line up well.

Skip it if you want reliable snorkeling, a quiet catamaran, beach time on land, or a carefully controlled meal and music plan. The smartest booking choice is to confirm the dock fee, lunch format, transport, boat size, and soundtrack first. If those answers suit you, this can be one of the easier ways to turn an afternoon in Cancun into a social event.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran party last?

The activity lasts about four hours. It starts at 1:00 pm and ends back at the original meeting point.

Where does the tour depart?

It departs from Marina Las Perlas at Hotel Imperial las Perlas, Km 2.5, Kukulcan Boulevard, in Cancun’s Hotel Zone.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered from hotels in the Cancun Hotel Zone, specific meeting points in downtown Cancun, and the Riviera Maya. Round-trip transportation is optional and listed at $10.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes alcoholic beverages, sparkling wine, soda, and other non-alcoholic drinks.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included onboard. The available information gives different accounts of the meal format and portion, so ask what will be served on your departure.

Does the cruise include snorkeling equipment?

Snorkeling equipment is not clearly guaranteed. The trip includes a swimming stop near Playa Norte, so confirm equipment availability before booking if snorkeling is important to you.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The additional information states that the activity is for adults only. It should therefore be booked as an adult party experience.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.