Yacht Week Review – Was The Hype Real?!

(This post is not sponsored, these are my real opinions. I don’t believe Yacht Week offers sponsorships or affiliate programs)

If you’ve ever seen the Instagram-worthy photos and videos of people living it up on yachts in stunning locations like Croatia, Greece, or Thailand, you’ve probably wondered: Is Yacht Week really as amazing as it looks?

Well I’m here to tell you…. yes. It is. If that’s all you came for, you can stop reading now, LOL.

But I’ll be honest, when I first heard of Yacht Week I wasn’t too drawn to it.

I’m the type of person that if I party on a Friday, I lay low on Saturday and Sunday. I just can’t drink like that.

So the idea of partying and drinking for a week straight was… intimidating, to say the least.

But one odd thing did happen with Yacht Week.

I couldn’t find a single person who had gone and didn’t have a great time. Not a single one.

And that was coming from my extremely party friends and my more chill, even non-drinking, friends. (Yes, I know a girl who went on Yacht Week and didn’t drink once! and still loved it…)

So, let’s just say the hype was hyping.

And a girlfriend of my and I met someone who was going to Yacht Week the summer of 2024 and had two spots available.

It was like things aligned… I didn’t say yes right away, but the fomo got to me, and GOD AM I GLAD IT DID.

My Experience On Yacht Week

Okay, let’s get into the fun stuff—the parties. This is what Yacht Week is known for, and I won’t lie: it’s as wild and crazy as you’ve heard.

Actually, it’s probably even wilder than you’ve seen on Instagram.

I did the Croatia route with Ultra Music Festival for the first two nights in 2024.

(So yeah, for someone that doesn’t consider herself a partier, I certainly went all in…)

You’re literally sailing through some of the most beautiful places on Earth and partying in stunning locations.

There’s an energy that you can’t escape, and that’s because Yacht Week is designed to be one long party.

And don’t get started on the raft parties!

For those who don’t know, raft parties are exactly what they sound like: a bunch of yachts tied together in a giant circle with people jumping from boat to boat, blasting music, and just living their best lives.

It was honestly one of the best moments of the entire week and one of my favorite memories.

Everyone’s in the same boat (literally), so it’s easy to meet new people, dance, and have a great time.

As for the nightlife? Well, it’s on a whole other level. You’ll hit up the best beach clubs and exclusive parties in each destination.

The Fort George castle party in Croatia was unforgettable. It’s like stepping into another world where the music’s pumping, the drinks are flowing, and it feels like you’re in the middle of a movie scene.

Was it as wild as people say? Yep. Did it match my expectations? It went beyond it.

The best part was that no matter how wild the night got, everyone was still in it for the same thing: to have fun, soak up the experience, and create memories with new friends from all over the world.

Everyone I met was just trying to vibe and have a great time. It was incredible.

Of course, this goes without saying that once there I got into the Party mode and somehow rallied.

But if you want a chill, laid-back, soak-up-the-sun style trip.. Yacht Week may not be for you.. But if you’re in the right mindset, it’s an absolute blast.

Take a look at my reel for an overview of what to expect:

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A post shared by Claudia Torres (@claudtastica)

Non-Partying Activities

Honestly, the majority is about the partying.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot going on before the sun comes down.

We explored gorgeous beaches, rented a scooter to ride around a small island, and some people on my yacht even rented jetskis one day.

You are in a beautiful destination and can walk around or explore.

But here’s the thing: The party vibes often meant that you didn’t get to dive as deep into the local culture as you might have hoped.

In places like Croatia, for instance, there was so much I wanted to explore beyond the nightlife—like visiting historical sites or trying more local food—but we were so wrapped up in the Yacht Week schedule that we didn’t get the time.

That said, you can definitely make an effort to do that if you plan a little extra time on either side of the week.

Or, if you have a chill crew that wants to explore during the day, you can always make it happen.

In the end, Yacht Week gave me a beautiful snapshot of the destinations, but it was definitely more about enjoying the party atmosphere and meeting people.

The Skippers & Crew: Who’s Running the Show?

Okay, so the skippers—the ones who are supposed to keep the whole operation running smoothly—let’s talk about them for a second.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what to expect from the skippers. Would they be all about the party? Would they actually focus on sailing? Would they get annoyed at our drunken shenanigans?

Turns out, the skippers are a total highlight of the trip.

Ours was super chill but also on top of things when it came to keeping the boat safe and organized.

She was the perfect mix of fun and responsibility—she’d join in on some of the partying but would always make sure we were safe, the boat was in good shape, and everyone was where they were supposed to be.

We also had THE BEST chef imaginable.

She really went all out for all our meals, which was incredibly hard in the tiny kitchen onboard.

Every meal was incredible.

If you’re unsure about whether to spend the extra money on a chef, DO IT! They make the entire experience ten times better.

And trust me, the last thing ou want to do is be thinking about what to make for breakfast when you’re hungover in paradise.

The Not-So-Perfect Parts

Now, let’s keep it real. As much as I loved my Yacht Week experience, no trip is without its flaws.

There were a few not-so-perfect moments along the way.

Let’s talk about the sleeping arrangements.

I’m not going to sugar-coat it—yachts aren’t exactly known for having spacious bedrooms.

If you’re used to luxury accommodations, prepare yourself for some cozy conditions. And by cozy, I mean cramped.

My friend and I shared a cabin and the bed felt like a large twin. It was TIGHT to say the least.

Some people couldn’t handle sharing the bed and would just sleep on the deck.

SO if you’re expecting a 5-star hotel bed onboard, you’re in for a rude awakening.

The Big One… The Cost

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—the cost. When I first looked into Yacht Week, my initial reaction was “Holy ****, that’s a lot of money.”* And it is.

There’s no sugar-coating it. But if you’re wondering whether it’s worth it, here’s the breakdown.

First off, you’re paying for the yacht itself, which is the big ticket item. Depending on the size of the boat, prices can vary greatly. I paid $2,500 for my shared cabin for the week.

Then, you’ve got to factor in groceries. For my crew of 10, we ended up spending about $2,000 on food—so, do the math, that’s around $200 per person.

Now the parties! Those get pricey! My group and I got tables at almost every party. The ended up costing about $600 each at the end of the trip.

I’m sure if I did drink-per-drink it may have been cheaper, but having the bottle service allowed us to fully enjoy the night and not wait in lines.

Add the tip to the skipper and the chef (I did $500 total, so $250 each) and transportation costs, add another $35 from the airport to the port.

So that leaves me at about $3,800 for the week (not including airfare to and from Croatia of course)

In the end, it’s all about how you look at the value. Yes, it’s expensive. But when you factor in the parties, the stunning views, the unforgettable activities, and the unique social experience, it’s money well spent.

If you’re someone who loves an adventure and doesn’t mind splurging for an epic week, Yacht Week is definitely worth it.

It’s one of those one-in-a-lifetime experiences I don’t mind splurging on whatsoever!

Just be prepared for those extra costs that can sneak up on you!

Final Thoughts: Would I Do It Again?

If you’ve read anything I wrote you know, without a shadow of a doubt, how much I loved Yacht Week.

I also will say though, I got very lucky in the fact that my group was amazing. Everyone was just so welcoming and trying to have a good time.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. I would actually consider doing another route again, maybe the Greece one next time which is considered more ‘chill.’

Who would I recommend Yacht Week for? Definitely party lovers and social travelers.

If you’re someone who enjoys meeting new people, living for the moment, and dancing till sunrise, Yacht Week will be a blast.

If you’re a sailing fan, you’ll enjoy the experience, but just know that it’s more about the vibe and socializing than the actual sailing.

It’s not for those looking for a super chill or quiet getaway—if you’re all about the peace and relaxation, this might not be your thing.