Marlet Sunseeker 82′ yacht rental, the largest in Cartagena

Big yacht, big day, big price tag. The Marlet Sunseeker 82’ gives your private group a polished way to reach the Rosario Islands, stop near Cholón, swim, relax in a jacuzzi, and watch Cartagena’s sunset from the water. I especially like the spacious flybridge and the freedom to shape the eight-hour outing around your group. I also like that the quoted price includes the captain, sailors, fuel, water, ice, floats, and a lifeguard. The main drawback is simple: lunch, alcohol, cocktails, a bartender, chef, and DJ cost extra, so your final bill can rise quickly.

This is not a cheap boat trip for two people. At $8,400 for up to 15 people, the starting cost works out to about $560 per person if your group is full. You get a private yacht rather than a shared excursion, but you need to plan meals, drinks, and any entertainment in advance.

Key points to know before booking

• Cartagena’s largest charter yacht: The 82-foot Marlet is described as the largest yacht available for charter in Cartagena de Indias.
• Rosario Islands by day: The usual route heads from Cartagena to the islands for swimming, sun, and time on the water.
• Cholón is optional: You can add a stop there if your group wants a livelier beach-and-boat atmosphere.
• Three departure windows: Choose 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Comfort for day use: The yacht has a salon, kitchen, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a flybridge jacuzzi, and bow seating.
• Private group format: The booking is for your party only, with a stated booking capacity of up to 15 people.

What the $8,400 charter really buys you

The Marlet was built by Sunseeker in 2004 and refitted inside and outside in 2014. That age matters. You are not booking a brand-new yacht, but you are getting a substantial vessel with a more recent refit and serious engine power, listed at up to 4,000 horsepower.

The price covers the yacht and its operating essentials: captain, sailors, gasoline, bottled water, a cooler with 20 kilograms of ice, floats, and a lifeguard. Those inclusions remove several costs that can surprise you on a private charter, especially fuel and crew.

The value depends heavily on your head count. A full group of 15 pays about $560 each. A group of 10 pays $840 each, and a group of eight pays $1,050 each. For a birthday, family gathering, corporate outing, or friends’ celebration, that may be reasonable. For a small group, it is difficult to call this good value unless the yacht itself is the main event.

The day-use limit is listed as 20 people, but the booking price is for up to 15. I would treat 15 as the practical number for this reservation and confirm the exact permitted head count before paying. The bedrooms can sleep eight people comfortably, but this is presented as a day charter, not a hotel substitute.

Starting at Cartagena Nautical Club

The trip begins and ends at Cartagena Nautical Club on Calle 24, between Carrera 18b and 20. The meeting point is useful because you do not have to arrange a separate marina transfer once you reach the club.

There is one important access rule. At least one day before departure, the person who made the reservation must send the administrator the full passenger list, including each person’s name and card information. You also need to identify the contracted vessel as Yacht Martlet when entering the club.

Do not leave this until the morning of your trip. A private marina has controlled access, and the passenger list is part of the boarding process. Minors must travel with their parents.

Pickup is offered, but the supplied details do not specify the pickup area or whether an extra charge applies. Ask about this when arranging the booking rather than assuming hotel pickup is included.

Choosing the right departure time

The three schedule choices change the feel of the day.

The 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. option gives you the earliest start and is described as better for older people during swellier conditions. The return from the islands is planned for 3 p.m., with the remaining time spent in Cartagena Bay. Early morning also gives you more daylight for the island portion, though you will need to get moving early.

The 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule is the classic middle choice. It fits the general rhythm of boats heading to the islands and gives you a later return. If your group wants a balanced day without an especially early start or a late island return, this is the easiest option.

The 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. schedule is aimed at groups interested in Bora Bora VIP. The information says the DJ’s closing runs from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., making this timing useful if that is part of your plan. The drawback is less time at the islands before heading back.

For the last schedule, the return from the islands is at 5 p.m., while the rest of the eight hours is enjoyed in Cartagena Bay. Confirm the exact timetable with Barú Luxury Travel Plans before departure, since the wording around island return and final disembarkation can be easy to misread.

The ride toward the Rosario Islands

The main route leaves Cartagena and heads toward the Rosario Islands. The trip is not only about reaching a beach club or a single island. The yacht itself gives you room to spread out, sit in the shade, take in the sea, and move between the bow and flybridge as the day changes.

The bow is the quietest viewing spot described for the Marlet. From there, you can look out over the sea and watch for marine life, plants, and changing coastal scenery. It is a good place to get away from music or group conversation for a while.

The flybridge is the social center. You can eat there, sunbathe, and use the jacuzzi. That setup makes the boat more than a transfer vessel. You can treat the ride as part of the day instead of simply enduring the distance between Cartagena and the islands.

The sea can be rougher at some times than others. The operator specifically points to the early schedule as more comfortable for older people during swell time. If anyone in your group is sensitive to motion, ask about sea conditions and consider the 8 a.m. departure.

Time on the islands and a possible Cholón stop

The Rosario Islands are the main destination for a sunny day on the water. The supplied plan leaves room for swimming and relaxation, with floats included and a lifeguard on board. You should still ask the crew for the safest swimming area and follow their advice once the yacht stops.

Cholón is an optional addition for groups who want more energy and social activity. It is not the quietest choice. If your ideal day means calm water, family time, and long stretches of sun, you may prefer to spend more time around the Rosario Islands instead.

The tour provider can also suggest beach club options for lunch. That is useful because lunch is not included, and food arrangements can shape the whole afternoon. Ask for current prices and menus before choosing a stop. The crew can offer recommendations, but the meal itself is an extra cost.

The timetable deserves attention here. The advertised eight hours does not mean eight full hours anchored in the islands. Depending on your selected departure, some of the time is used for the journey and some for the return through Cartagena Bay. I would agree on the island stop, Cholón plans, lunch location, and return time before leaving the dock.

A yacht built for groups, not just appearances

Below deck, the Marlet has a living room, kitchen, four bedrooms, and three bathrooms. The master suite and VIP suite each have queen beds. The remaining rooms have single beds, and the sleeping setup works comfortably for eight people.

For a day trip, those rooms offer valuable private space. You can change clothes, rest away from the sun, or give children and older family members a break from the activity upstairs. The bathrooms also matter on a full-day charter, especially with a larger group.

The flybridge jacuzzi is a major feature, but it does not replace a swimming stop. It is best understood as an extra place to cool off and socialize while the yacht is anchored. The boat also has space at the bow for views and the salon for indoor comfort.

The design supports different moods in one group. Some people can sit in the living room, others can use the jacuzzi, and others can stay at the bow or near the water. That flexibility is one reason the yacht suits mixed-age groups better than a smaller open boat.

Food, drinks, music, and celebration extras

Water and ice are included. Other drinks are not. Alcoholic beverages of any kind are excluded, and the description does not include lunch.

You can arrange a chef, cocktail bar, bartender, or DJ, but these services are quoted separately. One birthday setup included food service, a cocktail bar, and a DJ arranged through the yacht administrator. That shows the charter can support a party format, but it also shows why you should request a full written quote before booking.

Ask for the cost of each extra separately:

• Lunch or beach club meal
• Alcohol and soft drinks beyond the included water
• Chef service
• Cocktail bar
• Bartender
• DJ or sound setup

Bringing your own plan for food and music may be possible, but the supplied information does not confirm the rules. Check with the operator first. A yacht kitchen is listed, yet that does not automatically mean you can prepare a complete meal onboard.

What the crew adds to the day

The captain and sailors are included, and the crew’s role goes beyond steering the yacht. They handle the practical work of boarding, movement around the boat, anchoring, and helping with swimming arrangements.

The most consistent praise focuses on the crew’s professionalism, friendly service, music, and attention to safety. That matters on a private charter because you spend eight hours with the same small team. A crew that responds well to different ages and personalities can make the day feel relaxed instead of managed.

The lifeguard is a useful inclusion during swimming time. Still, you remain responsible for following instructions and keeping an eye on children. The presence of a lifeguard is support, not a reason to ignore sea conditions.

The crew can also advise you about beach costs and food options. Treat those recommendations as useful local guidance, but ask for prices before ordering anything at an island stop.

Who will get the most from the Marlet

I would recommend this yacht most strongly for:

• Families or friend groups of roughly 10 to 15 people
• Birthday and anniversary celebrations
• Groups wanting privacy instead of a shared boat
• People who value space, bathrooms, indoor rooms, and a jacuzzi
• Groups prepared to budget for lunch, drinks, and optional entertainment

It may not suit a small party. Two or four people will carry a large share of the total cost, and a simpler boat may make more financial sense.

It may also be a poor fit if your main goal is a quiet, low-cost island visit. The Marlet is a full private yacht charter, and the price reflects the vessel, crew, fuel, and exclusivity. You are paying for the setting and control of the day as much as for the destination.

The boat can accommodate older family members better than a cramped speedboat, especially with its salon, bathrooms, and multiple areas for sitting. Still, anyone prone to seasickness should discuss departure timing and sea conditions ahead of time.

Booking details worth checking twice

The experience is confirmed at booking, and mobile tickets are offered. The activity is private, so only your own group participates.

The cancellation policy is strict. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or request an amendment, the amount paid is not returned. For an $8,400 reservation, I would avoid booking until your passenger list, date, schedule, and extra services are settled.

The charter is booked an average of 131 days ahead, so popular dates may require early planning. That long lead time also gives you a chance to coordinate food, drinks, music, and transportation instead of making expensive decisions at the dock.

Should you book the Marlet Sunseeker?

Book it if your group can fill much of the 15-person capacity and you want a private celebration with room to move, swim, eat, and watch the sunset. The Rosario Islands route, flybridge jacuzzi, generous interior, and attentive crew create a polished full-day outing.

Think twice if your group is small, your budget is tight, or you want lunch and drinks included in one simple price. Before paying, confirm the passenger limit, pickup details, schedule, island stop, food plan, and every optional service. With those details settled, the Marlet is a strong choice for a private Cartagena day on the water. Without them, the extras can make an already expensive charter much more expensive.

FAQ

Where does the Marlet yacht trip begin and end?

The trip begins and ends at Cartagena Nautical Club on Calle 24, between Carrera 18b and 20, in Cartagena de Indias.

How long does the yacht rental last?

The plan lasts approximately eight hours.

What departure times are available?

You can choose 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

How many people can join the booking?

The listed price covers a private group of up to 15 people. The yacht has a stated maximum day capacity of 20 people, so confirm the exact permitted number before booking.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the captain, sailors, gasoline, bottled water, a cooler with 20 kilograms of ice, floats, and a lifeguard.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but beach club options can be suggested separately.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks and other beverages beyond water are not included.

What passenger information must be provided?

The main person on the reservation must send the passenger list, including each person’s name and card information, at least one day before the trip. The contracted vessel should be identified as Yacht Martlet when entering the club. Minors must travel with their parents.