Private charter on Casador a classic 68ft sailing yacht.cruiseship possible

The best part of this Curaçao charter is control. You have the yacht to yourself, then work with the captain to shape the day around snorkeling, swimming, beaches, or simply sunshine. Klein Curaçao, the Tugboat wreck, and quiet coves can all be part of the plan, depending on conditions and your group.

I like the generous lunch and open bar, and I like the crew’s personal touch. Captains and mates including Joseph, Robert, Daniel, Ramon, and Adris have shared island stories, helped less-mobile passengers, and handled birthday and family outings with care. The main caution is the boat itself: some recent accounts describe Casador as old, rusty, or not as clean as expected from a luxury yacht.

Key points at a glance

• A private 68-foot sailing yacht: Your group does not share the boat with strangers, so the captain can adjust the pace and stops.
• Klein Curaçao or the Tugboat wreck: Choose between a remote white-sand island and an easy-to-reach artificial reef near Spanish Waters.
• Barbecue lunch with drinks: Expect food, wine, beer, soft drinks, and Caribbean rum punch onboard.
• Strong crew praise: Joseph, Robert, Daniel, Ramon, and Adris are noted for friendly hosting, local stories, and careful service.
• A separate cruise transfer: Cruise passengers should budget $15 per person for a round-trip taxi to the marina.
• Bring serious sun protection: Shade is limited, and a towel, sunscreen, camera, and hat are not supplied.

A private day on Casador, not a standard boat outing

Casador is a classic 68-foot sailing yacht used for private charters around Curaçao. The listed price is $130 per person, and the outing runs about 6 to 8 hours. Since only your party joins, this works less like a fixed sightseeing cruise and more like hiring a crew for a day on the water.

That distinction matters. A shared boat often follows a set route and timetable. Here, you can tell the captain what your group wants to do. One party might spend most of the day snorkeling and swimming. Another might prefer a beach stop, a slow sail through the bay, a long lunch, and music on deck.

The crew has handled groups ranging from families celebrating birthdays to parties of 10 or 14. Names vary by sailing, but Joseph and Robert are frequently associated with snorkeling days and island stories. Daniel has hosted family and birthday outings, sometimes with a friendly dog onboard. Ramon and Adris have also been praised for their calm, capable service.

The private format is especially useful when your group has mixed energy levels. Strong swimmers can head into the water while others stay aboard. Older family members can receive help boarding the dinghy and yacht. The captain can also spend more time explaining the coast instead of rushing to meet a large group schedule.

What the $130 price really includes

At $130 per person, the value depends on how much your group uses the full day. This is not simply a short boat ride with a view. The price includes a long charter, lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, rum punch, and snorkeling equipment.

The meal is described as a barbecue, with food such as grilled fish, burgers, chicken, vegetable kabobs, buns, fruit, chips, and condiments served on some outings. Fresh snacks may also include bread, crackers, meats, cheese, and cut fruit. Actual offerings can vary, but you should not need to plan a separate restaurant stop.

Drinks include wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and the house Caribbean rum punch. The rum punch receives particular attention, so it would be a mistake to skip it if you drink alcohol. An open bar can add real value on a six- to eight-hour charter, though you should still pace yourself in the hot sun.

The snorkeling gear is included, another useful saving. You still need to bring your own beach towel, sunscreen, camera, and possibly a hat. Given the heat and limited shade, sunscreen is not a minor packing tip. Apply it before boarding and bring enough to reapply.

Starting at Jhan Thiel and Spanish Waters

The meeting point is listed at Jhan Thiel, Spanish Waters. That is important for anyone arriving independently, since the boat may be anchored away from the marina and reached by a short dinghy ride.

Cruise ship passengers need extra planning. A round-trip taxi from the cruise terminal costs $15 per person and must be arranged separately. Recent cruise passengers have used a taxi for the roughly 30-minute trip to the marina, then returned by taxi after the charter.

The transfer is manageable, but do not treat it as an included dock pickup. Confirm the meeting details and pickup time before you arrive. The boat has previously collected cruise passengers, but the current practical arrangement requires a separate taxi to and from the marina.

Allow room for the dinghy transfer, too. A larger group may need more than one trip between the marina pier and the yacht. The crew has helped people with knee and hip problems board, but this remains a boat transfer, not a step-free shore excursion.

If you are sailing during a cruise stop, check the difference between local time and ship time. The crew can work with your departure deadline, but you need to state the required return time clearly. Keep a cushion for the taxi ride back to the terminal.

Klein Curaçao, a full-day water stop

Klein Curaçao is the most remote-feeling option in the planned route. The small island is known for broad white sand and clear water, with snorkeling areas where you may see sea turtles and reef life.

The appeal is simple: it gives the day a real island-outing feel. You can swim, snorkel, walk on the sand, or stay aboard and enjoy the Caribbean weather. For a group that wants a classic tropical setting, this is likely the most photogenic stop.

The tradeoff is time. A trip to Klein Curaçao can use much of the charter, leaving less room for several separate stops. If your group wants a slow day at one beautiful place, that is a good exchange. If everyone wants the Tugboat wreck, a west-coast beach, and a long lunch, ask the captain how much can fit into the available hours.

Conditions also matter. The final route is set with the captain, and a six-hour outing gives you less flexibility than an eight-hour one. Make your priorities clear early: turtle snorkeling, beach time, a wreck site, sailing, or sunset views.

The Tugboat wreck for easy snorkeling

The Tugboat wreck near Spanish Waters offers a different kind of water stop. The sunken tugboat has become an artificial reef, attracting colorful fish and making the site suitable for both new and experienced snorkelers.

This is a practical choice for mixed groups. You do not need to commit the whole day to a distant island, and the site can provide a focused hour of swimming and snorkeling. One large private group spent about an hour at the wreck area, then moved on after the other snorkelers left.

That private timing is one of Casador’s strongest advantages. Rather than staying tied to a crowded boat schedule, your captain can try to visit when the site is less busy. You may still encounter other boats or divers, but your party has more space than it would on a packed excursion.

The wreck also suits people who want an active stop without giving up the rest of the day. You can snorkel, jump from the boat, watch fish, and then return aboard for snacks before sailing to another location.

Beaches, coves, and a slower afternoon

The route can include a beach along Curaçao’s west coast or a quieter cove, depending on the captain’s plan and the day’s conditions. The exact beach is not fixed, which is both the charm and the uncertainty of a private charter.

A secluded beach stop lets you split the day naturally. Some of your group can walk on the sand while others swim, snorkel, listen to music, or relax on the yacht. One outing included several hours at a quiet beach area with clear water, fish, music, and very few nearby boats on a weekday.

Expect more privacy on a weekday than during a busy weekend. A cove described as quiet can become a gathering place for boats and beachgoers at peak times. If a peaceful stop matters to you, tell the captain and ask which location is likely to be calmest.

The return sail can also be part of the experience rather than dead time. Captains and mates have pointed out homes, plantations, harbor views, and coastal features while explaining parts of Curaçao. You get a look at the island from the water, not just a transfer between swim sites.

Food, music, and the feel onboard

Lunch is a major part of the day. The barbecue can include grilled fish, burgers, chicken, vegetable kabobs, fruit, chips, buns, and toppings. The food is served onboard, so you can eat after swimming without losing time to a restaurant visit.

That timing is useful in a hot climate. You can have snacks ready after the first water stop, then eat a fuller lunch at the beach or while anchored. If your group has dietary needs, ask about them before booking because the supplied information does not promise a specific custom menu.

Music is part of the relaxed atmosphere. A Bluetooth speaker has been available on some charters, with passengers choosing music from their phones. That can be fun for a birthday or family outing, but a private boat does not mean everyone wants the same soundtrack. Agree on a reasonable volume and playlist before the rum punch starts doing the negotiating.

The crew’s hospitality is frequently the strongest part of the experience. Joseph, Robert, and Daniel are described as friendly, accommodating, and willing to explain Curaçao. They have helped with lines, boarding, food service, snorkeling, and group celebrations. A small dog has also joined some outings, so ask ahead if an animal onboard would be an issue for anyone in your party.

The boat condition needs an honest note

The Casador name and 68-foot size may lead you to picture a polished luxury yacht. That expectation is where disappointment can begin. Some accounts describe the boat as comfortable and in good shape. Others specifically mention dirt, rust, an old interior, and a vessel that did not feel luxurious.

The operator has acknowledged that the boat was not cleaned as well as it should have been after a run of busy days. That does not erase the concern, but it gives you a useful way to judge the purchase. Casador appears to deliver a private, crew-led day on the sea more reliably than a high-end yacht finish.

If gleaming fittings, spotless upholstery, and a luxury-resort look are central to your holiday, ask for current boat photos before booking. If your priority is having the yacht to your own group, swimming, eating well, and spending time with a warm crew, the older boat may be an acceptable compromise.

This is also why I would focus on the actual charter rather than the word yacht. You are paying for space, flexibility, a crew, food, drinks, gear, and access to Curaçao’s water. You are not necessarily paying for a newly renovated vessel.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would consider Casador a strong fit for families, birthday groups, cruise groups, and friends who want one shared day rather than several separate activities. The private setup makes conversation easy, and the route can be adjusted for swimmers, beach fans, older relatives, and people who simply want to sit in the shade.

It also works well for a group with a clear shared budget. At $130 each, the included lunch, alcohol, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and long duration add up. The value is better when you would otherwise pay for a boat trip, a meal, drinks, and transport separately.

It is less suitable if you want a polished luxury product or a guaranteed, tightly scheduled route. The boat’s condition can vary in presentation, and the captain decides the final stops. You should also be comfortable with boarding a dinghy and moving around a yacht.

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is near public transportation, but cruise passengers still need the separate taxi arrangement. Good weather is required, so the schedule can change if conditions are poor.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Bad weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. The charter also requires a minimum number of participants, so if that minimum is not met, you should be offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

The excursion ends back at the Jhan Thiel and Spanish Waters meeting point. Plan your return transport before the morning begins, especially if you are heading back to a cruise ship.

Should you book Casador?

Book it if you want a private, flexible day on Curaçao’s water and your group values the crew, food, swimming, and time together more than a pristine luxury-yacht finish. The strongest case is a family or friend group that can agree on a loose plan and wants snorkeling, beach time, barbecue, and drinks without sharing a crowded boat.

Think twice if the boat’s appearance matters as much as the route. Ask for an up-to-date condition report or photos, confirm the cruise transfer, and tell the operator your must-see stop. With those expectations in place, Casador offers good value for a long private outing, especially for celebrations and groups that want the day to feel personal.

FAQ

Where does the Casador charter begin?

The activity begins at Jhan Thiel in the Spanish Waters area of Curaçao and ends back at the same meeting point.

Can cruise ship passengers book this experience?

Yes. Cruise ship passengers can book, but they need to arrange a separate round-trip taxi between the cruise terminal and the marina. The listed cost is $15 per person.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately 6 to 8 hours, depending on the selected schedule and route.

What food and drinks are included?

The charter includes a barbecue lunch, wine, beer, soft drinks, and Caribbean rum punch. Snacks and exact barbecue items can vary.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. You should bring your own towel, sunscreen, camera, and possibly a hat.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.