Most large group travel involves compromise. Rooms that don't quite match. Logistics that require constant coordination. The sense that the trip was built for someone else and your group is filling a slot. A private charter changes all of that in one decision: one vessel, one group, one itinerary, built entirely around the people on board.

M/S Aretha makes that decision easier than it has ever been for groups of up to 30. At 157 feet, with 15 en-suite cabins, including 2 suites, a crew of 12, two jacuzzis on the sun deck, a gym, a wellness centre, a cinema room,indoor gym, and the world's first inflatable pickleball court at sea, Aretha is a cruiser yacht charter in Croatia that takes the question of what to do on board and answers it comprehensively, in every direction.

Fresh from a complete cabin refit in 2025 and 2026, she is also one of the most current vessels operating on the Croatian coast. Here is everything you need to know about M/S Aretha before you charter.

At 157 feet, Aretha sits in a category of vessel that offers something genuinely important in Croatia: the capacity to accommodate groups well above the 12-passenger limit that applies to standard charter yachts. Croatia's charter regulations make it one of the few places in the world with a strong selection of fully crewed yachts certified for groups up to 30 or 36 guests, and Aretha is built specifically for this opportunity.

The layout distributes 30 guests across 15 en-suite cabins, including two balcony suites that bring the outside in with private outdoor space and private jacuzzi area. The size of the vessel means common areas feel genuinely spacious rather than shared by necessity. There is room on the sun deck for a group to spread out in every direction, room in the dining area for the whole group to eat together, and room in the individual cabins to feel private even when you are sailing with 29 other people.

Aretha works best for groups who want to experience the Adriatic together without compromise. Not a resort where you drift apart at breakfast. Not a hotel where someone always has the worse room. One vessel, one crew, one experience shared by everyone on board.

Aretha’s recent refit has transformed her into a yacht built around the full onboard experience. Alongside her already generous spaces, she now features a wellness center, gym, and cinema room, giving every generation something to enjoy throughout the day.

For multi-generational groups, that variety matters. Teenagers can head out on jet skis in the afternoon. Parents can unwind in the jacuzzi. Grandparents can enjoy a film onboard. Everyone stays together on the same yacht, but each guest has space to enjoy the trip in their own way.

The vision behind the refit was clear. Aretha previously accommodated up to 38 guests, but the goal was not to carry more people — it was to create a better experience. By reducing the guest count, increasing the crew, and adding more amenities, Aretha now delivers a more personal, spacious, and truly elevated journey onboard.

All 15 cabins and suits were fully refitted in 2025.

Private deck access and the largest footprint on the vessel. The best cabins on the boat, for guests who want the full experience. Each suite has its own private deck space and private jacuzzi.

Comfortable en-suite double rooms refitted to a high standard. Designed for a full week at sea without feeling cramped. There are cabins located on the main and lower deck.

The 2025 refit added a wellness centre and a cinema room to a vessel that was already well-equipped. The result is a yacht that covers almost every need a group of 30 could have over seven nights at sea.

Pickleball is currently the fastest-growing sport in the United States and is expanding rapidly across Europe. Aretha carries the world's first inflatable pickleball court available on a charter yacht. This is not a novelty feature. For groups that include pickleball players, it is a genuine point that differentiates a charter week aboard Aretha from any other vessel on the Adriatic. For groups who have never played, it is an activity that takes minutes to learn and hours to enjoy, and it works exceptionally well for mixed-age groups and corporate charters looking for a team dynamic that does not require prior experience.

Aretha operates on a 7-night charter basis. Here is what comes with the booking.

Two meals a day are prepared by the onboard culinary team using fresh Adriatic and Mediterranean produce. The menu reflects wherever the yacht anchored the day before. Fresh fish, local olive oil, seasonal vegetables, Croatian wine. When the itinerary calls for a stop at a konoba ashore, the captain and crew know which ones are worth the detour.

Aretha can accommodate dietary restrictions and special culinary requests. These are confirmed during the booking process and handled by the culinary team before departure. Nothing is left to chance and the team works with the guests prior to arrival to customize the menu based on the preferences.

Aretha operates along the Dalmatian coast, moving between islands based on the group's interests, the weather, and the itinerary agreed with the group before arrival or on the spot with the captain. These are the destinations that appear most frequently on Aretha's routes.

Croatia's most social island. Excellent restaurants, a 16th-century fortress above the town, and hidden coves only reachable by boat.

Home to Zlatni Rat, Croatia's most photographed beach. Quieter than Hvar, easier to anchor, good for biking and swimming.

The most remote inhabited island on the Dalmatian coast. No mass tourism. The Blue Cave on nearby Bisevo is a short excursion from here.

Said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. A medieval old town, excellent local wine, and a quieter energy than Hvar.

Two-thirds national park. Two warm saltwater lakes surrounded by forest. One of the most peaceful anchorages on the Adriatic.

89 islands in one national park. Almost no permanent population. Some of the most dramatic sailing water in the Mediterranean.

Let's answer some of the most asked questions.

The season runs from May through October. Peak weeks in July and August book out months in advance. June and September offer the best balance of warm water, good weather, and less crowds.

Aretha accommodates up to 30 guests and works well from around 10 upward. Larger groups benefit most from the per-person economics as the charter cost spreads across more people.

None. A crew of 12 handles everything. Guests arrive, unpack once, and stay unpacked for the week.

A 157-foot cruiser yacht, freshly refitted in 2025 & 2026, carrying 30 guests across 15 en-suite cabins with a 12-person crew, two jacuzzis, a gym, a wellness centre, a cinema, nine water sports and entertainment options, and the world's only inflatable pickleball court at sea. That is what M/S Aretha brings to a week on the Adriatic.

For groups who want to do Croatia properly, on their own timeline, from their own vessel, with every detail handled before they arrive, Aretha is one of the most complete cruiser yacht options available on the Croatian coast.

The week, the route, and every detail in between can be is built from scratch based on the preferences and travelers wishes.