Brand Backstory
Dream Yacht Charter is one of the world’s leading yacht charter providers, and its origin story is refreshingly unflashy by yachting standards. Founded by Loïc Bonnet, a longtime industry insider who cut his teeth at Stardust and later rose to European CEO at The Moorings, the company launched in 2000 in the Seychelles with just six boats and a clear idea: make high-quality sailing vacations accessible to more kinds of travelers.
Fast forward twenty-five years, and Dream Yacht Charter now operates a vast and diverse fleet with roughly 830 sailing yachts, catamarans, and powerboats spread across more than 35 destinations in 22 countries. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or someone who still mixes up port and starboard, the company offers an unusually broad menu of options, from bareboat charters to crewed, hands-off escapes.
One of their most appealing offerings is the Cabin Cruise. Think of it as a sail-share for people who want the romance of sailing the seven seas without the commitment or price tag of chartering an entire vessel. Guests book individual en-suite cabins, share dining and lounge spaces with fellow travelers, and follow a set itinerary through postcard-worthy waters.
With a professional skipper handling navigation, docking, and anchoring, and a hostess preparing meals, the hardest decision of the day becomes where to watch the sunset. It’s yachting made easy, and it’s quietly addictive.
The Itinerary
I joined a group of eight fellow sailors for a seven-day, Saturday-to-Saturday Cabin Cruise aboard a 62-foot Lagoon catamaran, Dream Martinique, sailing through the Abacos, in the northern Bahamas. This brand-new Dream Yacht Cabin Cruise itinerary, launched in January, showcases sandy cays, Crayola-colored settlements, and glassy turquoise coves.
Following a set but well-paced itinerary, we mixed easy sailing with standout land and sea adventures. We snorkeled in Pelican Cays Land & Sea Park, where the underwater cast included sharks, rays, turtles, and neon-bright fish. On laid-back Guana Cay and Manjack Cay, the emphasis was on beaches and breezes. One of my favorite ports-of-call was Hope Town on Elbow Cay. We wandered the car-free village dotted with colorful gingerbread houses, climbed all 101 steps of its iconic red-and-white striped lighthouse, then settled in for drinks on the deck at Cap’n Jack’s before our skipper whisked us “home” by dinghy just in time for lunch on deck.
On Green Turtle Cay, we rented golf carts and explored tiny New Plymouth, including a stop at the Albert Lowe Museum, the oldest historic museum in the Bahamas, before doing what everyone eventually does here: sipping Goombay Smashes at Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar, the birthplace of the famously potent cocktail.
And yes, the swimming pigs of No Name Cay made an appearance, though Mother Nature had other ideas that day. With the sea too rough, the swimming swine opted to roam the beach and eat carrots from our hands.
Boat Snapshot
I boarded Dream Martinique at the Conch Inn & Marina after an easy 35-minute flight from Miami International Airport to Leonard M. Thompson International Airport (MHH).
Dream Martinique is the first fully refitted Dream Yacht Lagoon 620 under the company’s NEO program, an initiative focused on modernizing and extending the life of vessels rather than replacing them outright. Thoughtful upgrades on this boat included: refreshed interiors, new teak decks, and a suite of sustainability-minded features, including solar panels, low-consumption air conditioning, and LED lighting, all aligned with Dream Yacht’s push toward eco-responsible sailing.
On paper, the Lagoon 620 sleeps up to 12 guests, though we had nine aboard for this sailing. While the saloon and galley were modern and filled with natural light, I’ll be honest: for nine people, the interior felt tight. Six can perch comfortably on the sofa, but with no barstools or additional seating at the kitchen island, it’s hard to imagine a full house spending much time inside together.
Fortunately, in the Bahamas, indoor space matters far less than what’s happening outside. Meals were enjoyed around the shaded outdoor dining table, and there was plenty of room to spread out across the hammocks, sunbeds, and various lounging decks. In fact, Dream Martinique’s exterior layout is especially well-suited for solo moments, whether that’s reading with the breeze, sunbathing, or even watercolor painting, as one guest did each day.
As a catamaran, Dream Martinique offered excellent stability, and its ability to anchor close to shore in shallow coves made for calm, quiet nights. With barely a whisper of motion, I slept deeply. The yacht is also equipped for on-the-water fun, with a stand-up paddleboard, snorkels, masks, and fins. There was also a Bluetooth sound system so we could connect our playlists for impromptu dance parties.
Something I wish I’d known before boarding: although the Bahamas uses 120 volts with standard North American plugs, Dream Martinique is equipped with 220–240 volt European outlets. Fortunately, a fellow traveler loaned me an adaptor so I could charge my phone beside the bed, and there were compatible outlets available in the saloon as well.
Lastly, Dream Martinique is equipped with Starlink or Wi-Fi/Internet capability, which felt like a miss. Luxury in this day and age (like it or not) includes the ability to check in with family, post to socials, keep up on email, and make alternate travel arrangements when flights are canceled, as happened on this trip.
Staterooms
Dream Martinique has six guest staterooms—four superior and two standard—and all were surprisingly roomy for a boat, though I recommend you really like your roommate. The two standard cabins are located midship and do feel a bit more compact, while the stern staterooms have the added perk of private access doors opening directly onto the aft deck.
Each cabin is thoughtfully outfitted with deep under-bed drawers, a small closet with hangers, storage cabinets beside the bed, shelving for odds and ends, and reading lights. Space is well used, but there’s realistically nowhere to stash luggage larger than a carry-on, so packing light in soft bags is key.
Staterooms are fitted with portholes and hatches for ventilation, along with air conditioning, which is essential during warmer months. A heads-up: the A/C runs off a generator, so there is some ambient noise. Personally, I found the steady hum oddly soothing, and by the second night I barely noticed it. The queen-sized foam mattress was extremely comfortable, and while the ensuite bathroom is compact, it had everything I needed: sink, toilet, shower, storage, and even a hairdryer.
Finally, note that cabins are not cleaned or refreshed during the week. You’ll be making your own bed, emptying your trash, and keeping your space tidy. Easy enough, but good to know in advance.
What’s Included in a Cabin Cruise?
Dream Martinique Cabin Cruise charters start at around $1,900 per person, based on double occupancy, with pricing varying by date. Single-occupancy specials do pop up occasionally throughout the season, so it’s worth keeping an eye out if you prefer your own cabin.
The rate covers water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee; daily cleaning of public areas; two beach towels per guest; bed linens and bath towels; and the use of snorkeling gear, and a stand-up paddleboard. All mooring fees are included, as are meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), prepared onboard, and daily snacks like chips, bananas, and granola bars.
A modest amount of alcohol is also part of the package: each guest receives one local cocktail per evening, along with table wine during meals (approximately 0.5 liters per guest per day). For anything beyond that, guests can purchase drink tokens at check-in. Tokens cost $4 each and for reference, one beer equals one token, while a bottle of wine runs six.
Gratuities are not included in the price, but tipping is customary and very much appreciated by the hardworking crew.
Food & Drink
Allow me a brief rave. I loved everything about the food on the Dream Martinique Cabin Cruise. From the first night, the communal dining table became the heart of the experience, full of laughter, easy conversation, and the kind of lingering meals that stretch well past dessert. But it was the food itself that truly held us together.
Prepared by our hostess, Tia Roberts, who insisted we call her Sunshine, a name well-suited to her bright and warm personality, each meal managed to be both simple and impressive, thoughtfully varied, and generously portioned. Over the course of the week, we enjoyed fish marinated in coconut milk, succulent lobster tails and snow crab claws, grilled lamb chops, conch fritters, and even beef, shrimp, and fish tacos (yes, on Tuesday). Every meal exceeded my expectations, especially given the compact galley it all came from.
Wine or beer was served with lunch and dinner, and evenings typically started with a round of Bahama Mama cocktails on deck. I’m now a believer that rum drinks always taste better when paired with salt air and a sunset.
Fast Facts
Location: Abacos, The Bahamas Vibe: Relaxed luxury meets low-key adventure
Rating: 4½
Starting Rate: From ~$1,900 per person, double occupancy
Cabins: 6
My Favorite Thing About the Boat: The expansive outdoor lounging areas and viewing decks
Dining: Outstanding—Sunshine’s onboard cooking rivaled many shore-side restaurants Amenities: Stand-up paddleboard, snorkeling gear, board games, beach towels Closest Airport: Leonard M. Thompson International Airport (MHH)
Abacos, Bahamas
