Waterfront dining takes on a whole new meaning for those arriving at restaurants often accessible only by boat. And what’s even better, you don’t even have to own a yacht or know how to captain one.
Seychelles. Photo courtesy of Dream Yacht Worldwide.
Dream Yacht Worldwide, a global leader in sailing vacations, is sharing some of its favorite boat-access-only dining spots—each offering a unique taste of local culture and cuisine. And with skippers doing the work, food lovers can skip the crowded roads and enjoy unforgettable meals in places most of us never find.
Here’s a taste – all of which are available on various DYW itineraries:
Konoba Tratinska (From Šibenik, Croatia) Nestled in a secluded bay, this dining spot offers authentic Dalmatian dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. Accessible primarily by boat, diners can enjoy fresh seafood and traditional recipes while taking in stunning views of the coastline.
La Lampara (From Naples, Italy) Known for its fresh pasta and seafood, La Lampara’s waterfront location means that arriving by boat allows guests to avoid crowded roads.
Erimitis Bar and Restaurant. Photo courtesy of Facebook.
Erimitis Bar and Restaurant (From Corfu, Greece) Located on a cliff with stunning views, Erimitis offers an authentic taste of Corfu while providing diners with a peaceful waterfront setting away from the hustle and bustle.
Tholos Restaurant. Photo courtesy of Facebook.
Tholos Restaurant (From Kos, Greece) Famous for its Symi shrimp and accessible mainy by sea, this picturesque restaurant offers diners fresh seafood with stunning harbor views.
Home-style Polynesian cooking with a front-row view of turquoise waters.
The Big Beach BBQ. Photo courtesy of Facebook.
The Big Beach BBQ at Foxy’s Tamarind (From Jost Van Dyke, BVI) This lively spot offers a vibrant atmosphere with a delicious BBQ feast on Fridays and Saturdays. Accessible by boat, it’s the perfect place for sailors to enjoy great food and live music on the beach.
Saba Rock Restaurant. Photo courtesy of Facebook.
Saba Rock Restaurant (From BVI) A culinary oasis in the Caribbean, Saba Rock features fresh seafood and local dishes. Its boat-accessible location makes it a favorite stop for sailors and travelers looking for a laid-back dining experience surrounded by breathtaking views.
Lime Out VI Floating Taco Bar. Photo courtesy of Facebook.
Lime Out VI Floating Taco Bar (From USVI) The ultimate dining experience on the water, Lime Out VI serves delicious tacos and refreshing drinks right from the water. Accessible only by boat, it’s a fun and unique way for travelers to enjoy a meal.
Tholos Restaurant. Photo courtesy of Facebook.
About Dream Yacht Worldwide
Dream Yacht Worldwide has more ways to sail than anyone else from bareboat charters for avid sailors to skippered, fully crewed and cabin charters – with no sailing experience required. The company offers the most diverse yacht fleet in terms of models and manufacturers in the world, making experiences at sea accessible to all.
Seychelles. Photo courtesy of Dream Yacht Worldwide.
Founded by Loïc Bonnet in 2000 as a six-yacht company based in the Seychelles, Dream Yacht Worldwide is now one of the world’s leading sea vacation companies, offering 30+ stunning sailing grounds. The group employs team members in more than 30 countries around the globe. www.dreamyachtcharter.com.
As we approach the end of the year, it is clear that 2025 will mark a significant evolution in how luxury travelers experience destinations worldwide. Luxury travel company Zicasso analyzed data from approximately 100,000 trip requests, mined thousands of verified Zicasso reviews, and performed a detailed survey of its key in-country travel specialists to determine next year’s biggest trends for planning and booking travel, as well as top interests, activities, and destinations.
Tajines in a pottery shop in Morocco. Courtesy of Wikimedia. Eb0la.
From observing how luxury travelers are pioneering new approaches to destination immersion to seeing the transformation of traditional seasonal travel patterns globally, Zicasso has identified how sophisticated travelers are reshaping the luxury travel landscape.
Topline conclusions from Zicasso’s 2025 report include:
The Global Shift to Spring Travel
Spring has emerged as the new peak travel season, with May leading the charge as the most requested month worldwide. Nearly half (49.3%) of 2025 bookings are now concentrated in spring, signaling a significant shift away from traditional travel timing.
Deep Cultural Immersion Defines Luxury
Luxury travelers are fundamentally changing how they explore destinations, with single-destination immersion becoming the primary approach worldwide. This trend is evidenced by longer average stays of 13.5 days and an average booking window of 188 days. The emphasis on cultural authenticity has become a key driver of booking success, with 76.3% of travel specialists reporting it as a priority for successful trips.
Extended Seasons and Regional Evolution
Traditional travel seasons are transforming across the globe. From Croatia extending its season through October to Thailand seeing increased bookings in September and October, and demand for year-round African safaris over the traditional seasonal behaviors, destinations are adapting to the shifting preferences of sophisticated travelers. This change demonstrates luxury travelers are increasingly seeking optimized experiences over conventional timing.
Authentic Experiences Drive Destination Choice
From private wine tastings in Europe to artisan workshops in Asia, luxury travel is increasingly defined by authentic, hands-on experiences. This trend underscores a desire for meaningful, culturally rich moments—reflected in the 76.3% of bookings prioritizing authentic experiences.
Dream Yacht Worldwide is expanding its cabin charters and offering new itineraries, more departures and new fleet additions lined up for 2025! There are more opportunities for non-sailors to travel by sea as well! Thought you might be interested in what’s new with Dream Yacht Worldwide. Let me know if you have questions!
Dream Yacht Worldwide (DYW), a leading global sea-based vacation company, has announced a renewed focus on its tourism products geared toward customers with no sailing experience. Making vacations at sea more accessible has long been a Dream Yacht motto and the expansion of its cabin charter program is an important step in opening new customer segments for Dream Yacht.
Great options for groups, solo travelers, and couples, cabin voyages are ideal for those with limited or no sailing skills and offer one of the most relaxing sailing opportunities. Cabin charters offer travelers a private ensuite stateroom on a spacious catamaran with meals, boating operations and activities included and overseen by Dream Yacht’s seasoned sailing staff.
“Cabin charters are a fantastic way to experience the joys of sailing! By booking an individual private stateroom on a large crewed catamaran, cabin charters offer one of the most affordable and hassle-free ways for singles, couples, or groups to comfortably explore the world by sea and meet other world travelers,” shared Loïc Bonnet, founder of Dream Yacht Worldwide.
The company has announced new global cabin charter sailing offerings with additions to its fleet and itineraries:
NEW CABIN CHARTER DESTINATIONS / ITINERARIES
Explore more of Thailand year-round: “Koh Samui Dream Premium” (offered May to Oct) – Travelers embarking on a trip to Thailand can now include Koh Samui on their travel bucket list. Offered from May to October, guests can sail Koh Samui during Phuket’s low-season since both areas have inverted monsoon climates, allowing travelers to enjoy Thailand any time of year. Highlights of the 8 days/7 nights “Koh Samui Dream Premium” itinerary include Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Starting from $1,989 per person.
Simpler Sailing in Greece: Travelers can enjoy “Athens Dream Premium” on a Bali 5.4 to cruise the Saronic Gulf going through Aegina, Hydra, Spetses, Epidavros, and more. Due to lighter winds than in the Cyclades, the Saronic Gulf is a suitable sailing vacation destination for non-sailors. Starting from $1,386 per person.
Explore French Polynesia: Guests can now benefit from a 4 nights/5 days one-way itinerary from Raiatea to Bora Bora called “Bora Bora Pearl Dream” – this itinerary is particularly well suited for guests combining resort stays on these beautiful islands with a sailing vacation to see even more of French Polynesia’s natural beauty. This new option compliments other Dream Yacht cabin charter vacations in the region: “Rangiroa Dream Premium” (4 nights), “Bora Bora Dream Premium” (7 nights – now starting on Thursdays), and “Polynesia Dream Premium” (10 nights). Starting from $1,139 per person.
FLEET EXPANSION
Due to the high demand for “Dream Capri Premium” cabin cruises from Naples, Italy, Dream Yacht is expanding its fleet and is happy to offer twice the capacity for departures during the Mediterranean high season from mid-June to mid-September in 2025 compared to 2024. On this carefully curated cruise of the Amalfi coast and Phlegraean Islands, guests can see Procida’s colorful waterfront, Ischia’s Sant’Angelo bay, Capri village and the Li Galli islands. The impressive beauty of Positano, Sorrento and Ravello is jaw-dropping. Starting from $1,386 per person.
Dream Yacht is also increasing the number of available departures in French Polynesia on its “Bora Bora Dream Premium” itinerary through the addition of three new 54-ft-sailing catamarans to the fleet. The 8 days/7 nights cruise offers a hassle-free tour of the best of French Polynesia cruising including Raiatea, Tahaa, Huahine and the crown jewel of French Polynesia, Bora Bora. Starting from $1,661 per person.
The fleet in Martinique will also receive three new six-cabin-catamarans. A significant investment into the Martinique fleet which translates into better availability for Dream Yacht’s “Dream Grenadines Premium” cabin charters. This itinerary sets sail in the calm anchorage at Le Marin on Martinique. The islands of Bequia, Mustique, and Mayreau are next. Afterwards the Tobago Cays will welcome guests with their beautiful reefs. Trips to Saint Lucia and Saint Anne round out this unforgettable 8-day-adventure. – Starting from $1,309 per person
The constant rejuvenation of its fleet allows Dream Yacht to consistently provide great comfort on board their catamarans. All cabins come with en-suite bathrooms. Spacious common areas are available inside and outside the yacht for guests to relax and enjoy the ever changing views while the crew takes them to the highlights of each chosen destination.
SPECIAL EDITION CRUISES
These special cabin charter itineraries are not part of Dream Yacht’s regular program and only available for a limited time on select dates. For 2025 the special edition destinations will be:
The Bahamas: “Abacos Dream Special Edition”, offered weekly for 4 consecutive weeks starting March 1, 2025. Highlights of the 8 days/7 nights itinerary include a visit to Nippers Bar on Great Guana Cay for their famous Sunday hog roast, snorkeling at Sandy Cay N.P., a visit to the well-photographed red and white striped lighthouse on Elbow Cay, and putting your toes in the soft white sand of Tahiti Beach. – Starting from $2,305 per person
Croatia: “Dubrovnik Dream Special Edition”, offered weekly for 4 consecutive weeks starting June 21, 2025. Highlights of the 8 days/7 nights itinerary include: Korcula with some of the best beaches in the area to explore by boat and small-town wineries for an authentic taste of Croatia, forest-shrouded Mljet national park and historic Dubrovnik with its thick city walls. Starting from $2,063 per person.
NEW SAIL SHARE ITINERARY
Sail Share charters are a special type of cabin charter package with set itineraries, half board meals and watersports included. Guests can now enjoy a week of social sailing on a spacious 47-ft-monohull with skipper and host(ess) through the Kornati islands on “Sail Share Kornati”, leaving from Zaton, Croatia. Natural sights like the Telascica Park with its towering cliffs, the turquoise, crystal-clear waters around Kaprije Island, and the beautiful waterfalls in the Krka national park await. Starting from $919 per person.
Other available Sail Share destinations are Dubrovnik, Croatia and Corfu, Greece.
For more information on Dream Yacht Worldwide and its global sailing experiences, visit www.dreamyachtcharter.com.
Chef Mina’s most personal restaurant to date features timeless flavors, a convivial table experience and one of The Strip’s largest collections of wine
Renowned restaurateur and award-winning chef Michael Mina invites guests on a captivating gastronomic journey at Orla, now open at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Drawing inspiration from Mina’s upbringing, the authentic essence of the Mediterranean’s lively markets and bazaars is reflected in each intriguing dish.
“Orla is a culmination of my culinary evolution, a fusion of personal recipes that echo the flavors and aromas of my childhood in Egypt. It encapsulates the warmth, charm and vibrant hospitality of Mediterranean culture that has shaped my life and career,” said Chef Mina. “I can’t wait for guests to experience a taste of what has influenced my life’s work.”
Featuring a Greek-centric menu designed for shared exploration, Orla presents a tempting array of Hot and Cold Mezze, signature Grains & Pastas, and a wide selection of Fish Market delights such as the traditional Alexandria Fish Fry, Grilled Orange Swordfish and Salt-baked Sea Bream. Charcoal-Grilled Meats, including succulent Lamb Shank and Spice-Roasted Rohan Duck, offer authentic tastes of the region.
Interactive tableside experiences elevate the dynamic atmosphere, with Pickle and Bread Service welcoming guests and a Greek Frozen Yogurt sundae cart delivering a sweet finale highlighted by 24K golden thyme honey, toasted pistachios and a mountain of labneh frozen yogurt.
Complementing the cuisine is one of Las Vegas’ most extensive wine collections, curated by Mina Group’s Director of Wine Jeremy Shanker. With more than 1,600 labels, the list focuses on wineries from throughout the Mediterranean region including Lebanon, Santorini, Croatia,Sicily and Corsica, and features vintages dating back to as early as the 1940s. An inventive bar program that explores a variety of tantalizing flavor profiles, including citrus, herbs and spices, can be enjoyed with dinner or at the restaurant’s lively bar.
Chuck Bowling, Mandalay Bay’s President and COO, said, “Orla’s opening adds another exciting dimension to Mandalay Bay’s New Wave, in which we’re introducing a variety of new amenities and attractions for our guests. Chef Mina’s exceptional talent has given birth to a stunning restaurant and we’re proud to continue our successful relationship with the talented Mina team.”
A Taste of the Menu:
Za’atar Cured Wild King Salmon: The rich taste of salmon is heightened by Za’atar, a distinctive Middle Eastern Spice. The dish features warm pita, pickled red onion and lemon tzatziki.
Charcoal Grilled Octopus: Orla’s classic grilled octopus is served with ful medames, cardamon schug and poached egg.
Oven-Roasted Red Snapper: A savory dish crisped to perfection, the red snapper is beautifully presented with preserved tomato and stewed fennel.
Kebab Platter: A middle eastern favorite, Orla’s kebabs feature a variety of skewers, including Chicken ‘oyster,’ kofta and filet served with tangerine labneh and smoked eggplant dip.
Rio Spritz: Aperol, Elderflower, Passion Fruit, Prosecco and Fever Tree Soda
Niro’s Ghost: Tres Agave’s Reposado Tequila, Ruby Port, Lime, Pineapple and Pomegranate
Soul of Palermo: Mezcal, Lime, Cucumber, Prickly Pear and Sumac
The Backdrop:
Designed by New York-based firm Parts and Labor Design, Orla’s inviting, earthy ambiance is brought to life through intricate tile mosaics, a mix of white marble and dark wooden tables accented by stylish earth-tone chairs, and a spectacular tile floor sure to become a signature talking point of the space.
Upon entry, guests are greeted by a large statement bar featuring cracked tile and waxed three-dimensional plaster that weaves its way through the main dining space. The dining room, washed in neutrals of cream and white, is accented by hues of pink, blue, gold and orange—dynamic shades inspired by the myriad of colored spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns. Guest may dine under one of two large olive trees rising from the center of the dining room toward dramatic vaulted ceilings, while three massive woven chandeliers bring the ceiling down to human scale, creating a moody and intimate atmosphere.
Additionally, Orla boasts a semi-private dining room called The Odyssey, which can seat up to 22 guests and be configured several ways to accommodate a variety of groups or parties.
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is set on 120 lush acres featuring Mandalay Bay Beach, a tropical pool paradise with real sand. The Michelob ULTRA Arena, award-winning restaurants, exhilarating entertainment, unique shopping, Shark Reef Aquarium and the 2-million-square-foot convention center combine to make Mandalay Bay a captivating Las Vegas resort destination. The resort offers three distinct hotel experiences: Mandalay Bay with 3,211 luxurious rooms and suites reflecting a modern tropical ambiance; Four Seasons Hotel, a AAA Five Diamond hotel offering 424 rooms and suites; and the luxury all-suite Delano Las Vegas. Mandalay Bay is operated by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit mandalaybay.com, call toll free at (877) 632-7800, or find us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
