October 11, 2026 · By CDM Yachts · 4 min read
Getting three generations into one room is hard enough on land. A private yacht charter puts everyone on one deck instead, with no restaurant reservation to split and no one stuck at a different table.
Why a Charter Works for a Family Reunion
The whole yacht is reserved for your group only. There's no shared seating, no other party at the next table, and no one hunting for parking at a restaurant.
There's no minimum age for passengers, so grandparents and grandkids can be on board together. The renter who books the charter must be 18 or older.
Guests can bring their own food and drinks, including alcohol. A reunion can be as simple as a cooler and sandwiches, or as planned as a full catering order.
Matching the Yacht to Your Group
A smaller family gathering fits comfortably on the Sea Ray 56, with a salon and flybridge to spread across. The Sea Ray 52 offers dining and lounge space across three decks instead. Each holds up to 13 guests. Our Harbor Cruises format is built for exactly this: a relaxed cruise past Coronado and the downtown skyline. It's good for visiting family, and comfortable for guests of any age, including those prone to seasickness.
A larger reunion fits better on the Westport 100, certified for up to 134 passengers. Its main-deck lounge, beverage bar, salon, aft deck, and forward sun deck give a family room to spread out instead of crowding one space. See our Large-Group Charters page for how pricing and planning work at that size, or our capacity guide for help matching guest count to vessel.
The Beneteau 50 is another option for up to 13 guests, with an open cockpit and a glass-enclosed salon for cooler days.
If Your Family Is Near Mission Bay
Families gathering closer to Mission Bay can charter the McKinna 69 instead. It holds up to 13 guests, with an enclosed Skylounge for a quieter spot away from the open deck.
See our Mission Bay Yacht Charters page for details. It's the only yacht in the fleet departing from Mission Bay rather than San Diego Bay.
Catering, Bar Service, and Entertainment
If you'd rather not handle food and drinks yourselves, that's fine. Catering coordination and bar service can both be arranged in advance for a larger charter like the Westport 100. Entertainment setup is available too, useful for toasts, a slideshow, or music for a reunion crowd.
Smaller charters can add light catering and beverage service the same way, so a harbor cruise doesn't have to mean bringing your own cooler.
Comfort for Every Generation
San Diego Bay is generally calm, protected water. That makes it a comfortable choice for guests of any age, including grandparents or anyone prone to seasickness.
Every charter includes a USCG-licensed captain and crew, and life jackets are provided for every passenger.
If the day turns cool, enclosed areas are available on every vessel, so the reunion doesn't have to end because the wind picks up.
Planning Timeline and Policies
- Every charter has a 2-hour minimum, though most reunions book longer to leave room for a meal and conversation.
- Cancellations at least 5 days before the reservation date get a full refund, useful if your headcount is settling as family RSVPs come in.
- If weather turns unsafe for boating, we reschedule to a mutually convenient date rather than sail.
- Non-service pets, smoking, and illegal drugs aren't permitted on board.
- Parking is available in the public lot across the street near the Shelter Island pier.
Families planning a multi-day visit can also ask about an overnight charter. Sleeping capacity varies by vessel, so share your group size for a custom quote.
What It Costs
The Sea Ray 56 starts at $1,980 for the 2-hour minimum and scales up with duration.
The Westport 100 is priced by guest-count tier. It starts at $1,500 per hour for 25 guests or fewer, up to $2,500 per hour at full 134-guest capacity.
See our pricing guide for the full breakdown by vessel. Or use the charter price estimator for a quote based on guest count and date.
Ready to get the whole family on the water? Request availability with your expected guest count and date, and we'll help match you to the right yacht.
Ready to Charter?
