If you’re looking to rent a yacht in Cozumel, look no further. We’ve found the most idyllic yacht company who will cater to your every need…
If you’ve ever vacationed in the Riviera Maya, you’ll know its nothing short of paradise. Stretches of white beach, stunning Mayan ruins, crystalline seas, enough tacos de pastor to feed a small army…
But even an idyllic paradise has its downsides…taxi-jams, heat waves, long journeys…
But what if there was a way to bypass this traffic, have a constant stream of natural air con blowing through your hair and have your travel time count for something, as part of the experience…
Sound too good to be true?
Hello Deluxe Dream Boats. Possibly one of the most luxurious yacht companies in Cozumel. We had the pleasure of hopping aboard their 40-foot Sea Ray, MINT, and let me tell you, while I’m usually a staunch legs-on-land kind of gal, after our trip with Captain Miguel at the helm, my sea legs have well and truly come in.
And I’m living for it.
The Mexican Maldives
Cozumel is quite simply good vibes all round. As the third largest island in Mexico, it’s home to the second largest barrier reef system in the world.
Yep. The world.
The Mesoamerican Reef stretches for almost 700 miles all the way up to Honduras. The water is stunning, so clear it’s almost like a Mexican Maldives. Home to a wealth of exotic marine life, it’s a scuba diver’s paradise*.* If you’re visiting, an absolute MUST is to hire a jeep or scooter for the day to hop around the island, stopping off for some tacos as you go ;).
But even on two or four wheels, the BEST way to access secluded beaches on Cozumel’s verdant coastline is via the water. Sooooo, if you want to lounge on private beaches, coconut in hand, living out your ‘stranded on a desert island’ fantasy, hiring a boat really is your best (and often only) option.
Deluxe’s Story
Since childhood, Mexico City-born Adrian Kaye has been ocean obsessed. What started with him driving a 24-foot boat for family and friends has now become a large scale yacht chartering business in Cozumel, the island known worldwide for its shimmering, aquamarine waters. Just look at it…it’s like a swimming pool right? Dreamy.
When I asked Adrian why he started the company, his reasoning was crystal clear.
We started 13 years ago because we saw a lack of service in the private sector. The only boat services provided were big catamarans with up to 80 passengers all mingling together. The experience of having your kids mixed with people drinking alcohol is not the best. So we wanted to provide a service where families and friends could connect as a group, away from the crowds, and feel at one with nature and the pristine blue waters of Cozumel.
He explained to me that, when they were starting the company, there were already plenty of old boats providing a basic service knocking around. However, there was a glaring gap in the market: tailored luxury. The ability to provide a full service where you can relax, unwind and forget about everything, where the crew will take care of every small detail.
Told you this would be good…
As Adrian said to me, it’s the people that work at Deluxe who create the magic. And I can certainly vouch for the fact the service on board exceeds 5*. The boat is spotless, the upholstery gleaming. Everything is pristine. Miguel is a man of many talents: captain, bartender and chef all in one. His guacamole, a work of art; I’ve dreamt about it. That says a lot as I am a self-professed avocado freak, so I know my guac.
So, while we’re here, let’s talk about food and drink. Because let’s be honest, it’s pretty high up on everyone’s list. Deluxe boats provide a full gourmet experience and a top-shelf bar included in the rental price. None of this paying extra for a coke zero and one tortilla chip malarkey.
Oh, and don’t forget the paddle board and other inflatable water toys. They’re also coming for the ride.
When it comes to boat rentals, it’s common for businesses to operate on a hiring and letting basis; in other words, they don’t own all their boats. This isn’t the case with Deluxe. Whether it’s their 40’ Lagoon Catamaran, their 60’ Sea Ray yacht or their 36’ Fjord Boat, they own all their vessels, and this makes the whole thing more personal, almost familial. But as Adrian told me,
The products, the service, and the personnel are trained exactly the same, so no matter which boat you get, the service will exceed your expectations.
This is where our worlds collide: DreamArt’s values and 5* service aligns perfectly with Deluxe’s ethos. The dream team!
Adrian revealed he had a soft spot for their 40-foot Sea Ray. As it was their first big boat they bought, this was a purchase that allowed the company to fly and to become what we see today. I can clearly see why he has such an affinity for it. Just take a look at some of the footage we took out on the water…dreamy right?
Which yacht floats your boat?
Whether you’re after a smaller boat with speed and access to shallow waters (AKA snorkelling galore), or you’re a larger party and after the luxurious space the Catamaran has to offer, you’ll find the boat for you in Deluxe’s fleet.
What is clear with Deluxe is that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ mentality when it comes to clients. I experienced this firsthand with the amazing Nelly who went above and beyond to organise the shoot with us. What concerns the team is ensuring the perfect day for each client, not just going through the motions, selling yet another tour. He explained to me that in order to truly blow their customers away, they had started to think as their clients, and from there, the standard of service sky rocketed. The uniqueness of each trip is the most important thing for Deluxe…so having an on board DJ, a saxophonist or a scuba company to complete the trip would not be too much to ask. I’m not joking.
What. A. Life.
Secret Spots….Shhhhh
I’ll admit that I’m an inquisitive person. Verging on the nosy. I’m also not a fan of the touristy hot spots…more an off-the-beaten-track kind of girl. So naturally, I wanted to know the hidden gems of Cozumel. Everyone’s heard of El Cielo, but I wanted some insider info, some secret coves, deserted beaches, that kind of thing. But alas, when I asked Adrian, he saw right through me…
Yes, we have some hidden spots, but I won’t share them because then they won't be hidden anymore hehehehe. I would just say, come visit us and let us surprise you.
Hmmmm. He’s got a point there. Well guys, I tried my best! Guess we’ll just have to head back to find out!
At DreamArt Photography, it’s no secret that we love love, so I wanted to know whether Adrian had ever organised an engagement on board.
He had, of course. Not surprising! And the story is pretty cute…
One of our first clients ever asked us to create the perfect engagement for him…and we did just that, as if we were the ones proposing! We organised flower petals, a private beach, champagne on the boat, and at the end of the tour, a beautiful dinner on the pier with a stunning outlook. They were enjoying their first glass of wine and I picked that moment to thank them, so they could enjoy the sunset. The girl ran up to me and gave me a big hug thanking us for the perfect day, saying that she was sure it was US that had all these ideas because her fiancé would NEVER think of something like this! We all just started laughing. It was such an incredible evening.
Fancy a sunset yacht proposal, or even a small wedding party on board? Sounds idyllic.
It seems that Deluxe do events to a whole new level…get this. For Mexican Independence Day, I asked Adrian if the company had any plans to celebrate. They most certainly did, and it sounded pretty spectacular. A sunset cruise to see the fireworks at night, celebrating with people from all over the world.
Mouth watering guacamole, champagne, proposals, paddle-boards, fireworks…is there anything this company can’t do?
Fancy a sunset yacht photoshoot with DreamArt? Enquire now!