Yacht Charter with 160+ Bottles of Booze & Aussies in Their 50s
In all my years working on yacht charters across Indonesia, I’ve had honeymooners, divers, birdwatchers, and even a guy who thought Komodo dragons were just big iguanas. But nothing, I mean nothing, could’ve prepared me for this group of Aussies in their 50s and 60s who rolled up with a spreadsheet and a mission: to consume over 160 bottles of wine, spirits, and champagne in one week.
This was not your average sailing trip. This was a floating wine festival with karaoke energy. A bit of snorkeling, a dabble in kayaking, and then straight to bubbly by brunch. I’m still recovering, but would absolutely do it again.
A Familiar Face and a Special Request
When I arrived at the airport to welcome the group at the start of the charter, one of the guests ran to hug me and said “It’s so good to see you again!”
Turns out, a few of them had sailed with me a couple of years earlier and had such a great time that when planning this charter, they specifically requested me to be their Cruise Director. I didn’t even know that until later, and honestly? That kind of quiet loyalty hits different.
It instantly set the tone for the whole trip. From that moment, it didn’t feel like work, it felt like a reunion with old friends who just happened to bring 160+ bottles of wine and a disco speaker.
Who Were These Guests? Meet the Legendary Aussie Crew
This was a group of longtime friends from Australia, all in their 50s and 60s, coming together for a week of laughter, memories, and top-shelf hydration.
They weren’t shy, that’s for sure. Loud in the best way, hilarious, and endlessly generous. They loved nothing more than to pull me into their activities, whether it was charades (which I was somehow always roped into), card games (where I learned poker, badly), or just casual storytelling over sunset wine.
And nearly every evening, they’d look at me and say, “Come to dinner with us tonight, yeah?”
I’m technically not allowed to drink on charter, but I told them I’d make a tiny exception on the last night, if the Captain gave the green light. He did, and on that farewell evening, I raised a glass with them. Just one little sip but it meant a lot to all of us. Cheers to rules being gently bent in the name of human connection.
The Booze Manifesto: 160+ Bottles and a Pre-Charter Spreadsheet
Before the trip began, we received a spreadsheet that looked less like a preference list and more like a tactical beverage assault plan:
Wine: 137 bottles
Champagne: 25 bottles
Liquor: 10+ bottles
Extra mixers: Yes
And here's the kicker: they finished nearly all of it, with about 10 bottles of wine and a couple of liquor bottles leftover which they happily gifted to the crew as a thank-you (on top of a very generous tip). Absolute legends.
Daily Routine: The Boozy Rhythm of a High-Seas Party
Morning: Token Snorkel, Kayak, Then Mimosas
Each morning, they'd hop in the water for exactly 15 minutes of snorkeling, enough to check the box and justify their beachwear. A few dabbled in kayaking, though one guest gave up halfway and asked for a tow while casually sipping Sauvignon Blanc.
By 10:30 a.m., the clink of glasses signaled the real beginning of their day: champagne o’clock.
Afternoon: Lunch with Wine, Then Card Games & Cocktails
Afternoons were equal parts Aperol and “wait, who dealt last?”
One group always settled into a shady corner with a deck of cards. That’s when they taught me adorable poker, since I’m absolutely not a poker girl. I just nodded, threw chips around, and acted surprised whenever I won.
Meanwhile, lunch was never just a meal. It was a celebration with wine pairings they invented on the spot and toasts that turned into storytelling marathons.
Evening: Charades, Rosé, and the Bluetooth Speaker That Never Slept
Nights were reserved for the really important stuff:
Dramatic, Oscar-worthy rounds of charades, where somehow I always got dragged in. I didn’t mind, I may even have discovered my hidden talent for miming “kangaroo on a jet ski.”
A rotating playlist powered by the dining table speaker, blaring everything from 80s Aussie rock to techno remixes of ABBA.
Champagne. So much champagne. Especially by midnight, when the dining table magically transformed into a dance floor.
Top Moments That Deserve a Spot in the Yachtie Hall of Fame
The Champagne Cannonball
Deb (you know every Aussie group has a Deb) leaped off the upper deck holding a champagne flute and came up still grinning, still holding the flute, mostly full. Iconic.
The Synchronized Aperol Sunset Shuffle
One night, the whole group slow-danced to “Africa” by Toto in the golden hour glow. It was weirdly moving. I may or may not have teared up… again, blame the Aperol.
The Emergency Gin Resupply
By Day Four, we had a gin crisis. A minor panic, followed by an emergency resupply via speedboat. Heroes don’t always wear capes, sometimes they bring citrus-forward botanicals.
That One Time I Bluffed My Way to a Full House
Technically, I did win a round of poker. Technically, I had no idea what I was doing. But they cheered anyway.
Did They Actually Explore Indonesia?
Surprisingly, yes just not in the usual way.
They appreciated the coral reefs… from a distance. They admired the beaches… mostly while holding a glass of chilled Pinot Grigio. They listened during the cultural briefings (or pretended to), and politely asked questions like: “Do manta rays enjoy music?” (I said yes, and we moved on.)
They weren't here to hike volcanoes or ID every species of parrotfish. They were here to reconnect, celebrate, and make memories, and boy, did they.
What I Learned from Hosting the Most Boozy Charter of My Life
Don’t judge a party by the birth year. These guests had more energy than some of my 30-something charters.
A well-organized alcohol spreadsheet is a thing of beauty.
Charades is the universal icebreaker. Even when you’re miming "flightless bird in a wind tunnel."
Kindness, generosity, and inclusion go a long way—especially when it comes with rosé.
FAQs About Boozy Yacht Charters in Indonesia
Can we really bring that much alcohol on a yacht charter?
Yes, as long as it’s pre-ordered through the provisioning team. Advance notice is key, especially if you’re planning to match this Aussie crew’s record.
Will the crew be overwhelmed?
Nope. We’ve seen it all. Just be kind, respectful, and yes, tip generously if your party plans involve a dance floor and daily cocktail service.
Is this kind of trip just for younger guests?
Absolutely not. This crew proved that your 50s and 60s are the perfect time to party with good friends, good wine, and questionable poker strategies.
Would I Do It Again?
100 times yes.
This wasn’t just a charter, it was a reminder that joy doesn’t come with a checklist. Sometimes it’s in a spontaneous game of charades, a terrible poker hand, or a dance party under the stars with a group of people who know how to live.
To my legendary Aussie crew: thanks for the laughs, the leftover wine, the airport reunion hug, and that special farewell night toast. You brought the party, and you brought the heart.
Thinking of planning your own floating celebration in Indonesia?
Start with the wine list, bring your best playlist, and maybe—just maybe—learn the rules of poker before boarding.
Or don’t. We’ll make it fun either way.
Thank you for reading and back to happily roaming!