I went on a sailing holiday in Italy with my family, and we chartered the Bavaria Cruiser 56.
I was pleasantly surprised by how family-friendly the boat was and how quickly we got used to the vessel.
My Bavaria Cruiser 56 review will detail the boat’s finer points and give you a better understanding of the layout and performance of the vessel.
Accommodation
We didn’t fill the boat to capacity, but we could have had up to 11 passengers aboard. The Cruiser 56 has the option of cabin variation, allowing you to choose between 3, 4, or 5 cabins to accommodate your family and friends.
Speaking of which, the large capacity of the boat means you can’t really turn down that friend that wants to tag along because there isn’t any room.
Even if you have that type of friend, don’t let that keep you from the Cruiser 56. Just sneak away in the dead of night to begin your vacation and hope he doesn’t wake up!
Tag-along friends or not, the boat layout makes it comfortable for everyone. The cabins have beds that rival what you surely left at home, and the size of the main cabin is luxurious by sailing standards.
The great thing is that if you have 2 or 3 children, they can sleep in one bed. I have found this is often the best option for kids under 10 because they enjoy having someone next to them all night.
Other than occasionally jumping on the bed, I didn’t run into any problems with this arrangement.
Interior!
Without a doubt, the galley and saloon were my family’s favorite spots below deck. The galley is a common issue aboard sailing vessels. They are often cramped, uninviting, or useless.
Bavaria has designed a dream galley for the Cruiser 56, and I enjoyed preparing meals in it. I do not make that claim lightly or often, having been tossed once or twice around a galley in my time.
The saloon was another surprise for my family and me. The kids could sit comfortably without breaking out into a shoving match for space at the table, and I could easily keep one eye on them as I cooked.
The only drawback was, sometimes, the kids didn’t want to leave below deck because they were so at home down there. However, I can’t really count that as a bad thing!
On Deck
On the deck of the Cruiser, 56 is equally as inviting as the below deck. The cockpit is big, and easy to get comfortable or lounge around inside.
There is a huge swimming platform, which is much more convenient and safer if you have children.
There is also a storage space to house a dinghy for expeditions away from the boat.
There is plenty of room to lounge or entertain guests either for lunch out in the sunshine or cocktails in the evening as you watch the moonlight reflected on the water.
Under Sail
The Bavaria Cruiser 56 is a powerful vessel under sail that has a long waterline, plumb bow, and dual rudders, which give her good speed and great handling.
This sailing boat can be manned by a small crew due to its innovative control systems.
We spent much less time worrying about the mechanics of sailing and more time enjoying the thrill of the sail.
Casting off and tacking were simple procedures, and I expended little effort in controlling the boat, even in a stiff wind.
Why Sail the Bavaria Cruiser 56
- Big, easy to use Galley
- Large cabins, saloons, and lounge areas
- Can accommodate up to 11 passengers
- Performs under sail seemingly effortlessly
- Conveniently stored dinghy
- Lots of sunshine streams in below deck
In Conclusion
I’ll admit that I was skeptical at first due to the size of the Cruiser 56, but this boat won me over quickly. I can safely say that my guests had a great time on this yacht.
In fact, I know of an acquaintance that is planning to throw an anniversary party for his parents on board a Cruiser 56. He chose this boat, so there would be enough room for his siblings, their spouses, and their children.
If you were planning a party trip, I would recommend the Cruiser 56 before any other boat would enter my mind.
This is the perfect boat to enjoy the wind in your hair while spending quality time with those you love the most or just relax on the deck with a drink in your hand as you get away from the stresses of the real world.
Onboard the Cruiser 56; you can forget you’re all of your cares and live in the moment!
Specifications
- LOA: 16.73m
- Hull length: 16.16m
- Waterline length: 15.50m
- Beam: 5.25m
- Fuel tank: (approx.): 500 liters
- Water tank: (approx.): 650 liters
- Cabins: 3 to 5
Have you sailed the Cruiser 56? If so, feel free to share your experience in the comment below!
Daniella has been passionate about travel, the sea, and nature for many years. As a child, she frequently traveled throughout the Mediterranean and continued with her journeys throughout her adult life.
Her experiences have created the desire within her to share her love for traveling with other passionate and adventurers who want to discover beautiful horizons and new cultures.
Really interesting always wanted to go sailing never had a chance this really makes me want to try it. Great information really gave me something to look foreword to on my next vacation. I will definitely recommend to family and friends good job keep up the good work. thanks for great info.
Hi Inzhirov,
Thank you for visiting my website and for the comment.
I wish you to sail soon:)
Have a wonderful day!
Hi Daniella,
Wow that’s obviously a great boat 🙂 Thanks for your review.
Until know, I was never sailing, but it is at the very top of my to-do list. Do you need a captain or would we be able to do on our own? What kind of licenses do we need to cruise with such a boat?
In your opinion, what’s the minimum number of passengers?
Cheers
Don
Hi Don,
No, you don’t need a captain to control this boat, but you need a skipper license ( ASA 103/104 ) to sail the Bavaria 56. The Bavaria 56 can accommodate 11 guests, so the decision is up to you.
I hope it helped and if you need more information, please don’t hesitate to ask. I am always glad to help:)
Thank you fro the comment and wish you an awesome day!
Geez, this yacht would win me over to. What a niche you have, what beautiful places to sail around and within. I could not think of anything more romantic than sailing all over the place.
Love the sailing tips, I have been on a few yachts over my years, but always in rough choppy seas.
It’s not easy to sail in choppy sea:) Where have you sailed?
Thanks for the comment
Have a great day!
Great article,
I have to say that’s a great boat, Thanks for this great review.
I never sailed before, but it is on my to-do list. I have a question? Do you need a captain or would it be able to do it on it’s own? Do you need some kind of licenses to take a cruise?
In your opinion, what’s the minimum number of passengers?
Good work
AJ
Hi Aj,
If you don’t have any sailing certification, then yes you’ll need a skipper to control the boat and if you wish to sail on your own you’ll have to learn first:)
You can rent a boat only for yourself if you want to, it could be fun:) The number of passengers will depend on the boat’s length
Most regular yachts can accommodate up to 12 passengers for a security reason. But some luxury yachts can accommodate more than 60 guests and of course, prices increase significantly. I hope it helps and please, don’t hesitate to contact me if you need more information, I’ll be more than happy to assist you:)
Have a wonderful day!
Hi Daniella – first, let me say that you have a beautiful website! Chartering a lovely yacht like the Bavaria Cruise 56 to sail through the Mediterranean would be an absolute dream vacation for me. I was wondering how large a group you traveled with and if you hired a crew for this charter.
Hi Laurie,
Thank you for the compliment, I am glad you found my website attractive:)
You’re right it is a dream vacation especially on board the Bavaria Cruiser 56! This sailing boat is absolutely fantastic! I’ve enjoyed cooking in the galley for my family, it was very handy and smart storage spaces! My family and I, (6 persons) plus a skipper sailed on board the Bavaria in Italy to be more precise in Portofino and the Cinque Terre. We had such good time!
Thank you for the comment and wish you to sail soon!