As one of Jamaica’s leading private catamaran and yacht charter companies, Aristo Kat Tours has not only navigated literal and metaphorical storms but has also played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of luxury maritime tourism in the Caribbean — charting new waters while helping to create the very wave it rides.

Founded in 2019, the company began with a single catamaran and has since grown into a full fleet serving three of Jamaica’s premier tourist destinations (Negril, Montego-Bay and Ocho Rios). As the brainchild of hospitality visionary Dr Garfield Munroe and his daughter, Shari Munroe, Aristo Kat was born from a shared desire to elevate and redefine cruise tourism by offering more personalised, intimate and world-class yachting experiences.

The senior Munroe, no stranger to innovation, had already earned a reputation as the mastermind behind Poinciana Beach Resort, one of the country’s first family all-inclusive resort, as well as the Kool Runnings Water Park which he later established as the first standalone water park in the English-speaking Caribbean. In leveraging this legacy — and a keen eye for market gaps that both set sail to take what at the time was a bold new venture.

“Aristo Kat Tours Ltd offers luxurious, all-inclusive private yacht and catamaran experiences in Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios. Our fleet of five vessels features premium amenities such as air-conditioned lounges, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, onboard chefs, and fully stocked bars with professional mixologists. We pride ourselves on delivering five-star service at sea, matching the standards of high-end hotels and villas on land,” said Shari Munroe, who now leads the company’s day-to-day operations.

“As the name suggests, Aristo Kat Tours was inspired by a gap we observed in Negril’s boating industry for smaller catamarans offering more intimate shared and private experiences. Encouraged by the young captain of my father’s personal vessel — and a timely deal on a catamaran — Aristo Kat was born,” the director further told the Jamaica Observer.

Headquartered at the prestigious Montego Bay Yacht Club, Aristo Kat is powered by a dedicated team of 30 staff members, split between its administrative division and highly trained crew — all focused on delivering exceptional guest service.

“Our fleet, which includes sailing catamarans and modern yachts of varying sizes, allows us to cater to a diverse clientele — from families seeking a quiet day on the water, to birthday and bachelorette parties, and even corporate events. Our reservations and sales team excels at crafting unforgettable, custom journeys,” Munroe noted.

Initially operating exclusively in Negril, Aristo Kat provided a refreshing alternative to the traditional “booze cruise,” offering guests a more intimate, customised and upscale experience on water.

Like many start-ups, the company’s early years were filled with challenge and with very limited experience in maritime tourism, Shari was thrusted into a leadership role where she had to not only develop pricing models, train staff, manage guest expectation but also essentially build an entirely new framework — because no playbook for private yacht tourism in Jamaica existed at the time.

The company’s first major hurdle came just months after launch, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought tourism to a sudden halt. Coupled with personal and health challenges for its managing director, Aristo Kat’s survival became uncertain but rather than fold, its team pivoted.

According to Munroe, one of her proudest moments came during the lockdowns when bookings, after being threatened by curfews, forced her to draw on her Carnival experience to create a ‘Breakfast Party Cruise’ (an early morning sailing complete with gourmet breakfast bites and coffee cocktails) which allowed guests to enjoy the sea while staying within government-mandated hours. The idea, which became a hit, also sparked new revenue opportunities for local businesses.

“The early days were tough, but they taught us to be agile, resilient, and fearless. We didn’t just rise in this industry — we created it,” she said on reflection, while noting that seeing the smiles on the faces of guests when they disembarked, and also witnessing the growing demand for yacht life, all proved to be very rewarding for her. “It seemed that when Jamaica’s borders opened, everyone had an appetite for yacht life.”

Having been able to steadily grow its international reputation and reach, the director said that the company has so far been able to attract the attention of top international magazines and its yachts have also been used to host celebrity guests including Winnie Harlow, Keri Hilson, Gucci Mane, and Burna Boy. Its vessels have also made appearances in major television shows such as VH1’s Love and Hip Hop and Bravo’s Southern Charm.

“Recognised not only by our guests but also by our peers, we have been nominated for several prestigious awards, including the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce’s award for Outstanding Contributions to Tourism and I’ve also been nominated for the Young Entrepreneur Award, an honour which I took home in 2024. With each accolade and feature, we remain even more committed to curating experiences that are as exclusive as they are unforgettable,” Munroe said.

As demand continues to grow, Aristo Kat is now pushing to expand its offerings to target niche markets, including family-friendly charters with kid-approved menus and non-alcoholic beverages. For the upcoming holiday season, the company plans to introduce night-time cruises and corporate celebration packages, offering companies a unique way to reward their teams in style.

“The future is full of possibilities. Having pioneered the private yachting space in Jamaica, we are now focused on building even more personalised experiences, developing training partnerships within the maritime industry and planning to launch a fully bespoke cruise concept by 2027,” Munroe said.

“This next phase will allow guests unprecedented control over their charter — from custom itineraries to curated menus, entertainment, decor and beyond. We want to set the gold standard for private cruising in the Caribbean and redefine what luxury at sea can look like,” she concluded.

Managing director of Aristo Kat Tours Ltd Shari Munroe is flanked by Kimoy Stephenson (left), operations manager; and Sanalee Barrett-McIntosh, sales and marketing manager.

MUNROE…our fleet, which includes sailing catamarans and modern yachts of varying sizes, allows us to cater to a diverse clientele — from families seeking a quiet day on the water, to birthday and bachelorette parties, and even corporate events. Our reservations and sales team excels at crafting unforgettable, custom journeys.

Inside view of Aristo Kat’s Empress Kool Running vessel which is a 48ft Sea Ray Motor Yacht comprising A/C interior and cozy bow space for sunbathing.

Aristo Kat’s dedicated team of 30 staff members is split between its administrative division and highly trained crew — all of whom are focused on delivering exceptional guest service.

Snapshots of Aristo Kat’s Fancy Kat vessel which is a 47ft power catamaran with a spacious, air-conditioned interior and a stylish, stadium seating deck area.

Aristo Kat’s SofiKat, as one of its larger vessels, consists of a fly bridge with seating, three cabins, two restrooms, and a spaciuos AC interior.

For the upcoming holiday season, Aristo Kat Tours is planning to introduce night-time cruises and corporate celebration packages, offering companies a unique way to reward their teams in style.

One of Aristo Kat’s luxury vessels with guests aboard at sea