Do you want to throw a party but don’t want to deal with overpriced food, crowded venues, and sitting in traffic? Throwing a party on a boat is the best way to avoid all of these issues and create an experience that you’ll remember forever.
Throwing a boat party is a great way to enjoy the weather, try something new, and avoid spending time with people you don’t know. A party boat is private and secluded, so you only have to worry about being around people you love. It is also a unique way to explore a city by enjoying views from a brand-new location.
These are the steps you need to take when planning a boat party.
1. Determine Your Budget
The first step to boat party rental is to come up with a budget. Your budget will determine the type of boat you can charter as well as a realistic location. Less popular locations such as Seattle can be as cheap as $1,600, while more luxurious locations such as St. Lucia, can be over $10,000.
If you are willing to spend a bit more, then you can probably charter a yacht. If your budget is more modest, then you may want to look into smaller fishing boats.
2. Choose Your Location
Do you want to stay close to home or are you willing to travel? Choose a location that gives you and your guests plenty of amazing views and things to look at.
If you want a tropical setting, then you may want to consider destinations such as The Bahamas, Miami, or Barbados. If you are looking for a city vibe, then you could consider a New York or Chicago boat party.
3. Find the Perfect Boat
Once you have found your dream location, it’s time to find a boat. Decide whether you need a small or large boat rental, and then get to work! Search for boat or yacht charters online and make a list of your favorites. Then, give each company a call and ask them about their services.
When talking with boat rental companies, make sure to ask about their prices as well as what is included with the boat. Do they provide food, music, or decorations?
4. Make a Guest List and Send Out Invites
Next, it’s time to decide who to invite to your party. Your boat will likely have a capacity limit, so it is important to adhere to that limit.
Make sure you invite people who will follow the rules and not cause any trouble on the boat. Many boat charter companies have a zero tolerance for anything that could put your safety at risk. If you want to invite children, then you should make sure that there is not an age limit.
Make sure to send out invites as soon as possible, especially if you need to travel for the party. This gives your guests time to clear their schedules and gives you time to invite others if a few people can’t make it.
5. Put Together a Menu
Boat parties are not complete without delicious snacks and drinks! Some boat companies will provide snacks, but many require you to bring your own food and drinks on board.
When choosing food for your boat party, your best bet is to go with finger food that doesn’t require silverware (or even for people to be seated). People will constantly be moving around, so grab-and-go food is always a good choice.
You can buy the food yourself or you can contact a caterer. The caterer can work with your requests and come up with a menu that will work with the theme of your party.
When it comes to drinks, make sure you are familiar with the boat’s alcohol policy. Some boats welcome drinking, while others won’t allow you to bring any onboard or require you to bring a licensed bartender with you.
6. Buy Decorations
If you are celebrating a specific event, then don’t be shy about bringing on-theme decorations! Balloons, banners, and streamers are all you need to create the perfect atmosphere on your boat.
Some companies will decorate for you if you ask. If you are chartering a boat with a full crew, then they are usually able to cater to requests such as decorations.
7. Consider Music Options
No boat party is complete without some tunes. Your music options all depend on how casual your party is. Some people are happy with a Bluetooth speaker, while others prefer to hire a DJ to come on board.
Again, music is also something that your boat company may be able to take care of. Oftentimes, they have connections to DJs so you don’t have to find one on your own.
8. Come Up With Games and Activities
Do you want to spend your time resting and relaxing, or do you want some entertainment for your guests? Some fun and simple activities for your boat party include cards, karaoke, board games, water balloons, and limbo.
If you are chartering a larger yacht, then they may be able to provide you with water toys such as jet skis and water trampolines.
9. Safety First
It is always important to make sure you are prepared in case of an emergency. Have emergency contacts on hand and make sure you have a first-aid kit on hand. Most of the time you will get a safety brief before heading out on the water, but it is always important to be prepared!
Get Out on the Water Today!
Planning a boat party can be easy as long as you follow these steps. Whether you are celebrating a birthday, retirement, or workplace achievement, a boat is the perfect place to be. Just make sure to choose a boat and a theme that fits best with your specific event.
If you enjoyed this article, then check out the rest of our blog for more helpful lifestyle and party-planning content.