Hosting a Yacht Party in Singapore: A Planning Guide
Are you planning a birthday or a celebration and looking for somewhere that is not another restaurant private room?
A yacht party gives you the whole venue to yourselves for a few hours, with a view that changes as the afternoon goes on.
It also removes the awkward part of most parties, which is people arriving at different times and leaving early. On a boat, everyone is there together.
This guide will walk you through planning one, from picking a boat to shaping the running order. Let's dive in!
What Makes a Yacht Party Different
The whole boat is yours, so there is no other group at the next table and no closing time to work around.
Your guests are together for the full stretch, which changes the feel of the day. People mix more than they do at a party they can drift in and out of.
The setting does a lot of the work too. You need far less decoration on a boat than you would in an empty function room.
Choosing a Boat for Your Group
Count your guests first, then look at boats, and give yourself a little room above your number.
Motor yachts suit most celebrations, with shaded seating, space to move and somewhere to set out food.
Catamarans give you a wider flat deck, which works well for a standing party where people are circulating. The party charters page covers which of our boats suits which size of group.
Picking the Right Time of Day
Afternoon into early evening is the most popular slot, and for good reason.
You get the warm part of the day for swimming, then the light softens on the way back in, which is when most of the photos happen.
Midday charters suit families and daytime celebrations. Evening slots work well when the plan is dinner and drinks rather than getting in the water.
Decorations and Themes
Keep it light and keep it simple. Wind is the thing most people forget, and anything loose tends to end up in the water.
Weighted balloon arrangements, banners that can be tied down and table pieces that sit flat all travel well.
Check what is allowed before you buy anything. Confetti, glitter and loose petals are usually off the list, since they are difficult to clear up and end up in the sea.
Music and Entertainment
Most boats have a sound system you can connect to, so a prepared playlist is worth the half hour it takes to build.
Some carry karaoke, which suits certain groups enormously and others not at all. You will know which yours is.
Beyond that, you need less than you think. Swimming, kayaks and the view keep most groups happy for a full afternoon.
Food and Drinks
Barbecues on deck are popular and turn the food itself into part of the entertainment.
Ask what your boat is set up for before you plan a menu, since the arrangements differ quite a bit between vessels.
If you are bringing a cake, bring a knife, a lighter and something to serve it on. These are the three things people forget every time.
Keeping Everyone Comfortable
Sun and shade are the two things that decide whether guests enjoy the afternoon.
Make sure there is somewhere out of the sun for people who want it, and remind guests to bring hats and sunscreen when you invite them.
Ask about seasickness quietly in advance. Someone who is prone to it will thank you for choosing a steadier boat.
A Simple Running Order
You do not need a schedule, but a rough shape helps:
- Board about fifteen minutes before your start time
- Drinks and settling in during the cruise out
- Anchor, then swimming and water activities
- Food, and the cake if there is one
- Speeches or games, while everyone is sitting down
- The run home as the light goes
Conclusion
A yacht party takes less arranging than a party on land, because the venue, the view and half the entertainment come as one.
Pick a boat with room to spare, keep the decorations simple, sort the food early and let the afternoon unfold.
If you are planning a milestone birthday or a celebration with a group, our party and celebration charters page is a good place to begin.
So, hoist your sails and give everyone a day they will be talking about for months!