7 Tips for Planning a Successful Yacht Party!
Shopping Product ReviewsTip # 1 Be strict with your guests’ attendance.
Make it clear on your invitations that RSVPs are mandatory and that failure to respond within a specified time means they are not “in.” Once you get the required number of guests and confirm them, close your invitations. Do not confirm to anyone else. As an organizer, you will get the usual “Can I still come?” Routine and your tendency is to please your guests, but when you host a party on a yacht, you just can’t.
Unlike hotel accommodation, there is simply “no space”.
Tip No. 2 Go “jump off a yacht” before deciding on the one
Just like you would a “site visit” when hosting an event. Hosting an event on a yacht requires you to do the same, except that you are doing it on the water! Get to know your guests – are they comfortable with each other? Will they enjoy “squeezing” or do they prefer slightly large spaces? What kinds of activities will you organize on the yachts? Do you want to go on a cruise? What are your charter rates? All of this will help you decide which yacht to choose.
Tip No. 3 Know what you get with charter rates
Scrutinize the yachts for space limitations, what they allowed you to do or not do on the yachts and what goes with the charter rates, for example some yachts come with a fully equipped kitchen and some do not. Some yachts do not include a generator when sailing so there is no electricity and you may need to bring your own battery operated equipment when sailing.
Some yachts do not allow you to bring your food or may charge you a “cargo fee” if you do. Some yachts have a barbecue pit on board and some do not. So get the details and really know what you get with charter rates so there are no surprises down the road.
Tip No. # 4 Secure enough food for your guests!
When hosting a yacht party, be sure to order or store enough food and drinks for your guests. Remember, once you set sail, there is no way to get supplies! Some yachts provide a complete dining experience with a chef on board, so you don’t have to worry about a lack of food, just pay 🙂
However, if you have your own caterer, be sure to plan your meals well. If you plan to barbecue on board, make sure all your meats and seafood are marinated in advance. It’s nice to hire someone to barbecue for you when your guests are entertaining! Have light sandwiches or snacks as an aperitif before sailing and eat staples like rice, pasta, baked potatoes; trust me you get hungrier quickly when cruising 🙂
Tip No. 5 Have music, you will travel!
Not all yachts come equipped with great sound systems or piped music. Therefore, you may need to bring your own stereo or an ipod with speakers and a good collection of music. It is nice to have background music when the guests get on the yacht. So make sure the atmosphere on the yacht is well cared for with good music. Or if you’re on a big budget, hire live jazz musicians to play on the yacht!
Tip No. 6 Be clear about your itinerary
When you rent a yacht, the rental is for a minimum of 4 hours depending on the yacht charter company. Talk to the yacht representative about what you can do within 4 hours. There are many things you can do when you host a party on a yacht (there is the dinner cruise), you can see the Musical Fountain or Songs From The Sea and the fireworks at Sentosa from the open sea. Or you can opt for a South Seas cruise, where you can be taken to a barbecue on one of the islands. Or you can just party on the yacht at the dock and not sail. Whichever way you choose, tell them clearly what your plans are, so they can arrange with the skipper or captain of the yacht before your event.
Tip No. 7 Be prepared for anything!
When organizing any event, contingency plans are the norm. The same goes for organizing a party on a yacht. For example, some of your guests may be prone to seasickness, yes! happens. So make sure you have motion sickness pills, or warn your guests to take them before getting on board. Be prepared for wet weather: in case it rains a lot, the skipper may choose not to sail as the water is rough, so make sure that even if the yacht docked at the dock, the yacht is large enough and the guests will still have a good time on the yacht with good food and good music. Make sure you have ice boxes filled with ice, in case the refrigerator doesn’t work while boating and you still need to chill your drinks. Or there could be a power outage when you have a night cruise, so pack those spare flashlights and batteries! In short, be prepared for anything 🙂
© 2011 Maya Kuchit-Desjarlais, Convention Links (S) Pte Ltd