How to add Sparkle to your next Corporate Cruise on Sydney Harbour.

A Sydney Harbour Cruise is a fabulous setting to celebrate just about any occasion.

Cruising with your special guests on a luxury boat cruise, past the magnificent Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, provides an opportunity like no other to showcase your company against the backdrop of some of Australia’s most spectacular and iconic landmarks.

"Sydney Harbour is undoubtedly one of the dazzling jewels in Australia’s glistening crown, and stands up on the global stage as one of the most beautiful harbours in the world".

If you’re planning to entertain delegates, celebrate with your team, or perhaps host a memorable awards night, invigorating business meeting or product launch, a Sydney harbour luxury boat cruise offers the perfect platform to tailor an extraordinary event for your guests.

However, with about 20,000 boats registered in the harbour, choosing the right vessel and setup for your next event, with that added 'extra sparkle' to make your cruise experience standout from the rest of the pack can be a minefield to navigate, even for the most esteemed event planners. 

Here’s a few OzParty top tips on how to dazzle your guests at your next Cruise Event!

Image Ref: xclusive yachts

The Arrival - Set the tone before the first sip of champagne!

Often overlooked, this is a key component of setting guests initial expectations of the event ahead. There’s nothing more anti-climactic than guests ‘hanging’ at the departure wharf waiting for direction. Consider booking a reserved area for a welcome drink at an iconic Sydney waterfront venue situated close to the departure point. Or for the celebrity touch, arrange for beautiful models to hop off the boat and personally meet, greet and escort guests aboard.

For events hosted on large boat charters, be sure to roll out the red carpet treatment for VIP guest boarding, and setup company branded teardrop banners for easy departure point identification.

Image Ref: Camilla Jambo Jambo 2017 Launch

Cruise Event Styling - Eye popping designs to wow your guests.

There are an abundance of cruise event styling ideas to wow your guests from the moment they arrive. 

Installing a vibrant balloon art sculpture in your brand colours to the vessel exterior is a sure fire way to have your guests gob smacked before the cruise even sets sail!

Adding a handpicked range of well positioned event furniture, complemented by beautiful florals is a great way to promote mingling, networking and engagement amongst guests.

Undoubtedly the most impactful cruise event showcases are ones in which the cruise event concept seamlessly aligns with the company or brand messaging. There’s no better example of this than the unveiling of the Camilla Resort Jambo Jambo collection in 2017. Guests were treated to a tribal fantasy land aboard Seadeck in Sydney, bursting with energy and fun. The vessel was laden with feathers, lush green foliage, african themed decor, tribal drummers and a kaleidoscope of colour.

Unveiling of the Camilla Resort Jambo Jambo Collection in 2017... the vessel was laden with feathers, lush green foliage, african themed decor, tribal drummers and a kaleidoscope of colour.

Image Ref: Creativia Cruise Cabaret

Cruise Entertainment - Dazzle with spectacular onboard entertainment.

The scale and range of impressive Corporate entertainment available for your next private cruise event is vast. The type of entertainment will largely depend on the size and layout of your vessel, and the entertaining space available. 

Corporate events hosted on larger cruise vessels open up the possibilities of full scale themed events such as a glamorous Monte Carlo themed event complete with crystal chandeliers overhanging casino gaming tables with professional croupiers. Or a 1920’s Gatsby extravaganza with 3-piece rhythmic jazz band and fun and flirty rar rar girls. 

In the case of smaller luxury yacht charters, roaming entertainment and solo performers such as interactive street theatre magicians, live illustrators, saxophonists, beautiful models, tarot card readers, or hilarious drag queen artists work well and are a safe bet when working with space constraints.

Image Ref: All Occasion Cruises Sydney Buffet

Food and Drinks - Activate the senses with unique presentation and mouthwatering flavour

Across the portfolio of Sydney Harbour yacht charters there is an almost infinite array of catering options to choose from. Ranging from classic international buffet menus, to mouthwatering platter displays and grazing stations, to more innovative and novel catering such as donut walls! And let’s not forget the ever popular quintessential Aussie gourmet BBQ!

Again we recommend catering decisions from part of the holistic event concept design. Take, for example marking the latest European office openings with regional inspired delicacies such as luxurious French patisserie bars and pretzel stations inspired by Germany’s Finest. 

For ease, many clients opt for an all inclusive Sydney Harbour cruise package, once again the cruise beverage packages on offer vary widely and are generally tiered from standard offerings through to premium wines and spirits. Add an element of artistic flair with customised welcome cocktails, designed to enhance the guest experience, elevate brand messaging through the senses and set the taste buds alight!

Top Insider Tips When Planning Your Next Sydney Harbour Cruise: 

1. Sneaky Fees - Ensure your Sydney cruise charter is inclusive of all wharfing fees, crew and staffing costs and BYO charges (where applicable). Check for basic provisions such as ice, cups, condiments. These can add up to a costly sting in the tail if not disclosed at the time of booking!
2. Careful Planning - Be sure to plan ahead, in the peak summer months availability for a private boat cruise on Sydney Harbour can be slim pickings.
3. Confidence and Quality - Explore the company reviews, ensure you’re placing your special event in the hands of a reputable, experienced company that you have confidence in delivering not just a standard cruise charter but a memorable event experience.
4. Feedback and Return - Request feedback on your guests cruise experience, this can be formal or informal. Document, learn and improve. Engage a professional corporate photographer to capture celebratory group photo snaps with the sweeping backdrop of Sydney Harbour and City Skyline. Capturing drone footage and creating a mini video reel gives you extra brownie points! Send it to your clients post event as a memory jog of a fabulous soiree. They’ll be loyal for life.

If you're planning a Corporate Harbour Cruise in Sydney this year get in touch.

Our Event Experts are on hand to look after all aspects of your next event.

Best,

Daniel & Aimee Udall, Founder and Partner of OzParty Events

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