Retirement parties are bittersweet affairs. We feel sad when we say goodbye to people that we have worked beside for years, but our spirits are uplifted when we think about the life of leisure that awaits them. The standard retirement party is held in a hotel, restaurant or catering hall and has the atmosphere of a corporate function, which is not the formula for a lively event that people will remember for years. 

Loyal employees deserve better than that, so a more inspiring venue must be found. In this article, we will show you how to really make a splash by giving your valued employees the opportunity to sail into retirement with a classy boat rental.

Have Your Retirement Party on an NYC Yacht

When we think about parties, we remember interesting people, enjoyable conversations and candid moments. 

Having a party on a boat changes everything because it places attendees in an environment they associate with leisure and luxury, and holding a party on a boat rental in New York City surrounds attendees with some of the most famous landmarks and impressive architecture in the world. 

People have more fun at parties when they feel relaxed and confident enough to let their hair down, but this is a difficult atmosphere to create in most traditional party spaces.

Most of us spend very little time on boats, so we tend to feel quite a rush when we do take to the water. This is precisely the feeling hosts must create if they want their parties to be remembered, and holding events on the water makes this easy. 

Once aboard, a combination of fresh air, tranquil water and inspiring sights will make sure that this feeling lasts. They will also create just the kind of atmosphere a retirement party deserves.

Boats are smaller and more intimate spaces than catering facilities or chain hotels. There is enough room to provide personal space and comfort, but attendees are not going to wander off and get lost. 

Goodbye and thank-you speeches are often the most memorable parts of retirement parties, and they are not likely to be missed on a boat where everybody knows what is going on.

Intimate Gatherings or Safe, Larger Yacht Parties

A party’s venue should match the number of people attending. The most gregarious partygoers in the world could find striking up a conversation difficult if there are only a handful of them and the event they are attending is being held in a cavernous space, and they are also unlikely to have much fun if they are subjected to constant jostling in an overcrowded environment. 

To ensure that your party goes off without a hitch, New York Harbor Tours has two party vessels for you to choose from:

• Tireless: Our original New York party boat has a large and open deck and an enclosed cabin that can provide temporary shelter during brief rain showers. There is ample seating outside for up to six party attendees, and they will have plenty of room to stretch out and take in everything New York City has to offer. Tireless also has a clean and working bathroom and a small galley that can be used to store party supplies, heat up food and keep drinks cool.

• Reliance: Our latest New York party boat is a classic passenger vessel that is certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry 16 passengers. After serving as an offshore ferry in Maine for many years, Reliance was purchased by New York Harbor Tours. We then completely refitted the classic motor yacht with a new roof, a new deck, new rails and railings and new furniture and fittings. Reliance now looks better than ever, and she is ready to provide a great retirement gift.

Choose From Your Favorite Boat Cruise

If you choose to hold a retirement party on a boat, you should look for a yacht party rental company that offers a choice of experiences. At New York Harbor Tours, we offer the following NYC cruises:

• New York Harbor: The waters around the southern tip of Manhattan are home to some of the most famous sights in the world. If you choose this cruise for your retirement party, your guests will have plenty to look at as the route passes the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building and the Freedom Tower.

• Manhattan: The cruise that made us famous is a tour all the way around Manhattan. If you pick this cruise, your attendees will travel under all of New York City’s incredible bridges and see sights including Yankee Stadium and the Cloisters.

• Daylight and sunset: You can choose to hold your retirement party during the day when the city pulses with life or in the evening as things wind down. Evenings are especially popular because seeing the sun set behind the Statue of Liberty is an unbelievable experience. Also, the city lights look magical at night.

• Fall foliage: If you would prefer to enjoy the wonders of nature, you could take in fall foliage during your retirement party. If you choose our popular Hudson River cruise, your boat will sail under the George Washington Bridge and past the Palisades.

A Fine Farewell

If you want to throw a retirement party that your guests will be eager to attend, you should consider holding it on a New York Harbor Tour party boat. Holding a retirement party on a boat is a great way to show that you care and want to give loyal employees a fine farewell. 

If you would like to find out more about our party packages or corporate cruise options, you can call us at (718) 230-0136 or use our online form to send us a message.