Celebrating New Year’s Eve on a boat means watching the fireworks from the water, with dinner served on board and no queues. You can do it in the Mediterranean, keeping an eye on the weather, or in the Caribbean, where it is high season. Here is what to know.
Mediterranean or Caribbean?
- Mediterranean. An evening or a weekend, in port or at an anchorage near the city: Naples, Genoa, Monaco, Barcelona. In winter it is not a real cruise: the boat becomes a special venue for the party.
- Caribbean. A week of sea and sun, with New Year’s Eve in Gustavia bay on St. Barth or on a quieter island. It is one of the most requested periods of the year. Read our guide to chartering in the Caribbean.
How the evening on board works
The crew prepares the boat in the afternoon. You come aboard for aperitifs, dine on board with the chef or a caterer, and at midnight the boat is in position for the fireworks. Then you return to port, or spend the night on board if the boat has cabins for everyone.
Winter weather
In the Mediterranean, at the end of December, the weather can change quickly. That is why a large, stable boat and a programme close to the coast are chosen. The captain decides at the last moment whether to go out to an anchorage or stay in port: the party goes ahead either way, safely.
How far in advance to book
For the Caribbean it is best to move in summer or early autumn: the best boats are booked months ahead, often with a minimum number of nights. For an evening in the Mediterranean a few weeks are enough, but large boats in the most popular harbours go quickly.
What to ask before confirming
Whether the boat can stay at anchor overnight and where, whether catering is included, whether there is a plan B in case of bad weather, and whether the fireworks can really be seen from the planned spot.
The complete trip
We can also organise everything else: a hotel for the night, transfers and, for those celebrating in the mountains, a helicopter flight to the snow the next day.
The most beautiful destinations for New Year’s Eve on a boat
- Naples and the Gulf: fireworks all along the coast, with Vesuvius in the background.
- Monaco: the illuminated harbour and the Principality’s celebrations.
- Genoa and the Riviera: an elegant evening and an easy return.
- St. Barth: the most famous New Year’s Eve in the Caribbean, with the big yachts in Gustavia bay.
How many guests and which boat
For a New Year’s Eve dinner, indoor space counts: a saloon that seats everyone, a galley suited to the chef or caterer, enough bathrooms. The maximum number of guests for an evening differs from that for sleeping on board: we state it in the proposal.
Frequently asked questions
Can we sleep on board on New Year’s Eve?
Yes, if the boat has cabins for everyone. Alternatively we can arrange a hotel near the port.
What happens in bad weather?
The evening takes place in port, where the boat is safe and the fireworks can still be seen in many cities. The captain decides based on the forecast.
How far ahead should I book New Year’s Eve in the Caribbean?
As early as possible, ideally in summer. The best boats for the holidays are booked many months in advance.
Want a different New Year’s Eve? Send us your dates and number of guests or message us on WhatsApp.
