How to throw the perfect superyacht party.

Planning for a milestone birthday, or perhaps there's a family reunion on the horizon? Whatever the occasion, Burgess charter experts know how to help you to experience the good times that make life special. Parties are an institution in the world of yachting, with superyachts providing the ultimate platform for the most exclusive of celebrations.

Whether formal or informal, large group or intimate gathering, a superyacht is a wonderful way of bringing people together in a place where they can truly connect with one another in a relaxed and unique setting.

The Burgess charter team has scoured the world in pursuit of the best locations and yachts, and can recommend the most suitable combination to ensure your superyacht party is memorable for all the right reasons. Whether you want to throw a large cocktail party, a discreet dinner, or both, Burgess will be on hand to ensure everything runs smoothly.

From the booking of your yacht, berth, private jet, and limousine, to a variety of different entertainment options, there is a superyacht and a destination to suit every taste.

From quayside events to private islands, the world’s cruising grounds provide some of the best party locations when discovered by superyacht. Looking to be close to the action? Head to the French Riviera and invite your friends to the Monaco Grand Prix or the Cannes Film Festival.

Prefer a private desert island-type setting to celebrate with your friends and family? The Caribbean and The Bahamas have plenty of secluded bays in which to anchor and spend quality time with your favourite people. Here is a selection of the finest destinations to host your super, superyacht party.

From the crew to the layout, the facilities and even the décor, there are many facets of a yacht that, when combined, will influence the success of a superyacht party. The most successful charter yachts lend themselves to any type of occasion, be it a cocktail party or formal dinner party.

No matter what the style of celebration, there is a yacht to suit every taste. Likewise the crew can make or break a celebration, whether because they can theme any party in a creative way, or simply because the six-star service and smiling faces will give the party the right vibe.

Nothing says party more than people dressing up, and themed parties are almost always popular among charter guests. They create memorable experiences – even more so when the yacht is decked out in appropriately themed decorations.

From an elegant James Bond-themed evening, perhaps with poker and blackjack tables set up, to a retro-style '60s party with a dancefloor and appropriate playlist, or Pirates of the Caribbean, they can revolve around just about any concept imaginable.

For those cruising in the Caribbean, consider a pirate party involving all the family. Many crews are well known for the creativity and polish of their themed parties. While keeping the younger guests entertained with a treasure hunt on the beach, you can enjoy sundowners on the sand.

Back on board enjoy drinks on the sun deck before dining al fresco on the main deck. If you're having a larger bash in port, have your pirate outfits sent ahead and the yacht dressed with pirate paraphernalia. Canapes and rum cocktails can be served in treasure chests!

On the larger more modern superyachts spa pools are generally a given these days, and although some may be limited to a sun deck jacuzzi, the largest of the charter yachts usually have all manner of water features, ranging from infinity pools with waterfalls, glass-bottomed pools, swim-up bars, and pools with counter currents.

And then you have the real party yachts, with swimming pools that turn into dance floors, and built-in DJ booths for the ultimate occasion aboard. The 73m TITANIA, for example, hosts her guests around the pool deck bar with seating for up to eight guests, and another four seats inside the pool itself, all complete with a DJ set up to create a real pool party atmosphere.

Entertainment systems have always played an important role in the overall yacht party experience. Audio-visual technologies have changed significantly over the past decade, and the most successful charter yachts feature the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art and fully-integrated entertainment systems throughout their guest areas. 

From indoor and outdoor entertainment facilities, and the latest audio-visual equipment (including on-demand movies and music systems available throughout all guest areas and strong Wi-Fi for streaming), to private cinema rooms and outdoor cinema set-ups, almost anything available on land is also possible at sea.

Music is an essential part of any party, and whether you prefer the dulcet tones of Adele during dinner or the pumping beats of a live DJ set during a dockside party, music always sets the tone. Surround sound systems for yachts with their own dedicated cinemas have become the norm, while built-in speakers on the party deck are fine tuned to deliver the best possible audio quality regardless of the musical genre.

Some yachts have a dual-purpose feature - a sun deck, for example - that transforms into a party deck after dark and music entices guests from open-air dining on the bridge deck below to party upstairs. Live bands are no longer de rigeur, instead world-famous DJs can be booked by your Burgess charter broker to come on board and play their set for your guests, with some big names keen to play private gigs.

Larger yachts with huge guest deck spaces are second to none. The almost indecently large outside areas feature a number of superb dining locations for star-studded festive celebrations, along with a pool floor that rises and transforms into a dancefloor allowing guests to continue the party into the night.

For some, proximity to the ocean is a must, so why not dine in a yacht's beach club right by the water’s edge. The 62m BATON ROUGE, for example, features an ocean-level beach club that incorporates lounging areas and easy access to the water by day, and transforms into the ultimate al fresco dining area by night.

Alternatively, many modern yachts feature Teppanyaki grills – perfect for guests looking to experience something a little different in a tropical climate. Plus you and your guests get the chef's table experience with wonderful dishes prepared before your very eyes and served straight from the grill.

The raised aft deck seating area aboard the 56m MY SEANNA can be converted into a dancefloor complete with state-of-the-art sound. There's also a backlit bar and lounge/dining area on the bridge deck, a 10-person spa pool that has its own bar, and a beach club at water level. 

The aforementioned 73m TITANIA also features a beach club, complete with sauna, which can then be converted into a nightclub to continue celebrations into the night. You could even have your make-up and hair done in the yacht's beauty salon before the evening celebrations begin.

Details make all the difference. Ambient lighting, an attentive crew, the quality of sound or the welcome cocktail, the most successful and memorable superyacht parties are those where the crews have gone the extra mile. The occasions will usually dictate the type of party and the style.

For example, an anniversary celebration might have a more romantic theme, with soft lighting and candles, and elegant crockery and flowers all adding to the intimate sense of occasion. A New Year’s Eve celebration or birthday might however require more of a fun or risqué theme. Whatever you want, it can be done.

Most of the yachts in the Burgess charter fleet are designed for entertaining, with guest areas outstandingly assigned to allow for all manner of occasions according to desire. The yachts in the selection above are just afew of those recommended by Burgess charter experts as welcoming celebrations.