What to Buy for a Birthday Boat Trip

A birthday boat trip needs more than a cake and a few bottles of drinks. You need compact food, chilled drinks, reusable tableware, serving gear and decorations that can handle movement and wind. Use this shopping list alongside the guest count, route and boat rules. Check dietary requirements before shopping, label special-diet products separately and pack everything in coolers so it is ready to carry aboard.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 3
Folding chairsqty 25
Tableclothsqty 3

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 30
Reusable bowlsqty 30
Reusable cutleryqty 30
Reusable glassesqty 40
Reusable coffee cupsqty 30
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving utensilsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knivesqty 3
Cake server

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Ice packsqty 12
Bluetooth speaker
Power banksqty 3
Charging cablesqty 4
Waterproof phone casesqty 4
Life jacketsqty 30

Decorations

Birthday banner
Buntingqty 3
Balloonsqty 40
Balloon weightsqty 4
Table décorqty 6
Number candlesqty 2

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 4
Battery lightsqty 3

Cleaning

Microfiber clothsqty 6
Dish brushesqty 2
Hand broomsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Bake-off rolls - 35 pieces
- Tortilla wraps - 30 units
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Back ham - 1,5 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 750 grams
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Bell peppers - 1.5 kilogram
- Carrots - 1 kilogram
- Potato salad - 2 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 2 kilogram
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 25 pieces
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Crackers - 4 packs
- Olives - 2 jars
- Cheese cubes - 1.5 kilogram
- Salsa - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Birthday cake - 1 piece
- Beer - 48 cans
- White wine - 3 bottles
- Rosé wine - 3 bottles
- Non-alcoholic wine - 2 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Still water - 36 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Lemonade - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 500 grams
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 500 grams
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Wet wipes - 2 packs
- Sunscreen - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan around 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then add 1–2 drinks per person for each additional hour. Chill the first batch before departure and keep the rest in coolers with ice packs.
Bring one reusable plate, bowl, glass, cup and set of cutlery per guest, plus 10% extra. Pack serving platters, serving utensils and a cake server so food does not need to be passed around by hand.
Order the birthday cake at least 3–5 days ahead and confirm that it fits your cooler or a flat, shaded storage spot. Pack number candles, but check the boat rules before bringing anything that needs an open flame.
Choose decorations that can be secured: a birthday banner, bunting, balloon weights and table décor. Avoid loose balloons, and bring LED lanterns or battery lights because the trip may run into low light.
Charge the Bluetooth speaker, power banks and phones the day before, then pack charging cables and waterproof phone cases. Keep life jackets available for every passenger and bring microfiber cloths and dish brushes for spills and cleanup.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a birthday boat trip?: For a 3–4 hour trip, plan 6–8 savoury snack portions per person, plus cake. Add extra food for children, dietary restrictions and anyone who will not eat cake, and keep perishable items chilled until serving.
How many drinks should I buy for a boat birthday party?: Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and 1–2 more per person for every additional hour. Include water and non-alcoholic options for the full group, then add a small buffer rather than relying on a last-minute shop.
When should I order the birthday cake for a boat trip?: Order it 3–5 days before the trip, or earlier if the bakery needs advance notice. Confirm the collection time, transport packaging and whether the cake can stay level and cool during the journey.
What should I pack to keep food and drinks cold on a boat?: Use at least one cooler for drinks and another for food when the group is large, with ice packs around the contents rather than only on top. Chill drinks overnight and load the coolers immediately before leaving for the boat.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.