What to Buy for a Birthday Cruise

A birthday cruise needs more than cake and drinks. You’ll need practical supplies for serving food, keeping drinks cold, setting up tables, playing music and cleaning up without a full kitchen nearby. This shopping list covers the items that are easiest to forget, including coffee equipment, cake tools, power banks and waste stations. Check the boat’s facilities and boarding rules before buying anything, then shop early enough to chill drinks and collect the cake before departure.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 40
Buffet tablesqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 45
Reusable bowlsqty 45
Reusable glassesqty 50
Reusable wine glassesqty 40
Reusable cutleryqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 40
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving tongsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 3
Cake server
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4

Equipment

Bluetooth speaker
Rechargeable power banksqty 2
Extension cordsqty 2

Decorations

Balloonsqty 50
Balloon arch
Buntingqty 6
Tableclothsqty 6
LED string lightsqty 4
Birthday candles

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Soap dispenserqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 8
Washing-up tubsqty 2
Broom and dustpan

Catering

Groceries
- Mini quiches - 60 pieces
- Mini wraps - 60 pieces
- Meatballs - 2 kilograms
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 1 kilogram
- Serrano ham - 750 grams
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 3 kilograms
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snacks - 3 bags
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Sweet chili sauce - 1 bottle
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 six-packs
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 12 kilograms
- Chocolate cake - 1 cake for 40 people
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs

Tips

Plan for two to three drinks per guest during the first hour, then adjust for the cruise length. Buy ice separately: ice cube trays rarely provide enough for a full group, so prepare or collect ice before boarding.
Match reusable plates, bowls, glasses, wine glasses, cutlery and coffee cups to the guest list, then add at least 10% extra. A birthday cruise has limited washing facilities, so extras prevent shortages when items are dropped or used twice.
Buy serving platters, serving tongs, cutting boards, a chef’s knife and a cake server before the catering arrives. The cake server is easy to overlook, and cutting a cake without a stable board or proper knife is awkward on a moving boat.
Keep decorations compact and secure: balloons, bunting, tablecloths and a balloon arch can move in wind or during sailing. Pack LED light strings and birthday candles, but confirm whether open flames and adhesive decorations are allowed onboard before departure.
Prepare one cleaning setup for each main area: waste bins, a hand soap dispenser, microfibre cloths and wash basins. Bring rechargeable power banks and extension cords only after checking where power is available, so the speaker and lights do not depend on one outlet.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a birthday cruise?: Plan two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then about one drink per person per additional hour. For food, use the confirmed guest count and add roughly 10% extra for late registrations or larger appetites.
How many plates and glasses should I buy for a boat birthday party?: Provide one plate, bowl, drinking glass, wine glass and set of cutlery per guest, plus at least 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means at least 33 of each item that everyone will use.
When should I buy ice and chill the drinks?: Chill drinks at least 6 hours before boarding if possible. Prepare or collect the ice on the day of the cruise, ideally within 2 hours of departure, and keep it in coolers until service.
What birthday decorations can I bring on a cruise?: Pack lightweight decorations such as balloons, bunting, tablecloths and LED light strings, but check the boat’s rules first. Confirm at least 1 week before the cruise whether candles, adhesives, a balloon arch or extension cords are permitted.

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