What to buy for a boat tour

A boat tour needs more than drinks and sandwiches. You also need supplies for check-in at the dock, serving food on board, keeping drinks cold and handling coffee safely while the boat is moving. Use the plan’s item list as your packing checklist, then match quantities to the number of passengers and the length of the trip. Confirm power access and storage space with the boat operator before buying anything that needs electricity or refrigeration.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 50
Coat racksqty 2
Tableclothsqty 6

Tableware

Water glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving traysqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Serving plattersqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Portable speaker
Microphone

Decorations

Table decorationsqty 6
Buntingqty 3
Name badgesqty 50

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Hand sanitizer holdersqty 3
Dishpanqty 2

Communication

Information boardsqty 3
Program bookletsqty 55
Participant Listqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea assortment - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Long-life coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Beer - 24 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Wholemeal sandwich bread - 8 loaves
- White casino bread - 6 loaves
- Butter - 4 packs
- Young cheese slices - 3 kilos
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Herb cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Egg salad - 6 tubs
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning spray - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Bring extra water, especially if passengers will spend several hours on deck.
Prepare one sandwich or equivalent portion of catering per passenger, plus about 10% extra for late registrations or larger appetites. Keep dietary-option labels with the food rather than relying on memory.
For coffee and tea, allow one hot drink per person in the first two hours and bring enough cups, serving supplies and thermos capacity to serve it without returning to shore.
Pack chilled drinks in coolers before leaving for the dock. Do not assume the boat has a refrigerator; confirm this and the available power supply at least one week before departure.
Bring printed route and boarding information, name badges and clear signs for the check-in point. Pack these in a waterproof folder so wind or light rain cannot make them unreadable.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a boat tour?: Plan one sandwich or catering portion per passenger, plus 10% extra. For a group of 40, that means 44 portions; add separate portions for every recorded dietary requirement.
How many drinks should I buy for a boat trip?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one additional drink per person for every later hour. Include water for everyone and add roughly 10% extra for delays or warm weather.
What should I bring for coffee on a boat tour?: Bring one cup per passenger for each planned serving, plus 10% spare cups, along with coffee machines or filled thermos flasks, coffee, tea, milk, sugar and serving supplies. Confirm access to electricity at least one week before the tour.
When should I buy supplies for a boat tour?: Buy non-perishable items, tableware and signage at least one week before departure. Purchase fresh food one day before, chill drinks several hours in advance and check the weather forecast again on the day.

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