Seating plan on board: placing your guests well on a boat

In a conventional venue, the seating plan is built around who gets on with whom. On a boat, you also have to work with the view, the access points and the movement of service staff. A few simple principles help you get it right.

Take the layout of the boat into account

Ask for the exact floor plan and the possible configurations: round tables, rectangular tables, banquet style. The shape of the boat affects the number of tables and how they are arranged.

Share out the best seats

• Window seats are the most sought after: consider rotating them or sharing them out fairly
• Seat guests of honour near the speaking area
• Keep guests who are sensitive to noise away from the speakers

Keep circulation clear

Service corridors and access to the deck must stay unobstructed. Sufficient space between tables avoids awkwardness during service and when people move around.

Communicate the seating

A plan displayed at the entrance or a place card on each table smooths the settling-in. On a boat, late set-ups affect the departure: it is better to plan ahead.