Which boat should you choose for a cocktail reception in Paris? What really matters

Drink in hand, you chat for a few minutes, then move across the room to join another group. That's the whole logic of a cocktail reception. On a boat, this kind of movement becomes a real consideration, because the space needs to stay comfortable despite the guests, the furniture and the service.

Choosing the right boat, then, is less about the maximum capacity alone than about how the space will actually be used during the reception.

A cocktail reception needs room to move

At a cocktail reception, guests are generally standing for part of the time. You therefore need to take walkways into account and avoid overcrowding the space with furniture. What you need to check is the capacity that matches a cocktail-style layout, not a figure given for a different use.

The number of guests quickly points you towards a category

For a small cocktail reception, a yacht can work well, particularly for a group ranging from just a few people up to 30 guests, depending on the boats available. For larger formats, Sein'ario's barges for 40 to 250 people offer a different scale altogether.

Terrace and outdoor spaces: worth checking carefully

When a boat has an accessible outdoor area, it can become useful breathing space during the cocktail reception. But its availability and how it can be used depend on the boat. It's worth being clear on this: having an outdoor deck doesn't automatically mean it will suit your layout or be usable in every condition.

Service needs to be planned alongside the boat

A buffet, drinks, canapes and staff moving around all take up space too. Before booking, be clear about the type of catering you have in mind and the number of guests. In practice, it's the combination of guests, furniture and service together that lets you judge whether a boat will genuinely be comfortable for your cocktail reception.