New York City has no shortage of places to celebrate. But there’s a difference between a celebration and an experience — something so personal, so removed from the ordinary, that it becomes the story guests tell for years. That’s what a private yacht event on the Hudson River delivers.
Dream Boat NY hosts intimate private events for 2–6 guests aboard a beautifully appointed luxury yacht departing from Chelsea Piers, Manhattan. Whether the occasion calls for rose garlands and a proposal sign, a champagne brunch on the water, or an executive-level client dinner with the skyline as the backdrop, every detail is handled by a professional crew with 30 years of NYC experience.
No crowds. No strangers. No shared experience with 200 other passengers on a floating tour bus. Just your group, your celebration, and the most spectacular private setting New York has to offer.
Every Occasion. One Private Yacht.
The events hosted aboard Dream Boat NY span a wide range of celebrations — from once-in-a-lifetime milestones to the kind of corporate entertaining that leaves a lasting impression. What connects them all is the experience of being exclusively on the water, in total privacy, with Manhattan’s iconic skyline at every angle.
Browse the full collection of private yacht events below, or call the concierge team to discuss a celebration that doesn’t fit neatly into a category. Nearly every occasion can be brought to life on the water.
Romantic Events & Proposals
The Hudson River has been the backdrop for some of New York City’s most memorable proposals. There’s something about the water — the quiet, the movement, the golden light off the skyline — that makes the moment feel cinematic. A private yacht charter removes every logistical uncertainty: no distractions, no interruptions, no audience except the Manhattan skyline.
Dream Boat NY specializes in intimate romantic events for couples. The yacht accommodates up to 6 guests, making it ideal not just for proposals but for anniversary dinners, engagement parties, and intimate wedding ceremonies.
Yacht Proposals → The Surprise Proposal Package transforms the wood-paneled cabin into a private proposal suite: rose garlands, velvet heart pillows, a Will You Marry Me sign, and a bottle of Chandon Brut Cuvée Champagne waiting when the cabin door opens. Captain and crew are briefed in advance. The moment unfolds on your timeline, exactly as planned.
Intimate Yacht Weddings → A legal, licensed, intimate wedding ceremony on the water with the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline in attendance. An alternative to the traditional venue — no waiting lists, no banquet rooms, no compromises on the setting.
Engagement Party Boat → Bring the engagement party to the water. An intimate gathering of 2–6 celebrating the announcement in a setting that matches the occasion.
Anniversary Cruises → A private anniversary cruise — sunset departure, champagne service, the city glowing on the water — is the kind of celebration that resets what a special occasion can feel like.
Birthday & Milestone Celebrations
Milestone birthdays deserve more than a reserved table at a busy restaurant. A private birthday party aboard a NYC yacht charter gives the guest of honor something genuinely rare: the entire boat, exclusively for their group, on the Hudson River.
The yacht accommodates up to 6 guests — close family and friends only. It’s the antidote to oversized birthday venues where the person of honor isn’t a number. Everyone is there for them. Everyone gets the best view.
Birthday Party Boat → Arrive with the complete birthday package ready for your celebration: birthday cake, champagne, birthday signage, decorative pillows, floral centerpieces, and captain hats for the whole group. Add a catering package for a full birthday brunch or lunch or evenings on the water. The boat handles the celebration logistics; the guests handle being present.
Graduation Boat Party → A private graduation celebration on the Hudson River — a moment that acknowledges just how significant the milestone really is. Small group, big setting.
Private Boat Party → Not every occasion needs a formal category. A private boat party is the charter for any group that wants the experience of New York City from the water, exclusively for their people, on their terms.
Bachelorette & Bachelor Parties
A private yacht bachelorette or bachelor party in NYC does what the best send-offs are supposed to do: it creates a moment that belongs entirely to the people in the room. Or, in this case, the people on the deck.
With a maximum of 6 guests, the experience is deliberately intimate. This isn’t about a rented-out rooftop with 40 people. It’s about the closest people in the bride’s or groom’s life, out on the water together, with champagne and the Manhattan skyline.
Bachelorette Party Boat → A private bachelorette party charter in NYC: champagne, custom catering, the open Hudson River, and a setting that earns the title of highlight of the trip. Add the Love Boat Package for rose garlands and festive décor throughout the yacht.
Bachelor Party Boat → An elevated bachelor party option for groups who want something more memorable than a bar crawl. Private boat, professional crew, beers on the deck, and New York City from every direction.
Corporate Yacht Charters
The best client entertainment doesn’t feel like entertainment — it feels like a genuine, impressive experience that the client will associate with the people who arranged it. A private corporate yacht charter in NYC delivers exactly that.
Dream Boat NY’s 2–6 guest capacity is purpose-built for executive-level entertaining: small enough to have real conversations, intimate enough to create actual connection, private enough to discuss business openly. The Hudson River provides a neutral ground where the dynamic naturally shifts.
Corporate Yacht Charter → Impress clients from out of town — or from across the table — with a private yacht charter that shows NYC from the water. Schedule a morning charter with the All-Inclusive Champagne Brunch, a midday lunch charter with the Mediterranean Board and open bar, or a sunset charter with champagne and charcuterie as the skyline lights up. The concierge team coordinates every detail so the host arrives ready to entertain, not to manage logistics.
Corporate charters are also an exceptional option for small team celebrations, key employee recognition, and executive team outings where the experience itself signals the value of the relationship.
What Makes a Dream Boat NY Event Different
Every private event aboard Dream Boat NY shares a set of qualities that distinguish the experience from any land-based venue — or any large tour boat.
Exclusively Your Group The yacht carries a maximum of 6 guests. There are no other passengers. No one at the next table overhearing the proposal. No shared deck space with strangers. The entire yacht — outdoor teak deck, enclosed wood-paneled cabin, bathroom, kitchenette — belongs to your group for the full duration of the charter.
Chelsea Piers Departure Private yacht events depart from Chelsea Piers Marina in Manhattan — easily accessible from Midtown, Downtown, Brooklyn, and New Jersey. The marina is well-marked, professionally managed, and a memorable embarkation point in its own right.
30 Years of NYC Expertise Captain Martin has spent three decades navigating New York City’s waterways. That experience translates into precise timing, landmark narration that actually adds to the experience, and the kind of calm authority that makes guests feel completely at ease on the water.
The Yacht The outdoor all-teak deck features U-shaped seating designed for conversation — close enough to feel like a gathering, open enough to take in the skyline. The retractable canopy is adjustable for full shade or full sun, making this NYC’s only convertible on the water.
The enclosed wood-paneled cabin seats six around a central table with deep-cushioned white marine upholstery. It’s a sophisticated setting for brunch or lunch service — private, elegant, and designed for conversation. The kitchenette allows crew to provide seamless food and beverage service throughout the charter.
Everything Taken Care Of The concierge team handles route planning, catering coordination, décor logistics, and timing so that nothing falls to the host on the day of the event. Step aboard with your guests; the rest is already arranged.
Catering & Beverage Options for Private Events
Every private yacht event can be elevated with onboard catering — prepared, delivered, and served by the crew. Options span from a Continental Breakfast Tray for morning charters to the All-Inclusive Champagne & Appetizers package for an elegant sunset celebration.
All-Inclusive Packages (open bar included):
- All-Inclusive Champagne Brunch — $80 per person: NY bagels and smoked salmon, artisanal pastries, seasonal fruit, and an open bar including Chandon Brut Cuvée Champagne, Mimosas, Whispering Angel Rosé, High Noon Hard Seltzer, Pinot Gris, Beer, juice, soda, and seltzer
- All-Inclusive Champagne Lunch — $80 per person: Mediterranean Board with bite-size sandwich wraps, dips, pita, and vegetables, with the same open bar
- All-Inclusive Champagne & Appetizers — $65 per adult: Artisanal Charcuterie Board on solid wood trays with open bar
Party Boards & Trays: Mediterranean Board, Classic Shrimp Cocktail, Artisanal Charcuterie, Cheese Board, Farmers Market Crudités, Seasonal Fruit Board, Continental Breakfast Tray
Celebration Packages:
- Birthday Party Package ($200): Birthday cake, Chandon Brut Champagne, Happy Birthday signage, decorative pillows, floral centerpieces, captain hats for all guests
- Love Boat Package ($250): Full yacht adorned with roses inside and out, rose garlands, velvet heart pillows, custom sign (Will You Marry Me / Love / Happy Birthday), Chandon Brut Champagne
- Surprise Proposal Package ($150): Private cabin decorated with rose garlands, bouquets, velvet heart pillows, Will You Marry Me sign, and Chandon Brut Champagne
Champagne & Wine by the Bottle: Dom Pérignon ($350), Veuve Clicquot ($137), Moët & Chandon ($108), Whispering Angel Rosé ($42), and more
Birthday Cakes: Birthday Cake with confetti sprinkles, Chantilly Cake, Strawberry Shortcake ($75)
Note: Gratuity is not included in charter or catering pricing. 18–22% is customary for the captain and crew.
Private Yacht Event Pricing
All private yacht events are priced per boat — not per person. The same charter rate applies whether the group is 2 guests or 6.
| Duration | Rate |
|---|---|
| 2 hours | $700 weekdays (2 guests) $800 weekdays (3–6 guests) $850 weekends & holidays |
| 3 hours | $1,200 |
| 3.5 hours | $1,400 |
| 4 hours | $1,600 |
Catering, special occasion packages, and additional beverages are priced separately. Gratuity (18–22%) is customary and additional.
Per-person breakdown for a 3.5-hour charter:
- 2 guests: $700 per person
- 4 guests: $350 per person
- 6 guests: $233 per person — roughly the cost of a Broadway ticket, with better views and significantly fewer strangers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can attend a private yacht event? The maximum is 6 guests, as required by USCG federal licensing regulations. The 6-guest limit is part of what makes the experience genuinely private — this is not a shared charter and never will be.
Is the yacht exclusively ours for the event? Yes. Every Dream Boat NY charter is 100% private. Your group is the only group on the boat. The captain and crew are there exclusively for you.
Can we bring our own food and drinks? Guests may bring their own food and beverages. A flat BYO fee of $100 applies. The concierge team recommends exploring the onboard catering menu first — packages are designed for the yacht setting and require no logistics from the guest.
What if it rains? We won’t force you to celebrate in the rain. If rain or weather requires postponement, rescheduling is complimentary — select any available charter of equal or lesser value within the same calendar year. With Standard reservations, the captain monitors real-time radar within 2 hours of departure. Premium reservations include additional flexibility for cancellation and rescheduling.
Do children attend private yacht events? Yes. All ages are welcome. Guests 13 and under are required by New York State law to wear a USCG-approved life jacket (provided in all sizes). Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who is responsible for their supervision at all times.
Where does the yacht depart from? All charters depart from Chelsea Piers Marina (Pier 59, 59 Chelsea Piers, New York, NY 10011). Paid parking is available on-site at the Chelsea Piers complex. The marina is accessible by car service, taxi, and public transit.
How far in advance should a private event be booked? Peak season dates (mid-May through mid-September) and weekend dates book several weeks in advance. Milestone events — proposals, weddings, and bachelorette parties — benefit from earlier booking to secure preferred timing, particularly for sunset departures. The concierge team can advise on availability.
Every Celebration Deserves to be Experienced
Every occasion has a setting that makes it real. For private celebrations in New York City, that setting is on the water — with the skyline ahead, the Hudson River below, and a professional crew taking care of everything else.
Dream Boat NY’s private yacht events are available April through November. Dates fill quickly during peak season and around major NYC events. The concierge team is available to help plan every detail.
Ready to book a private yacht event?
Check Availability →
Call: 917-399-9084
View Catering Menu →
See Pricing →
Learn About the Yacht →