Why take the holiday party onto the water
Most holiday parties happen in a room your team has seen before: a restaurant buyout, a hotel ballroom, the office with the lights dimmed. On the water, the setting does half the work. People move between the deck and the salon, conversations form on their own, and nobody ends up stuck at the far table.
A private corporate charter also means the whole vessel is yours. There are no other groups aboard, no shared playlist, and no strangers at the bar. That matters when the CEO gives a toast or the team runs its year-in-review slideshow.
The season helps too. In mid-December the sun sets around 4:45 p.m., so an afternoon boarding gets you sunset over Point Loma and then the skyline after dark, all in one cruise.
When to book: a planning timeline
Corporate holiday dates are the first to go. Aolani recommends booking several weeks to a few months ahead for December. Here’s a working timeline for a mid-December party:
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 8–10 weeks out | Set a budget and headcount range, pick two or three candidate dates, and send an inquiry |
| 6–8 weeks out | Confirm the date and boarding location, then send a save-the-date |
| 4 weeks out | Choose a catering menu and bar option, and collect dietary needs |
| 2 weeks out | Give a final headcount and submit any specialty liquor requests (Aolani needs two weeks’ notice) |
| Week of | Send guests the boarding time, location, parking or rideshare notes, and a reminder to bring a layer |
If you’re reading this in mid-October, you’re right at the eight-to-ten-week mark for mid-December dates.
Four holiday party formats that work on San Diego Bay
1. The sunset cocktail cruise
This is the classic. Board in the late afternoon, catch the sunset under way, and spend the evening with the skyline and holiday lights along the Embarcadero. It suits teams that want a party feel without a late night. December sunsets fall between about 4:40 and 4:55 p.m., so plan the boarding time around that.
2. A Parade of Lights night
The 56th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights runs on Sunday, December 13 and Sunday, December 20, 2026. Around 80 decorated boats leave Shelter Island at 5:30 p.m., reach Harbor Island at roughly 5:45 to 6:15 p.m., then continue along the Embarcadero toward Coronado. This year’s theme is “Liberty Lights the Bay – Cheers to 250 Years.”
A few things to know before you plan around it:
- Sunday only: Both parade nights fall on Sundays, which works for some teams and not others.
- Restricted route: The parade route is closed to non-parade boats, so a charter watches from a nearby position rather than sailing in the procession.
- Decorated side: Parade boats decorate mainly their port (left) side, so where you watch from matters.
- Parking: Harbor Island parking is free but limited on parade nights, so build in extra arrival time or use rideshare.
If a parade night fits your calendar, mention it when you inquire and the crew will advise on timing. Our Parade of Lights guide has more on the event itself.
3. A daytime holiday cruise
Not every team wants an evening event. A midday cruise suits teams with long commutes, family obligations, or a mix of schedules. Daytime light also makes for better group photos. Pair it with a lunch menu and a lighter bar setup, and people still have their evening free.
For something more memorable, consider a whale watching charter. Gray whales start passing San Diego in mid-December on their way to Baja, though sightings are never guaranteed.
4. The January “after the holidays” party
December is crowded with family events, school concerts, and other parties. More companies now hold their holiday party in January, when calendars are open and people aren’t celebrating out. It also lines up with the peak of the gray whale migration in mid-January. See the best time for whale watching for details.
For client entertaining
A holiday cruise also works as a year-end thank-you for clients and partners. A private vessel gives you room for real conversation, which is the same reason exhibitors take clients off the show floor during convention season.
What to expect aboard Aolani
Capacity. The catamaran holds up to 48 guests, with seating for 35 on deck or 30 in the climate-controlled salon. For larger groups, a second catamaran can sail alongside, for up to 96 guests in total.
Presentations and music. Flat-screen TVs and a Bose sound system cover a year-in-review slideshow, awards, a toast from leadership, or a holiday playlist. Ask the crew ahead of time how to connect your laptop or phone.
Catering. Aolani works with San Diego caterers including Il Fornaio, Terra American Bistro, and several themed menus: Italian, Mexican, Hawaiian, and Mediterranean. Plates, utensils, and ice are included, and catering minimums are listed with each menu. Browse the catering menus to compare. You can bring your own catering, but a cleaning fee applies: $200 for 10–20 guests and $300 for 21 or more.
Bar. Outside alcohol isn’t allowed, so choose from Aolani’s options (prices from Aolani’s catering page; confirm when you book):
| Option | Price (tax included) |
|---|---|
| Open bar: beer, wine, and hard seltzer | $15 per person per hour |
| Open bar: premium spirits, beer, wine, and hard seltzer | $25 per person per hour |
| À la carte, hosted or guest-paid | $8 beer/seltzer, $10 wine/prosecco, $12 cocktails |
For budgeting, a three-hour beer-and-wine bar for 40 guests comes to $1,800, or $3,000 with premium spirits. Specialty liquor requests need two weeks’ notice.
Boarding. Charters depart from the Sheraton marina on Harbor Island, across from the airport. If your team is downtown, in Coronado, or at the Gaylord Pacific in Chula Vista, Aolani can arrange pickup locations closer to you, subject to marina approval.
Holiday party planner checklist
- Headcount range: up to 48 on one boat, up to 96 on two
- Two or three candidate dates, including one weekday
- Format: sunset cruise, Parade of Lights night, daytime cruise, or January
- Boarding location closest to your office or hotel
- Catering menu and dietary needs
- Bar: hosted package, à la carte, or guest-paid
- Program: toast, awards, slideshow, music
- Guest note: arrival time, parking or rideshare, flat shoes, a warm layer
- Final headcount and specialty drink requests two weeks out
Questions planners ask
How far ahead should we book a December holiday cruise?
Several weeks to a few months. December dates fill early, so inquire as soon as you have a headcount range and a few candidate dates.
Will it be cold on the water in December?
Daytime highs in December usually reach the mid-60s °F, and evenings drop into the 40s and 50s. The salon is climate-controlled, but tell guests to bring a jacket for time on deck.
Can we see the Parade of Lights from the boat?
The 2026 parade runs on Sunday, December 13 and Sunday, December 20, starting at 5:30 p.m. The route itself is closed to non-parade boats, so ask about parade-night availability and timing when you inquire.
Can we bring our own alcohol?
No. Aolani provides the bar. If you want a specific liquor, beer, or wine it doesn’t usually carry, request it at least two weeks ahead.
What if our group is larger than 48?
A second catamaran can sail alongside, for up to 96 guests in total.
Book your holiday party
Call (619) 807-8000 or use the contact form. Include your preferred dates, an approximate headcount, and where your team is based, and the crew will suggest the right format and boarding location. For other seasonal ideas, see our holiday cruises page.
Aolani is San Diego's premier catamaran yacht charter, offering luxury experiences on a 58-foot vessel with five-star service. Our Captain and Crew ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.
