Corporate party at sea from Marseille’s Old Port

Why choose a party at sea for your company?

The sea changes a group’s dynamic. On a boat, nobody leaves early, departments mingle on deck, and the scenery (Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, Fort Saint-Jean, the islands) does half the work. It is a popular format to thank a team after a great year, to host clients from elsewhere or to round off a seminar in Marseille.

It is also a format with constraints: fixed capacity, times set by the crew, dependence on the weather. Better to know this before booking.

How does a party at sea run?

1. 7.30pm, boarding and welcome at the Old Port: first drink, background music, photos at the gangway.
2. 8pm, departure and aperitif: leaving the port past Fort Saint-Jean and the Mucem, heading out into the bay.
3. 9pm, dinner at anchor off the Frioul islands: the boat stops in a sheltered spot, dinner is served, and a show can be added.
4. 11pm, DJ set on deck, during the return to port, with the city lit up in the background.
5. Midnight, back at the Old Port and disembarkation. Extra hours are possible on request.

Which boat for how many guests?

A boat’s capacity is not the same for a cocktail reception and a seated dinner: the same vessel holds far more guests standing than seated at tables. Here are the main types of boat used in the Bay of Marseille:

How much does a corporate boat party cost?

The boat, its crew and the dinner on board are priced on quote, depending on the size of the vessel, the date and the menu. For the entertainment, prices are the same as for a party on land: a DJ Ambiance with sound system for up to 150 people from €399, a saxophonist for 4 hours at €450, photo coverage from €490, a photo booth with a PicShot gallery from €490. As a benchmark, turnkey corporate parties in Marseille cost between €65 and €130 per person, venue included.

Where can you sail from Marseille?

The classic cruise runs along the Bay of Marseille to the Frioul islands, sheltered from the prevailing wind, with a view of the Château d’If. For a longer daytime outing, head for the Calanques as far as Cassis: this is more of an incentive trip format than an evening party. Weather, choice of boat and plan B are covered in detail in our guide to organising a corporate boat party in Marseille.

What entertainment on board?

• A saxophonist on deck at sunset.
• A DJ with a sound system suited to the space and the boat’s power supply.
• A close-up magician during dinner.
• A photographer for sunset portraits, the most requested shots of the evening.

What mistakes should you avoid?

• Arriving late: the boat leaves on time. Ask guests to meet 15 minutes before boarding.
• Ignoring the weather: a gust of mistral can cancel the outing. Have the contract state who decides, when, and the fallback solution.
• Seasickness: a sheltered anchorage off Frioul limits rolling, but warn guests who are prone to it.
• Heels and access: gangway, stairs between decks, limited accessibility for people with reduced mobility.

What does ADJM Événementiel take care of?

We select the boat according to your headcount, organise the dinner on board with the crew, set up the music and lighting, provide the artists and the photographer, and coordinate the evening from boarding to return.