Set Sail with These Long Beach Venues

Picture this: your guests at an annual retreat or networking mixer are raving about the unique experience they had at your event … because it was on a boat! If you’re planning a meeting or event in Long Beach, take advantage of the waterfront location and charter one of the many vessels in our local waters.

HARBOR BREEZE

Harbor Breeze Cruises (100 Aquarium Way, Dock #2) is known for its whale watching cruises off the Long Beach coast narrated by Aquarium of the Pacific whale experts. But the company’s seven boats also offer a variety of nautical settings for private events, from high-speed double-decker catamarans to more sedate cruisers with ample indoor and outdoor seating. Most carry up to 149 passengers, with the newest catamaran, La Espada, accommodating 250. Capitalize on their boats’ stadium seating and knowledgeable captains to show your guests the local coastal scenery and ocean wildlife.

CITY CRUISES

City Cruises (100 Aquarium Way, Dock 6A) has a fleet of five cruising ships that sail out of Long Beach. Charter the 100-guest-capacity Mojo motor yacht, with its open upper deck and main salon equipped with full bar, for a corporate retreat or intimate party. The 550-capacity triple-decker Entertainer features expansive bay windows and spacious dance floors for larger gatherings, and has been featured on several movies and TV shows. City Cruises offers all-inclusive packages with chef-prepared menus as well as full bar and entertainment options to customize to your event.

CROWN YACHT CRUISES

Start daydreaming about your swanky event aboard a luxury catamaran by visiting the Crown Yacht Cruises (110 N Marina Dr) website and clicking through photos of Black Cat, a Samana 59 sailing yacht and the only vessel of its kind in North America. This stylish yacht features a full kitchen, above-and-below-deck lounge areas, dining table and swim platform. Guests can add a personal chef, DJ, bartender, decorator, or event planner to their reservation. For business meetings, the Black Cat is outfitted with a dropdown monitor and Bluetooth sound system for presentations.

Credit: Crown Yacht Cruises

SPIRIT CRUISES

Spirit Cruises (435 Shoreline Village Dr, Dock 9) offers harbor tours and dinner cruises for the public but on weekends their two double-decker yachts can also be chartered for private cruises. The 65-foot Pacific Spirit carries up to 60 guests and the 90-foot motor yacht Spirit carries up to 125, with options for hosted or cash bar and various menus to choose from, including a champagne brunch, seafood dinner, or Mexican fare. Bring your drink to the open air upper deck to take in views of Shoreline Village and the downtown skyline.

QUEEN MARY

Book your next event on a 1930s luxury ocean liner that also boasts an exciting history. The iconic Queen Mary (1126 Queens Highway) sailed to its permanent home in Long Beach in 1967. Today the ship is a hotel, museum, and events venue, offering several show stopping spaces rich with history; from the wood-paneled 720-square-foot Board Room to the 9,000-square-foot art deco Grand Salon, which originally served as the first class dining room. The Queen Mary offers full-service event planning, from linens and decor to audio visual technology and catering.

Credit: Queen Mary
About the Author
Claire Atkinson
Claire Atkinson is a Southern California native who has lived in Long Beach for nearly 20 years. She spends her free time visiting local parks, farmers markets, and museums, and loves learning about Long Beach history and culture.