Work Christmas Parties
Staff Christmas parties on the water
Take the team out on the Hauraki Gulf. Whole boat to yourselves, 10 to 40 people, skipper and crew included.
Organising the work do usually lands on one person, and most of the options in Auckland are a room with a set menu. This is the other kind of day: the whole boat to yourselves, out on the water, with someone else doing the driving.
We run these for trades, civil and construction crews right through December, as well as office teams, clients and end-of-project shouts. Groups are typically 10 to 40 people.
December weekends go first, and once a date is gone it is gone. If you have a week in mind it is worth calling early, even if the headcount is not final.
Two ways to do it
Same boat, same crew. The difference is what the day looks like.
A fishing day
10 to 40 people · From $2,100
Out into the Hauraki Gulf for the day, with up to 25 people fishing at once. Rod, reel and bait hire are available and our crew are on board. Most of our December work groups choose this one.
- Rod and reel hire available
- Bait and berley available
- BBQ meal option on board
A harbour cruise
10 to 40 people · From $2,600
Three hours around the Waitemata and the inner islands. Food, drinks and music, with the city and the Harbour Bridge as the backdrop. Better for bigger groups and mixed crowds.
- Up to 40 people
- BYO bar licence available
- Plug in your own playlist
Not sure which suits your crew? Give us a call and we will talk it through. Most work groups end up fishing, but plenty just want to eat, drink and look at the city.
Not just Christmas? We run the same charters year-round for end-of-project shouts, client days and team days - see corporate charters.
What is sorted for you
- The whole boat is yours
- No sharing with another group, no fixed seating plan, no set finish time you have to work around.
- Skipper and crew included
- You are not running anything. Turn up, and the crew handle the rest.
- Food handled
- BBQ meal on board at $45 per person, or bring your own catering aboard.
- Drinks handled
- BYO alcohol is arranged in advance and served by our bar staff, since MV Koru is a licensed vessel. A licence and bar staff fee applies - call us for the current rate.
- One invoice
- One booking, one invoice, with your PO or reference number on it if you need one. No collecting money off 25 people.
Prices above are charter prices for the whole boat, not per head. Full pricing, including peak and off-peak rates and the extras list, is on each charter page, or all in one place in what a private boat charter actually costs.
On board MV Koru
Why it works for site crews
A day on the water is one of the few things that works across a whole crew. There is no dress code, nobody has to make small talk over a plated dinner, and the people who would not turn up to a restaurant will turn up for this.
It is also a straightforward way to mark the end of a job or a hard year, and to say thank you to a team you want to keep. Plenty of our December bookings are exactly that rather than a Christmas party as such.
Locking in a date
Give us a rough date and headcount and we will tell you what is still open. You do not need final numbers to hold a date, and we can sort the details closer to the day.
Christmas FAQ
Common questions about work Christmas charters
More in the full FAQ, including weather, what to bring and where we depart from.
When do I need to make my booking?
Plan ahead — Christmas is our busiest time and the peak times in November and December fill up early. To secure your preferred date, book now by paying a $450 deposit (call 0800 262 844 or email us).
How many people can we take?
Ultimate Charters’ large group boat MV Koru is Auckland’s largest fishing charter boat, capable of hosting up to 40 guests + crew. While we fish up to 25 people at one time, there is plenty of space upstairs for people to take a break and enjoy the view.
Do you offer any options other than fishing?
Ultimate Charters is best known for its fishing charters, however we also offer other great experiences on the water. Choose from a harbour cruise through to spending a relaxing fun-filled afternoon in a sheltered bay swimming or simply chilling out with the stereo on, bar open and BBQ grilling.
How much does it cost?
We have a few different options to choose from depending on the day of the week, charter optional items such as catering, etc. Call us to get a custom quote or check out pricing for our large group fishing charters or harbour cruises.
Why choose Ultimate Charters for your Christmas party?
There’s nothing like a day out on the water in good company. Ultimate Charters leads the way in customer service to ensure you and your group have the best experience possible — from learning new fishing tips and tricks to being waited on with catering.
How long are the charters?
If you want a shorter evening function, the harbour cruise is 3 hours, departing from 3pm. That is what most work groups pick when not everyone wants to fish.
Fishing charters run 6 hours over the summer period, departing 7am (back 1pm) or 3pm (back 9pm). Six hours sounds long for a work do, but it is the shape a fishing day needs - and the upper deck means anyone who has had enough of the rods has somewhere comfortable to sit, eat and watch the harbour.
Winter fishing charters run 8 hours. If you need something tailored to your team, give us a call and we will work it out.
Can we bring our own food?
Yes — you are welcome to bring your own food aboard. On harbour cruises, BBQ hire is included (sauces, napkins, cutlery and paper plates provided). On fishing charters, BBQ hire is $150 with the same setup so you can cook on our large onboard BBQ. If you would rather we take care of the catering, we offer fully cooked BBQ meals and snacks from $45 per person.
Can we BYO alcohol?
Yes you can bring alcohol on board if it has been arranged and agreed to prior. One of our barmen will serve your drinks to you and as a licensed venue we have rules to abide by. Call us for more information on BYO alcohol.
Is there a fridge on board?
No fridge, but we do have chilly bins with ice loaded ready when you step on board.
Is there a sound system on the boat we can use?
Yes absolutely — you can use the boat stereo by connecting via Bluetooth.
Is there a toilet on board?
Yes, there are two onboard. These are regular domestic toilets like you would find at home.
Planning the work Christmas do?
Tell us roughly when and how many, and we will tell you what is still free in December.