Team building in Gdansk on a boat is a format that ticks several boxes at once: bringing your team together, relaxed conversations with clients and showing the city to visitors from elsewhere. Two hours on the water have a clear start and finish, so they’re easy to fit into the schedule of a conference, a training course or a company day in the Tricity (the metropolitan area made up of Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia).
This guide is for the people who organise the event: HR teams, office managers and executive assistants. You’ll find scenarios, travel logistics, a sample cruise plan and a checklist.
Team building in Gdansk on a boat – when it works best
- Team building – especially when some people work remotely or in different offices across the Tricity and rarely meet face to face.
- An evening after a conference or training course – the cruise as an informal end to the day, after which participants head back to their hotel.
- Meeting clients and partners – conversations in a small group, with a view that is a talking point in itself.
- A reward or project wrap-up – a thank-you to a team that has delivered on an important goal.
- Visitors from abroad – Gdansk is a city of ports and shipyards, and seeing it from the water shows that far better than a coach tour.
In each of these scenarios a cruise has one advantage over a banqueting hall: everyone is in one place the whole time, and nobody “disappears” after the first hour.
A client event – how to keep it businesslike
When you’re meeting business partners, the first part of the cruise should encourage conversation: quieter background music, catering served so that it can be eaten standing up, and a short welcome instead of a long presentation. The dancing can be left until the end or skipped altogether. A small gift with your company logo or a boat trip voucher for key partners makes a nice parting gesture.
Logistics in the Tricity – getting participants to Gdansk
The boarding point and start time are agreed when you book, so that getting there is convenient for your group. When planning, it’s worth taking a few local realities into account:
- The SKM commuter railway links Gdansk with Sopot and Gdynia, so participants from offices in other parts of the Tricity can get there without a car.
- Guests arriving by plane land at Gdansk Lech Wałęsa Airport – give them some spare time between landing and the meeting point.
- The centre can get crowded in season. St Dominic’s Fair (Jarmark św. Dominika), held at the turn of July and August, fills the streets of the Main Town (Główne Miasto, the historic centre) for three weeks, and during the Baltic Sail tall ships rally, yachts and sailing ships from all over Europe moor at the marinas along the Motława. On dates like these, plan the meeting point with more time to spare.
- Getting home. If you’re serving alcohol, arrange transport home or give clear information about public transport – it’s part of organising the event responsibly.
A 2-hour corporate cruise in Gdansk – sample schedule
The plan below is a starting point. Adjust the balance between the official part and the party depending on the purpose of the event.
| Time | Programme item | Notes for the organiser |
|---|---|---|
| before departure | meeting point, red-carpet welcome, welcome drink | one person keeps the attendance list |
| 0:00–0:15 | a short speech from the management or host | agree on the microphone and sound system in advance |
| 0:15–0:50 | catering, conversation, networking | a menu with a vegetarian option |
| 0:50–1:20 | team-building games or a live performance | participation voluntary, no pressure |
| 1:20–1:50 | music and dancing, a flair bartending show | soft drinks given equal billing with alcohol |
| 1:50–2:00 | group photo, thank-yous, disembarking | on an evening cruise, take the photo earlier, while it’s still light |
If this is the first event of its kind at your company, also go through our step-by-step boat party planning checklist.
What BoatParty prepares for companies in Gdansk
For a corporate event on a boat in Gdansk we put together the elements to match the purpose of the event. Options include a professional sound system and club lighting, a welcome drink and a red-carpet welcome, hostesses and bartenders, a flair bartending show, team-building games, live performances, photo coverage and a keepsake HD video, as well as hot, cold or barbecue catering.
A personalised banner on the boat with your company name will put your brand front and centre. Every event is planned individually, and we issue VAT invoices to companies. If you’re looking for a reward for employees or a gift for a business partner, a boat trip voucher valid for 6 months is a great choice.
As a guide: packages in Gdansk start from €20 (Basic), €25 (Star) and €36 (VIP) per person for groups of 30 or more, and smaller teams receive an individual quote. We explain what the final amount depends on in our post how much does a boat party cost. You’ll find all occasions in the city on our page about boat parties in Gdansk.
HR checklist – team building in Gdansk on a boat
- Purpose and group. Team building, clients or a reward? This determines the balance between the official part and the entertainment.
- Number of people. For up to 30 people we’ll prepare a small groups offer; for more than 30, a large groups offer.
- Date. Send the form at least 5 working days in advance. For larger events and weekends in the summer season, book well ahead.
- Catering and dietary requirements. Collect participants’ preferences when they sign up.
- Alcohol policy. Decide what you’ll serve and make sure there are soft drinks and snacks.
- Information for participants. Meeting time, comfortable shoes, a warm layer for the evening and a note that there will be photo coverage.
- Contact person. Appoint one person on the company side who gathers participants on the day and stays in touch with the cruise organiser.
- Invoice details. Provide them as soon as you book.
What your team will see from the deck depends on the route agreed when you book – we describe examples of places visible from the water in our post Gdansk river cruise on the Motława – what you’ll see from the deck.
FAQ – corporate events on a boat in Gdansk
Do you issue VAT invoices for corporate events?
Yes, we issue VAT invoices to companies. It’s best to provide your invoice details as soon as you book.
What group sizes can you cater for at a corporate event on a boat in Gdansk?
We have an offer for small groups of up to 30 people and for large groups of more than 30. Package prices apply to groups of 30 or more; smaller teams receive an individual quote.
Can our company name appear on the boat?
Yes, we’ll prepare a personalised banner for the boat, e.g. with your company name or the event slogan.
Can we buy a cruise as a reward for employees?
Yes, a boat trip voucher is valid for 6 months, so recipients can choose a date during the season.
How far in advance should we book a corporate event?
The minimum is 5 working days before the event, but the sooner you send your enquiry, the better the offer we can prepare. Weekends in the summer season are worth booking well in advance.
Team building in the Tricity on the water – summary
A well-planned corporate cruise means two hours when your team is genuinely together. Define the purpose, the number of participants and your preferred date, and we’ll prepare an initial offer and help you tailor the programme to your company.
Book your private boat party
A corporate event on a boat in Gdansk: a cruise for your team, catering and a setting tailored to your company. Send us an enquiry and we’ll prepare an offer with a VAT invoice.
