Boat party & cruise stag do

Boats leave from Albufeira Marina, about ten minutes' drive from the centre, or from Vilamoura Marina further along the coast. The public party boat is a Saturday-afternoon fixture from April to mid October: two hours from about 4.30pm, a DJ, swim stops and transport back to the Strip, and the onboard bar can be cash only. Private charters run three hours with an open bar and paddleboards, for groups of 12 to 60. Cave cruises towards Benagil carry water and soft drinks only. Check in 30 minutes early, and note that crews refuse boarding to anyone visibly intoxicated.

Boats in Amsterdam are canal boats, not party ships. The usual booking is a private boat with a skipper, picking up in the centre, for 90 minutes to two hours round the Canal Ring with beer, wine and soft drinks included. Variations add a pizza each, a barbecue cooked on board by a chef, or a stop at two Dutch bars along the way. Shared one-hour cruises suit a smaller group. Many operators take a security bond per boat on boarding, and minimums of eight to ten are standard. A late-afternoon slot finishes you in the centre in time for dinner.

Barcelona's boats are on the Mediterranean, mostly leaving from the Port Olímpic area, and the season runs roughly March to October. The public party boat lasts two hours with a DJ and drink vouchers; check-in closes 30 minutes before departure, and the on-board bar is cash only. The catamaran barbecue cruise lasts three hours with a swim stop and is shared with up to 80 people. For privacy, a 14-metre catamaran takes up to 28 with a skipper, and smaller sailing boats take 8 to 11, sometimes with a deposit on boarding. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun cream and ID.

Lisbon's boats run on the Tagus and out along the coast, passing under the 25 de Abril Bridge and Belém Tower. The public party boat leaves from the centre, 7pm to 11pm on Saturdays from March to October and on Thursdays and Fridays in summer, with a DJ and two drinks each. Private boats and catamarans for 12 to 18 leave from marinas at Belém or Alcântara for two or three hours, day or evening. Some let you bring your own drinks, but cans only and no red wine. Anyone who arrives intoxicated is refused boarding. Bring swimwear for daytime sails.

London's party boats run four hours on the Thames: 7pm to 11pm on Fridays and 8pm to midnight on Saturdays, with boarding 15 minutes before departure. They leave from a central pier, usually Festival Pier or Westminster, confirmed about a week ahead, and pass the London Eye, Tower Bridge and Greenwich. Expect a DJ, a pay bar and a light buffet. Afternoon themed cruises run from about 1pm to 5pm. It is strictly 18+ with photo ID, and free club entry afterwards has to be requested in advance. Some boats do not sail in December.

There are three Prague formats on the Vltava. Beer boats are pedal-powered with a captain, seat 11 or 12, run for 90 minutes in daytime slots, and refuse anyone who arrives under the influence. Private cruises last about 55 minutes with beer and wine on board, leave on the hour from near Mánes Bridge, ask you to arrive 30 minutes early and sometimes take a returnable deposit. The big public party boat is the late option, with two decks and a DJ, boarding around 10:30pm. Bring ID for all three, and expect larger groups to be split across boats.