9 to 12 Months in Advance
The first thing you need to do is decide on a budget. Be sure to include money for extra activities your group might want to do. These could be docking the boat and going to a fancy restaurant on shore, renting kayaks or visiting some national parks. Set money aside for fuel charges as well.
You’ll also want to take note of how many people are coming and start thinking about what kind of trip you want. Some houseboat destinations are full of energy-filled activities, while others are calmer and more relaxed.
3 to 9 Months in Advance
The next step is one of the most exciting ones: Choose your destination! Bookings are made fairly far in advance, so once you choose where you want to go, you should call us up to reserve your spot.
It’s best if you have a couple of dates in mind that work for your group. If you have flexibility in your departure date, you can get a better deal.
2 to 3 Months in Advance
At this time, you’ll want to start thinking about what activities you and your group want to do. Some destinations have places where you can rent kayaks, jet skis and other watercraft. However, often these need to be reserved in advance.
Around this time, you’ll also make your final payments on the houseboat.
If you want to save money, start looking into travel and lodging arrangements. Flights are usually cheapest when bought in advance, especially during the holiday and summer seasons.
Last Month
Start making a packing list. For ideas about what to bring on your trip, check out our guide on what to pack. If you have any questions, you can call one of our travel specialists or write it down and ask us when you get here.
Get a sitter for any pets or plants that need to be taken care of while you are away. Coordinate with others in your group on arrival times and make sure that everyone is clear about departure.
Lastly, don’t forget to go grocery shopping. While all our houseboats have fully functioning kitchens, you’ll need to bring your own food. Make a meal plan for the week and shop prior to departure.
Then come pick up your boat! We’ll teach you how to operate it while you’re there, so you can just focus on getting ready before then.
Get Help Planning Your Houseboat Vacations
Want more information about planning your houseboat vacation? Check out some of our other helpful blog posts or contact us. We’re dedicated to helping you have the best vacation yet!
