Austin Party Boat Checklist — What to Bring on Lake Travis
Plan with the Austin party boat checklist Premier sends every booked group. 4.9★ across 450+ reviews. BYOB cans + plastic, ice from HEB, sunscreen, floats, no glass.
An Austin party boat checklist for Lake Travis is short — most of the work is done by the captain — but the few items the group brings are the difference between a smooth day and a sunburned-and-thirsty one. Below is the Austin party boat checklist Premier Party Cruises sends to every booked group, refined over 15+ years and 150,000+ guests on Lake Travis. BYOB cans and plastic, sunscreen, floats, and bagged ice cover 90% of it.
The essential Austin party boat checklist — what every group brings
BYOB drinks — cans and plastic only, no glass on Lake Travis (the rule is statewide and the captain enforces it). White Claws, Topo Chico Hard, Truly, beer cans, canned wine, plastic-bottled mixers all welcome. Party On Delivery (Premier's sister company) can pre-stock the boat 30 minutes before boarding so the group doesn't make an HEB run on charter day. Bagged ice — Premier does not sell ice on the boat, so bring 2 bags per cooler from any HEB on 183 N on the way to Anderson Mill Marina, or order ice through Party On Delivery with the BYOB stock.
Sunscreen — Lake Travis sun is intense April through October, with 95°+ afternoons in summer. Reef-safe SPF 30+ minimum; reapply every 90 minutes. Hats and UV-rated sunglasses for anyone who burns easily. Pool floats — the captain anchors at a swim cove for 60–90 minutes mid-charter, and a 6-pack of inflatable floats turns the cove into a floating lounge. Bluetooth speaker is unnecessary — every Premier boat has Bluetooth + AUX audio in the base rate.
Austin party boat checklist additions for specific occasions
Bachelorette charters — sashes, custom koozies, a portable polaroid camera, and a Yeti tumbler for the bride. Premier coordinates a pre-staged decor package on request. Bachelor charters — a Bluetooth-connected speaker is redundant (boat audio is louder), but a waterproof speaker in the cove for swim-time can be useful. Family charters — kids' sunscreen sticks (easier to apply), snacks for the under-10 set, towels, and waterproof bags for phones. Corporate offsites — printed name tags if the group has clients meeting for the first time; the audio handles a wireless mic on request.
All ages welcome on private Premier Party Cruises charters — the 21+ rule only applies to the public ATX Disco Cruise. For multi-generation Austin party boat checklist runs (grandparents, infants, teens), USCG-approved life jackets in every size are already on every Premier boat regardless of who is booked.
Austin party boat checklist — what NOT to bring
No glass — bottles, jars, glass tumblers, glass-sided coolers — Lake Travis statewide rule. Bring canned or plastic equivalents. No ice from Premier — Premier doesn't sell ice; the workaround is bagged ice from HEB or pre-stocked through Party On Delivery. No outside speakers — the boat audio system in every Premier rental is louder than any portable Bluetooth, so a personal speaker is redundant and creates audio conflicts. No glitter — confetti, glitter, or anything that blows overboard is a Lake Travis litter violation; substitute with reusable decor.
No drugs — Texas law applies on the water exactly like on land, and the captain enforces it. No firearms — Premier's insurance excludes coverage for firearms on the boat regardless of CHL status. The captain handles all safety; guests focus on the day.
Planning a bachelorette weekend?
Bachelorette charters add a few items to this checklist — sashes, koozies, theme-specific decor. For the list of Austin bachelorette themes that work on a 4-hour Lake Travis day, see /austin-bachelorette-party-themes. For the full 3-day weekend format the boat day anchors, see /bachelorette-weekend-in-austin.
Frequently asked questions
What is on the Austin party boat checklist for Lake Travis?
BYOB cans and plastic (no glass), bagged ice (Premier doesn’t sell ice), reef-safe SPF 30+ sunscreen, hats, UV sunglasses, pool floats for the swim-cove stop, towels, and any occasion-specific decor (sashes, name tags, koozies). Audio, coolers, and life jackets are already on the boat in the Premier base rate.
What should I bring on a party boat in Austin for a bachelorette?
Standard Austin party boat checklist plus sashes, custom koozies, a polaroid camera, and a Yeti tumbler for the bride. Premier coordinates pre-staged decor packages on request — sashes, balloons, banners cleared by the captain so they don’t fly off.
Do I need to bring my own life jackets?
No. Every Premier boat carries USCG-approved Type II and Type III life jackets in every adult, child, and infant size — regardless of whether the booking lists kids. Pre-season inspected for buckle integrity and flotation rating.
Can I bring my own Bluetooth speaker?
You can, but it is redundant. Every Premier boat has a full Bluetooth + AUX audio system with corner-mounted speakers in the base rate — louder than any portable Bluetooth and tuned for both background music and full-volume playlists.
Why is glass not on the Austin party boat checklist?
No glass on Lake Travis is a statewide rule, not a Premier policy. Glass that breaks on the boat or in the water is a hazard for swimmers, dogs, and the lake itself. Bring canned or plastic equivalents — every drink available in glass is also available in cans or plastic at HEB.
Should I bring food on the Austin party boat checklist?
Optional but encouraged for charters longer than 3 hours. Salt Lick, Eddie V’s, Stiles Switch, Terry Black’s, and Carillon all deliver to Anderson Mill Marina with 24h notice. Premier does not provide catering — bring-your-own or pre-coordinate delivery to the dock.