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Guide to a Successful Holiday Houseboat Vacation

Looking to spend the holidays away from home this year? A holiday houseboat vacation on Lake Mead, Lake Powell or Lake Mohave might be just the right getaway you need to avoid the hustle and bustle of the busy season.

Here’s how to tackle the holidays according to our staff at Forever Houseboats:

Decorating

Christmas lights

Bring a few twinkling lights to string along your rental. It’s the perfect decoration because it provides an extra warm and cozy feeling to your space—plus the beautiful reflection off the water is an added bonus!

Wreath

A wreath adds just the right amount of holiday spirit to your houseboat. Hang it up somewhere where all crew members will catch a glimpse of it as they enter the cabin.  

Mistletoe

You must not forget about the mistletoe, a traditional staple in holiday décor. Spark a bit of romance on your vacation by hanging up a few mistletoes above the doorways.

Meal Planning

Designate roles

On a houseboat vacation, it’s important to designate roles to each member of the crew to ensure there is no miscommunication and everything runs smoothly. Create a spreadsheet that includes each meal and who is cooking it. Then, rotate it between the cleaning crew so the duties are shared.

Plan your meals

Since you won’t have access to a slew of restaurants and grocery stores while floating on the lake, we highly suggest taking the time to plan out your meals. Snacks are great for a short period of time, but eventually your crew will want a decent home cooked meal, especially during the holidays. Our houseboats come with fully equipped kitchens—including an oven, fridge and stove—and a grill on the deck, so you’ll have everything you need to whip up a good dinner. Keep in mind you’ll want to pack all the spices, ingredients and condiments you want to use and bring along a couple coolers with ice (or even dry ice) to transport your perishable goods.

Create a checklist

After all meals are accounted for, take the time to create a checklist of items you’ll need to pack. Don’t forget ice, beverages, drinking water and a few extra frozen meals as back up.

Additional Tips

Gift Giving

If you’re exchanging gifts this year, we suggest leaving some of the larger items to unwrap at home. It makes for a more enjoyable experience on the boat when there’s less things to crawl over in the already tight quarters.

Engage in Activities

One of the most important things to keep in mind when planning a successful holiday houseboat vacation is to make it fun! Bring along board games, cards and a karaoke machine to really crank up the good times. After all, spending time with your loved ones is what matters most!

This winter, start a new family tradition by spending the holidays on the water. At Forever Houseboats, we offer a wide variety of rentals on some of the best houseboating lakes in the southwest. Take a look at our fleet and start planning your vacation before the new year begins. Contact us today to make your reservation.