How Olami Manhattan Brought Nearly 130 Guests Together on the Hudson

A private NYC cruise gave Olami Manhattan the space, flexibility, and support to kick off its programming year with nearly 130 young professionals.

Planning an event for more than 100 people in New York City is never exactly simple.

Add dietary requirements, a bar package with specific requirements, unpredictable weather, entertainment, security, and a guest list of nearly 130 people, and there are a lot of moving pieces to get right.

That was the challenge facing Olami Manhattan, a community for young Jewish professionals in New York City offering social events, classes, weekly programming, and opportunities to connect.

For its kickoff event, the team wanted something that felt memorable and social — and a private cruise around Manhattan fit the bill.

We sat down with Elana Kovalev and Millie Nagar to learn more about their experience.

Finding the right NYC boat tour for a private group

Olami Manhattan knew they wanted to do an event that everyone would enjoy. But, it had to be unique. So, they started looking for boat tours in NYC, but they weren’t getting very far. 

Eventually, they came across Starship NYC Events and Tours through their network. Other event planners and organizations had recommended the company, and after connecting with Starship NYC’s Yaniv DID, the decision became an easy one.

For the Olami Manhattan team, one of the biggest differentiators was how straightforward the planning process felt.

“Communication was easy. Pricing was transparent. Payment, planning, and even arranging a walkthrough of the boat were clearly laid out from the beginning.”

For an event professional managing a nonprofit budget and a long list of logistics, that mattered.

“What you see is what you get, if not more. Yaniv went above and beyond.”

From first conversation to event day in less than two weeks

Although the event had been in the works for six or seven weeks, Olami Manhattan connected with Starship NYC less than two weeks before the cruise.

That left plenty to coordinate quickly. Starship NYC helped the team work through details for a kosher-friendly bar package, including wine selections and ingredients for specialty cocktails.

Olami Manhattan also brought in its own kosher caterer, Fischer Brothers on the Upper West Side, who delivered directly to the pier. Starship NYC’s team received the catering and helped make the handoff simple.

By the time guests arrived, tables were set up, linens were provided by the boat, and Olami could bring aboard the remaining items it needed for the evening.

The group also brought its own DJ and security professional, while additional security was available onboard.

Nearly 130 guests — and room to make the event their own

The cruise was designed as a private, self-led event rather than a traditional narrated sightseeing tour.

Nearly 130 guests boarded for the evening, with Olami’s own programming and DJ providing the entertainment as the boat cruised past Manhattan’s landmarks.

Starship NYC even accommodated a small special request: sounding the ship’s horn as the boat left the pier.

The ship offered several different spaces for the group to use throughout the night. When the weather became windy and rainy, guests could comfortably gather inside. Once conditions improved, they headed back outside for views and photos from the bow and upper deck.

That flexibility turned out to be especially important.

Instead of weather derailing the experience, the group could simply move between indoor and outdoor spaces as the evening progressed.

Flexibility when the schedule didn’t go exactly to plan

Guests began boarding at 7 p.m., with departure planned shortly afterward. But, as anyone who has organized a large event knows, getting nearly 130 people anywhere at exactly the same time is easier said than done – especially when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Starship NYC’s captain and crew were able to hold departure for approximately 10 additional minutes, giving late-arriving guests a chance to board.

For the event team, those few minutes were invaluable.

The crew also helped guests feel comfortable despite less-than-perfect weather and remained accommodating throughout the evening.

“The team was second to none — so hospitable and adept at creating a warm, welcoming environment for our community.”

The hospitality wasn’t limited to the organizers, either. Staff were welcoming from the moment guests began boarding and continued providing support throughout the cruise.

An event guests wanted to do all over again

By the end of the evening, the response from the community said plenty.

One guest joked that they would happily do the event every week.

And for Olami Manhattan, the experience created something even more valuable: confidence that the format could work again.

The team is already thinking about future events, including another kickoff event next year.

For organizations planning large group gatherings in NYC, the appeal is simple. A private boat creates the backdrop — skyline views, indoor and outdoor space, and a built-in sense of occasion — while still leaving the group free to make the event its own.

For Olami Manhattan, that meant their own DJ, their own catering, their own programming, and nearly 130 guests coming together for the start of another year.

And when the inevitable last-minute details came up, there was a team ready to help make them work.

Planning a private group event in NYC?

Starship NYC hosts private cruises for community organizations, nonprofits, corporate groups, celebrations, presentations, and other large events.

With flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, catering and beverage options, room for entertainment and programming, and a team that can help coordinate the logistics, groups can create an event that feels like their own — with Manhattan as the backdrop.