We have been part of a dinner group (14 members originally, now 12) for years. We almost always have a theme. Many years ago, one couple hosted with a “cruise” theme — we all dressed in whatever our version of ”cruisewear” was — and they surprised the group by hiring two dance instructors who taught us how to ballroom dance. I don’t recall the menu but it was a fun night.

All I can think about is "The Love Boat"!! I am sure you are thinking something much more sophisticated but a campy ribbing of the show could be fun too!!

Gilligan’s Island immediately came to mind. Does Mtn Man own a white dinner jacket, a la Thurston Howell III? You could either be Lovey Howell or Ginger.

A tropical menu - pineapple, coconut, mango things; mai tais and/or gin and tonic (both can be with or without alcohol); fish as the main course (is your allergy limited to shellfish?), for dessert mango sorbet served in coconut shells or wooden bowls if you are fresh out of coconut shells.

bbstx - I also thought Gilligan's Island would be a fun twist.

Fun my firs ththought was a ” seven seas” theme sent you a chatgpt menu

Actually Mtn is a perfect blend of Lovey and Ginger!

Aww, thank you KSWL.

I LOVE the idea of a Gilligan's Island theme party! Too funny!

I think it would be fun to do something that captures the era of your home. Of course the first thing that comes to mind is the Titanic. I quickly googled and there are a lot of ideas out there. Here are a couple:

Titanic Dinner Party

https://www.storytellerscottage.com/post/host-a-last-night-on-the-titanic-dinner-party

First Class Menu

https://downtonabbeycooks.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/planning-your-titantic-tribute-first-class-menu/

OMG did you see how many course. I think the GI bit sounds like a good laugh.

Crazy busy day, this sounds sooooo elegant, courtesy of Jojo and her AI assistant!

This does sound very cool!

The Seven Seas Dinner Party

A Culinary Voyage Across the Waters

Welcome Cocktail

Siren's Song Sparkling Blue Mojito - White rum, mint, lime, blue curaçao, and sparkling water. Served with

salt-rimmed shell crisps.

Arctic Ocean Amuse-Bouche

Smoked Salmon Rosette on Rye Crisp with dill crème fraîche and capers.

Caribbean Sea Starter

Jerk Shrimp with Pineapple Salsa on a bed of coconut jasmine rice.

Mediterranean Course

Greek Mezze Plate - Hummus, tzatziki, dolmas, olives, grilled pita, and feta-stuffed peppers.

South China Sea Soup

Thai Coconut Lemongrass Soup (Tom Kha Gai) with chicken, mushrooms, and a chili-lime garnish.

Indian Ocean Entrée

Tandoori-Spiced Sea Bass with saffron basmati rice and cucumber raita.

Atlantic Ocean Intermezzo

Mini Lobster Rolls with Old Bay aioli and microgreens on brioche.

Southern Ocean Dessert

Antarctic Iceberg Meringue with blueberry-lavender compote and frozen lemon mousse.

OMG, that menu!! While for me it would be waaayy too much to eat, it is wonderful.

The GI theme sounds totally fun.

Sorry, Mtn., I didn't read through the thread to see that you had already decided on the Gilligan's Island theme. That sounds like great fun. Coincidentally, I was at a workshop last week where we did the Desert Island Survival group building activity. I was in a mostly twenty something group. When I brought up some of the Professor's hacks from Gilligan's Island I got no response. I asked if they had ever seen Gilligan's Island. Not a one! But that could be a good party game for you.

DH and I were Gilligan and Skipper for a Halloween party a few years ago. Just sayin, don’t have to be Mrs H or Ginger LOL.

No ideas as yet, but I can’t wait to hear all about it! And, you need to take pics to show us of the decs and goods!

OMG, that menu!! While for me it would be waaayy too much to eat, it is wonderful.

Yes of course! not to mention make. But it's an interesting premise for a shorter menu

I love the idea of it-- and everything sounds delicious!

What about MaryAnn???

At college boys would have heated party discussions over the question ”Ginger or MaryaAnn?”

Interestingly, they all had an instant reaction/opinion 😎

Great ideas here and I think Gilligan is perfect. I can't wait to read all about it.

So fun!

This sounds like so much fun! I’m excited to follow along.

I’ve had some downtime so I want to play a bit more with MTN’s request. Her house has always given me “the ghost and Mrs. Muir” vibes so I wanted to see what ChatGPT would do with that prompt. Of course I had to also ask it to do a centerpiece made from a Ouija board. It did not disappoint. Although I would’ve gone with blue hydrangeas and probably ferns.

I’ve had some downtime so I want to play a bit more with MTN’s request. Her house has always given me “the ghost and Mrs. Muir” vibes so I wanted to see what ChatGPT would do with that prompt. Of course I had to also ask it to do a centerpiece made from a Ouija board. It did not disappoint. Although I would’ve gone with blue hydrangeas and probably ferns.

I really love the idea of the Seven Seas theme, but even if I cheat by representing some of the themes with canapes, cocktails, or some sort of a bread course, it is still a lot of work. IME guests don't like the feeling that the hostess killed themselves. They feel more comfortable with meals that seems simple even if they are not (kind of the way people the like no-makeup makeup look). So, IDK.

Just the idea of Gilligan's Islands makes me smile. ChatGPT recommends a scavenger hunt to go with it, a fun idea esp. for a summer event. These folks would be game.

I don't want a costume party, and to me the characters either do not fit my sense of vanity or are too, ahem ... aspirational! Maybe some guests will choose to do so. Def have a few Thurstons and one friend is totally MaryAnn.

Still thinking, but you guys are great!

Just in case you need ideas:

On the River, of course. But honestly, any thai themed meal would work since so much of their diet seemed to be coconut based (and weirdly, banana cream pie.)

My comment disappeared while I was looking up recipes. Here’s the abbreviated version:

Cocktails (both have acceptable non-alcoholic versions)

Mai Tai

Gin & Tonic (non-alcoholic version: FeverTree Elderflower Tonic)

Appetizers

Shrimp skewers with pineapple (does your shellfish allergy preclude your handling it?)

Veggie Summer rolls with peanut dipping sauce

Salad maybe with some sort of coconut dressing?

Main

Grilled fish - preferably whole

Spinach (for the look of seaweed)

roasted new potatoes

Dessert

Mango sorbet with ginger cookies (I have good recipes for both and both can be made ahead)

Invitation should somehow mention a ”3 hour cruise.” If your DH has a white dinner jacket (or you can find one vintage shopping), he should wear it, preferably with madras Bermuda shorts and deck shoes (I’ve literally just described an outfit worn by one of the guys at a fraternity formal I went to).

While I think it would be a hoot for you to show up in an orange beaded dress, I think a casual summer outfit would be more comfortable.

I would probably do individual pavlovas for dessert because 1. I know you can and 2. they are very impressive and people think they are so over the top. ETA: I saw a recipe that had a coconut cream filling. That plus fresh mangos would be delish. What time should I show up?

For party games you have only to look at the lyrics of my personal favorite sea shanty ”What do you do with a drunken sailor?”

My favorite verses:

Shave his belly with a rusty razor,

Shave his belly with a rusty razor,

Shave his belly with a rusty razor

Early in the morning!

Put him in the scuppers with a hosepipe on him,

Put him in the scuppers with a hosepipe on him,

Put him in the scuppers with a hosepipe on him,

Early in the morning!

Keel haul him til he’s sober,

Keel haul him til he’s sober,

Keel haul him til he’s sober

Early in the morning!

There are many other less refined verses 😎 Just one of the ditties I sang in my youth on a sailing ship.

….a white dinner jacket, …. preferably with madras Bermuda shorts and deck shoes…

Perfect summer formalwear in the KSWLosphere!

Maybe have cocktails at the pool and have fun providing a pair of small remote controlled boats 🚤 for races between teams. You could set up a Seven Seas course in the pool, and guests could cruise around the world. 😂 Lots of creative ways to choose and outfit teams with fun hats (🧢 as above) , and silly prizes for the "tournament" winners. If you had anyone to enroll as a covert photographer, you might get some great pics to share with guests later.

Omg that boat idea is so fun, also love drinks by the pool

Kswl, that song was on a tape of ”kids songs” that we used to play in the car. My toddler sang along lustily! It’s a fun singalong if highly inappropriate lol

Pretty much any party that has "drinks by the pool" cannot fail. This is so fun.

Ooh, now I want to get boats for the grands to race in their pool! What fun!