boat trips with Swiss travel pass

If I have a Swiss travel pass, do I need to purchase boat trip tickets in advance?

No you don't, just line up early and show the pass they know what it is; I have never had trouble finding a seat inside or outside. there are no seat assignments, they have a set capacity number; if you have a 1st class pass you can sit on top.

I don't believe they even check when you board, but after the boat is underway they come around and check tickets, just like a train. That is when you show your pass.

There are no reserved seats (except special culinary excursions). Buying a ticket 6 months in advance gives no more rights to a seat than buying 6 minutes in advance with your app. It is who gets there first. In practicality, the boats are quite large, at least the ones I haave been on, 2 decks with the upper deck for 1st class ticket or pass holders. Inside seats are all across tables, because they would love to have you order some food or drink.

We did the excursion to the top of Mt. Rigi which is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. It involves a boat to a cog wheel train. The boat ride was lovely. The morning we had planned to do it was very cloudy/overcast so we were doing a self guided walking tour, instead. Well, like magic, the clouds opened up, we rushed over to the boat dock and 10 minutes before the boat was supposed to leave, we were still able to board.

Check the Swiss Travel Pass for sites that are included in the pass. We enjoyed the small art museum in Luzern that we could visit with the pass.