Your birthday is coming up, and you are racking your brains to celebrate it in the most unique way. Or it’s your child’s milestone birthday, and you want to do something different from the regular party at home, restaurant, or a party hall. What do you think about celebrating yours or your loved one’s big day while sailing on the vast ocean? Yes, we are talking about cruising. While cruise holidays are quite popular, not many may think about having a birthday party onboard. But cruises offer you the chance to celebrate your birthday in the most unique and memorable way possible. The best part – you can observe this day the way you want to – with a quite cake cutting ceremony at the restaurant, a huge party with all the frills, or everything in between. Here are some of the ways you can enjoy a birthday party cruise.
Guest List
This is the first step to take before you book your birthday cruise. You need to choose your party guests, i.e., the people you want to invite to your party. This could be just you and your spouse, your family (including kids), your extended family, or all your close friends and relatives. It is important to take a head count before you book the cruise. Several cruises offer group packages for people celebrating birthdays. This not only includes deals and discounts but also staterooms on the same floor with connecting doors, so that you can have a fun time with everyone, anytime during the day and night.
Choosing the Right Cruise
The answer to the question, how to choose the best cruise for you will depend on how you want to celebrate your special day. Do you want to pamper yourself and enjoy your birthday in luxury? Or do you want to party till the wee hours of the morning? If you are cruising with your family, you will need to find a family-friendly cruise, which has activities for people of all ages, including children. For instance, you cannot take your single, adult friends on a cruise that cater more to families. That would be a recipe for disaster. Similarly, if you are celebrating your kid’s birthday, a kid-friendly cruise like the Disney cruise would be more appropriate. So, research well and choose carefully.
Bespoke Birthday Experience
Are you someone who likes an intimate birthday celebration with just your loved ones or are you someone who likes to go full throttle when it comes to celebrating the day you were born? Either way, you can customize your birthday celebrations on the cruise. Most cruise lines offer different birthday packages, which you can choose depending on your tastes and interests. A typical cruise birthday party package may include stateroom decorations. Your stateroom would be decorated with balloons, festoons, flowers, champagne, wine, chocolates, fresh fruits, etc., or as per the theme you choose. Decorations may also be done on the main door of your room, so that other guests know that you are celebrating your birthday. Some birthday packages may include a party hall, complete with decorations, cake, DJ, and food as well. You may also find packages where you get special treatment on the day of your birthday. Alternatively, for those who are keen on a low-key affair, the staff would bring them a cake to your dining table and sing the birthday song for you.
Enjoy the Activities Onboard
Cruises are known for their amazing onboard activities. From adventure to entertainment, there are numerous options to choose from here. Most cruises come with one or more swimming pools, some even with water slides, drench buckets, and geysers. You can choose to spend some of your time in the pool with your family and friends. If it is a kid’s friendly cruise, you will find an array of kid-friendly activities, including dance workshops, scavenger hunts, etc. Many cruises have clubs like science clubs and activity clubs that would keep your kids engaged. Cruises also cater for adults, and you will find wine tasting, Broadway shows, music concerts, indoor games, and casino nights to suit your interests. Your cruise may also have a nightclub, where you can dance the night away to celebrate your birthday on a cruise.
Indulge in a Spa Session
What better day to pamper yourself than your birthday? Indulging in a spa session is one of the best birthday cruise ideas. Spas and wellness centers are a prime feature of most cruises. You can book yourself for a spa session and enjoy a full body massage or a hot stone massage to relax your body and mind. These spas also offer a whole array of beauty treatments, including manicure, pedicure, facial, acupuncture, steam, etc. Some cruises may also offer you discounted rates or deals as a special offer for your birthday.
Go for Shore Excursion
Cruising does not mean staying on the ship at all times. You also get the chance to visit interesting places and explore various cultures during your tour. If you are traveling with your family and friends, you can book a shore excursion for your entire group on your birthday. The shore excursion could include a sightseeing tour of the city, indulging in adventurous activities the place offers, relaxing on the beaches, getting to know about the culture of the place, and more. Some cruises may offer special deals on shore excursions, especially if you are booking a tour for a large group of people.
Enjoy a Special Dinner
Your birthday cannot be complete without a scrumptious dinner. Cruises are known for their food, and most of them have multiple restaurants and cuisines to cater to different palettes. You can have a party out of it by getting dressed up for your birthday dinner. Rather than going to the same main dining hall as always, you can choose a specialty restaurant for your special day. Cruises have multiple specialty restaurants, and you can choose the one that interests you the most. If you inform the restaurant about your birthday beforehand, they may also arrange a special cake or dessert for you.
FAQs about Celebrating Birthdays on Cruises
1. Do I need to inform the cruise about my birthday in advance?
Yes, if you want to celebrate your birthday in style, you need to inform in advance. This is especially true if you are opting for the birthday package that the cruise is offering. Most cruises require you to inform them about your birthday 3-4 weeks in advance. This will give the cruise enough time to make the necessary arrangements like decorations for your room, party planning, etc.
2. Should I book a cruise package for my birthday through an agent, or can I do it directly through the cruise website?
You can book a cruise for your birthday through an agent or directly through the website too. However, there are some advantages to booking through an agent. With an agent, you get access to several deals and discounts, which you may not get when you book directly. The agent will give you all the information you need to know about how to plan a cruise holiday.
3. Can I get my own birthday decorations for my stateroom?
Yes, most cruises do not have a problem if you carry your own decorations. However, do confirm the same with your cruise line.
4. Is it necessary to buy a drinks package?
The answer to the question would depend on person to person and group to group. If you are a large party going on a cruise to enjoy your birthday, getting a drinks package would save you some money, as buying separate drinks on the cruise can be very expensive.
5. Is there a dress code for cruise holidays?
One common question many have is what to wear on a cruise. Cruises may have their own dress codes, but most of them are okay with casual clothing. If you are planning to dine at a specialty restaurant, you may have to dress up in formal attire, if the rules of the restaurant demand it. You can also have a dress code for your birthday party.
6. Do I need to get my own photographer to capture the moments of my birthday party?
You can bring your own photographer, but you will have to pay for his/her cruise ticket as well. Instead, you can hire an in-house cruise photographer, in which case you only need to pay for the photography services. You can check with the cruise line to know if they provide such services.
7. Will all my guests need travel insurance?
Yes, it is best to take travel insurance for everyone who is accompanying you on your birthday cruise holiday. So, are you excited to celebrate your birthday on a luxury cruise? What are you waiting for then? Connect with your agent and book a birthday cruise of your dreams today!
