Updated February 2017
We all have special occasions to celebrate and every year we worry about the organisation of these events. Whether it’s the dreaded family reunion, the wedding of your dreams or your mums 60th birthday, it needs to be perfect. Will everyone be available that date? Will she like that? Will I have time to organise everything? These are just some of the questions I guarantee you will ask yourself when planning the ultimate celebration.
Gone are the days of sitting round eating jelly for a birthday, hiring a marquee in the garden for a wedding and booking a restaurant for the family reunion. Celebrations are far more extravagant now and every year we try to think of the newest and best idea to outdo last year’s turnout.
Going on a cruise is a celebration in itself, but they are now the perfect place to hold any occasion, from birthdays to weddings and from honeymoons to New Year parties. Taking the organisational stress away, the cruise lines have specialised teams to organise everything you need for your special time. Offering special packages, they are incredible value for money and ensure you have a celebration that will never be forgotten.
Birthday
Some of us look forward to our special day all year, whereas others would rather forget turning a year older, regardless, a birthday is a very special time. Whether you like to celebrate with your loved one or the whole family, a cruise is the perfect place to hold your celebrations.
Sure to be a birthday to remember, you will be able to celebrate in unbelievable style, whether that be simply relaxing or venturing new explorations. You can choose to book your yearly cruise over your birthday or book a short one especially for your day. Many cruise lines offer two or three night mini cruises that are great for special celebrations.
Before you sail you need to inform the cruise line or your travel partner of the birthday so they can prepare the onboard crew. For no extra charge the wait staff will bring out a slice of cake or special dessert with candles and a fun rendition of 'Happy Birthday' during dinner of your chosen evening.
For an extra charge you can order a cake before you sail (some cruise lines will allow you to do this onboard). With the option to have it delivered to your cabin, dining table or venue of choice, it is the perfect treat to share with your guests.
Many of the lines offer the hire of conference rooms so you could have a private party or celebration if you wish. Another option would be to hire a venue or reserve a table in one of the bars.
Other special birthday treats you can book include decorations for your room or cabin door, chocolate covered strawberries delivery, an onboard credit gift card or a special bottle of champagne delivery.
Many cruise lines also have kids birthday packages available that include gifts, drinks packages and a party in the onboard kids club.
Wedding
The most important day of your life – the statement that automatically brings daunting thoughts and planning fears. However, a wedding should be the happiest day of your life and nothing short of perfect from the moment you start planning.
Whether you dream of floating through sand on a paradise island in your dress or imagine a more traditional ceremony, a cruise can give you the most incredible wedding. From the planning of flowers, hair, make up and venue, the cruise line wedding team have impeccable planning skills to ensure your day is no short of breathtaking. Royal Caribbean even have permission to marry couples on their private island, CocoCay.
A wedding onboard will be held in the onboard chapel and blessed by the Captain himself. All cruise line chapels vary in size and design but all offer a beautiful setting in a tranquil venue that will be complete with decorations of your choice. From the flowers, ribbons and isle, it can be decorated exactly how you want it. After the service, you can hire our one of the onboard venues to have the afterparty or a section of the dining room for an exclusive meal. Live music or a DJ can also be provided.
It is not only an onboard wedding that a cruise offers, they can also arrange weddings on shore. From an enchanted beach wedding to a cosmopolitan city wedding, your every wish can be granted. The wedding planners will ensure you have everything on shore that you need, from the flowers, transport and food.
Family Reunion
A family reunion is probably one of the hardest celebrations to organise. Not everyone likes the venue, the date is non-agreeable and nowhere has something for the whole family to enjoy. Rest assured, a cruise will take any stress away and ensure everyone has fun.
With something for everyone, a cruise is the best venue for the children, parents and grandparents. Allowing you to enjoy activities together as well as on your own, there is nowhere else in the world that could offer the range of facilities together in one place. The children can enjoy the kids club, mum and dad can relax by the pool and gran and granddad can join in the trivia before all meeting to dine together.
As with any celebration, you can hire a room or venue onboard on a chosen night of your reunion cruise to have a special get together. Other ideas that make a cruise the ultimate solution to your family reunion are convenient family cabins, organised group photos and a convenient place for everyone to fly to, not to mention the opportunity to travel together that will create life-changing memories.
Honeymoon
A honeymoon is supposed to be one of the most remarkable holidays of your life. Creating memories that no-one can match, a cruise will take you to an array of fascinating destinations onboard luxurious and innovative ships.
As if this experience isn’t enough, most lines offer a honeymoon package that will create a whirl wind of romantic extras. From rose petals on your bed, a couple’s massage, breakfast in bed and chocolate strawberries with champagne delivered to your room, every moment of your honeymoon cruise will make you fall in love all over again.
Vow Renewal
A cruise showcases the perfect setting for a vow renewal and lets you relive that special moment. Conducted by the Captain, you will gather in the ship’s chapel that will be decorated in a enchanted fashion.
Whether you want a big celebration or an intimate affair, there will be an onboard team to ensure your ceremony and celebrations are above and beyond your dreams.
Proposal
Choosing that special place to propose to your loved one is said to be one of the most stressful decisions in a relationship. It needs to be somewhere thoughtful, special and unforgettable - a cruise is definitely all of those.
With a range of locations, you may want to propose in the intimate setting of a private part of a restaurant, the excitement of the bow of the ship or even on shore in an unforgettable location like an exotic beach in the Caribbean, the top of the Eiffel Tower or on a cable car ride over Rio De Janeiro.
Christmas
Although Christmas is the most exciting time of the year, it can be stressful to organise everyone together and satisfy all. Many of us think about going away for Christmas to take the stress away but then worry about the cost and the tradition of having the Christmas dinner at home.
Cruise ships turn into an enchanted winter wonderland over the Christmas period and thoroughly think about every aspect of the festive celebrations. Decked out with large Christmas trees and beautiful decorations throughout, the ships truly turn into a magical wonderland.
A schedule of special activities will be put on for the whole family and even Santa Claus himself will find you. Festive adventures are on hand for the whole family to enjoy and have an unforgettable Christmas.
Christmas dinner will never be the same after the feast you experience onboard. With the large culinary crew working around the clock to ensure you have all of your festive favourites as well as some new treats with no clearing away to do after, the food is just another reason you will never want to spend Christmas at home again.
Find out more about cruising at Christmas. Let our cruise experts help you find the perfect cruise for your special occasion.
