The Best Ways To Celebrate Birthdays As A Family

As any parent knows, the best birthday bashes are the ones you don’t have to organize or clean up after. When you migrate your family birthday celebration to a cruise, you can trade the post-party war zone (and most of the planning) for a sun lounger and something fruity.

On board, there are more birthday surprises than anyone could reasonably churn through in one vacation, coupled with exciting new destinations and the flexibility to move at your own pace. In this guide, we'll dive deep into the best ways to celebrate birthdays as a family on a cruise vacation. We’ll also offer practical tips for making birthday celebrations a piece of cake at sea.

Why Blow Out The Candles On A Cruise?

Cruises are where birthday wishes come true. Entertainment for kids, teens and adults comes built into the experience, with spaces to blow off some steam and reconnect as a family, coupled with dazzling destinations that set the scene for precious family memories.

If you're worried about disrupting the family routine, don't stress. Just opt for a weekend sailing, and you'll be back at work or school Monday morning. That keeps the special day low-commitment but high-impact. Add private-island perks in locations like Perfect Day at CocoCay, and you’ve got a recipe for the boldest birthday celebration with the family yet.

Tips For Planning A Cruise Birthday Celebration

In terms of planning, birthday cruises are widely considered light-touch vacations. That's because as soon as you're on board, you can hit the ground running: Accommodation, entertainment, the birthday dinner and even special surprises are all taken care of for you. Of course, there are a couple of things that'll make the trip that much smoother if you get onto them early, including:

● The booking process: Reserving your cruise and arranging travel to the port is about all you need to do. Booking the trip well in advance can remove last-minute stress. Then again, finding a last-minute cruise deal can, too.

● Stateroom considerations: If you're traveling with teens and tweens, you can book adjoining balcony staterooms to give the kids their own space while keeping everyone close. For an extra special occasion, suites offer additional room, privacy and perks.

● Choosing your destination: Weekend sailings to Perfect Day at CocoCay are a short hop away and jam-packed with birthday adventures for all ages. Plus, they're ideal for minimal time off. Longer cruises to destinations further afield work well for a milestone birthday.

● Ship considerations: All ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet are overflowing with thrills and chills for the big day. However, it's worth checking out specific features (like the Category 6 Waterpark on Icon of the Seas® or the Ultimate Abyss^SM dry slide on Utopia of the Seas®) to find a ship that vibes with your family.

● Activities and surprises: Book your must-do activities and special dining arrangements ahead of time so you’re not competing with a full ship.

● Travel documentation: If you're heading to another country, make sure your passports are up to date and organize your visas and travel documents well in advance to make the trip as smooth as possible.

On that note, let's dive deeper into the best ways to celebrate birthdays as a family once you get on board.

1. Plan Thrilling Birthday Party Activities

Think of the ship as a birthday playground with enough adventure to keep everyone bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. For starters, the young and the young-at-heart can make waves with big-ticket thrills. Race one another down record-breaking waterslides, then test your carving on the FlowRider® surf simulator. If you're seeking airborne action, head over to the onboard Zip Line and dart high above all the spectacle for unreal aerial views.

If you need a pause from the adventure, Vitality^SM Spa is ready and waiting with a full menu of rejuvenating treatments to bring you back down to Earth. For those bringing the little ones on a birthday cruise, Royal Caribbean offers the Adventure Ocean® Youth Program, which provides kids with their own supervised space to connect, play and spend the day their way. Meanwhile, you can sneak off for a quiet hour in the Solarium or take a sun-drenched nap without distractions.

You can also jump into hands-on options like dance classes, cupcake decorating or cocktail workshops that pave the way toward a new birthday tradition within the family. After sundown, the activities don't relent. Take your front-row seat at Broadway-style productions or catch electrifying ice-skating performances. Deeper into the night (and perhaps, once the kids are in bed), check out side-splitting adults-only comedy sets, live music and late-night DJ sessions, all contributing to the onboard nightlife scene.

2. Book Special Occasion Experiences

A birthday cruise with Royal Caribbean extends far beyond the ship itself, especially if you're taking your kid's birthday party to Perfect Day at CocoCay. While the day will start on the ship, the kids can launch straight into the action at Thrill Waterpark®, the bold among them battling for bragging rights as they zoom down Daredevil's Peak® — the tallest waterslide in the Caribbean. Adults celebrating a milestone will discover equally tempting offers at Hideaway Beach^SM, catering to those in need of a freshwater pool with a swim-up bar, resort-style loungers and a generously poured Coco Loco.

However, there are plenty of other fun places to go for your birthday that venture just beyond the oceanic backyard. If your cruise takes you to other incredible Caribbean destinations, your choice of shore excursions can turn every port of call into a new celebration. Take the kids snorkeling with tropical fish or trekking through lush vegetation and exotic wildlife deep in the rainforest. However you want to play it, all you need to do is choose the birthday mood, and Royal Caribbean handles the logistics.

3. Indulge In Celebratory Dining At Sea

Onboard restaurants transform birthday dinner into an event without making you work for it. Complimentary restaurants serve up family favorites, taking the pressure off quick bites and casual meals throughout the sailing — without the clean-up, of course. When you're ready to kick it up a notch, the specialty restaurants set the mood with expertly curated menus and beautifully plated dishes.

Drinks and dining packages keep the vibe smooth so adults can toast freely. Then, once the candles are blown out, you won't have to travel far to find your next venue, which could be anything from a karaoke competition, a theater show or a cocktail lounge for a nightcap. One thing's for sure, you won't have to find your parking spot.

4. Pick Thoughtful Cruise-Themed Gifts

Here's the thing about birthday cruises: Finding the perfect gift is almost too easy. That’s mostly because the whole shebang is glittered with new memories and experiences, but also because you can complement and elevate those with cruise-related gifts. It's just one more thing you don't have to worry about. Here are a few easy options that always land:

● Stateroom packages: Classic Royal Caribbean packages include decorations and treats to personalize your stateroom with a birthday party theme. For adults, the Luxury Happy Birthday package includes a few decorations, plus a chilled bottle of Moët and fresh strawberries.

● Specialty dining or spa vouchers: Gift the birthday person a specialty dining experience or an onboard spa treatment — you can even find age-appropriate treatments for kids and teens.

● Royal Caribbean merch: At the onboard store, you'll discover a range of branded keepsakes, perfect for kids who want something to show their friends or adults who love a souvenir with a story.

● Shore excursions: Gift an experience, like diving, boat tours or wine tastings for the adults. These family birthday trip ideas are memorable, simple to book and guaranteed to make wishes come true. Just remember to reserve your spot early as you're planning your cruise.

● Birthday cake: The Royal Caribbean chefs will bake a fresh, spongy chocolate or vanilla birthday cake to share on the day. A word of advice — make sure you organize it at least six hours before delivery.

The best part about these gift options is that — especially for parents — when you couple them with a celebratory cruise, you totally eliminate the need for complicated party planning, so you can focus on having just as much fun as the kids.

Set Sail For An Unforgettable Birthday This Year