Celebration Vacations at Sea: A Guide to Special Occasion Cruises

Why Cruising Is a Great Option for Celebrating Your Special Occasion

Traditional celebrations can last merely hours. Selecting a party cruise as your celebration venue keeps the party going for the full length of your vacation. More time to celebrate means more time to reconnect with the people you love.

I’ve celebrated so many important moments in my life on a Royal Caribbean cruise, including my wedding, honeymoon, milestone birthdays and family reunions. Here are a few reasons to choose to cruise for your next celebration.

Everything’s Already Planned for You

The best part about cruise celebrations is that rather than spending all of your time planning every last detail (I'm a bit Type A by nature and have a tendency to go overboard), everything is already organized for you on a celebratory cruise. Your meals, accommodation, activities, entertainment and stunning destinations are waiting for you — all you have to do is show up and enjoy the party.

There’s Plenty of Time to Connect With Everyone

During major celebrations, it can be difficult to make everyone feel like a valued guest. As the guest of honor or host, your focus may be pulled in so many different directions. This makes it hard to sit down and enjoy some one-on-one time with each guest.

That’s not the case on a cruise. If your celebration voyage spans three or four nights plus, you have plenty of time to enjoy the company of your guests without worrying about anything else.

What to Expect on Your Celebratory Cruise

Dining That Brings Everyone Together

Food plays an important role in celebrations, and you’d be hard-pressed to find the quality of food and service that you'll find on board. With plenty of complimentary dining options to choose from, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to bring everyone together and create lifelong memories.

If you're up for the formal dress code or an extra special celebratory dinner, reserve a table at one of the onboard specialty venues. Available on select ships, Chef's Table serves six-course tasting menus with wine pairings. Enjoy dishes made with decadent ingredients like filet mignon, truffles and lobster.

You’ll also have a wide selection of complimentary restaurants serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks. The main dining room dishes up rotating three-course meals, while the Windjammer Marketplace offers global cuisine from Japan and Jamaica to Jaipur and beyond.

Activities for Everyone To Enjoy

One of my favorite aspects of cruising, especially with larger groups, is the flexibility that lets everyone find something unique they enjoy. Try waterslide races or basketball tournaments, arise at dawn for an early morning yoga session or head to an onboard comedy club for an adults-only set.

You’ll find plenty more opportunities for thrills and chills on board, including activities like:

• Getting pedicures at the onboard spa.

• Simulated surfing on the FlowRider® (available on select ships).

• Simulated skydiving on the RipCord® by iFLY (upgrade; available on select ships).

• Challenging each other to the bumper car experience.

There are so many great ways for people to explore on their own, while also reuniting throughout the day.

Post-Sundown Entertainment and Nightlife

After dinner, head out for an unforgettable aerial show in the AquaTheater, where you can watch unimaginable stunts fling over the water. Or, end your day with a nightcap at one of the onboard bars and lounges. From specialty wine bars to live music venues and everything in between, there are more than enough options to settle into your celebratory vibe for the night.

If you like to dance, spend some time at Boleros, a Latin hot spot with a live band and abundant opportunities to salsa, merengue or samba with breaks to clink glasses overflowing with tart lime daiquiri. Later on, visit Casino Royale and take your chances on Lady Luck.

Note that AquaTheater, Boleros and Casino Royale are available on select ships. Check your ship and sailing to see which activities you can enjoy.

Incredible Destinations and Adventures

You’ll have your choice of dazzling destinations to explore when you sail with Royal Caribbean, each with unique landscapes, cultures and adventures waiting for you. For Caribbean destinations, it's hard to pass on a stop at Perfect Day CocoCay, regardless of your group size. There, you’ll find a gorgeous lagoon-style pool, complimentary snacks and plenty of pristine white-sand beaches to spread out on. You can also upgrade to enjoy Coco Beach Club®.

If it's a quieter milestone, Old San Juan is a cultural Caribbean hot spot, with cobblestone streets and cafés serving fresh local grounds, while a stop in St. Thomas is perfect for picking up a little something to mark the occasion — think local jewelry or specialty rum to bring home.

Special Events Worth Celebrating at Sea

Celebration Vacations for Two

When it comes to celebrating an anniversary or milestone birthday with someone special, nothing’s better than a long-weekend cruise with sand, surf and sunshine. For anniversary cruise ideas, try a quiet, rejuvenating trip with plenty of spa treatments: couples massages, salt scrubs and time in the thermal suite are all on the menu. Check your sailing to see which experiences are available on your ship; also note that some may be optional upgrades.

If you're enjoying a birthday or anniversary cruise, you might also want to spend some time in the Solarium on select ships. This adults-only sanctuary includes a pool, bar and bistro and plenty of space to stretch out on a lounge chair, catch up on a good book or enjoy a craft cocktail.

Consider treating your loved one with a romance package. It's one of my favorite birthday and anniversary cruise ideas, and it's easy to order in the Cruise Planner once you've booked. You’ll get these surprises delivered to your stateroom on the first day if purchased pre-cruise. Enjoy lowers, sparkling wine and chocolate-dipped strawberries at turn-down. Book a stateroom with a veranda, and savor a glass of wine with views stretching to the horizon as you toast to another year.

Celebration Cruise for Your Whole Crew

To plan your celebration vacation itinerary — that could be a college reunion, a cousin's weekend or a bachelorette party — start by figuring out if your group is looking to relax or party. Take a look at the ships and destinations to find one that offers a good blend of activities.

On a cruise, you can even book a block of adjacent staterooms or suites and decorate the doors in honor of the celebration. Opt for lightweight, foldable items that won't take up too much space in your suitcase — streamers, signs and magnets are all inexpensive choices that will make your space feel festive. If you have a theme, now is also the time to lean into it! Consider commemorative T-shirts, hats and water bottles. If you're a big group — like a family reunion — you can even plan your own themed dress codes for a party within a party.

A Wedding They Won't Forget

Nothing makes wedding planning simpler than handling everything in one place, and a cruise wraps a vacation into the celebration, too. Royal Weddings offers a wide variety of wedding packages, and you have the option of working with a designated wedding specialist who will help you pick where on board you tie the knot.

If you want to go bigger, you could even get married at Perfect Day CocoCay — a resort-style experience with beaches, pools and a water park — while the ship is at port. At Perfect Day CocoCay, make your promises on the beach with your toes in the sand and the sound of the waves lapping at the shore. Then, fly away on a romantic, colorful helium balloon ride or just kick back, hand in hand, on lounge chairs by the infinity pool.

Finish the day in a private Overwater Cabana, toasting to your new life together with icy Mai Tais and frozen margaritas in hand. Before you head back to the ship, you can jump into the warm blue sea for a photo — and a moment — you'll never forget.

Note that additional fees apply for legal weddings at sea and private destinations.

Personalizing Your Celebration Cruise

When you need some unique anniversary vacation ideas, tips for birthday weekend getaways or graduation vacation ideas, here's how to make your celebration cruise really stand out.

Bring the Party Onboard With Festive Decor and Custom Touches

As you’re celebrating something special, why not splurge a little to make the moment one you'll never forget? Royal Caribbean offers a full menu of options for decorating the stateroom of the honored guest (or guests) to the nines. Party and birthday cruise packages include:

• Magnetic door signs.

• Mirror clings.

• Hanging decorations

• Photo frames.

You don't have to order these decorations through the cruise line (you may want to tuck your own streamers and door decorations in your suitcase), but the advantage of ordering in advance is arriving in a room with decorations already delivered and waiting for the grand surprise when you arrive..

Go the Extra Mile With Special Deliveries and Experiences

For one of the best celebration vacation ideas ever, you can order ahead to have a special chocolate or vanilla birthday or anniversary cake delivered to your table — complete with candles, singing waiters and your name written in icing.

If you want to go even further, you might add:

• A delivery of sparkling wine, chocolate-covered strawberries, fruit or flowers.

• A spa treatment.

• Dinner at a specialty restaurant.

• A shore excursion.

Plus, you can also purchase other gifts in advance and have them delivered to a stateroom for a special occasion surprise.

Make the Most of Perks Like Professional Photography

Celebrating with a big group on a cruise gives you access to little extras you may not think to include in an at-home party — and they're often included in your cruise fare. For example, you might hire the onboard photographers to capture your incredible times together.

Gather your group (be sure to give a heads-up in advance if you want to coordinate outfits or bring along special props), and strike a pose. A souvenir photo from your trip makes a great take-home for the whole party.

Host Your Own Exclusive Party at Sea

For larger groups (or for really special occasions), you might want to reach out to Royal Caribbean in advance of your trip to inquire about renting out special event space or meeting rooms. There are plenty of packages to choose from, including options for food and beverage, with space for up to 400 people in conference centers on select ships.

How to Plan and Book Your Celebration Cruise

Preparing for your celebration vacation is easy when you sail with Royal Caribbean — a few clicks and you’re there. However, there are a few essentials to keep in mind. Below, you’ll find some tips and tricks to ensure the lead-up is as smooth-sailing as the cruise itself.

• Planning staterooms: Booking everyone's accommodations at the same time can unlock some great benefits, such as group discounts. You can book together to ensure your rooms are in the same area of the ship (if that's your preference), or book separately at your leisure.

• Selecting your destination: When traveling with big groups, it can be hard to please everyone. Simplify the decisions and dive into top-tier treatment at Royal Beach Club℠ Paradise Island if you want a taste of the easiest beach day ever.

• Travel documentation: If you need visas, passports and travel insurance to reach your destination, ensure you arrange them well before departure.

• Booking in advance: Try to secure your spot at any onboard entertainment, specialty dining venues or excursions as early as possible. These can be popular, and reservations fill up quickly.

Another tip for celebration travel is to make sure you mention the occasion you're celebrating at the time of booking. Royal Caribbean loves hosting celebrations, and you may just find a special surprise when you board the ship.

Celebrate Life’s Big Moments at Sea

Special occasion cruises take the stress out of celebration planning, especially since you don't need to worry about coordinating everyone's accommodations, dining and activities for the party. Likewise, smaller travel groups won't have a problem finding space on the ship to relax and unwind together.

Planning your next anniversary, birthday, bachelor or bachelorette party, graduation or other big celebration? Explore special occasion cruises from Royal Caribbean!