Every day on a cruise ship is a celebration so it’s no wonder that many travelers are choosing to commemorate life’s greatest moments — from weddings and reunions to retirements and everything in between – on a cruise vacation. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, is sharing the top five tips for celebrating life’s milestones aboard a cruise ship.
“There is no better way to spend life’s big moments than with a journey at sea and the cruise industry offers a variety of options to make milestones memorable,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO, CLIA. “With a completely customizable travel experience, a cruise offers travelers a unique way to celebrate occasions with a trip tailored to every budget and preference.”
From birthdays and graduations to honeymoons, here are Five Tips for Celebrating Milestones on a Cruise:
1.) Prepared Packages: No matter what the celebration may be, many cruise lines offer group packages for large travel parties and special occasions, including specialty celebration offering fun extras. Travel agents can help travelers find special excursions and discounted cabin rates for many sized groups. Some cruise lines offer a free cabin based upon the number of rooms booked by large groups – a great way for the guests of honor to celebrate.
2.) Take the Cake & Culture: Some cruise lines offer commemorative sweet treats including celebratory cakes and other baked goods, which can be ordered in advance. As a bonus, crew members will sing “Happy Birthday” to mark the special occasion. Additionally, celebrating cruisers can immerse themselves in the local culture of their destinations to make celebrations even more special. Travelers can check with their travel agent or cruise line to see if there are any special, culturally immersive ceremonies or experiences available like traditional wedding celebrations or birthday customs based on the destination.
3.) Pack the Party: The majority of cruise lines will also help travelers celebrate any occasion—from birthdays to bar mitzvahs to vow renewals and more—with special surprises including private parties and group excursions. Travelers looking to celebrate onboard a ship should pack accordingly with items like cabin decorations for birthdays, and matching shirts for reunions. Some cruise lines even encourage cruise travelers to decorate cabins and cabin doors with festive décor.
4.) Celebrate Onboard and Onshore: Book ahead for a celebratory dinner in a specialty restaurant on the ship and alert the staff to the special occasion—some restaurants will provide complimentary dessert or make special accommodations. On land, a pre-planned excursion can create a bonding, exhilarating or educational experience for every celebratory cruise. Celebrating a birthday? Consider checking off a “bucket list” item during a shore excursion, like rock climbing or sightseeing in a storybook European village.
5.) Alert an Agent: A travel agent can help every traveler create a customized and memorable milestone with added perks and reduced stress over the details. Agents can also help arrange for special amenities, activities and surprises onboard as well as offer special discounts on group cruising. Additionally, agents can help travelers organize group activities to keep the celebration going like onshore excursions or group dinners.
A CLIA Certified Cruise Agent can help cruisers celebrate at sea, explore agents at http://cruising.org/cruise-vacationer/cruise-travel-guide/clia-agent-finder.
For more on how to find the perfect celebratory cruise, please visit https://cruising.org/cruise-vacationer/learn-about-cruising/clia-cruise-lines-encourage-travelers-to-celebrate-onboard-a-cruise-ship.
Photo credit: Go4TravelBlog
