Sarah BretzThinking of spending your (or a loved one’s) birthday on a cruise and wondering how you can make the experience extra special? You’ve come to the right place! There are lots of ways to celebrate a birthday on a cruise, from easy and free hacks to extra-fee packages and experiences that can completely elevate the experience.
Here are six free ways to celebrate a birthday on a cruise, plus six extra-cost ways to make special birthday memories during a cruise vacation.
What can you do for free for your birthday on a cruise?
1. Decorate your cabin
One of the best ways to make a cruise feel festive for a special occasion is by decorating your stateroom. For a birthday, bringing crepe paper, a ‘happy birthday’ banner, and any other easy-to-pack decor can have a big impact on the ambiance of the room. Just be sure to bring strong magnets to adhere your decorations to the wall or ceiling, as many cruise lines don’t allow you to use tape.
You can also decorate your cabin door to bring the celebration out into the hallway — just be sure to read up on your cruise line’s rules concerning door decorating before you head to the ship.
2. Bring a bottle of wine or champagne
Of course, this one isn’t technically free since you’ll still have to buy the bottle back home… but it’ll still be much cheaper than purchasing one on the ship! Nearly all cruise lines allow guests to bring at least two bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom onto the ship. If you have a favorite wine or champagne that you’d like to enjoy on your birthday, buy it at home and bring it with you to save money.
3. Have birthday dinner in the main dining room
A classic birthday tradition for many people on land is to go out to eat to celebrate the occasion. On a cruise, most meals are “out to eat!” But the occasion is still made special, as your waitstaff will sing you a special birthday song and bring you a special birthday dessert. Many times they’ll even write “happy birthday” on your plate in chocolate syrup!
The special treatment often extends beyond the dining room, too. Your cabin steward is also aware of whether you’re celebrating a birthday while on board, and they’ll often leave a special treat or message in your cabin in recognition of your big day.
4. Wear a birthday sash or shirt
Want to tell the world (or… the rest of the ship at least) that it’s your special day? Bring a fun birthday sash or t-shirt to celebrate the occasion! If you’re traveling with family or friends, your group could go all-in on the theme and wear matching shirts together. Just be sure to take a group photo (or 10) before the day is over.
5. Attend a free fitness or dance class
Usher in the next year of your life by doing something to take care of your body, such as a fitness or dance class. While fitness classes may cost extra, they are included in the cruise fare on some lines. If the fitness classes cost extra, though, chances are you’ll be able to find a dance class that’s completely free!
6. Enjoy an ice cream cone (or two!)
Most cruise lines have all-you-can-eat soft-serve machines located in the buffet or out on the main pool deck. And what better occasion to enjoy endless ice cream than during your birthday cruise!? You can even grab a dessert (like a cookie or piece of cake) from the buffet, then hit up the ice cream machine to enjoy your treat a la mode.
What’s worth the splurge for your birthday on a cruise?
1. Dinner at a specialty restaurant
While birthday dinner can be special no matter where you’re enjoying it, you might consider elevating your dining experience with an evening at a specialty restaurant. If you’re a steak fiend, birthday dinner at the steakhouse might be in order. Adore sushi? Head to the ship’s sushi spot. Want a big family-style Italian meal? You can find just that sort of experience on several cruise lines.
Though they probably already know, be sure to mention that it’s your birthday to your waitstaff. They’ll likely sing you a birthday song and give you a special dessert to further celebrate the occasion.
2. A spa treatment
Getting a spa treatment is one of the best ways to pamper yourself and spend time fully relaxing while on a cruise. Let the tension melt from your muscles with a massage or rejuvenate your skin with a wrap or facial. It’s the best way to start off your birthday morning, or a great way to enjoy an afternoon while at sea.
3. A day pass to the thermal suite
Along with getting a treatment, spending time in the spa’s thermal suite is another one of the best ways to relax on a cruise. And what better way to relax than by spending time in the sauna or a bubbling thalassotherapy pool? While the exact spaces in the thermal suite vary based on the ship, on many vessels you can find things like a sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool, some form of a hot tub, warm tile loungers, and experiential showers. Some ships even have salt rooms, mud rooms, and even snow rooms!
4. Suite accommodations
Normally book a regular cabin but always wondered what it would be like to cruise in a suite? If you can afford it, there’s no better occasion than a birthday to splurge on a suite! Most cruise ships have lots of suite categories to choose from. There are the more modest mini suites all the way up to massive penthouse and owner’s suites that can be as big as a small house!
Some suites even come with extra-luxurious amenities, like deep soaking bathtubs, wet bars, balconies with a full dining table and hot tub, and beyond. Some of Royal Caribbean’s ships even feature suites with baby grand pianos, and multiple cruise lines have suites that span two stories or more.
5. A birthday package
Before you set sail on a cruise, there are a number of packages you can purchase to enjoy once on board. There are special romance-themed packages, kids-focused packages to make the cabin extra colorful and fun, and — of course — birthday packages. While each cruise line’s offerings will vary, in a birthday package you can expect things like birthday banners, balloons, and a custom birthday cake or chocolate-covered strawberries. Some lines even include things like a photo print, cabin door décor, flowers, and fun themed window clings.
6. A special shore excursion
If you’ll be in port on your birthday — or just want to make your birthday cruise extra special on any day of the voyage — book an extra-special shore excursion. Whether it’s a romantic sunset catamaran cruise or a thrilling adventure you’ve always wanted to try such as parasailing or zip lining, a birthday cruise is a great excuse to splurge a little on a bucket-list activity you’ve always wanted to experience.
Comments
Have you taken a birthday cruise? How did you celebrate your birthday on a cruise? Drop us an anchor below to share how you’ve enjoyed your special day at sea.
