On Board
The 5 Tips to Celebrations at Sea
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ince every day on a cruise ship is a celebration, it’s not surprising that many travelers choose to celebrate life’s greatest moments with family and friends on a cruise vacation. From weddings and reunions to retirements and birthdays, there’s nothing you can’t celebrate with a fabulous cruise vacation. “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.” Whether you choose to blow out birthday candles on the beach or tie the knot on deck, here are five tips you need to know to plan and execute the perfect celebratory cruise: 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 for everyone in your group. Travel agents can help travelers find special excursions and discounted cabin rates for groups of various sizes. 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.
Take the Cake & Culture Some cruise lines offer special treats like cakes and other desserts or baked goods, which can be ordered in advance to sweeten your celebration. As a bonus, you can request that crew members sing “Happy Birthday” for the guest of honor. 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 culturally relevant ceremonies or experiences available to them, such as traditional wedding celebrations or birthday customs based on a destination on the itinerary.
Pack the Party Many cruise lines will help travelers celebrate any occasion with special surprises including private parties and customized group excursions. Travelers looking to celebrate onboard a ship
should pack 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. Celebrate on the Ship and Land 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 experience for every celebratory cruise. Celebrating a birthday or other milestone? Consider checking off a “bucket list” item during a shore excursion, like rock-climbing or sightseeing in a storybook European village. Alert an Agent A CLIA-certified travel agent can help every traveler create a customized and memorable milestone cruise vacation with added perks and reduced stress over the details. Agents can also help arrange special amenities, activities and surprises on board, 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. Overall, a travel agent is the best way to make sure that your cruise vacation is the perfect celebration, no matter what the occasion.
Overall, a cruise vacation is the best way to commemorate life’s achievements and milestones, and a CLIA-certified travel agent can help to ensure that your celebratory cruise is one to remember. FIRST QUARTER 2018 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 51
