Celebration Travel: A Guide To Vacation Ideas

When planning a cruise, think through your preferred itinerary carefully — which ports make the most sense for your cruise celebration? Keep in mind that the world is your oyster. Special occasions may even call for thinking outside of the Caribbean. Think of the epic experiences you can share on a cruise to the Greek Isles, Fiji, Alaska, the Panama Canal, or other far-flung destinations. You'll never forget your special anniversary when you spend it trekking on the massive glaciers of Alaska.

One of my main tips 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 your ship. Birthdays, anniversaries, and honeymoons are frequently celebrated during an onboard dinner of your choice, usually with a special dessert and a tableside serenade by a team of waiters. Or, a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates may be waiting for you in your stateroom. When you want to celebrate, these little gestures set cruising apart.

When celebrating something special, splurge a little to make the moment one you'll never forget. Royal Caribbean does celebration travel right, and even offers a full menu of options for decorating the stateroom of the honored guest or guests to the nines. Party packages include magnetic door signs, mirror clings, hanging decorations and photo frames. Keep in mind that 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 that the room will be decorated and waiting for the grand surprise when you and your family arrive. Want to go even further? Add on a special delivery of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries — who wouldn't love that? Or, maybe your loved one would enjoy a special spa treatment, dinner at a specialty restaurant or an epic shore excursion (helicopter glacier tour, anyone?) — all easy yet incredibly thoughtful gifts! Other gifts can also be purchased in advance and delivered to a stateroom, making for some excellent birthday vacation ideas.

Celebrating with a big group on a cruise gives you access to things you may not think to include in an at-home party. The best part? These things are often included in your cruise fare. For example, hiring an event photographer may not be a part of your budget for your average birthday or anniversary celebration, and the services of onboard photographers are included as just a regular part of your cruise vacation. So, when you're celebrating something special, be sure to take advantage of this wonderful service. Gather your group together (be sure to give a heads-up in advance if you want to coordinate outfits or bring along any special props), and strike a pose. A souvenir photo from your trip makes a great take-home for the whole party.

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 that include options for food and beverage, with space for up to 400 people.

Cruising really takes the stress out of celebration planning, especially since you don't need to worry about coordinating everyone's accommodations, dining, and activities between the party plans. Likewise, smaller travel groups won't have a problem finding space on the ship to relax and unwind together, whether that's at a piano bar, karaoke night, afternoon trivia, or dancing at the club after hours. Get with your group in advance and plan your meet-up times. You don't want to miss your chance to become the reigning champions of '80s music trivia!

For your next anniversary, birthday, bachelor/bachelorette party, graduation, or any other event worthy of a big celebration, consider cruising as the ultimate party.