Marking the occasion: best ways to celebrate on a cruise

Published 18th of February 2025 | By Edwina Lonsdale

Cruise Lines:

'When you get to my age', my mother used to say, 'every birthday is a milestone!' As a result, she lived her later life in one long celebration of her longevity, surrounding herself with friends and family at every opportunity: she was always up for a party! There is nothing like making an excuse for a celebration, so when you really have something to celebrate, you need a way to make it extra special on a cruise holiday.

For most of us there are stand-out milestones that we really want to mark: a 'big' birthday, an anniversary, retirement or some other significant life change. When you work out the economics, you will probably find that the cost of a big splash - dinner and dancing at a fancy hotel for example - is the equivalent of a great holiday, possibly even taking your nearest and dearest with you. So, we have looked at a few ways to mark the occasion!

Best ways to celebrate on a cruise

Crystal's Vintage Room

Plenty of ships offer an exclusive private venue to make your celebration cruise with friends even more special.

On Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, the elegant Vintage Room is the perfect venue for a private celebration for 12, with a specially-designed menu and wonderful wine pairings to create an evening you will never forget.

celebration-cruises — The Vintage Room on Crystal Serenity

Chef's Table @ Elements on Scenic Eclipse

On board the lovely little expedition vessel Scenic Eclipse, a private evening degustation is available at Chef's Table, where a group of just 10 guests - by invitation only (ask us for more information) - enjoy an exquisite 11-course meal, each dish paired with premium drinks.

The Head Chef and his team deliver and present each dish to your table, explaining the techniques used in each creation and the origin of the ingredients as you view the chefs at work in the open gallery kitchen.

Chefs Table on Scenic Eclipse — Chef's Table on Scenic Eclipse

Windstar's Taster Cruises

The perfect way to sample Windstar's lovely little ships, the line has just launched a series of three- and four-night taster cruises sailing round-trip from London's Tower Bridge for an easy and celebratory sailaway.

Options include a France sojourn to charming St Malo and UNESCO-listed Mont St. Michel on 15 May 2026 or exploring Belgium's medieval streets and world-renowned chocolatiers departing on 12 May 2026, both on the lovely 312-guest Star Pride.

windstar_cruises_star_legend_london_tower_bridge_thames_river — Windstar's Star Legend sailing Under London's Tower Bridge

Silversea's S.A.L.T. Chef's Table

On Silversea's newest Nova Class ships Silver Nova and Ray, the S.A.L.T. Chef's Table is an intimate, interactive dining experience that explores the landscapes and flavours of the region you are visiting.

A hands-on test kitchen by day, the S.A.L.T. Lab on Deck 10 transforms into a very special dining venue in the evening. The menu of small plates highlighting the best local tastes and the most authentic ingredients, with paired wines and cocktails, are perfect for a gathering of just 18 culinary enthusiasts.

The Chefs Table on Silver Nova is a great way to celebrate on a cruise — Chef's Table on Silver Nova

SeaDream Yacht Charter

Why not consider really pushing the boat out by chartering a ship just for your own celebration? In our experience the ultimate celebration charter is on one of the lovely 112-guest SeaDream vessels.

Choose from the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, and relax into a very special week-long party with amazing food, included drinks, swimming from the back of the ship and service levels such as you have never experienced before.

“Relax into a very special week-long party with amazing food, included drinks, swimming from the back of the ship and service levels such as you have never experienced before...”

Chef's Kitchen on Explora

One of the newer cruise lines in the luxury cruise market, Explora Journeys, amongst a choice of many dining venues, offers the Chef's Kitchen, an immersive experience held in an ocean-front private kitchen setting for 12 guests.

The chefs introduce new ingredients, flavours, and textures to create a relaxed and family-style eating experience, paired with sommelier-chosen wines.

Chefs Kitchen on Explora I — Chef's Kitchen on Explora I

Regent's Group Celebrations

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Group Celebrations Programme includes onboard benefits for groups of three or more bookings, including $400 onboard credit to use toward a great spa treatment, an upgraded private shore excursion, or an extra-special wine from the fine wines list.

Additional savings are available for groups of 11 guests or more, and you can be sure you'll enjoy a few surprises along the way to make your celebration extra-special.

dining on board Regent — Dining on board Regent

Alternatively, we have looked after exclusive charters for small groups including a luxury barge on the Canal du Midi, a stylish yacht on the Croatian coast, and an intimate vessel cruising the West Coast of Scotland.

Meet the Author

Edwina Lonsdale is Managing Director and together with husband Matthew, owner of Mundy Cruising. Most recently she's cruised on Windstar and has also sailed with Silversea, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Crystal, SeaDream, Ponant, AmaWaterways and Aqua Expeditions. Her favourite destination is the Galapagos however she's also enjoyed cruises in the Mediterranean, Danube, Middle East, East Africa & Indian Ocean, Brahmaputra, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, the Mekong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Caribbean and the Arctic. When she’s not travelling she loves reading, food and wine.

More about Edwina

Let us guide you

Get your free subscription to Cruise News

The UK's most authoritative magazine about the world of luxury cruising. New ships, new destinations, new experiences and new offers. Be more informed, every two months, with Cruise News.

Order your copy