UPDATED - Need ideas for a Cruise themed birthday party (adult)

[mevelandry]

Hi!

So... It's going to be my Father-in-law's birthday mid-june and I decided that this year, the theme would be "Cruising".

It won't be DCL or Carnival themed, although I would like to make "Fun Ship" and/or Bahama Mama drinks as welcome drinks because it is our tradition when we board the ships.

So I already ordered a back drop that represents a "deck" and the ocean at a local party store and a few decorations (a porthole, a table centerpiece shaped as a cruise ship, etc).

Thinking of creating a fake "buffet" with salads, pizza, burgers and fries...

Dressing up the table as if we were at the MDR...

But what else? Any ideas would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

P.s. I don't know if I wanna have themed cupcakes or have a real cake made yet. Or will I do it myself? (TBD)

EDIT: Unfortunately I did not have time to do as much as I was hoping for but it was still great! (See pictures on the June 9, 2019 post!)

 

[lklgoodman]

All the guest could wear matching or not matching(but cruising related) t-shirts. Etsy always has a lot of cute ideas. Use pics of places you've or others have been to decorate with.

 

[danielocha30]

I would give each guess bracelet so they can “render” they all inclusive food and drinks. You can personalize them with a funny Ship Name and make sure each guest get theirs at the party

 

[mevelandry]

All the guest could wear matching or not matching(but cruising related) t-shirts. Etsy always has a lot of cute ideas. Use pics of places you've or others have been to decorate with.

We had matching shirts done for our last cruise. I could ask them to wear that shirt.

 

[mevelandry]

I would give each guess bracelet so they can “render” they all inclusive food and drinks. You can personalize them with a funny Ship Name and make sure each guest get theirs at the party

I like that idea. I will ask them to wear their lanyards* with their "Key to the world" (I could create fun cards).


*(We always wear lanyards on a cruise)

 

[mevelandry]

I'm bumping this... Just in case...

 

[DCLPrincess]

I've seen on etsy invitations that look like boarding passes which would be fun. They have a surprising amount of paper goods that are nautical. I actually bought plates, napkins and paper straws with anchors on them. Maybe get some "streamers" like you get at the sail away party to give to people as they "board". If you decide you want to do cupcakes buy a plain cardboard cake tower and decorate it was nautical embellishments.

 

[brentm77]

I love themed parties. Never forget the background music! It adds the finishing touch. Pick some steel drum music. Maybe a ship horn thrown in randomly in the playlist!

 

[kkayluvsdis]

Also, if you like games at your parties- BINGO and trivia would go along with your cruise theme. Sounds like a really fun party. Post pics and let us know how it turns out!

 

[FigmentSpark]

If you like to cook/bake, you could try that recipe on the Castaway club download for a dessert.

 

[mevelandry]

Also, if you like games at your parties- BINGO and trivia would go along with your cruise theme. Sounds like a really fun party. Post pics and let us know how it turns out!

It's a very small party (we are probably only be 4 people) so it might not be enough for bingo and trivia but I love the idea.

 

[mevelandry]

If you like to cook/bake, you could try that recipe on the Castaway club download for a dessert.

I will look it up!

 

[mevelandry]

So... Here's a little update.

First of all, everyone was wearing "cruise outfits" (vacation matching shirts, and/or with a nautical theme)... I gave everyone a lanyard with a "Sea Pass" (Key to the world/Sail & Sign depending on which cruise line you sail on).

As we opened the door of the room, we played cruise ship horns sounds.

My husband and I put a cruise backdrop in the room and as a last minute fun idea, I transformed the window into a porthole with pieces of unused backdrop.

It's tradition in our family that we get a special drink when we board the ship (on DCL it's a Bahama Mama, on Carnival it's a "Funship"...), so I gave everyone a "copy cat" of the "Funship".

Unfortunately, I had to stick to a simpler menu because it was a busy busy week for us... so no Chocolate Soufflé for us ...and I had to buy everything but we have done Chicken Fingers & Pizza... With a huge chocolate cake!

Even though it wasn't as detailed and complete as I wanted it to be (turns out I suck when it comes to towel animals LOL), my FIL & MIL were extremely impressed... It was a hit!

It gave us a little "cruise feel" even though we were still at home. Now everybody is craving going on a cruise again. DH and I are going in October and the family cruise is in January. Can't wait.

 

[pearljammer]

So... Here's a little update.

First of all, everyone was wearing "cruise outfits" (vacation matching shirts, and/or with a nautical theme)... I gave everyone a lanyard with a "Sea Pass" (Key to the world/Sail & Sign depending on which cruise line you sail on).

As we opened the door of the room, we played cruise ship horns sounds.

My husband and I put a cruise backdrop in the room and as a last minute fun idea, I transformed the window into a porthole with pieces of unused backdrop.

It's tradition in our family that we get a special drink when we board the ship (on DCL it's a Bahama Mama, on Carnival it's a "Funship"...), so I gave everyone a "copy cat" of the "Funship".

Unfortunately, I had to stick to a simpler menu because it was a busy busy week for us... so no Chocolate Soufflé for us ...and I had to buy everything but we have done Chicken Fingers & Pizza... With a huge chocolate cake!

Even though it wasn't as detailed and complete as I wanted it to be (turns out I suck when it comes to towel animals LOL), my FIL & MIL were extremely impressed... It was a hit!

It gave us a little "cruise feel" even though we were still at home. Now everybody is craving going on a cruise again. DH and I are going in October and the family cruise is in January. Can't wait.

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I think it’s cool! Good fun!

 

[cruisehopeful]

That looks great. What a fun idea.

 

[CamColt]

Very cool! I love the backdrop!

 

[DIS_MIKE]

Great atmosphere!

 

[mevelandry]

Thank you!

 

[FigmentSpark]

So... Here's a little update.

First of all, everyone was wearing "cruise outfits" (vacation matching shirts, and/or with a nautical theme)... I gave everyone a lanyard with a "Sea Pass" (Key to the world/Sail & Sign depending on which cruise line you sail on).

As we opened the door of the room, we played cruise ship horns sounds.

My husband and I put a cruise backdrop in the room and as a last minute fun idea, I transformed the window into a porthole with pieces of unused backdrop.

It's tradition in our family that we get a special drink when we board the ship (on DCL it's a Bahama Mama, on Carnival it's a "Funship"...), so I gave everyone a "copy cat" of the "Funship".

Unfortunately, I had to stick to a simpler menu because it was a busy busy week for us... so no Chocolate Soufflé for us ...and I had to buy everything but we have done Chicken Fingers & Pizza... With a huge chocolate cake!

Even though it wasn't as detailed and complete as I wanted it to be (turns out I suck when it comes to towel animals LOL), my FIL & MIL were extremely impressed... It was a hit!

It gave us a little "cruise feel" even though we were still at home. Now everybody is craving going on a cruise again. DH and I are going in October and the family cruise is in January. Can't wait.

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Cool. Where did you get that cruise wall wrap? Or is it a wall paper?

 

[mevelandry]

Cool. Where did you get that cruise wall wrap? Or is it a wall paper?

It's two backdrops superposed (one is the deck, the other is the ocean and sky). I found them in a shop specialized in party organization but you can also find it on Amazon along with many other accessories that you can add (like islands, dolphins, etc).