Cruise life Celebrations Food and drink

A day on board on Celebration Night

Celebration Night on board is a chance to embrace all the glamour of a cruise holiday. So why not make a day of it? From breakfast in bed to dancing till dawn, here’s how we’d celebrate all day long

3 min 14 May 2025

Editorial Team

Author

There’s a buzz in the air on Celebration Nights. The ship’s atrium hums with excited mingling and the soft clinking of glasses. Guests are dressed to the nines – a sea of tuxedoed figures rub shoulders; the setting sun reflects off a swathe of sequins.

 

Celebration Night is a special evening on board where guests dress in black tie and enjoy a night of unabashed elegance and feast on special five-course menus. The number of Celebration Nights varies by cruise and ship, but as a guideline you can expect one per seven-night cruise and more on longer cruises, often on a day when your ship is at sea. You can check the on-board daily Horizon newsletter in your cabin to find out when they’ll be taking place on your cruise.

 

While you could simply don your Sunday best and head out the door, we like to make a day of it and embrace the glamour from AM to PM. Here are a few of our favourite ways to get Celebration Night ready.

8am: Rise and shine

Sure, breakfast in bed is an indulgence. But why not start as you mean to go on? Ease into the day with breakfast from our room service menu. A delectable continental spread of pastries, granola, fresh fruit and yoghurt from the comfort of your bed will set you up for a lush day ahead.

 

Once you’ve fuelled up, boost your energy and endorphins with a bit of exercise. You could hit the deck for a brisk walk in the fresh air or hit the gym – a run on the treadmill doesn’t feel anywhere near as laborious when you’re gazing out to sea. There are also fitness classes – some complimentary, others for a little exra – to work up a natural glow and get energised for the festivities ahead.

 

11am: Choose what to wear

We know, we know – the party won’t kick off for hours. But if you plan your outfit now, you’ll have a head start when the time comes to get ready.

 

Celebration Nights have a Black Tie dress code, giving you the chance to dust off those special items in your wardrobe you’re always wishing you had an excuse to wear. You can dress in whatever you feel good in, as long as it’s formal – you could float down the atrium stairs in a ball gown, dazzle on deck in a sequined dress, look as cool as you feel in trouser suit or cut a dashing figure in a tux. You can also opt for a shirt and tie, so long as you have a jacket with you. Formal national dress and military uniforms are very welcome, too.

 

All our ships have self-service laundry facilities (on cruises over five nights) that include ironing stations, so if you need some last-minute de-creasing, ask your cabin steward where to find the one on your floor.

 

If you choose not to dress up, there are plenty of places on board where you can keep it casual, such as The Glass House and The Beach House. Horizon newsletter will give you all the details.

Couple walking down stairs in celebration night clothes

12pm: Hit the shops

Celebration Night is a good excuse as any to treat yourself to something special. When the ship is at sea, you can shop duty-free in our on-board shops. They stock exclusive items you won’t find anywhere else – test out some new fragrances to find your signature scent, try on some sunglasses for sundowners on deck, or score a sparkly piece of jewellery to complete your outfit.

 

1pm: Linger over a leisurely lunch

There’s an exquisite meal on the menu tonight, but that doesn’t mean lunch can’t be a luxe affair, too. The Glass House is a great spot for laid-back lunching with a fantastic wine list curated by Food Hero and wine expert Olly Smith, paired with tapas from fellow Food Hero and acclaimed Spanish chef José Pizarro. Depending which ship you’re on, there are loads of other lovely lunch options – you could tuck into Mediterranean mezze at The Olive Grove on Arvia and Iona, or hold out and spoil yourself with an elegant afternoon tea at The Epicurean on Arvia, Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura.

 

3pm: Prep, prime and primp

Look your best – but leave the work to us. The on-board Oasis Spa is a haven of health and beauty treatments designed to leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated ahead of a big night out (or just because). If your hair needs a bit of TLC, our expert stylists can deliver a bouncy blowout, touch up your colour or even make you over with a completely new style. Our on-board barbers offer relaxing shaving and grooming experiences that’ll leave you looking sharp. And don’t forget the details – manicures, pedicures, facials and waxing will all have you feeling fabulous.

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5pm: Get ready!

Hair: done. Outfit: ironed. Back in your cabin, it’s time to get dressed and put on the final touches. You could even order a bottle of Champagne from our Room Service menu to your cabin to set the celebratory tone. Speaking of Champagne, you’ll be given a voucher for a complimentary glass of bubbly – don’t forget to take it with you before you head out!

 

6pm: Mix and mingle

First things first, put that free fizz voucher to use. Head to the social hubs on board, such as the ship’s atrium, where the party will be in full swing. You can mingle with your friends, family and fellow guests, and you might even get the chance to meet the ship’s captain and senior crew. Capture the memories with a mini photo shoot – we recommend the stairs in the atrium, where a professional photographer can snap you looking your best, or on deck as the sun sets to capture that golden-hour glow.

 

8pm: Dine to the nines

And now for the main course. The Freedom and Club restaurants across the fleet are transformed into black-tie dining restaurants serving five-course Celebration Night menus crafted by our Food Hero and the godfather of British cooking, Marco Pierre White. The menus feature some of Marco’s favourite dishes – think pan-fried tiger prawns and roasted lamp rump à la dijonnaise. And the best part? It’s included in the price of your holiday. You can also treat yourself to speciality wines, including three exclusive Bon Viveur blends created by Olly Smith. On ships with Freedom Dining, you can arrive at the restaurant when it suits you, or join the virtual queue via MyHoliday.

 

And then…

If you’re not ready to call it a night, you’re not alone – and you’ll find plenty of places to keep the party going. All our ships have clubs, bars and lounges that stay open until the wee hours. Groove along to the musical stylings of house band Pulse in The Club House on Arvia and Iona, hit the dance floor at The Live Lounge on Britannia or curl up with a nightcap in the plush surrounds of The Crow’s Nest, which can be found on Arcadia, Arvia, Aurora, Britannia and Iona.

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Feeling inspired and want to join the party?

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