Cruise Line Drops Birthday Cake and Cruisers Say the New Perk Is Worth It
Key Aspects:
Norwegian Cruise Line has revised its Happy Birthday Cabin Decoration package.
Instead of a six-inch cake, the package will now include a free frame and photograph.
If guests would still like to celebrate with a cake in their cabins, there are options available to purchase a half or full sheet cake.
A cruise vacation is a great way to celebrate a birthday, and some guests of Norwegian Cruise Line like to make their celebrations extra special by purchasing a party package.
Norwegian Cruise Line is happy to share that the Happy Birthday package has been revised as of March 26, 2026, to make the onboard celebrations extra special and to reduce food waste.
“We’re writing to share an update to your existing Happy Birthday Cabin Decoration Package, designed to make your special day even more memorable,” Norwegian Cruise Line wrote in a letter to guests who booked the package.
Previously, the package included birthday-themed cabin decorations, a celebration banner, and a six-inch cake. The revamped package has replaced the cake with a free Compass Collection frame and a free photograph to go in it (valued at $29.95).
While the reason behind the change has not been explained, it’s likely that many of the cakes were going to waste because guests didn’t eat all of it and they can be difficult to store in a tiny cabin.
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“This package has been refreshed as part of our continued effort to elevate the way we celebrate life’s moments at sea. The previous version included birthday decor and a six inch cake,” the letter explained.
“Moving forward, the cake will be replaced with a photo keepsake so you can take home a memory that lasts long after the candles are blown out. It is a small shift designed to make your celebration feel more personal and more connected to your time onboard.”
Guests who are interested in booking the Happy Birthday package can do so by visiting Norwegian Cruise Line’s website. It currently costs $69 USD, and it is recommended to book at least three weeks ahead of embarkation.
Those who are not partaking in the sailing can also send the package to their cruising loved ones using their surnames, ship, and sailing dates.
How Does the Birthday Package Compare?
When looking at some of the other major cruise lines, Norwegian Cruise Line’s old birthday package feels more in line with the rest of the industry.
Carnival Cruise Line, for example, offers its own birthday package for $73.14, which includes a 20% delivery fee. This comes with decorations, including multiple banners, as well as a cake that serves up to six people.
Guests get to choose between vanilla cake with strawberry filling, chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling, or red velvet cake with cream cheese filling.
As another example, Royal Caribbean offers two separate birthday packages. Guests can have their stateroom decorated for just $39.99, or opt for a more inclusive celebratory package that includes decorations, cake, and strawberries for $69.99.
The keepsake photo makes NCL’s newly revamped package particularly unique.
Guests React to the New Birthday Package
Change is always controversial, and can be disappointing for guests who had their heart set on an experience going a certain way.
However, many cruisers are happy about this decision and look forward to exchanging their voucher for a free photograph, as each individual print typically costs between $20 to $30.
“We never ate the cake. Personally you’re better off getting a slice of cake at Garden Cafe. The picture is an upgrade,” one cruiser reacted on Facebook.
“We barely touched ours whenever we got them for celebrations. You are basically eating all over the cruise ship, and we were always stuffed. That cake was the last thing we wanted to spend our calories on,” said another.
However, disappointed guests aren’t just out of luck. Cruise Hive has confirmed that guests who really want to celebrate with a cake in their cabin can still do so.
The cruise line will deliver a standard chocolate or vanilla half sheet cake to guest staterooms for $124 or a standard full sheet cake for $169 to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or honeymoons.
Cruise Line Drops Birthday Cake and Cruisers Say the New Perk Is Worth It