Birthday on Board

[sheltielover256]

Hello,  My husband and I will be on the 14-day Maasdam Alaska sailing in June with my daughter and son-in-law.  This is not our first cruise, but we haven't sailed for awhile (seven years).

 

Here's my question:  My daughter will turn 28 while on board.   I looked on the Holland America site, but they don't appear to have any sort of birthday celebration package for sale.  Is it possible for me to order something like a cake or a flower arrangement while on board?  Will they recognize/sing to her in the dining room if we let the manager know ahead of time?  Any recommendations to recognize her day are welcome.  FWIW, her birthday will fall on one of the at-sea days.

 

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

 

 

[Cruising-along]

If you let them know ahead of time in the main dining room they will bring a cake and sing.  They do a great job and it's always a joy to hear them sing from across the room.  🙂  

You also can get a cake in the specialty restaurants if you let them know ahead of time.  

[Gigi1977]

There are flowers you may order pre cruise online.  The dining room will be happy to provide a cake and sing!   It’s fun!  

[richwmn]

I had my birthday on board Rotterdam and had a Pinnacle Dinner with @Cruising-along. We did not notify the staff in advance, but it came up at the end as we were leaving and the Pinnacle Grill Manager was a little upset that they were not allowed to participate. They enjoy being a part of your day.

 

Edited January 14, 2020 by richwmn

[jlnprt]

Dh's birthday was on our cruise this past summer. We didn't alert anyone, but they brought him a very large (i.e., "sharable size") piece of cake and sang happy birthday to him. 

[KroozNut]

Contact Ship's Services and let them know of the birthday, and they will note it on your booking. That way the MDR staff will be aware ahead of time and make the appropriate arrangements, i.e., birthday cake, singing, etc. 🙂

[tuolumne couple]

..not only did we get special attention at dinner, they delivered this cupcake to the room, making it really special for us. Holland America is the best!!

[Cruising-along]

2 hours ago, richwmn said:

We did not notify the staff

Only because you asked me not to. 😁

[Krazy Kruizers]

Even if you call Ship Services to arrange for a birthday cake in the dining room, definitely talk to the maidre'd once you are on the ship and remind him of the birthday.

[sheltielover256]

Thank you! Glad to hear that the staff will bring cake!  I had not thought of contacting ship services ahead of time.  She is on a separate booking number. I guess they can look that up?

[Krazy Kruizers]

As long as you have her full name, ship name, date of cruise and cabin number, they can look it up.

[grest]

My birthday was on Thanksgiving this year.  The cruise was packed and anytime dining was somewhat of a nightmare.  When trying to reserve a table, we mentioned that it would be my birthday.  Eventually they accomodated us and sent along a birthday cake, singing happy in Dutch, I think.

 

[dogo88]

We cruise with another couple. On every cruise we go on, we take turns having a birthday, all at different venues. ( MDR, Pinnacle, Canaletto) Never had an issue. One at a time, of course. You can also use graduations, promotions, etc. Just ask the waiter. Never even had to give notice ahead of time.

 

I will say the small cake the Pinnacle has is the best dessert on any ship we've been on. As long as you like chocolate. And who doesn't?

 

Dan

[Vict0riann]

You know that little slip of paper that the maitre d' gives to the steward who escorts you to your table?  It has your birth date on it!  I know because we were given one and I took a picture of it.  I would post it, but it even gives the year!!   My birthday has beside it:  "not requested", so I imagine if you had asked for there to be recognition and a cake, it would not say that.  It doesn't have my DH's birthday on it.

[dogo88]

42 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

You know that little slip of paper that the maitre d' gives to the steward who escorts you to your table?  It has your birth date on it!  I know because we were given one and I took a picture of it.  I would post it, but it even gives the year!!   My birthday has beside it:  "not requested", so I imagine if you had asked for there to be recognition and a cake, it would not say that.  It doesn't have my DH's birthday on it.

 

Interesting bit of info. We never ask the Maitre d' for anything but a table. We always mention it to the waiters and they have never disappointed. And why would they care?  But if it didn't work try some other recognition item. My table mates got me a cake for my son's college graduation. 

[Cruising-along]

We recently celebrated our 50th anniversary on a cruise.  We did the vow renewal and got the expected cake from that.  Then in the days afterward, we had dinners in the Tamarind and Canaletto.  We had not told them about our anniversary so were VERY surprised when they gave us cakes too!!  OMG, we gave one of them to our fabulous cabin stewards (who were so happy to get it). I'm just saying this, to let you know how wonderful the crew is, and they're always happy to help celebrate any big occasion.  🙂  

[grsnovi]

Pinnacle Grill, Baltic 2009...

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have had problems getting DH's birthday and our anniversary recognized.  One time the Pinnacle kept mentioning about someone soon having a birthday. This went on for several days.  The day of DH's birthday -- nothing -- not even a cake.

[sheltielover256]

3 hours ago, grsnovi said:

Pinnacle Grill, Baltic 2009...

Oh my! That looks wonderful. 

[sheltielover256]

2 hours ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

We have had problems getting DH's birthday and our anniversary recognized.  One time the Pinnacle kept mentioning about someone soon having a birthday. This went on for several days.  The day of DH's birthday -- nothing -- not even a cake.

That's really sad. Did you ask ahead of time?

[Naismith]

13 hours ago, grest said:

My birthday was on Thanksgiving this year.  The cruise was packed and anytime dining was somewhat of a nightmare.  When trying to reserve a table, we mentioned that it would be my birthday.  Eventually they accomodated us and sent along a birthday cake, singing happy in Dutch, I think.

 

What I heard in the MDR was the Indonesian birthday song, "Potong Kuenya."  It starts out with verses for cut the cake & blow out the candles, then wishes for long life, and a few other things.  It can go on and on.  It has a different tune than our USAmerican song.  

[grest]

thanks, Naismith

[ottahand7]

We celebrated my birthday on the Zuiderdam last month.   I don't remember us mentioning it but Ann Margaret our Neptune lounge concierge said that I see you are celebrating your birthday during the trip.   Somehow the PG staff knew it too.   

[tuolumne couple]

23 hours ago, Naismith said:

 

What I heard in the MDR was the Indonesian birthday song, "Potong Kuenya."  It starts out with verses for cut the cake & blow out the candles, then wishes for long life, and a few other things.  It can go on and on.  It has a different tune than our USAmerican song.