Nautical Cruise Planning Dinner

Nautical Party: Crusie themed dinner party with a nautical themed tablescape, centrepiece, and place settings, and cruise themed easy dessert ideas.

This year for vacation we’re headed on a family cruise and I thought it would be fun to put together a nautical party before we go so we could plan out what to do in each port.

We’re sailing with my sister and brother-in-law, and also my husbands parents.  Our party of eight got together to talk about our up coming cruise and share some ideas of what we could do in each port.  We divided up the islands and everyone did a little research before our nautical dinner so they could offer some ideas.

Nautical Party Tablescape

• rope
• lanterns
• sea shells
• binoculars
• striped napkins
• life saver napkin rings
• anchor drink charms
• striped straws

 For dinner I thought it’d be fun to decorate with a nautical theme.

I used rope, sea shells, and pretty white lanterns on the table.  You can find the tutorial for my DIY chevron table runner here. For each place setting, I made simple napkin rings out of twine and lifesavers.

My fav little detail was a little anchor on the glasses.

I found them at a jewellery making store, and tied them onto mason jars with a little baker’s twine.  Of course I had to include a pretty stripy straw.

Nautical Food Table

• paper sailing flag bunting
• paper sea gulls
• vintage globe
• lantern 
• binoculars

For dinner, we ordered Chinese food, so easy and so good.  I set up the food in the kitchen, and added a little nautical feel in there too.

The nautical flags created a really fun boat feel to the table.  I just printed some from on-line on my printer, cut them out, and then strung them up to the light and the edge of the table.

And over head, some fun seagulls.  I found the adorable free printables here at The Golden Adventures of a Dark Horse.  Love them.  How fun, and we all know that food attracts seagulls, lol.

On the table a few more nautical inspired items for an easy centre piece.

Nautical Themed Party Deserts and Drinks

• nautical cupcakes
• blue jello
• cracker jacks
• life savers
• Caribbean beer

After dinner we enjoyed a few nautical inspired desserts.

I set up my little cart with the sweets, along with a bucket of Red Stripe Beer, another vacation fav.

The idea for the nautical party was actually inspired by seeing these cute little cupcake papers and picks at the dollar store.  Easy and sweet.

I also made some blue jello, since it reminds us of the sea.

And last but not least, some Cracker Jacks, since they have the cutest little sailor on the box, and are so yummy.

We’re counting down the days until we get away. 

With vacation on the horizon and a nautical party, life really is a party!

You might also like our Cruise Themed Nautical Birthday Party here.

Also check out How To Save Money On A Cruise post here.

You might also enjoy our Cruising With Kids Tips here.