In November 2028, we're taking the celebration to sea for Blake's 18th birthday, and we'd love for our family and friends to join the adventure!
We're still in the early planning stages, so the final ship, sailing date and itinerary haven't been selected yet. We're exploring Norwegian Cruise Line sailings to find the best combination of fun, destinations, activities and value for our group.
And this time, you get to be part of the planning.
Whether you're already saying “HELL YES!” or you're just curious, follow along as we narrow down the options and build one unforgettable birthday cruise.
Here's what we're currently working toward:
November 2028
We're targeting a sailing around Blake's birthday in early November.
Norwegian Cruise Line
We're focusing on Norwegian because its newer ships offer a great mix of activities, entertainment, dining and fun for different ages.
A Full Cruise Vacation
We want enough time to enjoy the ship, visit incredible ports and celebrate without feeling rushed.
Fun for Teens AND Adults
Blake may be the birthday boy, but this trip needs to be fun for everyone. We're looking for waterslides, high-energy activities, entertainment, nightlife, great food and plenty for the adults too.
Group Fun Without Being Attached at the Hip
We'll have opportunities to celebrate together, but this is still your vacation. Join what you want, skip what you don't and enjoy the ship your way.
You Get a Say Along the Way.
We want Blake's 18th Birthday Cruise to be something our family and friends are genuinely excited about—and you get to have a say along the way!
As planning continues, we'll be sharing ideas, exploring possibilities and asking for your input on different parts of the celebration.
Already in Blake's Birthday Cruise Facebook group? Keep an eye out for polls, updates and opportunities to weigh in.
Your votes won't make every decision for us, but they'll help us see what everyone is most excited about as we bring this birthday adventure together.
Want to Do a Little Research of Your Own?
We're comparing several possibilities for Blake's 18th Birthday Cruise—and you don't have to take our word for it.
As we introduce ships, destinations and other possibilities, we'll give you links to explore them for yourself.
Check out the ships. See what they offer. Decide what gets you excited—and what doesn't.
Then head over to Blake's Birthday Cruise Facebook group when you're ready to cast your vote.
Prima Class
The One That Started It All
Norwegian Prima introduced a whole new style of NCL cruising, combining high-energy attractions with modern spaces designed for dining, relaxing and enjoying the ocean.
Top Attractions
- Prima Speedway – Three-level racetrack at sea
- The Drop – 10-story free-fall dry slide
- The Stadium – Games and activities including pickleball, shuffleboard and more
- Tee Time – Interactive mini golf
- Ocean Boulevard – Waterfront spaces for dining, relaxing and ocean views
Why It Could Be the One:
Prima gives us the go-karts Blake originally wanted, plenty for teens and young adults, and enough adult spaces to keep the rest of us happy too.
Prima Class
Prima's High-Energy Sister
Norwegian Viva takes the Prima Class formula and gives us another chance at the combination we're looking for: adrenaline, entertainment, food and plenty of places to escape when we've had enough of the kids.
Top Attractions
- Viva Speedway – Three-level racetrack at sea
- The Drop – 10-story free-fall dry slide
- Tee Time – Tech-immersive mini golf
- The Stadium – Outdoor games and activities
- Ocean Boulevard – Waterfront dining, lounging and ocean views
Why It Could Be the One:
Viva keeps the go-kart experience in the competition while giving us another ship, sailing and itinerary to compare against Prima.
Prima Plus Class
Trade the Racetrack for a Slidecoaster
This is where the competition changes. Norwegian Aqua doesn't have the Speedway—instead, it introduced the Aqua Slidecoaster, a hybrid waterslide/rollercoaster experience with dual slides and a powered launch.
Top Attractions
- Aqua Slidecoaster – Hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide
- The Drop – 10-story free-fall dry slide
- Glow Court – High-tech LED sports court
- Aqua Game Zone – Arcade and virtual-reality experiences
- Infinity Beach & Vibe Beach Club – Relaxation for those of us who aren't trying to launch ourselves off something
Why It Could Be the One:
Aqua gives us a bigger Prima Plus experience and replaces the go-karts with something completely different—which makes this one of the most interesting “Speedway vs. Slidecoaster” choices for the group.
Prima Plus Class
Aqua's Sister With a Few Tricks of Her Own
Norwegian Luna carries forward the Prima Plus experience and Aqua Slidecoaster while adding new spaces designed for exactly the kind of multigenerational group we're putting together.
Top Attractions
- Aqua Slidecoaster – Dual-course hybrid waterslide/rollercoaster
- The Drop – 10-story free-fall dry slide
- Glow Court – Digital sports complex
- Luna Midway – Outdoor amusement area with carnival-style games
- Moon Climber – Multi-level obstacle course
Why It Could Be the One:
Luna may hit one of the best balances for this group: big thrills for Blake and his friends, activities the whole group can enjoy, and plenty for the adults. NCL specifically designed its new Luna experiences with multigenerational travel in mind.
Prima Plus Class
The Wild Card—and NCL's Biggest Ship Yet
Norwegian Aura is the newest and largest ship in Norwegian's fleet, debuting in 2027. Instead of copying the Speedway or Slidecoaster concept, Aura introduces an entirely new centerpiece: Ocean Heights, a three-story outdoor activity complex built around family fun, thrills and social spaces.
Top Attractions
- Ocean Heights – Three-story outdoor activity complex
- Six Slides – Including Eclipse Racers, Aura Free Fall and The Wave
- Aura Ropes Course – 82 feet of vertical climbing
- Aura Midway – Carnival-style games and competitions
- Mini Golf & Moon Climber – More outdoor challenges and group fun
Why It Could Be the One:
Aura is the wild card. No Speedway. No Aqua Slidecoaster. Instead, we'd get NCL's biggest ship and an entirely new collection of attractions—including the most slides on any NCL ship. And because she'll already be sailing from Miami before our 2028 celebration, she's a very interesting contender for a South Florida group.
The ship matters... but so does where it takes us.
Five new Caribbean destinations are about to enter the race. Which ones would YOU want to see on Blake's 18th Birthday Cruise?
Destination reveals + voting coming soon!
Yes, we're celebrating Blake turning 18—but nobody expects you to spend your entire vacation following an 18-year-old around a cruise ship.
This is a chance for family and friends to enjoy an incredible vacation their own way.
Hit the pool. Explore a port. Grab a drink. Ride the waterslides. Find somewhere quiet and do absolutely nothing. Then meet back up for dinner, a birthday celebration or whatever else we have planned.
We'll celebrate together without turning the week into a mandatory family reunion.
Come for Blake. Stay for the vacation.
This celebration isn't limited to one age group. We're planning with families, teens, young adults, couples and adults in mind.
Because some of Blake's friends may still be under 18 when we sail, age requirements and cabin arrangements will matter. Once the exact sailing is selected, DreamCrafters Travels will provide the applicable Norwegian Cruise Line requirements and help families understand their options before booking.
We're Planning Early for a Reason.
November 2028 may sound far away, but planning early gives us time to build the right cruise—and hopefully bring one hell of a group along with us.
1. We Build the Group
We’ll start gathering interested family and friends while exploring ships, destinations and ideas together.
2. We Choose the Cruise
As sailings become available, we'll use the group's interest and feedback to help choose the ship, dates and itinerary that work best.
3. We Make It Official
Once we've found the right sailing, we'll secure the group and release the official cruise details, pricing and booking information.
4. You Decide If You're In
You'll have the full details before it's time to book. No pressure, no guessing—just everything you need to decide if Blake's birthday cruise is for you.
5. Then We Make It Ours
Group plans, birthday celebrations and plenty of time to turn an ordinary cruise into Blake's 18th Birthday Cruise.
And then... November 2028, we sail!
Right now, we're trying to see just how big Blake's birthday crew could be.
Joining the interest list helps us get a better idea of who may want to sail, how many cabins we could need and what kind of group we're planning for—without asking anyone to commit before we even have a cruise to book.
There’s no deposit, no cabin reservation and no obligation to book.
You're simply raising your hand and saying, “This sounds like something I might want to be part of—keep me in the loop.”
Once the official cruise is selected, you'll get the ship, dates, itinerary, pricing and booking details. Then you can decide if you're officially in.
Do we know the exact dates yet?
Not yet. We're targeting early November 2028 around Blake's birthday. The official dates will be announced once we select the sailing.
Has the ship been selected?
Not yet—and that's part of the fun! We're comparing several Norwegian Cruise Line ships and getting input from the group before making the final decision.
When will booking open?
Once the right sailing is available and we're ready to secure the group, we'll release the official booking information. Everyone on the interest list will be among the first to receive the details.
How much will the cruise cost?
We won't advertise pricing until we have an actual sailing and accurate numbers to share. Once the cruise is selected, we'll provide cabin options, pricing and booking details so you can decide what works for you.
Can kids and teenagers come?
Yes! This is a family-and-friends celebration. Once the sailing is selected, we'll provide the applicable age and cabin requirements for anyone traveling with minors.
Do I have to participate in group activities?
Absolutely not. We'll have opportunities to celebrate together, but your vacation is still your vacation. Join as much—or as little—as you'd like.
Does joining the interest list mean I have to book?
Nope. No deposit. No reservation. No commitment. It simply tells us you're interested and want to receive the official details when they're available.
Can I invite someone else?
Absolutely. The more, the merrier! If you know someone who would have a blast with us, send them this page and let them follow along too.
Want a say in how Blake's 18th Birthday Cruise comes together?
Join Blake's Birthday Cruise Facebook group.
That's where we'll post the official polls, share the contenders, reveal what's coming next and let everyone weigh in as we narrow down the possibilities.
Ships. Destinations. And maybe a few surprises along the way.
You don't have to be booked—or even know if you're coming yet—to join the fun.
Come vote, follow the planning and help us build one hell of an 18th birthday cruise.