A Halloween cruise can provide extra fun for you and your family. We’ll cover all you need to know in this post, including the best Halloween cruises and what to expect.
What You Can Expect on a Halloween Cruise
Halloween cruises have extra activities and bonuses you can prepare for ahead of time to maximize your memories. Below you’ll find information on what you can expect from many of these types of cruises, but make sure you check individual cruise line websites for specifics on the offerings of each particular cruise.
Costume Parties
Most Halloween cruises have costume parties, so be sure to pack yours for your trip. Bring along the makeup, accessories, and wig if you want to compete for the prize of Best Costume.
Note that this isn’t just for kids, either – cruises have costume parties and contests for both adults and children. Don’t forget your costume!
Halloween Decorations
You’ll notice Halloween-themed décor on many October cruises. Fall leaves, pumpkins, ghosts, spiderwebs, and witch hats can be spotted on ships. The special décor adds to the seasonal fun.
Trick or Treating
You won’t miss trick or treating on land when you can have it on the cruise ship. Ships have unique instructions about times and on-board locations for trick or treating, so make sure your children are ready when it’s time to collect their candy.
Pumpkin Carving
You can view the pumpkin creations by ship master carvers who will wow you with their intricate designs. Some ships also provide pumpkin carving opportunities for older children and adults.
Halloween Casino Games
Ships feature special games for Halloween, including trivia and video games.
Halloween Movie Nights
Some ships feature horror films that play while you enjoy your dinner that features special Halloween-themed treats.
Halloween Photo Ops
Get your photo taken with special Halloween-themed backgrounds and props on a Halloween cruise.
Special Halloween Cruises You Should Look Into
Check out these cruise lines that are offering specials for Halloween.
Carnival Cruises
Carnival makes Halloween fun with special décor, pumpkin carving, trick or treating, kid parties, and adult-only events. Every October cruise – not just the ones that fall during the week of Halloween – will feature these special treats. Their Halloween Dance Party is a popular feature for adults ages 18 and older.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney makes Halloween cruising special with a pirate night and a masquerade party. Teens can make masks or carve their own pumpkins. Younger kids can enjoy scary storytelling, and adults can attend an adults-only costume party.
Princess Cruises
Princess has scary movies on the big screen, special prizes for those who find hidden figures, and candy kits.
Catch a cruise with this line to see a haunted mansion and zombies, along with other spooky perks.
Holland America
This cruise line offers costume parties with contests and special treats for children.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises hosts a DJ and live band for its Halloween costume party. Kids can dress in costume, participate in a parade, and make Halloween-themed crafts.
This cruise line will have costume parades, trick-or-treating, and special casino events.
Viking River Cruises
Choose a cruise through Transylvania to see Dracula’s Castle, which may have inspired the classic novel by Bram Stoker.
Avalon Cruises
You can cruise on the River Rhine in Germany to view the Black Forest, the home of the spooky Brothers Grimm tales.
How to Prepare for a Halloween Cruise
These tips will help you prep in advance for a special themed cruise.
Be aware of travel dates. If you want a Halloween theme, make sure to choose a cruise line that plans specific activities on the dates you plan to sail.
Theme your costumes if you are traveling as a group. It adds to the fun and helps you find each other on a crowded dance floor. You can also share accessories and makeup if you dress on a theme.
Choose your costume wisely. Consider the weather for where you will be traveling. You may need a lightweight costume in milder temperatures, and a few more layers if you are headed to cooler destinations.
Additionally, bulky costumes don’t transport well. Get creative with simpler layers and props. Also, don’t pack toy weapons as they could present customs issues.
People may ask to take your photo if they like your costume. Decide in advance if you are okay with that and prepare a polite response.
Remember to take an afternoon nap so you can enjoy the late-night Halloween parties. You don’t want to miss the best part of a Halloween cruise by staying in your room.
By using these tips, you can truly enjoy your Halloween cruise.
About the Author:
Andrew Winston is a partner at the personal injury law firm of Winston Law. For over 20 years, he has successfully represented cruise victims who have suffered all kinds of injuries and illnesses due to negligence. He has been recognized for excellence in the representation of injured clients by admission to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, is AV Preeminent Rated by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, enjoys a 10.0 rating by AVVO as a Top Personal Injury Attorney, has been selected as a Florida “SuperLawyer” from 2011-2017 – an honor reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in the state – and was voted to Florida Trend’s ”Legal Elite” and as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Florida and one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the Miami area for 2015, 2016, and 2017.
