Halloween is a widely celebrated festival on land, but also at sea. Many ships celebrate Halloween on the evening of October 31, but a few decorate and celebrate for all of Halloween week – or even longer.
For example, Disney
Cruise Line’s ships stage Halloween on the High Seas throughout September and
October. Kids dress up for onboard trick-or-treating and can meet some of their
favorite Disney characters, who are disguised in their own spooky-fun costumes.
Adults can attend a costume and dance party in the ship’s adults-only
entertainment district. Everyone can enjoy scary movies at the poolside theater
and a magical Pumpkin Tree in the ship’s atrium (which has a twisted tale to
tell).
MSC Cruises
starts the Halloween party in mid-October with activities like lessons in
applying creepy makeup, Halloween-themed karaoke, and spooky trivia contests. Everyone
can join in the costume parades and dance parties, and kids will love the not-too-scary
haunted house in the children’s area.
Holland America
Line offers some shore excursions that are perfect for the Halloween season, such
as Mysteries of Palermo in Italy, which includes a visit to the catacombs of
the Capuchin Friars; and The Ghosts of Old Quebec, set among the cobblestoned streets
and buildings of Quebec City’s Old Town. On Halloween night, a pumpkin patch
appears in the ship’s atrium; there are trick-or-treating and Halloween movies; and
the dining room serves pumpkin-forward cuisine.
Norwegian
Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean all encourage guests to wear
costumes on Halloween and join in themed activities. On Virgin Voyages ships,
which are for adults only, the cruise line’s signature Scarlet Night transforms
into Fright Night, with a promise that you won’t regret missing your usual
Halloween party back home.
It’s perfectly
acceptable to cruise on Halloween and not dress up, but you can expect lots of
your fellow passengers and even the crew to be in costume – so why not join in?
To keep things easy, it may be best to bring a costume that relies on decorated
clothing and creative makeup rather than wigs, hats, and other hard-to-pack
pieces. For example, a pair of cutoff jeans, a bandana, and some makeup can turn
you into a pirate; a white shirt, black-framed glasses, and more makeup can
transform you into an evil scientist.
For more
information on ships and itineraries that let you celebrate Halloween in a costumed
and pumpkin-spiced style, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.
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