Do cruise lines celebrate Halloween?

It used to be a very American tradition, but fright night is becoming one of the biggest holidays around the world – and cruise lines have fallen head over heels for Halloween too.

Put away your cocktail dress or suit for the night and whip out your realistic skeleton costume – after all, when else can you go for dinner in a onesie?

Plenty of cruise lines offer onboard activities for sailings that fall on October 31, so you can expect Halloween themed arts and crafts, costume contests and spooky parades.

And it’s not just onboard that you can get into the Halloween spirit: you could opt for a Mexico itinerary that takes in the country's Day of the Dead celebrations.

Here we round-up the cruise lines that are making the most of Halloween...

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line celebrates Halloween throughout October, so you better get planning your Halloween costumes (that’s right, plural).

Expect costume contests and trick-or-treating alongside the main event – Patch, the pumpkin pirate, who will be featured in the atrium (on every ship except for Carnival Legend, Luminosa and Panorama), so be sure to snap a picture.

Get into the spirit with a pumpkin carving competition. Here you can show off your creative carving skills before tucking into some delectable Halloween-themed food.

Regular onboard activities such as deck parties, trivia, movies, the casino and bingo will also feature a special spooky twist.

Families can get stuck into a family trick-or-treat, kids costume party and teen Halloween party.

Celestyal

The Greek-owned cruise line may only only operating two vessels, but Celestyal is famed for its hospitality so it's no surprise that the operator puts on quite a show for October 31.

On seven-day cruises, take part in activities including pumpkin carving, Halloween arts and crafts, a ‘scary’ quiz and, to top off the night, a Halloween party.

As for food and drink, Celestyal provides a special pumpkin dessert for dinner as well as themed drinks such as the Zombie cocktail. Cheers.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line, whose fleet includes five ships — with a sixth due in late 2024 — marks Halloween onboard Disney Magic, Dream, Fantasy and Wish.

Characters are dressed with a spooky twist so expect to see Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck and Clarabelle Cow dressed as the Sanderson sisters from the film Hocus Pocus.

There will also be trick-or-treating alongside Halloween-themed desserts, drinks and creepy crafting activities suitable for the whole family.

The cruise line celebrates from September to early November – perfect for Halloween lovers.

Holland America Line

If you’re a fan of arts and crafts, then Holland America Line’s Halloween celebrations are perfect for you.

Become a master of origami with a scary twist, as you can learn how to create a bat, frog, ghost or pumpkin.

Or, if painting is your passion, opt for completing a watercolour pumpkin patch or design your own Halloween greeting card.

And after all that crafting, you’ll have built up an appetite – so head to Halloween teatime in the main dining room. Here you can indulge in Halloween-themed sheet cakes, cookies and desserts in Lido Market.

For a bit of extra fun, Holland America Line hosts a Jack-o-lantern carving content: Crew carve pumpkins and you can vote for the best one.

Marella Cruises

The British cruise line offers plenty of Halloween-themed activities onboard.

Little ones can head over to the M Club Halloween extravaganza which will host a craft and party afternoon onboard Marella Discovery, Explorer and Voyager.

Adults can enjoy a themed tipple with the line’s pumpkin spice white Russian cocktail available to purchase on Halloween.

Looking to brush up on your pumpkin carving skills? Marella Cruises stage a complimentary pumpkin carving demonstration – teaching the techniques of carving.

Even the entertainment has a spooky twist, with Halloween trivia, a scary music challenge and a ‘Silver Scream’ gameshow all on the agenda.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

What better way to celebrate Halloween than by visiting spooky destinations in real life?

Take NCL’s seven-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera, where you can experience Mexico’s Day of the Dead traditions which coincide with Halloween. Visit the Yucatán Peninsula with its mysterious Mayan ruins, like the eerie cenotes that were sacred to the Mayans.

Or opt for the five-day cruise to the Bahamas – which might not seem scary at first glance, but when you delve into the pirate hauntings and voodoo legends of Nassau in the Pirates of Nassau Museum, chances are you'll see the Bahamas in a whole new light.

Gary Anslow, head of UK & Ireland Business, at NCL told World of Cruising: “Spooky season onboard Norwegian Cruise Line is a truly unforgettable experience, from the ghoulish decorations that adorn the ships’ restaurants and bars, to the trick-or-treating adventures and camaraderie across the ship.

“The mix of thrilling entertainment and devilish goings on creates a Halloween atmosphere unlike any other at sea."

Onboard, NCL deck out the ship in gory decorations, with spooky snacks and themed drinks also on offer to enhance the night further.

Royal Caribbean

Onboard Royal Caribbean ships, you can expect scream-worthy décor on October 31 alongside a jam-packed itinerary of Halloween activities.

Think haunted houses, trick-or-treating, costume parties, arts and crafts as well as a parade. Passengers are also invited to bring their own decorations onboard to brighten up their cabin.

All told, dress up for the occasion and head out on the High Seas for some of the best Halloween parties.

But the big question is, what are you Halloween plans? Are you dressing up in a spooky costume – we want to know. Share what you'll be getting up to on our socials...