Halloween on The High Seas for First Cruise?

[DattDamonMavis]

My wife and I have never been on a cruise. We‘ve decided that we want to do one for our 4th anniversary in September. I understand most people plan cruises much earlier than this, but it’s been a rough year, and we’re at a good place financially. We’ve talked about doing a cruise with another company, but we’re big Disney people.

We’re looking at a 4 Night Disney Cruise from Port Canaveral.
We noticed that the Halloween cruise seems to be about $100 cheaper. We’re not really Halloween people, but would it be worth it to save a little money?

Are there any benefits to doing the standard cruise instead of the Halloween cruise? Is the food different? Are the experiences different? Is one busier than the other?

Thanks!

 

[ajo]

HOTH cruises have some Halloween theming around the ship (pumpkin decals in the port windows and a tree in the atrium that "grows" pumpkins throughout the cruise). There is a trick-or-treating event (or at least there used to be, who knows now). I don't recall any real food or drink differences. Overall, the theming isn't in your face, so if you aren't big into Halloween you don't have to focus on it. As for businesses, I think that just depends on the particular dates and no one knows what this fall will look like anyway.

 

[emeryjl]

Although not by design, I will be doing my first cruise on a HOTH. I picked the date (9/10) based on convenience and didn't realize it was a themed cruise until I received the quote. The discount can probably be explained in part by the fact that HOTH occur during a period that is a shoulder to both summer and the main holiday season. This year uncertainty may also be playing a role. While Alaska 2021 prices are starting to rise (primarily Verandahs), most holiday prices are not moving (those are the only two groups I am tracking as a whole). Also, I am only tracking the starting price for each cabin level, so prices may be moving within the cabin types.

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

You will find some different on board offerings with HOTH cruises as far as entertainment is concerned and additional themeing around the ship but it is nothing that would affect the experience on board.

We usually do a Very Merry Time Sailing every year and the best way to explain it is, if you want the additional activities (Trick r treating for example) the options are there however if you don't want to participate you are by no means required to.

Also, enjoying the cruise your own way and not participating in holiday offerings often means the other options are far less busy. Adult areas for example are less popular and occupied making for a better experience for all.

 

[harriet2]

I don't think I'd book a first cruise for this coming September, nobody knows if the ships will even sail and if they do, what changes have to be applied and how they will affect your trip. I'm afraid there might be some changes which a new cruiser doesn't recognise as Corona changes, that might put you of cruising, which would be a shame, because it's lovely!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I would expect that if DCL is sailing in September, most of the special HOTHs events will not occur or be changed significantly.

 

[Ronneeaght]

Our first DCL cruise was Halloween themed, also chosen for price/timing. We too aren't really Halloween people, and I would say we hardly even noticed. There were some fun decorations around as other people have mentioned. We didn't attend any of the themed events (especially staying far away from the trick or treating as I'd read it could be a madhouse). There's so much to do on the ship, even with skipping those events!

 

[DisBNewB]

Our first (and thus far only) cruise was HOTHS - we picked it purposefully because I love Halloween (and my birthday is just before Halloween). We loved it. There was some theming - pumpkins on the windows, the pumpkin tree in the atrium, etc - but for the most part, all the Halloween stuff is confined to one day, and there aren't many major changes for it. The restaurants had amazingly carved pumpkins and such, which was cool, and then there was the halloween party/parade/trick-or-treating. They took place very centrally, but I imagine if you don't want to be bothered by those crowds (assuming the events are even held as they were, like somebody said above) you could easily just avoid those central areas for a few hours. The other event that happens is the first night, when they do a storytime and lighting of the pumpkin tree.

The characters had halloween costumes for the events, but generally I assume things weren't any different a regular non-themed cruise. There were no changes in menu, pirate night, etc. So unless you HATE halloween, I think it wouldn't be a reason not to go on that itinterary.