What do you love about Halloween on the High Seas?

[DisneySunPrincess]

I am in the mood for opinions today it seems. LOL I would love to know what people love about Halloween on the High Seas. What is a must do? Is it overrated? What kinds of candy do they have for the kids trick or treating? Looking forward to what everyone has to say!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am in the mood for opinions today it seems. LOL I would love to know what people love about Halloween on the High Seas. What is a must do? Is it overrated? What kinds of candy do they have for the kids trick or treating? Looking forward to what everyone has to say!

Me, I'm not a fan. I take cruises to enjoy the cruise, not get "let's all enjoy (whatever event someone else has decided my cruise should be themed as)". The "ghost host" making announcements is just creepy to me, as well as difficult to understand on occasion.

 

[Bettyscruise]

Things we enjoyed on Halloween evening;

* Seeing the characters in costume... many great photo ops.
* Dinner that night. Many people wear their costumes to dinner. Very creative minds.
* The kids have a ball. Many excited little faces and smiles.
* The adult costume contest. Lots of laughs and again, very creative minds.

That's what I remember.

 

[Weedy]

It's a nice "little" addition. The kids get a small bag of candy in their cabin. During the pumpkin tree lighting the characters will be dressed up in Halloween costumes. During this time some of the cast members will be dressed up in costumes also and will hand out candy. This event can be very crowded.
The adult costume contest on our cruise was very creative.

Just enjoy it for a little extra fun and not a big event.

 

[Sytrace]

We enjoy cruising in September (less expensive and we homeschool) it just so happens that is when the HOTHS cruises happen.

Honestly, it is not our thing, but we do enjoy seeing the fun costumes that people come up with. Disney does a great job of promoting the fun aspects of the theme but it is not really the main focus and thus the decorations are appropriate and not overdone. The costume part of it gets fair play, but then so does Pirate night, Formal night, Prince and Princess night etc. There is something for everyone.
From what I am told, the candy that is given out is pretty good but again, I could not give you specifics on that (my two are 13 and 14 years old and a bit beyond that stage)

 

[dcassetta]

My favorite part is costumes both on the characters and on the cruise guests

 

[Kittyoko]

My favorite part is costumes both on the characters and on the cruise guests

Are the costumes mostly Disney themed? We just booked our first Halloween cruise, and I wasn't sure if we should do Disney themed or if people just wear whatever. Thanks!

 

[dcassetta]

Are the costumes mostly Disney themed? We just booked our first Halloween cruise, and I wasn't sure if we should do Disney themed or if people just wear whatever. Thanks!

Both, we saw some very creative Disney costumes and some very creative non-Disney costumes. There was one couple on my first Halloween cruise who was dressed up like Mary and Bert from Mary Poppins. Looked exactly like Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyck.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

We weren't fans of Halloween on the ship. We are big on characters and we love to meet them in different outfits. It was great that we met the several the Fab 5, Chip and Dale in new outfits. It was also fun to be able to dress up on the night.

 

[TEMom2]

We didn't realize that our Sept cruise will be a Halloween one until after we booked. Halloween isn't our thing either, so I hope we still love it!

 

[Sytrace]

We didn't realize that our Sept cruise will be a Halloween one until after we booked. Halloween isn't our thing either, so I hope we still love it!

It is very minimal unless you want to be involved in the various activities. For example, on one night there will be Halloween parties, costume judging (adults) candy bags for the kids etc.
The decorations are pumpkins and a large tree in the Atrium that changes as the cruise goes along. There is a Nightmare before Christmas viewing ( I think)
We are taking a 3 night quickie cruise on September 16th (surprise for my 50th...okay, not a surprise to me, but the kids will be) and then on the 24th heading out on the Fantasy. Both are Halloween cruises.
Plus we have taken 2 other cruises during the HOTHS. If we thought it was over the top, we would not go then. You will have a great time regardless!

 

[andrencau]

As previously said, my family enjoys the fact that we can be as involved in the activities or totally ignore them. It really has minimal impact on those who do not want to participate. It can also be really fun to go all in and be a part of it.

 

[anricat]

We went in October and had a great time. For us, the highlights were the Nightmare Before Christmas Sing and Scream with Jack and Sally meet (though, they maybe need to redo that meet as a ticketed event or something because we waited a LONG time), the adult costume contest, getting to see all the characters in costume as well as all the other guests amazing costumes, and our Facebook group stateroom trick or treat. (The last being not an official activity but something we organized on our Facebook group.)

We had so much fun, but we are huge Halloween fans. I felt like the balance was perfect between regular cruise stuff and Halloween cruise activities. It didn't beat you over the head if you weren't into it, but if you were, it was easy and fun to participate. My full trip report is linked from my signature if you're interested in reading all about it.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I'm with @PrincessShmoo. I don't really like the Halloween stuff. In everyday life I don't get into fall decor or Halloween or anything like that. Not my thing. I prefer to not have any of the decor on the ships. None of it does a thing for me. But, I cruise with friends in September so I tolerate it & enjoy my friends. If I had to pick 1 thing I like, I'd say the specialty cocktail. The name escapes me but we called it the Purple People Eater. It's so yummy!

 

[The Sasquatch]

Our family absolutely loves Halloween and the Fall season in general. For us it just adds a little something special to have a theme on the cruise just like at WDW. Halloween and Christmas are best times of year in the parks and on the ships. From September on, we plan almost every weekend around a fall/Halloween event, maybe its a New England thing. Just as people say they dont like it, I am equally as confused why not but oh well. I am glad DCL determined that the majority of people do in fact find the theme fun for the season and I would like to try a Christmas cruise next. We feel the same way during the Christmas season.

 

[pudinhd]

Things we enjoyed on Halloween evening;

* Seeing the characters in costume... many great photo ops.
* Dinner that night. Many people wear their costumes to dinner. Very creative minds.
* The kids have a ball. Many excited little faces and smiles.
* The adult costume contest. Lots of laughs and again, very creative minds.

That's what I remember.

Was there a specific theme night where people wore costumes to dinner? Or was it just hit or miss with some people wearing costumes each night? Thank you!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Was there a specific theme night where people wore costumes to dinner? Or was it just hit or miss with some people wearing costumes each night? Thank you!!

There is one specific night designated for the Halloween activities. That's when the people wear their Halloween costumes. Although, I doubt that you'd be turned away if you wore it another night. Well, except in Remy/Palo.

 

[pudinhd]

There is one specific night designated for the Halloween activities. That's when the people wear their Halloween costumes. Although, I doubt that you'd be turned away if you wore it another night. Well, except in Remy/Palo.

That is very helpful! Thanks so much for the quick response!!