Cruising with kids By Erin Gifford
Halloween on the High Seas aboard the Disney Cruise ships (Courtesy Disney Cruise Line)
Of course, you and the kids could trick-or-treat around the neighborhood (again). Or, you could really do it up right by taking a Halloween-themed cruise complete with costume parades, theme parties, trick-or-treating, arts and crafts, and plenty of live entertainment that’s both spooky and not-so-spooky. Halloween cruises for kids are a great way to spend time as a family and they can make for a fantastic family vacation. Here are five great cruises over Halloween that your kids will love.
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1. Sail to the Bahamas with Disney Cruise Line
Board the Disney Dream at Port Canaveral near Orlando for a four- or five-day Halloween on the High Seas cruise to the Bahamas. Look for multiple departure dates throughout October with Disney Cruise Line and plan for tricks and treats during the kid-friendly sail. Kids will love the games, dancing and costumes at Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party, as well as ghost stories, mask making and pumpkin carving. For west coasters, look for three- and five-day sails from San Diego to Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas on the Disney Wonder. The whole family will love these Halloween cruises for kids.
2. Sail to the Western Caribbean with Carnival
Nearly all Carnival cruise ships celebrate Halloween with plenty of family-friendly festivities on October 31. On these Halloween cruises for kids look for pumpkin carving demonstrations, scavenger hunts and trick-or-treating on the ship’s deck. All staff will be dressed in costume and specialty desserts and cocktails will be served in honor of Halloween. Try a four-day cruise to the Western Caribbean departing from Miami on October 29 with a stop in Cozumel, Mexico on board the Carnival Paradise. Or, set sail for three days from Long Beach on October 31 on board the Carnival Inspiration with a stop in Ensenada.
3. Sail to the Eastern Caribbean with Norwegian
Kids will love the spooky decorations and goodies around every corner, while moms and dads will love specialty cocktails, like Transylvania Tea and Frankenberry Martinis, on board a Caribbean-bound Norwegian cruise ship over Halloween. Book a seven-day cruise from Miami on the Norwegian Escape to the Eastern Caribbean, including St. Thomas and Nassau. During dinner service on October 31, buffet stations will feature carved pumpkins, as well as special treats, like spiders made of pecans and caramel. Costumes are encouraged. Keep your eyes open for Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants, too.
4. Sail Along the California Coast with Princess
Look for family-friendly Halloween parties, dances, theme nights, even costume contests on-board most Princess ships over Halloween. While the cruise director on each ship plans out individual activities, a good bet is a seven-day cruise from Los Angeles along the California coastline with stops in San Francisco, Santa Barbara and San Diego on the Ruby Princess. Departing October 29, no doubt there will be plenty of pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, fun Halloween movies and a children’s costume parade on the cruise.
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5. Sail to Mexico with Royal Caribbean
It’s always a good time when you celebrate a holiday on-board a cruise ship and Royal Caribbean makes it extra special. Book a seven-day sail from Fort Lauderdale on the Oasis of the Seas and enjoy a costume parade in the Royal Promenade, a dance party, costume contests and plenty of Halloween treats, crafts and hands-on activities. Disembark the ship in Puerto Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico for family explorations or stay on-board for spooky stories and kid-friendly movies, even a haunted house. Bring your own costume or make your own on the ship.
Erin Gifford of Kidventurous contributed this to MiniTime.
