If you’re boarding a cruise ship in the month of October, a creative costume is a must for making the most of the Frightfully Fun festivities onboard, especially the Costume Meet and Greet and Halloween Day Parade. Although spending the holiday on a cruise imposes some limitations on your Halloween costume choice (you’ll need to fit it in your suitcase after all), it also offers plenty of inspiration, too. Nod to your nautical adventures with a sailing-themed or classic pirate costume, or look to the colorful creatures, landscapes and cultures of exotic cruise destinations in the Caribbean, The Bahamas, Mexico or Hawaii. Whether you get crafty in advance of your cruise or pull something together at the last minute, a cruise-inspired costume will ensure that your Halloween at sea is the most memorable ever.
Pirate
Some ragged clothes for that weather-beaten look, a pirate’s hat or bandana, an optional eye-patch and a parrot on the shoulder are all you need to be a pirate from the Caribbean. It’s a classic costume and a very fitting choice when you’re on a cruise. All that’s left is to practice your “aaarghhhs”!
Jellyfish
Bring the underwater world up on deck by dressing as a jellyfish for Halloween. Get a transparent or solid-colored umbrella and attach around its rim matching colored ribbons, streamers, fabric strips and lengths of bubble-wrap. Wear plain, matching clothing and simply lower the umbrella down over your head for the full jellyfish effect.
Hula Dancer
Attend a luau in Hawaii and you’ll surely be enchanted by the hula dancers performing onstage. Turn this inspiration into an easy costume by putting on a grass skirt, bikini top or tropical-print blouse, a lei around your neck and flowers in your hair. You can easily find elements of the costume from souvenir stores on the islands or create your own in advance.
Sailor
A sailor costume is one of the easiest, and most fitting, to put together. Wear white or navy blue shorts or pants (or skirt), a T-shirt with horizontal stripes, a bandana rolled and tied around the neck and, of course, a sailor’s hat.
Scuba Diver
Continue the fun of your scuba diving adventure, such as Discover Scuba Diving in Bonaire, by dressing as a diver for Halloween. Fashion oxygen tanks and a BCD from large plastic soda bottles and black duct tape, grab a cheap mask and snorkel and wear it with a wetsuit or tight black clothing to resemble a wetsuit. Fins complete the look but do make it hard to walk!
Mermaid or Merman
Shimmering mermaids’ tails are easy to come by in costume stores, or you could alternatively find a long fishtail-style skirt in a shiny metallic color. Both are lightweight and easy to pack in your luggage. Wear yours with a bikini top or swimsuit or tank top if you’re a merman, and accessorize with lots of shells and shell jewelry. Long, beachy waves in your hair are a plus.
Golfer
Golf enthusiasts who are planning to play a round or two during a cruise (Carnival offers many golf shore excursions) already have the outfit to be a golfer for Halloween. Amplify the look by wearing your preppiest pastel golf shirt, pressed chino shorts, pulled-up argyle socks and golf shoes. Accessorize with a visor or novelty golf cap while carrying a club and scorecard.
Flamingo
Go on the Astrada Gardens tour in Nassau and take some fashion cues from the pink, feathered beauties of The Bahamas. Wear pink from head to toe, fashion some tail feathers from fluffy pink boas and make a headdress by gluing long pink feathers to a headband. Be sure to practice your one-leg balance pose.
Hemingway and his Cats
Key West-inspired Ernest Hemingway and his Cats costumes are ideal for couples and families cruising together. You’ll learn about the famous writer’s six-toed cats on a Hemingway Home and Sloppy Joe’s tour. Cat costumes are an easy Halloween classic — just dress in black, add ears and draw on a cute kitty nose and whiskers with makeup. For Hemingway, men can wear rumpled slacks, a short-sleeved linen shirt and fisherman’s hat or, alternatively, a safari suit. A co*cktail in hand and five o’clock shadow completes the look.
Charro
You’ll learn all about the lives and culture of charros (Mexican cowboys) on a Mexican fiesta excursion in Yucatan, Mexico. Pay homage to the traditional horsem*n by wearing a simplified version of their elaborate costumes: slacks with a taped-on stripe down the side seams; white dress shirt; wide strip of fabric fashioned into a short, wide necktie; and a big sombrero on your head. Loop a length of rope into a lasso for an essential charro accessory.
Whether its a weekend getaway or longer cruise falls in the month of October, you’re in for a (trick or) treat! Discover how much fun Halloween cruise activities can be, including pumpkin-carving, spooky movies and supernatural trivia, especially when you’re wearing a crazy, creative, cruise-themed costume.
FAQs
Pick an idea that's unique, original, and reflects your personality or the brand of the contest's sponsor. Cute or funny costumes have an advantage over costumes that are gruesome (unless the contest is calling for something scary) since people tend to have a positive feeling toward them.
How do you win the best costume contest? ›
Pick an idea that's unique, original, and reflects your personality or the brand of the contest's sponsor. Cute or funny costumes have an advantage over costumes that are gruesome (unless the contest is calling for something scary) since people tend to have a positive feeling toward them.
Do people dress up for Halloween on cruises? ›
Some people play it low key and others go all out – but whatever your preference, it's more fun to be in costume at the festive parties. Channel your inner spirit and dress up however you like – you can even get judged for Best Costume! It's a great way to meet other people aboard the ship and make new friends.
How strict is the Carnival dress code? ›
For women, the dress code may ask for sundresses, skirts and blouses, dress shorts and capri pants are acceptable. Don't wear sleeveless shirts (for men), cut-off jeans, T-shirts or gym shorts. If you want to attend a “cruise elegant” evening, bring a fancier, more formal outfit.
What is the cruise elegant dress code? ›
Cruise Elegant
Gentlemen: elegant dress pants, shirts, sports jackets as well as suits, ties and tuxedos. Ladies: co*cktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts, blouses and evening gowns. Please no shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, bathing clothes, jeans, cut-off jeans, sportswear and baseball caps.
How are costume contests judged? ›
Originality – Does the costume stand out from the rest? Effort – Did the costume take time and effort? Authenticity – How accurate and detailed is the costume? Presentation – How much thought was given to the presentation?
Do cruises do anything special for Halloween? ›
Do cruise ships do anything for Halloween? Yes, plenty of cruise lines celebrate Halloween – although some more than others. Think costume parties, scary movie marathons, trick-or-treating, ghost ship tours, decorating contests, pumpkin carving, fright nights and even special shore excursions!
Does Royal Caribbean do anything special for Halloween? ›
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean ships put on haunted houses or Halloween-themed carnivals (offerings vary by ship), and welcome costumes for both kids and adults.
How strict are cruise dress code? ›
A good rule of thumb for cruisers is to always pack at least one pair of long pants that are not jeans, for dinners onboard. As far as dress prohibitions, cruise lines tend to follow policies similar to airlines, disallowing guests from wearing clothing bearing messages that are distasteful or patently offensive.
What do you wear in the main dining room on a cruise? ›
If you're having dinner in the main restaurant or any meal at one of the specialty restaurants, you'll follow a “smart casual” dress code on most nights. This means long pants, jeans, a dress or skirt, a stylish top, or a button-down.
Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, gym shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.
How do I know which nights are formal on my cruise? ›
Formal nights:
- 3/4/5 Night Cruises - Usually on Day 2.
- 6 Night Cruises - Usually on Day 2 and 5.
- 7 Night Cruises - Usually on Day 2 and 6.
- 8 - 10 Night Cruises - 2 Formal Nights, Days vary by ship and sailing.
- 11 - 14 Night Cruises - 3 Formal Nights, Days vary by ship and sailing.
Evening Chic means you dress to impress, glamorous and sophisticated in your own way, with a co*cktail dress, skirt, slacks, or designer jean, an elegant dress top or blazer—some guests even pack a tuxedo or gown for onboard photos.
What colors to wear on a cruise ship? ›
Colours like black, silver and gold are the most versatile and go with a lot of different outfits. Colourful co*cktail dresses – For casual nights, you may want to opt for less formal co*cktail dresses. If black isn't your thing, brighten up your style with co*cktail dresses in bright colours.
What to wear for an elegant night on a cruise? ›
Cruise Elegant Nights
- Men: Dress slacks, dress shirts, and we also suggest a sport coat; men may also wish to wear a suit and tie or tuxedo.
- Women: co*cktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; ladies may also wish to wear an evening gown.
Create categories. Create different costume categories so you can have many winners, not just one. Not only does this spread the joy of winning a contest to more of your supporters, but it prevents voters from having to compare apples to oranges when it comes to the costumes.
How do you get a super costume? ›
Super Costumes can be obtained at a low probability when crafting at the Merch Forge or exchanged with the Mystic Thread at the Kamazon Shop. You can collect and increase the Collection level of Super Costumes to increase your hero's performance.
What makes a costume effective? ›
These goals can be broken into five categories: costumes should help establish tone and style, time and place, and character information, and costumes should aid the performer and coordinate with the director's and other designers' concepts. Costumes give information on the tone and style of a play.
Who won best costume 8 times? ›
A winner of eight Academy Awards for Costume Design, Edith Head helped define the style of classic Hollywood with her striking work at Paramount and Universal.
