Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy: What is Halloween on the High Seas?

If you’re researching Disney Cruise Line voyages that sail in the fall, you might see them marked as “Halloween on the High Seas”. You can guess that means Halloween activities, but what should you look forward to? Read on to find out what’s on these seasonal Halloween-themed sailings. And good news! – the Halloween theming and events are included in your cruise fare at no extra cost.

When you board the ship, you’ll immediately have a feeling that “something is not as it usually is … “. The atrium decor is hard to miss! There are Halloween buntings on the railings, and every ship has a “Pumpkin Tree” in the lobby. Each ship’s tree is a bit different and has its own name. You’ll find Reap on the Magic, Bog on the Wonder, Grim on the Dream, Mucklebones on the Fantasy, and Boo on the Wish.

On the first night of the cruise, a Pumpkin Tree Lighting Ceremony sets the tone. According to Disney, the tree’s branches hold the spirits of Halloween past, and the spirit of the Pumpkin King brings it to life. Now, this is a Disney cruise, so when the tree does come to life, it intones that it “wants smiles and not fright”. The vibe throughout your sailing aims for spooky but fun, not ghastly and ghostly.

You’ll find more Halloween decor throughout the ship. Look for everything from Halloween colors and touches in floral arrangements, to Halloween-themed cling window decorations on the portholes, to Mickey-as-a-Mummy popcorn buckets. And it’s not only the decor that gets a makeover. The background music playlists will include Monster Mash and other Halloween novelty favorites.

Onboard activities will often have a Halloween flavor. Look for Halloween-themed trivia, or Halloween storytelling activities. This Halloween overlay goes for details big and small:

• The drink of the day may have a Halloween-y name like “Spooky Juice” or “Franken Fusion Colada”
• The movie lineup will have Disney Halloween-themed movies. Expect Hocus Pocus or Haunted Mansion and the like.
• Some of the photo backdrops will have Halloween theming.
• You’ll see some Halloween-themed merchandise in the onboard shops.

One highlight is Mickey’s Mouse-Querade Party, which varies a bit between ships. Common features are dancing, games, and Disney characters dressed for Halloween. And no matter when you’re sailing, you can find Trick-or-Treating as an onboard activity. Halloween on the High Seas cruises do have Pirate Night on itineraries where it’s normally included.

Character Meet & Greets are a staple of any Disney park or cruise experience. On a Halloween on the High Seas cruise, you’ll find characters in Halloween costumes. These vary from year to year and ship to ship, but look for Mickey and Minnie as some kind of witch or wizard. In recent years, sailings have featured Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle Cow as the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus.

You don’t need to pack anything extra for Halloween on the High Seas, but guests are welcome to appear in costume. The most popular time to dress up is for the Mouse-Querade Party or for Trick-or-Treating. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique may also offer a Halloween Minnie Package on some days. If you do bring a costume, make sure it’s in line with Disney’s policy, and that any toy weapons will get through security when you board.

Now, let’s talk money. The price of your cruise includes the Halloween activities. And Halloween on the High Seas cruises are priced about the same as comparable non-themed itineraries. If you’re looking to sail, the easiest way to find a voyage is to head to Disney’s Halloween on the High Seas page and tap “Search for a Cruise”. Once you’ve picked a sailing, we always recommend using a travel agent to book cruises.

Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy is for first-time Disney cruisers looking to learn about the DCL experience. Got a question about a term that’s unfamiliar to you? Suggest it in the comments below! Been on a Halloween on the High Seas Cruise? Share your best tips!