Are you cruising during the month of October on a Carnival Cruise? You are in for some extra Halloween Fun as Carnival cruise ships not only decorate for the holiday but have a wide variety of Halloween themed activities.
Two weekends ago we surprised our children with a 3-day Bahamas Cruise on the Carnival Liberty. I didn’t realize it at the time, but after I booked our cruise I received an email that all cruises in the month of October have extra special Halloween activities. Otherwise known as Frightfully Fun Halloween. This made my Halloween heart so incredibly full! Here is everything you need to know about having Halloween Fun on a Carnival Cruise!
What activities are go on during Frightfully Fun Halloween?
According to Carnival’s page this is everything you can expect to find on board during the month of October.
- Halloween Deck Party
- Halloween Costume Contest
- Dive-In Movie Specials at Carnival Seaside Theater (featured on select ships)
- Patch’s Halloween Pumpkin Hunt
- Frightfully Fun themed trivia
- Patch’s Spook-tacular Bingo
- Frightfully Fun dance class
- Guess That Frightful Song Line Up
- Pumpkin Carving competition
- Themed Casino Events
- Halloween photo-op
- Youth Activities include: Family Trick or Treat
- Kids Costume Contest
- Teen Halloween Party
Dressing up on a Halloween Carnival Cruise
Costumes are not required; however, Carnival encourages everyone to pack Halloween costumes. Kids will have the opportunity during a sea day to go trick-or-treating, adults can participate in a Halloween dance party, and even a family Halloween costume contest. If you’re an adult and don’t want to dress in a full costume you can pack a modified costume (like our DIY Dwarf shirt costume) or even a costume like our DIY Pirate T-shirt Costumes.
Trick-or-Treating for Kids
Like I mentioned above, kiddos have the opportunity to trick-or-treat. On our three day cruise, our designated “Halloween” day was on our sea day, which was a Sunday. The kids were told to meet at the kids club at 2 PM for trick-or-treating. Once we arrived at the kids club they received a trick or treat bag and a map for various places they could trick-or-treat around the ship.
The trick-or-treat time window was limited. Make sure you arrive promptly at the designated time they publish in the daily newsletter. During our cruise it was only from 2:00 to 2:30 PM. The last spot that the map led you to was to “secret” location where they handed out additional candy. They also had a Halloween dance party with a few songs and did the family costume contest.
Family Costume Contest
Like I mentioned above Carnival hosted a family costume contest. They divided the ages just how the kids club is ran (2-6, 6-9, 10-12). Then they also had voting for best “dad” costume and best “mom” costumes. I just so happened to win the best mom costume. On our three day cruise we had very few parents that were dressed up. Just an FYI.
For 2022 this is the current costume contest categories:
- Best Individual Costume (18+)
- Best Individual Costume (Under 18)
- Best Small Group Costume (18+)
- Best Large Group Costume (18+)
- Frightfully Funnest Costume (18+)
Halloween Decor
The cruise ship has Halloween decor scattered throughout. From the main atrium to the kids club and in between! Make sure you checkout Patch the Pumpkin Pirate formerly known as Halloween Jack! This massive statue was found in the atrium of our cruise ship, the Carnival Liberty! Patch the Pumpkin Pirate was sailing across the sea when he drifted off course and became stranded. Patch was picked up by a passing Carnival ship. By the way… he’s 12 feet tall and loves Halloween! Patch has planned plenty of Halloween activities and fun happening during your cruise.
FAQs
Costumes are not required; however, Carnival encourages everyone to pack Halloween costumes. The option is yours to go all out if you choose. You have the opportunity to wear it during the evening Halloween party, or even the Halloween dance class if you want. I saw a few adults who were wearing a modified costume while on board during our designated “Halloween” day. They wore it all day and night.
Here are some rules around costumes via the Carnival website.
Both adults and children are encouraged to bring costumes and join in the fun. At no time should full masks be worn. Guests may wear half-masks only in special function areas and guests must be identifiable. Masks must be removed when in common areas. Clothing with objectionable material, including obscene language or graphics is not permitted. Clothing which, by nature, exposes excessive portions of the skin that may be viewed as inappropriate for a family environment is not permitted. Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest. Guests who do not adhere to the costume guidelines may be refused entry into, and/or removed from, the event, unless his or her costume can be modified to meet the above standards. All costume guidelines apply throughout the duration of any and all costumed events. We do not allow real pumpkins on board. All rules, regulations and guidelines are subject to change without notice.
2022 ‘Frightfully Fun’ Sail Dates
All cruises departing in the month of October will celebrate Halloween. According to Carnival’s website here are the 2022 “Frightfully Fun” sailing dates.
- Carnival Breeze: October 1 – October 29
- Carnival Conquest: October 10 – October 31
- Carnival Dream: October 2 – October 22
- Carnival Ecstasy: October 1 – October 10
- Carnival Elation: October 3 – October 31
- Carnival Freedom: October 1 – October 29
- Carnival Glory: October 2 – October 30
- Carnival Horizon: October 1 – October 29
- Carnival Legend: October 1 – October 30
- Carnival Liberty: October 3 – October 31
- Carnival Magic: October 1 – October 31
- Carnival Miracle: October 2 – October 11
- Carnival Panorama: October 1 – October 29
- Carnival Paradise: October 3 – October 31
- Carnival Pride: October 1 – October 30
- Carnival Radiance: October 3 – October 30
- Carnival Spirit: October 6 – October 30
- Carnival Splendor: October 2 – October 30
- Carnival Sunrise: October 3 – October 31
- Carnival Sunshine: October 1 – October 29
- Carnival Valor: October 3 – October 31
- Carnival Vista: October 1 – October 29
- Mardi Gras: October 1 – October 29
Other Cruise Experiences
Looking to cruise with a baby or toddler? I have a few blog post on my past experiences and a free printable packing list!
Easy Halloween Costume Ideas
Looking to dress up for your Halloween cruise? Here are a few of my favorite easy inexpensive costumes to make at home.
If you’re looking for an affordable Halloween cruise Carnival is the way to go. We booked our 3-day cruise for a family of 4 in a verandah for only $1,000.00 It’s nice to know that you don’t have to cruise other pricier cruise lines to celebrate Halloween in October. My kids had an absolute blast and are already asking for our next cruise! Hope you find the same Halloween Fun on a Carnival Cruise that we had.
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Comments & Reviews
Costume rules should apply to workers as well. There face is fully covered. I understand to an extent. But to not allow them at all is absurd. Walking around the ship, no your whole face should be covered. What is wrong with walking around holding your mask or in my case helmet. People stop you to take a picture you can put it on and take it off after. When it’s, time for the contest, you put it on and when i’ts over you take it off. That simple. I mean for someone like me who is a legit cosplayer and has been building his Mandalorian armor for 2 years, close to completion, only to see i can’t wear my helmet, really annoys the hell out of me. No, i didn’t build it for the particular cruise we taking, but was going to be the first time i wore it. Going to have to talk to Chuck. Maybe i can get a special appearance pass or something. I mean it legitimately looks like i walked right off the screen. Going to have to see i guess.
Hi Shane–yeah I agree, I don’t make the rules! Hopefully you can wear it at least for the costume competition!