Disney Cruise Line celebrates Halloween on the High Seas

My family and I enjoyed sailing aboard a Disney Cruise Line ship last year at Christmastime, and that journey made the holiday a unique occasion. But as much as I love Christmas, Halloween always has been my favorite holiday at Walt Disney World, thanks to the trick-or-treating fun of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

So imagine how excited I was to hear about DCL’s recent news that the cruise line is bringing a similar family friendly Halloween event to its floating properties, too, as it launches Halloween parties and activities aboard its ships this year.

The Disney Dream will see the largest share of spooktacular activities, but there will be elements on each of the other three ships in the Disney fleet, too. Beginning Sept. 22, Halloween on the High Seas will be celebrated aboard the Dream. The entertainment, as described by DCL, includes:

** Mickey’s Calling All The Monsters Mouse-Querade Deck Party, a celebration in addition to Pirate Night with games, dancing and Disney characters in Halloween costumes.

** A Nightmare Before Christmas-Sing and Scream, an interactive movie experience where guests are part of the action, followed by a meet-and-greet with Jack Skellington and Sally. (A Jack and Sally meet-and-greet last fall at Downtown Disney in Orlando was hugely popular.)

** Haunted Stories of the Sea with a mysterious sea captain storyteller.

** Creepy Cabaret with performances by ghostly musicians and a Villainous Takeover on the dance floor in the adult nighttime district.

** Mask-making, pumpkin-carving and a Disney villain takeover of the ship announcements.

** Elaborate dÃ©cor including a Halloween Tree that transforms throughout the cruise.

The Dream alternates 3- and 4-night itineraries. Halloween on the High Seas takes place through Oct. 31, excluding the Sept. 29 sailing.

The other three ships — Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder — will offer passengers some tricks and treats that debuted on DCL in 2012. These include:

** Costume parties — Disney characters will get dressed up for this Halloween party, and guests are invited to, as well. Expect live music, dancing and candy! Adults will have their own party and costume contest in the nighttime entertainment district.

** Spooky movies — Halloween-themed movies will be shown in Buena Vista Theatre, on Funnel Vision by the family pool and in guest staterooms.

** Ghoulish Delights: Disney Cruise Line chefs have conjured some very special treats for Halloween, including chocolate cake with pumpkin filling, spider cakes and “Witch’s Brew.”

Halloween entertainment begins Sept. 21 on the Fantasy; Sept. 28 on the Wonder; and Oct. 27 on the Magic, when it comes out of drydock.

And here’s something that’s more of a treat than a trick: Passengers on the October sailing of the Magic not only will experience the Halloween activities, but also all the new water features — The AquaDunk, a three-story body slide; the AquaLab; and Nephews’ Splash Zone. Plus, the kids club has been redesigned with an Avengers theme; restaurants have been re-themed; and the adult clubs have been re-imagined. Read more about the Magic’s changes here.