Top Cruise-Themed Halloween Costumes

If you're setting sail on a cruise ship this October, a fun costume is essential for enjoying the Frightfully Fun celebrations on board, especially during the Costume Meet and Greet and the Halloween Day Parade. While a cruise might limit your costume choices (after all, it has to fit in your suitcase), it also sparks plenty of creative ideas. Embrace your nautical adventures with a sailing-inspired or classic pirate outfit, or draw inspiration from the vibrant creatures, landscapes, and cultures of exotic cruise destinations like Caribbean, The Bahamas, Mexico, or Hawaii. Whether you plan ahead or whip something up last minute, a cruise-themed costume will make your Halloween at sea unforgettable.

Buccaneer

To embody a Caribbean pirate, grab some tattered clothing for that weathered appearance, a pirate hat or bandana, an optional eye patch, and a parrot perched on your shoulder. It's a timeless costume, perfectly suited for your cruise adventure. Now, just practice your “aaarghhhs”!

Sea Jelly

Bring the magic of the ocean to your Halloween celebration by dressing up as a jellyfish. Grab a clear or solid-colored umbrella and decorate its edges with matching ribbons, streamers, fabric strips, and bubble wrap. Wear simple, coordinating clothing and lower the umbrella over your head for an authentic jellyfish look.

Hula Performer

If you’ve ever attended a luau in Hawaii, you know how captivating the hula dancers are on stage. Transform this inspiration into a simple costume with a grass skirt, bikini top or a tropical-print blouse, a lei around your neck, and flowers in your hair. You can easily find costume pieces at souvenir shops on the islands or make your own beforehand.

Mariner

A mariner costume is one of the simplest and most appropriate options to assemble. Pair white or navy blue shorts or pants (or a skirt) with a striped T-shirt, add a bandana tied around your neck, and complete the look with a sailor's hat.

Underwater Explorer

Keep the spirit of your scuba diving escapades alive, like your Discover Scuba Diving experience in Bonaire, by dressing as a diver this Halloween. Create oxygen tanks and a BCD using large plastic soda bottles and black duct tape, grab an inexpensive mask and snorkel, and wear it with a wetsuit or snug black attire to mimic a wetsuit. Don’t forget the fins to complete the look, though they might make walking a challenge!

Sea Siren or Sea Man

Glistening mermaid tails are readily available at costume shops, or you can opt for a long, fishtail-style skirt in a shiny metallic hue. Both options are lightweight and easy to pack in your luggage. Pair your tail with a bikini top or swimsuit, or a tank top if you’re going as a merman, and adorn yourself with plenty of shells and shell-themed jewelry. Flowing, beachy waves in your hair will enhance the look.

Golf Player

Golf lovers who plan to hit the links during a cruise (Dinogo offers various golf shore excursions) can easily transform into a golfer for Halloween. Elevate your outfit by donning your finest pastel golf shirt, neatly pressed chino shorts, pulled-up argyle socks, and golf shoes. Complete the ensemble with a visor or fun golf cap while carrying a club and a scorecard.

Pink Flamingo

Join the Astrada Gardens tour in Nassau and draw inspiration from the stunning pink flamingos of The Bahamas. Dress in pink from head to toe, create a set of tail feathers using fluffy pink boas, and craft a headdress by attaching long pink feathers to a headband. Don’t forget to perfect your one-legged balance pose!

Hemingway and His Feline Friends

Inspired by Key West, costumes of Ernest Hemingway and his beloved cats are perfect for couples and families on a cruise. Discover the famous author's six-toed cats during a Hemingway Home and Sloppy Joe’s tour. Cat costumes are a classic choice for Halloween — simply wear black clothing, add cat ears, and use makeup to create a cute kitty nose and whiskers. For Hemingway, men can opt for wrinkled slacks, a short-sleeved linen shirt, and a fisherman’s hat or go for a safari suit. A cocktail in hand and a five o’clock shadow will complete the ensemble.

Charro

Experience the lives and culture of charros (Mexican cowboys) on a Mexican fiesta excursion in Yucatan, Mexico. Honor these traditional horsemen by donning a simplified version of their ornate costumes: slacks with a striped tape along the side seams, a white dress shirt, a wide strip of fabric styled into a short, broad necktie, and a large sombrero atop your head. Don’t forget to create a lasso from a length of rope for an essential charro accessory.

Whether you’re going for a weekend getaway or a longer cruise in October, you're in for a (trick or) treat! Experience the joy of Halloween cruise activities, including pumpkin carving, spooky movie nights, and supernatural trivia, especially while wearing a fun, imaginative cruise-themed costume.