As autumn arrives, the changing leaves create a vibrant display of colours. However, the darker days also signal something more spine-tingling, with Halloween in our midst. If you’re in search of an eerie adventure at sea at this time of year, we’ve got the best Halloween cruise destinations for you.
Whether you’re seeking a last-minute Halloween cruise in 2023 or want to plan a haunting Halloween cruise for 2024, prepare to be bewitched as we unveil six of the spookiest destinations for you. So, grab your broomsticks, dust off your costumes, and prepare for a ghostly journey on the high seas!
What is Halloween on a cruise ship like?
Before revealing these spooktacular destinations, let’s explore the hair-raising aura on board the cruise ships themselves. Several cruise lines go above and beyond to offer guests unforgettable Halloween-themed cruises, for example:
- Carnival Cruise Line is known for going all out with Halloween festivities, including costume contests, Halloween party cruises, and even creepy cabin decorations.
- Royal Caribbean also offers some of the best Halloween cruises with costume parades, themed decorations, and spooky activities for both kids and adults.
- Meanwhile, Disney is known for its family-friendly Halloween cruises, featuring character meet and greets, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treating.
So, whether you’re cruising with family or friends or seeking a Halloween singles cruise, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to revel in the seasonal spirit as you sail towards your next petrifying port stop. However, remember, Halloween-themed cruises can vary per ship and itinerary.
So if you need a hand finding the most frightful onboard experiences, our cruise specialists are ready to help.
1. Enchantment Awaits: A Mysterious Halloween Cruise to Amsterdam
The first of our haunting Halloween cruise destinations is none other than the enchanting city of Amsterdam. Known for its picturesque canals, historic architecture, and vibrant culture, Amsterdam takes on a bewitching charm during Halloween.
On a Halloween Cruise to Amsterdam, you’ll sail along its intricate web of canals, which take on an otherworldly allure during Halloween. The reflections of centuries-old buildings in the water create a ghostly atmosphere, making canal cruises particularly enchanting.
The city also has a rich history filled with tales of plague outbreaks, witchcraft, and other dark events. Take a ghost or cemetery tour to discover more of the city’s past that will send shivers down your spine.
If you’re looking for a short break to Amsterdam at this time, a Halloween mini cruise from the UK is ideal. Several cruise lines offer mini cruises from various UK ports to Amsterdam, allowing you to enjoy a taste of the city’s attractions and culture over two or three spooky nights.
2. Haunting Allure: A Bewitching Halloween Cruise to Boston
Next on our list of Halloween cruise destinations is Boston. As one of the oldest cities in the USA, its streets are steeped in history and haunted legends. With its fascinating sites like the Old North Church and Paul Revere’s House, Boston’s rich past provides the perfect backdrop for spooky tales. Then, there’s nearby Salem, famous for witch trials and supernatural stories.
Boston offers a variety of haunted walking tours and trolley (bus) tours that take you to eerie locations and share spine-chilling stories of ghostly encounters and paranormal activity. Discover Granary Burying Ground, where notable figures like Paul Revere and John Hancock are buried.
Meanwhile, Boston’s legendary theatres, like the Wang Theatre and the Cutler Majestic Theatre, are said to be haunted by ghostly performers and audiences from the past.
3. Eerie Embrace: A Spine-Chilling Halloween Cruise from Liverpool
Liverpool is known for its remarkable maritime history and legendary music scene, and these have created some immensely spooky stories that make it a captivating starting point for a Halloween cruise. Cruises lines, including Fred. Olsen, Cunard and Princess Cruises, set sail from Liverpool and visit many destinations, such as the Norwegian Fjords, the Baltic and the Mediterranean.
With Liverpool’s tales of shipwrecks, brave sailors, and maritime tragedies, the city’s docks have witnessed their fair share of ghostly apparitions. The city is also home to various haunted landmarks, including the infamous Stanley Dock Tobacco Warehouse, known for its spectral residents, and the ghostly St. James’s Cemetery, regarded as one of the most haunted locations in the world.
4. A Voodoo Veil Embraces Halloween Cruises to New Orleans
New Orleans, the Big Easy, is known for its vibrant culture, jazz music, and, of course, its supernatural side. With its rich history of voodoo and mysticism, New Orleans is the perfect destination for a Halloween cruise.
Explore the city’s oldest neighbourhood, the French Quarter. Here, you’ll find the hair-raising corridors of the LaLaurie Mansion. Many consider this dwelling the most haunted house in all of New Orleans, where ghosts of former slaves are thought to pay a visit.
Then, there’s the Sultan’s Palace, which holds some of the most chilling stories you’re ever likely to hear! Take a ghost tour through chilling cemeteries, and don’t forget to seek out a voodoo-themed Halloween party cruise. It’s a lively and spooky combination you won’t want to miss!
5. Captivating Cruises to Transylvania: Dracula’s Dark Dominion Beckons
For the ultimate Halloween cruise destination, set your sights on Transylvania, Romania. This is where the legend of Count Dracula was born, and it’s a place where Gothic castles and dark forests set the scene for a truly haunting adventure.
Take a Halloween-themed cruise along the Danube River and visit Bran Castle, often associated with Dracula. Just be prepared for some fang-tastic surprises along the way. Onboard, join fellow cruise guests for Halloween-themed cruise parties, activities and costume contests.
6. Edinburgh’s Gothic Secrets: A Mystical Halloween Cruise to Remember
For a Halloween cruise destination steeped in history and mystique, consider setting sail to the hauntingly beautiful city of Edinburgh, Scotland. With its ancient cobblestone streets and looming medieval architecture, Edinburgh’s Gothic atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for a spooky adventure.
Explore the haunted depths of the Edinburgh Vaults, a series of underground chambers with a dark past. Visit the iconic Edinburgh Castle, where ghostly apparitions have been reported over the centuries. And don’t miss the city’s ominous Greyfriars Kirkyard, rumoured to be one of the most haunted cemeteries in the world.
With Halloween-themed events and tours available, Edinburgh promises a ghostly experience that will make it one of the best Halloween cruise destinations.
