Just when I thought I had our cruise packing list under control, I remembered:
This is a Halloween on the High Seas sailing.
Of course it is.
Disney describes Halloween on the High Seas as select seasonal cruises with Halloween-themed décor, entertainment and parties.
Which sounds incredibly fun.
It also means I could very easily convince myself that we need another suitcase full of themed things.
We don’t.
If you’ve already read [LINK: Our One-Suitcase Disney Cruise Packing List], you know the rule.
One large checked suitcase.
Four backpacks.
That’s the space.
Halloween has to fit inside it.
The Boys Are Going as Power Rangers
The boys already know what they want to wear.
Power Rangers.
Are Power Rangers the most Disney-specific costumes in the world?
No.
Do I care?
Also no.
They’re comfortable.
The boys actually like them.
They pack easily.
Done.
This is exactly what I mean when I say we aren’t approaching our first Disney cruise like we need to suddenly become a Disney family overnight.
They can enjoy Disney and still dress like something else they love.
We’re Not Packing Adult Halloween Costumes
My sister and I are keeping our outfits even simpler.
We’re planning to lean into Pirate Night rather than pack another set of bulky adult costumes.
Recent Disney planning guidance has continued to note pirate-themed bandanas being provided on many Pirate Night sailings, but onboard offerings and schedules can change, so we’ll confirm what our specific sailing provides rather than build our packing list around it.
If we have the bandanas/accessories onboard, perfect.
If not, I’m still not bringing an elaborate costume.
Three Nights, Three Easy Dinner Looks
Instead of themed outfits every day, we’re doing something manageable.
One casual dinner
Regular comfortable clothes.
One Halloween dinner
The boys wear their Power Ranger costumes.
Comfortable is the key word here.
I don’t want costumes that require constant fixing or get abandoned on my chair 15 minutes later.
One dress-up dinner
Everyone gets a little nicer.
Not because we need a formal event.
Because I’d like one evening where we’re dressed up, together and hopefully get a few really nice family pictures.
That’s enough variety for three nights.
Matching Shirts Are Doing Double Duty
We bought matching Disney-themed shirts for the boys.
They’re cute for pictures.
But there’s also a completely practical mom reason:
I can find them faster.
When we’re walking around the ship, matching shirts make it easier to immediately scan a busy space and identify both kids.
Cute and functional is my favorite category.
Halloween Pajamas
Each boy will have two pajama sets for the trip.
One is Halloween-themed.
Again, this gives them a little extra Halloween fun without adding a whole second wardrobe.
No Cabin Door Decorations
I’m skipping door decorations.
I love looking at other people’s decorated cruise doors.
They’re fun.
I simply don’t personally care enough about decorating ours to use suitcase space or planning energy on it this time.
Maybe another cruise.
Not this one.
And About Those Cruise Ducks…
I almost purchased a dozen little ducks.
The boys had so much fun searching for cruise ducks on our previous sailing that I thought hiding some themselves would be another fun activity.
I’m glad I checked first.
Disney Cruise Line’s policy is that guests may not hide items such as rubber ducks in staterooms or public areas. Recent planDisney guidance specifically says guests can bring ducks onboard, but they shouldn’t be hidden for others to find.
So those are coming off my shopping list.
This is exactly why I don’t want to blindly copy every cruise tradition from one cruise line to another.
Different ships have different rules.
We’ll find something else to do.
I’m pretty sure Disney can keep two little boys busy without me hiding plastic ducks behind furniture.
What Halloween Actually Adds to Our Suitcase
When I strip away all the Pinterest possibilities, our Halloween packing is basically:
- Two Power Ranger costumes
- Halloween pajamas
- Matching Disney shirts
- Whatever small accessories we decide are truly necessary
That’s it.
Disney is decorating the ship.
Disney is providing the entertainment.
I don’t need to personally transport Halloween to Florida.
Our Bigger Goal
This is the boys’ first Disney cruise.
I want them to experience Disney.
I don’t need them to become Disney experts.
And I don’t need to become one either.
They can try the food.
Ride the waterslides.
See a show.
Dress like Power Rangers.
Get a pirate makeover.
Maybe meet a character if the line isn’t ridiculous.
Eat room service in pajamas.
And tell us afterward that their favorite part was something none of the adults predicted.
That’s probably exactly what will happen.
Disney doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
You can give kids a special Disney experience without knowing every character, booking every add-on or packing every themed outfit you’ve ever seen online.
At least that’s what we’re testing.
I’ll report back.
Continue the Series
The next day is the part I did plan in detail:
Read next → Disney Lookout Cay Without an Excursion — Our Simple Family-of-4 Loop
