Cruise Ship Costume
All aboard! Steer the party in this creative, nautical DIY look.
Whether you want to build a wearable cardboard vessel or dress up as a classic captain, a cruise ship costume is a fun, nautical choice for Halloween. It is a crowd-pleasing look that stands out at any party, especially for travel lovers. This guide covers how to craft a wearable ship body paired with classic cruise accessories.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~120 min
- Budget
- $20–60
Try it on
See yourself as Cruise Ship
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Cruise Ship costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Cruise Ship costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Large cardboard box
A rectangular box large enough to fit around your waist to form the ship's hull.
DIY: Recycle a large appliance box or shipping box.
White and blue acrylic paint
To paint the exterior of the cardboard ship white with blue water lines.
DIY: Use leftover house paint or white duct tape to cover the box.
Blue utility straps or suspenders
Two adjustable straps to hold the cardboard ship up on your shoulders.
DIY: Use blue nylon webbing, rope, or thick ribbon taped securely to the inside.
Yacht captain hat
A classic white captain's hat with gold embroidery and a black visor.
Hawaiian shirt
A bright, colorful tropical floral shirt to wear underneath the ship.
DIY: Use any bright summer shirt or a striped sailor tee.
Inflatable life ring
A small red and white inflatable life preserver to hang off the side of the ship.
DIY: Cut a ring shape out of cardboard and paint it white with red stripes.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Cruise Ship costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Cut the top and bottom flaps off a large rectangular cardboard box so you can stand inside it.
- 2
Shape the front of the box into a pointed bow using extra cardboard and heavy-duty tape.
- 3
Paint the entire cardboard ship white, then paint a blue stripe along the bottom edge to represent the ocean waterline.
- 4
Draw black circles along the sides of the ship to look like portholes, or cut them out for a 3D effect.
- 5
Attach the blue suspenders or utility straps to the inside of the box so the ship hangs comfortably from your shoulders.
- 6
Put on your Hawaiian shirt, slip into the cardboard ship straps, and place the white captain's hat on your head.
Makeup & hair
Keep it simple with sun-kissed, beachy hair and a touch of bronzer or a dab of white zinc oxide sunscreen on your nose for a funny tourist vibe.
Cruise Ship for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person wears the cardboard cruise ship, and the other dresses as a tacky tourist with a camera, lei, and sunglasses.
- group
- Create a full cruise crew with a captain, a cruise director in a blazer, and several sunburned passengers in tropical gear.
- kids
- Use a smaller cardboard box painted white with a red life ring drawn on the side, held up by comfortable ribbon straps.
- Plus size
- Ensure the cardboard box is wide enough for comfortable walking, or opt for a comfortable captain's uniform instead of the wearable box.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a small white sailor hat or a red-and-white striped pet life jacket.
Tips
- Keep the cardboard ship lightweight so you can easily walk and mingle at parties.
- Make sure the width of the cardboard box fits through standard doorways before finalizing your build.
- Add a battery-operated string of fairy lights along the deck for a 'cruise ship at night' effect.
Cruise Ship costume FAQ
- How do I make a comfortable cardboard cruise ship?
- Use lightweight cardboard, pad the shoulder straps with foam or fabric, and ensure the box is wide enough for your legs to move freely.
- What should I wear under the cardboard ship?
- A tropical Hawaiian shirt, a striped sailor tee, or a crisp white captain's shirt works perfectly.
- Can I make this a last-minute costume?
- Yes! Skip the cardboard ship and go as a 'Tacky Cruise Passenger' with a floral shirt, sunglasses, a lei, and a captain's hat.
Did you know? The world's largest cruise ships can be over 1,100 feet long, which is about the height of the Eiffel Tower!