If you have plans to go on a Carnival cruise this October, get ready for plenty of Halloween fun — and be sure to pack a costume too!

Carnival Cruise Line has announced new ‘Frightfully Fun’ festivities taking place on all sailings throughout the month of October with activities planned for both kids — and kids at heart. (My parents are sailing later this week – I’m counting on them to bring back a full report of the festivities. I hope they’ll join the fun and pack a costume too!)

Passengers will board the ship with greetings from Patch the Pumpkin Pirate, a colorful swashbuckling seafarer who towers 12 feet tall.  During each sailing, kids can gather around Patch as they enjoy Scary Story Time hosted by the cruise director.

And what’s Halloween without trick or treating where the young – and the young at heart – can stock up on candy and other goodies from costumed crew members at different venues throughout the ship.  The event concludes with a costume contest, of course, with prizes for the most creative get-ups.

All-ages activities including Thriller dance classes, Patch’s Deck Party, Halloween-themed trivia and bingo, and pumpkin-carving contests, along with poolside DiveIn Movies showing scary (and not so scary) films like Hotel Transylvania 3:  Summer Vacation, Dracula Untold and It, are also featured.

They’ll also be tasty Halloween treats and custom drinks like Witches Brew and the Green Goblin. Sounds like the perfect celebration to me.

For more information on the Frightfully Fun festivities and upcoming sailings this October, go to www.Carnival.com. Also be sure to check out the Carnival Cruise Line Facebook page and follow them on Twitter at @CarnivalCruise.

Have you gone cruising for Halloween?