Cruising For Murder

All aboard for an arousing
adventure filled with peculiar passengers
and conspiring crewmembers.

After a luxurious week at sea, all those onboard the Mystery of the Seas are ready for a night of romance
and intrigue at the Captain’s Cocktail Reception —an extravagant affair to top all others.

Adrift on the ocean, there is no better place to escape your troubles…
or for a murderer to strike!

Could the killer be the commanding captain who has found his personal life out of control?
A seething spouse who has discovered the dastardly deception of their darling?
Or possibly a conniving contestant who will do anything to be crowned ambassadress
by the cruise line?

Trapped at sea, no one is safe and everyone is a suspect. As secrets are revealed, everyone’s innocence will come into question as the assassin tries to appear angelic.  Sharpen your sleuthing skills, for that’s what you will have to rely on to call out the killer!

Check your baggage and set sail for a sinuous night
of secrets, scandals and seafaring scoundrels.

Download Mystery Intro

Guest Info

Guest Breakdown

20+ guests: 5-6+ male characters, 8-9+ female characters, 2-5+ gender-neutral
15-20 guests: 5-6 male characters, 8-9 female characters, 2-5 gender-neutral
10-15 guests: 4-5 male characters, 5-8 female characters, 1-2 gender-neutral
8-12 guests: 3-4 male characters, 4-6 female characters, 1-2 gender-neutral

 

* The upgrade is only able to upgrade the 15-20 guest version to the 20-80 guest version. The upgrade DOES NOT work with any other size of party.

With 20+ guests: 15+ male characters, 2-5+ gender-neutral characters
With 15-20 guests: 13-15 male characters, 1-2 gender-neutral characters
With 10-15 guests: 9-14 male characters, 1-2 gender-neutral characters
With 8-12 guests: 7-10 male characters, 1-2 gender-neutral characters

This is a mostly-male cast with some of the characters being in same-sex relationships.

* The upgrade is only able to upgrade the 15-20 guest version to the 20-80 guest version. The upgrade DOES NOT work with any other size of party.

With 20+ guests: 15+ female characters, 2-5+ gender-neutral characters
With 15-20 guests: 13-15 female characters, 1-2 gender-neutral characters
With 10-15 guests: 9-14 female characters, 1-2 gender-neutral characters
With 8-12 guests: 7-10 female characters, 1-2 gender-neutral characters

 

This is a mostly-female cast with some of the characters being in same-sex relationships.

* The upgrade is only able to upgrade the 15-20 guest version to the 20-80 guest version. The upgrade DOES NOT work with any other size of party.

The Cast

*Note that the cast listed below is provided only to give an idea of the types of roles available, and not presented in any order relevant to the plot. Not all cast members are included in every version.

  • Captain Stubling

    Captain

    With the captain’s estranged wife aboard this voyage, the captain has more to worry about than where the ship is sailing.

  • Charlie Charge

    Cruise Ship Director

    Concerned for their own career advancement, Charlie needs to make sure the ship’s entertainment goes exactly as they plan. Exactly.

  • A.J. Service

    Purser

    In charge of guest relations, A.J. has grown close to a number of the passengers, but are their dealings legitimate?

  • Candy Cann

    Showgirl

    As a seasoned entertainer, Candy is skilled not only in the art of theatrics, but also in deceit.

  • Tom Collins

    Head Barman

    Tom is accustomed to complying with many requests, but there is a line that even Tom won’t cross. Or will he?

  • Margarita Rocks

    Cocktail Waitress

    Out to prove she can do more than serve drinks, Margarita may have to get ruthless before she can get promoted.

  • Chaplain Love

    Chaplain

  • Buddy Call

    Towel Boy

  • Dexter Handly

    Deckhand

  • Officer Bullet

    Port Authority

  • Chelsea Stubling

    Captain’s wife and passenger

  • Dakota Wild

    Renowned Travel Critic

  • Jeffrey James

    Passenger

  • Liza Seabring

    Passenger

  • Amanda Rebound

    Passenger

  • Wanda Wed

    Passenger

  • Wilbur Wed

    Passenger

  • Penny Drop

    Ambassadress Contestant

  • Kristy Marie

    Ambassadress Contestant

  • Samantha Simpson

    Ambassadress Contestant

Cruising For Murder Party Planning Ideas

Cruising For Murder is a fun mystery to costume for since you can dress up as much or as little as you desire. Personally, we suggest that you go “over the top” in your outfit — whether that means a brightly colored wig or a full-fledged costume is totally up to you! Our research shows that the more you dress up, the easier it is to act out your character and be as crazy as you want to be — I mean, you are wearing a costume it is not really YOU!

Travelers:

  • Fancy outfits
  • Anything to show wealth
    • gold cane
    • expensive jewelry
    • mink stolls
    • fur coats
    • feather boas
    • watch piece
  • Suit with jacket
  • Bow tie
  • Top hat
  • Money tucked into places, like lapel, hatband, etc.
  • Long Gloves

 

Crew:

  • Hats
  • White coat
  • Shirt with large gold buttons
  • A Clipboard
  • Bow tie
  • Vests
  • Aprons
  • Name tags
  • Feathers in your hair (showgirls and cocktail waitresses)

 

Add to any outfit!

  • Boas
  • Wigs (think any variety)
  • Facial hair
  • BLING!
  • Gold or silver accesorries of any type
  • Fancy headress
  • Cigarette extension holders
  • Props of any sort!
  • LARGE hats
  • Fake eyelashes
  • Sunglasses

 

<<< Check Side Tabs For More Ideas!  <<

 

Familiarize yourself with some nautical terms before you embark! Click here

 

For all of your towel boys and cleaning crew! (Click here)

 


In the running for the Ambassadress contest? Click here for a guide

 

<<< Check Side Tabs For More Ideas!  <<

Here are 10 ways to show you know proper cruise-ship etiquette as edited for your Cruising For Murder Cruise!


1. Pay attention at the safety drill. Don’t talk. Don’t drink. Don’t take photos. If there’s a time to be serious on your cruise vacation, this is (not) it. (If your host has gone above and beyond to include a safety demonstration, relish in it!)

 

2. Be spatially aware. You aren’t the only one on the ship. If there is a line at the elevators and you can take the stairs, take them. If you’re a slow walker, let the person behind you pass in the narrow cabin hallways. At the buffet, if you’re alone at a table for six, consider sharing.  Make sure you are conversing and spreading the joy (and listening on other’s conversations).

 

3. Avoid being a deck-chair hog.Reserving a deck chair for the whole day at the pool by leaving your stuff, even when you won’t be there the whole time, is not considered courteous. Spend your time in the sun and then clear the space for someone else. Spend your time at the bar, chatting up with your fellow party-goers and spreading as many secrets and starting as much scandal as you can!

 

4. Don’t save seats for your band of eight in the theater. Make new friends and sit with them! Make sure to find out what secrets they may have!

 

5. Make choices quickly at the buffet (it helps to take a look before you get in line). The buffet line is also not the time to lecture your child or quiz a chef about every ingredient in every dish. Be sure to tell your host what a great job they did preparing food!


6. Check promptly that the luggage delivered to your room(or outside your door) your nametag and objectives are is your own.

 

7. Keep your kids under control. Just because you are on a cruise ship doesn’t mean you can stop parenting. The kids should not be running wild. Also, don’t try to sneak youngsters into adults-only areas of the ship – such as the quiet pool, gym, hot tubs, or spa. Follow the age rules. Make sure with your host that kids are invited, as Cruising for Murder does have adult topics within it. Murder, for instance.

 

8. Talk quietly (no shouting) on cabin balconies and in cabin hallways. Your neighbors can hear you, including when you let your cabin door slam. Especially if you are the murderer. 

 

9. Arrive on time. When you are at an assigned table at a set time, it’s uncool to keep your tablemates waiting. This goes DOUBLE for your evening of mayhem and mystery— the party can’t start till you are all there!

 

10. Follow the dress code. Nothing gets the ire of fellow passengers more then when they follow the dress code – putting on a jacket or tie, for instance – and you blow it off, showing up in the dining room carefree in a Hawaiian shirt. If you want to go casual on a more formal night, head to the Lido buffet. Go overboard on accessories, outfits, props, etc. Nothing will delight your host and fellow guests more than a fellow party-goer that has gone all out! Not to mention, the idea of being awarded Best Dressed at the end of the night!

 

<<< Check Side Tabs For More Ideas!  <<

  • In the yard, place a “Cruise Ship Terminal” sign.

 

  • Alongside your terminal sign, put anchors, a ships wheel, with perhaps some fishing nets, toy ships and plastic fish.

 

Create your own ship!!!

 

Have your guests enter along a gangway. 

  • You can lay down planks that lead to the doorway or you can simply use cardboard and paint it to look like planks.

 

  •  Use small poles and rope to line the entrance as they’re making their way aboard.

 

  •  Scatter blue cellophane along the walkway to make water.

 

  •  You could even make cut-outs of fish to lay across the cellophane or make shark fins out of cardboard to have rising from the water (from aluminum foil or gray posterboard).

 

Greet guests in cruise ship style with a life preserver arch and lots of balloons in red, white and blue. (This is a perfect place for a photo spot!)

 

  • See “creating a photo spot” for more ideas!

 

  • Place a sign at the entrance that reads, “Welcome Aboard! Mystery of the Seas”. Create your own or use the one included with the mystery purchase!

 

  • As guests walk in hand out shell necklaces to the ladies and nautical hats to the gents.

 

  • Upon entering, have your guests pose for a photo (see ‘making a photo spot’ below).

 

  • After having a photo, direct them to the purser, who will hand them their party information (name tag, money, “a” objectives, etc.).

<<< Check Side Tabs For More Ideas!  <<

  • Space Use lots of directional signage to guide everyone through the party, “This way to…” Purser. Galley. Lounge. Casino. Sun Deck. Golf deck. Swimming Pool. Captain’s Quarters. (Signs for areas included with the mystery.)

 

  • Make portholes and place them throughout the party space
    • Directions and designs are included in mystery!
    • Designs for both above deck (horizon) and below deck (underwater scenes) are included!

 

  • Hang life preservers throughout.

 

  • Place Mystery of the Seas “Do Not Disturb” door hangers on all of the rooms that will not be utilized during the party (included in the mystery).

 

  • Don’t forget to give Wanda and Wilbur Wed some privace with an “Anniversary Suite – Do not disturb” sign.

 

Advertise for the Night of Mystery Review show starring Candy Cann by hanging her show posters in your party area!

 

  • Have maritime flags hanging! A fun, festive and colorful way to pull the ship together!

 

  • Create some luggage props with travel stickers (included with the mystery) and an old piece of luggage. Don’t have one? Check your local Goodwill and/or thrift store. (We found ours for $3.)

Place seafaring items throughout your party space to give it a nautical feel:

  • Ship’s Wheel
  • Captain’s hats
  • Anchors
  • Life Preservers (make your own here)
  • Cruise Posters
  • Map of the ship (enclosed in mystery)
  • Fish netting
  • Starfish
  • Seagulls
  • Maritime flags

 

 
  • A pool/lido deck
    • Purchase scene setters that will give you the ambience and feel of being out on the deck!
    • Set out lawn chairs, patio tables, etc.
    • Drape your furniture with beach towels
    • Create a shuffleboard on the floor with painters/masking tape on the floor.
    • Play some background sea/ocean noise!

 

  • Casino
    • Have gambling tables set up if you wish – real or fake!
    • Consider having ipads, laptops, etc, with gambling apps preloaded for your casino.
    • Decorate with neon signs, ringing noises, and casino scene setters.

 

  • Lounge Area
    • Consider a kareoke machine for entertainment during and/or after the mystery.
    • Kareoke microphone could double and help with announcements

 

  • Bar/Cocktail Lounge
    • Consider using votive candles to enhance some intimate lighting.
    • Serve lifesavers candies in silver dishes.
    • Make sure your guests have plenty to drink!

 

  • Dinner area
    • Create a room for dining or have a buffet table.
    • Use red, white and navy table clothes to accentuate the maritime theme.
    • Set your table with table decorations to give it a nautical feel.
    • See Food & Music page for more ideas!

 

  • Chapel
    • For any impromptu weddings or renewing of vows!
    • Can be made easily by stringing lights or tulle on a wedding arch.

 

  • Salon
    • You can use the bathroom for this with extra pampering details!
    • Have your towels folded into animals (see directions here) – much like you would find on a cruise line!

<<< Check Side Tabs For More Ideas!  <<

Give your guests an unforgettable souvenier by setting up a photo area where they can capture a picture of themselves in character.

 

A few suggestions:

  • Pick a place where there will be good lighting.

 

  • You can make it as elaborate or simple as you want.

 

  • Accessories and decorations can make the difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with. Consider extra captain’s hats, feather boas, tiaras, lifesavers, large sunglasses, anchors, etc.

 

  • An easy way to create a background is to use a “scene setter”. These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.

 

  • Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone in to the frame.

 

  • For individual shots of guests, designate someone to be in charge of pictures as your guests arrive.o Consider your character list and which character would fit the role of taking the picture. Ie, if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.

 

  • For a group picture, take one just before the introduction is read or right after the solution is read (before people may start heading out).
    o These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.

 

BACKDROP IDEAS for your cruise ship photo spot

Take a picture as the guests enter on the gangplank.

 

Use scene setters to make a simple background. There are many that are cruise themed.

 

Create a ship’s wheel for your guests to pose behind.

 

Have a additional props such as: captain’s hats, an anchor, life preservers, buoys, etc.

 

Paint your own back drop to pose in front of!

 

<<< Check Side Tabs For More Ideas!  <<

 

Cruise ships are well-known for their sumptuous buffets. Serve a buffet to your guests to keep with the cruise ship theme. (This will allow you to make any fare you choose!)

Check out some tips and recipes for making buffets here.

 

While cruising on the ocean, why not try a menu filled with seafood?
Click on the menu items below to find recipes.
Angel hair pasta with shrimp and basil
Shrimp cocktail
Crab cakes
Seafood stir fry
Flounder with crabmeat stuffing
Find a number of seafood recipes here

 

  • Serve Goldfish crackers
  • Submarine sandwiches
  • Swedish fish
  • Dole Pineapple Fish (they are pre-cut in the can)
  • Fish fruit snacks
  • Cookies made with a fish-shaped cookie cutter to accentuate your nautical experience
  • Starfish Rice Krispy Treats
  • Make blue jello with gummy fish floating in it.

 

A few other ideas to add a little nautical flare to your food:

• Use the place cards (provided with the mystery) and name your food to fit the theme.
– Captain’s Shrimp Cocktail, Seafood Salad, Shipwreck Scallops, Cruising Capers, etc.

 

• Don’t forget to have your menu out (designed menu included with mystery).

 

• Many cruise ships have ice sculptures to decorate their buffets, so you can add these for a touch of authenticity.

 

<<< Check Side Tabs For More Ideas!  <<

  • Serve tropical drinks like pina coladas and daiquiris that tend to be associated with cruises, vacations and tropical destinations.

 

  • Don’t forget the drink umbrellas!

 

 

 

  • Serve punch out of a large punch bowl and add a floating toy cruise ship or sailboat on top.

 

 

  • Consider blue Jello shots with Swedish fish for the theme!

  • Arrange the food along a table and ring a bell when it’s time to eat, inviting everyone to dine at the Captain’s table.
    – Use the table signs (provided with mystery) to denote where the crew and guests should sit.

 

  • Enter your food into the menu (included with mystery) and have it out for the guests to see.

 

  • Label your food with nautical terms (Captain’s capers, Seafaring Shrimp, etc.) and set out by your dishes. (Designed food tents included with the mystery).
  • Use a red/navy/white color scheme and set your table using those colors. It can be as easy as using colored table cloths, napkins and plasticware to pull it all together!

 

  • For a formal feel, consider using crisp white linens and blue skirts, crystal glasses, white plates and silver chargers.

 

  • For a more casual feel, drape tables with fish netting fish hooks and anchors (which can easily be made of heavy duty aluminum foil twisted and formed into shapes) and seashells.

 

  • A long row of light brown sugar along the center of the table makes great ‘sand’ onto which you can arrange your table decorations and/or scatter sand toys, sea shells, etc. to create your own table decorations!

 

  • Tie lengths of white rope or cord (not too thin) around the napkins (contrasting color is best…sea blue…perfect.)

 

  • Wrap napkins with twine or white cord and lifesavers.

 

  • For centerpieces, place ice buckets with champagne or wine and silver balloons coming off. Then, use shimmery cellophane to fill the bucket. You can use the champagne bottles to drink OR for prizes at the end.

<<< Check Side Tabs For More Ideas!  <<

 

  • Waves Lapping and other Seaside Sound Effects. You may want to have the sound of waves lapping playing when your guests walk to the entrance (up your gangway), if any part of your party is outside, or just in general. You can also look for sound effects with a ship horn blowing, seagulls, etc. You can find free sound effects here to download.

 

  • Make a mix of music about sailing, cruising and the open water. Here are some ideas for songs for your mix.
    Love Boat Theme
    Come on Down to My Boat – Every Mother’s Son
    Rock the Boat- Hues Corporation
    Boat Drinks – Jimmy Buffet
    Sea Cruise- Frankie Ford
    Where The Boat Leaves From – Zac Brown Band
    Sailing Away- Styx
    Lovely Cruise – Jimmy Buffet
    Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)- Enya
    Sloop John B – Beach Boys, Kingston Trio
    Sailing – Rod Stewart
    Sailing – Christopher Cross
    Shipbuilding – Elvis Costello
    Sail On – Crawler
    Sail Away – Randy Newman
    Ship To Shore – Chris DeBurgh
    Sail Away – The Temptations
    My Ship – Tavares
    Son of a Sailor – Jimmy Buffet
    Sail on Sailor – Beach Boys
    I’m Your Captain/Closer To Home – Grand Funk
    Rhythm Of My Heart – Rod Stewart (“Where the ocean meets the sky, I’ll be sailing”)
    Ship of Fools – Erasure
    Ships – Barry Manilow
    Sailing On The Seven Seas – O.M.D.
    Big Ship – Freddie McGregor
    26 Miles (Santa Catalina)  – The Four Preps

<<< Check Side Tabs For More Ideas!  <<


For this theme, you could:

 

UNIQUE INVITATIONS

Why not invite your guests to the party by sending a message in a bottle? This will increase the excitement for the party before it even starts! (Included with the mystery packet are specially designed mailing labels for these invites!) You can find a link to the bottle invites here.

 

LUGGAGE TAGS

Add even more excitement to the party when you send along a luggage tag with their character information. (Included with mystery.)

 

CREATE A GANGPLANK

Nothing will get your guests more excited than walking up to a party space that is designed to be entering a cruise ship!

 

 

 

PHOTO SPOT

While we recoommed this for every mystery, being that cruises are known for their photo spots, this mystery theme is especially prone for it! See the “photo spot” tab in the decoration ideas above!

 

THROWING A LAST-MINUTE PARTY? OR JUST WANT TO HELP YOUR GUESTS GET INTO CHARACTER?

Provide an assortment of accessories to help your guests “get into character” include items such as: mob hats, cigars, fake jewelry, feather boas, glow necklaces, etc.

 

<<< Check Side Tabs For More Ideas!  <<

 

 


Once you order, in your mystery packet you will receive directions and/or printables to make unique and original decorations specific to your party! Included will be:

  • LUGGAGE TAG DESIGN
  • TRAVEL STICKERS
  • MAKING PORTHOLES AND DESIGNS FOR INSIDE THEM (directions and examples)
  • POSTERS (3 designs)
    • Welcome Aboard
    • Enjoy Your Trip
    • Candy Cann Showgirl
    • Captain’s Cocktail Reception
    • And more!
  • SIGNS
    • Room/Area signs
  • DO NOT DISTURB DOOR HANGERS
  • DESIGNED DINNER MENU (you can personalize with your menu items)
  • FOOD TENTS

AND MORE!!!

<<< Check Side Tabs For More Ideas!  <<

 

Hosting Tips

Download Intro

Cruising For Murder Gallery

See Over 1000 Client Pictures View Full Gallery Here

Testimonials

I must say this was a total blast! We did another party last year it was scripted and this was way better!! All of the cast showed up dressed to the max and we served a buffet style dinner! We had so much fun that we are planning another one! Thanks for all of the decorating tips. We had a gang plank going into the house, lots of seashells and fish neting on our tables, candles and fresh flowers to turn out house into an elegant dining room. I would suggest night of mystery to anyone that is looking for a good time! Pictures will be posted emailing them soon. Thanks again for the great time!

- Emily Dectrl

I hosted my first murder mystery party party a few weeks ago! My friends have always wanted to do one and I finally decided I was going to host one! We did the cruising for a murder party! Everyone in my group got really into it! They even created back stories for themselves and some even used accents to spice up the evening, AJ service did an wonderful job at that! She had all her bases covered even told everyone her name was Anna Joe and she likes to be called AJ! Everyone played their part and looked fantastic! I’m really glad that everyone was as excited for this party as I was! I hosted the party in a banquet room (to make our captains cocktail reception very elegant)! I created and had foods with sea themed names and enjoyed decorating for the event! There were so many things that made this evening memorable! And everyone keeps talking about it! They also can’t wait until our next one! We really enjoyed this and I’m glad I decided to use this site! You guys did a great job of providing everything I needed for a great evening! I have attached some pictures! Thanks again for helping make this evening a memorable one!!

- Emily Stern

This was amazing! It was our first time hosting the mystery party! So easy....and soooo much fun! It has taken me 4 years to finally post about the party... since then we have hosted two more mysteries. Each one gets better and better.

- C Birkbeck

Cruising for Murder was probably our most successful party to date! We bought decorations, we made decorations, and everyone noticed the little details. One of the characters was the bartender, Tom Collins, and we even made a personalized cocktail menu and served our guests new and fun drinks all night. It was another party where over half of the guests were newbies but they all got into character and dressed the part. We even had to make one of the guys play a female role and he rocked that dress! Our homemade ships wheel was a big hit for a photo prop and everyone laughed at our cheesy prizes for the winners. Already planning the next one, slowly we’ll make it through every mystery that you guys offer!

- Larissa Kutera

When my daughter was turning 16 we thought we'd up the ante with a great murder mystery theme party. We searched and searched for companies who do murder mystery themes and are so glad we found Night of Mystery! We didn't want a scripted party but did want some direction to follow. She chose the Cruising for Murder party and we did a great big "Midnight Buffet" style dinner party. These kids had the absolute best time playing their parts. And absolutely no one knew who done it! We started the evening with everyone who attended stopping in front of our Ocean scene for a picture with the life preserve from the QEXVI (it was fitting that my daughter's name is Elizabeth!) We color matched all the decorations and even the soda bottles. We created a fake palm-tree and even had a Neptune ice sculpture! Our cupcake tower included a live fish in a bowl and a nautical scene setter finished up nicely. It was an amazing night for our girl and was such a budget-friendly way to splurge on a Sweet 16. Can't wait to host another one!

- Mrs. Black

After much preparation the party began and everyone made a huge effort with their dress and really got into their characters. I as the host had not read any of the details so didn't know who would be murdered or who the murderer was. We had a fantastic evening with Officer Bullet and Chaplain Love giving great performances as money went back and forth. It was a truly and night to remember and all my friends have put all their pictures all over Facebook. Well Done Night of Mystery.....It was a great script and at the end only 2 of our 27 guests managed to correctly guess who the Murderer was.

- 

Purchase Cruising For Murder

Cruising For Murder includes:

Mystery PDF that includes: A Host Guide, A Schedule of the Night, An Introduction, Designed Invitations, Background Information, Character Descriptions, Character Objective Sheets, Name Tags, Evidence, Accusation Sheets, a Detailed Solution, Award Certificates, and more!

Download Intro