"Creepy Cruise" lives up to its name. This was an episode that fitted into the liked it a lot but not quite loved category when younger. Loved the monster and the mystery intrigue, but the final solution didn't surprise me. Which was not unexpected at that point, as although the Scooby Doo franchise was and still is a big favourite it has seldom been known for having shocking reveals, always felt that way so this is not a new recent thought.
On re-watches over-time, "Creepy Cruise" actually has gotten better and better, and is actually more surprising through young adult eyes. As of now it is a 'The Scooby Doo Show' high point and one of the best episodes of Season 2 along with "Vampire Bats and Scaredy Cats" (as of now my personal favourite of the season), "The Ozark Witch Switch" and "The Spooky Case at the Grand Prix Race". Really liked to loved all the season though, the shortest one but the best and most consistent one. The weakest (of the previous Season 2 episodes) "The Curse of Viking Lake", with the uneven "The Creepy Heap from the Deep" being the weakest overall, still being pretty good although its final third underwhelmed somewhat.
The animation is quite nice, the cruise ship setting has the right amount of spookiness without being too much so. There are some lovely colours here, but particularly well done visually are the colourful futuristic effects and the monster. Regarding the latter, it is quite unique looking for a villain on 'The Scooby Doo Show' and will admit that the heebie jeebies it gave me when younger still hold up. The music has a nice nostalgic style that is true to the style of 'Scooby Doo Where Are You' while having enough of its own flavour. The theme song is one of the best of the franchise as well as one of the catchiest.
In regard to the writing, "Creepy Cruise" doesn't go overboard on the silliness, and the humour from Shaggy and Scooby still amuses but wisely doesn't dominate in this particular episode, while not getting too complicated. It is solid in terms of mystery, although the responsible is not surprising the final solution is cleverly staged and what the plan and motive were kept me guessing until it was time for things to be revealed.
For an episode of 'The Scooby Doo Show', some of it is darker than usual with the science fiction horror aspect not being downplayed too much and the motive is suitably crooked. The gang and their interaction are great, Shaggy and Velma's roles in the episode are especially well done. The former being because he is always so much fun to watch and the latter contributes hugely to solving the mystery and uncovering a scheme more complicated than the usual schemes in the franchise.
Voice acting is fine, Casey Kasem and Don Messick have never been bettered as Shaggy and Scooby. Heather North has always been my favourite voice actress for Daphne, as well as the longest serving voice actress. Frank Welker is still voicing Fred today and he hasn't showed any signs of being long in the tooth.
Summing up, one of the best episodes of Season 2. 10/10
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