Liked "Ship of Ghouls" when younger, though a cruise ship is not a new setting for the Scooby Doo franchise and has been used better (i.e. 'The Scooby Doo Show's' "Creepy Cruise") and the second half stuck out more than the first. It was the fourth episode of 'The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo' watched when first watching it, after "That's Monstertainment", "Scoobra Kadoobra" and "Scooby in Kwackyland" and lived up mostly to the high expectations had after watching those.
Have re-watched "Ship of Ghouls" and a lot of episodes from most of the Scooby Doo franchise a number of times since, and it is still a good episode. Still think that the second half is better than the first and not everything works, it's also not one of my favourite episodes of 'The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo' in the way that "Scoobra Kadoobra", "It's a Wonderful Scoob" and especially "That's Monstertainment" are. "Ship of Ghouls" succeeds more than it doesn't though and has a lot to like still.
Do feel that there is too much of Bogol and Weerd, they were okay to begin with and their ways of scaring Scooby at first were quite fun. They did however become unnecessary and completely incidental to the plot once Scooby was tranced and some of their behaviour even for their plan was too cruel.
Flim Flam's role here has always left me mixed. Love his chemistry with Scooby and he actually tries to be helpful in a difficult situation, but his behaviour towards the captain feels forced and manipulative just like his cons and dodges. The villain's role is very vague and what he is and his motivations are not just unclear but unexplained. The big twist is not surprising, it shocked me when younger but not so much now.
On the other hand, a lot is done well. Most of the animation, apart from some scrappiness early on, is well drawn, colourful and atmospheric. Especially post-the big twist where the visuals are genuinely creepy. The music fits the atmosphere in good harmony, not feeling at odds and works particularly well in the trancing and the more suspenseful parts of the climax. The theme tune is catchy and epic in its use of the organ and the opening credits has always been one of the franchise's most inventive. The voice acting is great, apart from Howard Morris' grating laughing while talking delivery.
Scooby's dilemma is very relatable and really felt sorry for him, his behaviour when tranced is also hilarious. The final third is thrilling and truly creepy, the climax being one of the show's best where there is actually a sense of jeopardy that was only equalled to this extent in "It's a Wonderful Scoob". The story on the whole is fun and the dialogue doesn't get over-goofy.
Concluding, not great but good. 7/10.
