By , Cruise Specialist | January 01, 1900 ( Comments)
"Hello, what have we here? I'm Lando Calrissian. I'm the administrator of this facility."
From the moment we boarded the Disney Fantasy for our Star Wars cruise, I knew it was going to be like no other. The always-beautiful lobby of the Fantasy had a new addition. A massive display complete with images of the cruise ship, the Death Star and X-wings proved that this was to be no ordinary cruise. This was to be a cruise containing Star Wars Day at Sea!
Now, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, as Disney Cruise Line had never done anything like this before. Star Wars has only just begun to have a presence on Disney's ships with the Oceaneer's Lab aboard the Disney Dream, and its famed Jedi Training Academy. But aside from that, and some new merchandise, Star Wars is brand new to Disney Cruise Line.
When these Star Wars cruises were first announced, I knew I had to go. What I didn't know was that I had just booked the best cruise I would ever take (so far!)
Star Wars Day at Sea was officially the fifth day of the cruise, but there was quite the lead-up to it. In addition to the normal Disney Cruise Line activities, guests were treating to showings of all the original Star Wars movies in the Fantasy's movie theater. The Phantom Menace was screened the first night, followed by Attack of the Clone and Revenge of the Sith in the following morning. Each of the Original Trilogy movies were shown three times a day, with A New Hope the second day, the Empire Strikes Back the third day, and Return of the Jedi the fourth day. Although I had seen the movies of the Original Trilogy countless times in my life, I had never seen them on a big screen! It was like watching them for the very first time all over again. It was especially fun to watch them in a theater that was packed with fans just like me!
When the morning of Star Wars Day at Sea arrived, I knew enough to wake up early to get a head start. The moment I left my cabin, I was greeted with Star Wars music playing through the ship! The ambiance was set!
Around 9:00 AM, the ship received a transmission from an Imperial Star Destroyer! The Captain of the Imperial vessel explained that a cell of Rebel sympathizers was discovered to be aboard the Disney Fantasy, and since our safety was the Empire's number one concern, we would be boarded and the Rebels would be found.
On deck, the transmission was visible on the Funnel Vision screen, and as soon as it was concluded, Imperial Stormtroopers emerged and began patrolling the deck! This went on for a while, as they weaved in and out of guests enjoying fun in the sun, they carefully monitored for those who appeared to be guilty of sympathizing with Rebels!
Soon, the Imperial captain came back on the Funnel Vision, and announced that Darth Vader himself was now aboard the Disney Fantasy, and that the Rebels would be found, or else. With that, the Stormtroopers went off to help their dark master. They were replaced by none other than the notorious bounty hunter, Boba Fett! Assuring us that he was certainly capable of performing disintegrations, he patrolled the deck from above. He was actually standing on the funnel!!
With Boba Fett on the case, I decided to make a run for it? my Jedi robes revealed too much about my allegiances, and clearly my Jedi Mind tricks wouldn't work on him, as they did on the Stormtroopers.
I was just in time to see this cruise's guest speaker, Pablo Hidalgo, who is a leader in the Lucasfilm Story group. Yes, he is probably one of the only people in the world who actually know who Rey is!!! He wouldn't tell me!
In his panel, he talked about the book that he wrote about the new film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens Visual guide. He spoke of the writing process, and how it was especially difficult to keep spoilers away from the publishers as he wrote. A most impressive feat, considering the book was released the same day as the movie!
He also described that in many cases, he would have to make up points based on what the illustrators pointed to in the text! For example, there was a stray arrow that pointed to Kylo Ren's finger! So he had to come up with a fact, which was certainly my personal favorite. "Accusing finger reinforces unquestioned authority." Classic.
At the end, he opened up to questions about anything Star Wars! I of course won't get into any spoilers here, but he answered some of my most burning questions about the Force Awakens!
As I left the panel, I encountered some Jawas in the hallway, who were engaging in their trade as usual. They were very, very uninterested in my half eaten orange, but wanted my lightsaber! Which of course I was unwilling to trade, as that weapon is my life! Thanks Obi-Wan.
It was an absolutely beautiful day outside, and we were very close to Havana, so I decided to take a quick detour outside, but what I found, was disturbing. The First Order was aboard, and they recognized me.
Not too long ago in a Magic Kingdom far, far away, I encountered the first order at the Star Wars Launch bay. I made my allegiances to the Resistance very clear and created a public disturbance. I was warned then, but now, I was in trouble.
They quickly approached me and told me they recognized my face. I was about to be arrested, they even called in Command to send a shuttle, but fortunately, Command ordered them to let me go. They were not happy, but I was free. I didn't even have to cause a scene with my lightsaber!
Now, the time had come for my audience with the Dark Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader. Since there was such a demand to see the characters, Disney Cruise Line placed a form in the room on the first night for us to fill out. We had to indicate which characters we wanted to see, in order of preference. We were then assigned different times a few nights later. We received tickets for Darth Vader, C3PO and R2, and Captain Phasma of the First Order.
Our encounter with Vader went just as expected. He accused us of being Rebel sympathizers, but I did not back down! I activated my lightsaber and proved that I did not fear the Dark Side. We were fortunate to be allowed to leave. The way Vader communicated with us was most impressive. All of the Star Wars characters had actual voices, and could hold full conversations with you! It was truly a highlight as this was the first time they have ever met with guests!
Our meeting with 3PO went much, much better. I had met a friend of his in the gym earlier that week, so she made sure to introduce me personally to the droid himself! He called me, "Sir Nico," and asked if I was a Jedi Master! I had to be modest and tell him I was simply a Jedi Knight. R2 was relieved when I showed him that my lightsaber was blue, and not red.
When I met Captain Phasma, I decided to go incognito, with just a simple Darth Vader shirt, although I still carried my lightsaber. She informed me that she believed I would make a great stormtrooper under her command. I politely declined her offer.
Up next was the costume parade! There were many guests dressed up for Star Wars Day, many of them when interviewed by the cruise staff, informed the audience that they made their costumes by hand! There were great Rey costumes, a Shadow Stormtrooper, Kylo Ren, and even the hot shot pilot Porkins! (RIP). The cruise director Darren even had a great Rebel Pilot costume! Maybe he was the Rebel spy the Empire so desperately sought?
After a run in with some Tusken Raiders, it was time for the Star Wars dinner! It was a massive menu, full of many Star Wars themed items such as Qui-Gon's Crispy Chicken, Padme Souffle, Lando's smooth Red Velvet Cake, and Darth Vader's Nerf Steak. This meal was a home run! Not only were the menus themselves beautifully rendered, but the food was outstanding! I personally enjoyed the Red Velvet Cake and Darth Vader's steak very, very much. I may have also sampled everything else on the menu - It was for research!
After dinner, it was time for the Galactic Dance Party up on Deck, which was preceded by a retelling of the Original Trilogy, with guests in starring roles! I was cast as the "coolest guy in the galaxy," Lando Calrissian! I immediately got into the role. Why be Luke Skywalker when you can be Lando? Answer me that! Lando was a hit! And for the rest of the cruise people called me Lando around the ship. Is there anything better? No. No there is not.
After the show, we went and saw the newest Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens in the Walt Disney Theater! I enjoyed it just as much the twelfth time as I did the first!
Immediately after the showing of the movie, I made my way up to the top deck for the event I'd be waiting for since the moment I booked the cruise. The Star Wars fireworks. They did not disappoint. The preshow consisted of all the characters on the ship coming out and being themselves, and ended with a spectacular 8 minutes of fireworks timed perfectly to the music of Star Wars, which all the other cruise ships were jealous of.
The buffet that followed afterwards was great! It had "Death Star Pizza," "Boba Fett Pizza," "Dark Side Pulled Pork Sliders," and crepes! Do crepes really need a special name to be amazing?
I rushed through the buffet and went to the "Star Wars Superfan Trivia Contest." It was hosted by the one and only Jess, the ship's resident Star Wars expert, and one of my favorite people in the world. I however, disappointed her and myself. I choked when it came time to name Salacious Crumb. How could I forget Jabba the Hutt's laughing sidekick? I will never forgive myself, but the rest of the contest was fun to watch!
After trivia, the Disney Fantasy's nightclub became the Mos Eisley Cantina, with all sorts of Star Wars themed dance music, and the official DJ of Lucasfilm headlining. It was truly a great ending to the best day at sea!
Perhaps the icing on the cake was the newest horn added to the Disney Fantasy's library. For years, she's been able to play "When you Wish Upon a Star," "A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes," "It's a Small World," and more. Now, the "Imperial March," has been added to the joy of Star Wars fans from bow to stern.
Star Wars Day at Sea was something I approached with the highest of expectations. Every single one of them was exceeded. As of writing this blog, there six sailings remain that contain Star Wars Day at Sea. If you can go, do it. You will not regret it. May the Force, and Magic of Disney, be with you. Always.
