23 incredible photos from Disney's 'Star Wars' cruise

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News / Mashable 9 years ago 368 Views comments

It was the final full week earlier than the Darkish Occasions. Earlier than the Trumpire. 

However because the world held its breath, hundreds of Star Wars followers from all over the world had paid prime greenback months in the past to e-book a weeklong Star Wars-themed Caribbean cruise aboard Disney's equal of a Star Destroyer, the Fantasy — they usually have been going to have their fantasy trip, dammit, even when lots of them had a Very Dangerous Feeling About This. 

The cruise in query solely had one official "Star Wars Day at Sea." Nevertheless it was significantly expanded from an experimental crusing in January 2016 — this time with extra characters, extra actions, extra Star Wars themes on the ship's horn. Followers and Disney forged members alike have been decked out of their Star Wars finery daily of the week.

Between ports they watched each one of many eight films within the two on-board theaters, together with Rogue One in 3D. They ate Vader-shaped fudge and performed Star Wars Battlefront and discovered to bake Wookiee cookies, then watched firework-laden exhibits that ran tributes to the late, nice Carrie Fisher. They attended Lucasfilm-approved lectures on "Star Wars 101" for the informal cantina crowd, in addition to trivia contests to determine the last word Jedi Grasp among the many four,500 souls on board. 

Because the ship skipped its approach from Port Canaveral to Cozumel, Mexico, to Grand Cayman, to Jamaica, to Disney's personal island Castaway Cay — most of it in unusually uneven seas — a small group of reporters had been invited to doc this unusual, celebratory second out of time. 

This is what I noticed on a cruise that nearly satisfied us we have been in a galaxy far, distant, and will look ahead to a cheerful ending. 

Virtually.

  1. Stormtroopers were aboard as we visited beautiful aquamarine beaches in the Caribbean, but tragically failed to pose for Rogue One-style photos knee-deep in the surf. Heck, they wouldn't even get in the pool. 
  2. The ship came fully equipped with a contingent of screen-accurate characters -- from original trilogy through Kylo Ren, Captain Phasma and Ahsoka of Clone Wars and Rebels fame. 
  3. Boba Fett rappels from the Disney Fantasy's main tower. Behind him, the ship's horn is now equipped to play the 'Star Wars' theme and the 'Imperial March,' alongside 'When You Wish Upon a Star,' all at deafening volume. 
  4. Disney's trooper cast is carefully trained to not actually aim their blasters at anyone; they tend to freak people out regardless. (Something the independent Stormtrooper cosplay group the 501st Legion, which was well-represented on board, has known for years.)
  5. Zam Wessel isn't the most instantly recognizable Star Wars character -- she's an assassin seen at the beginning of Episode II: Attack on the Clones. This was a deliberate nod to prequel fans, Disney Cruise executives said. 
  6. Seeing the glee in kids' eyes as they get fired up by Star Wars. Is there anything better? 
  7. Your heart shield cannot repel cuteness of this magnitude. 
  8. Evil-loving younglings foreshadow their terrifying adult form, Anakin Skywalker-style. 
  9. Those three cosplayers at center -- repping Rey, Poe Dameron and General Hux, respectively -- completely stole the show at the cosplay ball. 
  10. Jawas and Tusken Raiders tussle over Artoo and Threepio in an on-deck stage show. The Tuskens were, without any close competitor, the characters most likely to steal the straw from your beverage. 
  11. There were plenty of Force Awakens lovers on board; it was better represented than any other Star Wars movies in the kids' costumes. 
  12. "Uh, everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here, now, thank you. How are you?"
  13. Every night, the same Imperial waiters stalked our table from restaurant to restaurant. I kept telling them these weren't the droids they were looking for. 
  14. Waiters in the Tube, one of a half-dozen on-ship bars, pioneer their own brand of Imperial uniform -- even if it does look more like Futurama than Star Wars. 
  15. Disney chefs' tribute to Han and Leia. Both were delicious. Not pictured: holographic dessert menu. 
  16. They let all sorts of ruffians in here. And most of them want that BB-8 sippy cup on the shelf. (Not going to lie, I have two of them.) 
  17. Let the Wookiee win your heart, young lady. 
  18. Spoiler alert for this show where any kid can battle a Sith: Darth Vader is surprisingly easy to defeat, if you have the Force of a youngling. 
  19. After watching her role in Lucasfilm's ongoing Rebels cartoon on "FunnelVision" -- while soaking in the on-deck pool -- fans could meet Ahsoka Tano in person. 
  20. If only the victim of Han's solo shot in the Cantina had stuck to arts and crafts afternoons, he might still be with us. 
  21. A neat touch for young fans: they'd often find their doors mysteriously decorated with pieces of Disney Star Wars flare. 
  22. And as the Ewoks taught us, what are fireworks without a dance party? (Lightsaber optional)
  23. That week, the Disney Fantasy was the only ship on the seas licensed to perform two fireworks shows. 

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