Complete Guide to Star Wars:Galactic Starcruiser

With its first cruise launching in March, 2022, the Star Wars:Galactic Starcruiser is Walt Disney World Resort’s newest and most advanced example of Disney storytelling brought to life. Guests have the opportunity to go beyond just watching the action unfold- they become characters in an all new Star Wars adventure, where everyone has the chance to be the hero (or villain, if that’s more your speed). This guide will give you all the (spoiler free) information you need to set sail on your own galactic adventure!

What is this Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser thing, anyhow?

Not Just A Hotel

One of the most difficult things to understand for people who haven’t experienced the Starcruiser for themselves is what exactly is this experience all about? It’s unfortunate that most news stories and bloggers have been calling it the “Star Wars hotel” since it opened. The experience is so much deeper than just a themed hotel. A trip on the Galactic Starcruiser is like a 2-night murder mystery dinner party with Hollywood level production values, mixed with a live action choose-your-own-adventure book, wrapped up in a fully immersive atmosphere that allows guests to live in the Star Wars universe.

A Cruise Through The Galaxy

It’s also a legit cruise. Whether the ship actually goes anywhere is up to your imagination. It has all the makings of a cruise in outer space. Guests arrive and are escorted to their staterooms. A muster drill is required during the first day. There is fabulous gourmet food at dinner, and delicious buffets for breakfast and lunch. Galaxy class entertainment and a wide range of shipboard entertainment and activities are arranged by the ship’s cruise director. The ship makes a port call (in this case to Blackspire Outpost on the planet Batuu), where guests can take part in shore excursions.

The experience of cruising on the Halcyon isn’t only for dedicated Star Wars fans. Whether you’re well versed in the lore of our favorite galaxy far, far away, or have a hard time telling a lightsaber from a Wookiee, the Galactic Starcruiser is an amazing opportunity to experience immersive storytelling on a level that’s unavailable anywhere else.

Things to know before you go

A little preparation can go a long way to having the best possible experience onboard the ship. Here are some important things to know about preparing  for your trip.

Booking and add-ons

While the Star Wars:Galactic Starcruiser experience can be booked directly through Disney, we strongly recommend getting help with the booking from your trusted Key to the World Travel Advisor. There are lots of little details and extra experiences that can be added on to your cruise. Your travel advisor not only knows how and when to make those reservations, but is also happy to spend the time on the phone to get them booked for you.

Extra experiences that must be booked in advance include:

• Captain’s Table: Sit at the Captain’s Table to make dinner at the Crown of Corellian Dining Room even more memorable. Guests sit in a prime location in the center of the dining room for the best view of the entertainment. Also includes extra courses during meals that are only offered at the Captain’s Table, and a chance to dine and interact with Captain Keevan. Price: $50/person for one seating.
• Chandrilla Star Lines Portrait Experience: Half hour private photo shoot with professional posing and lighting, captured by specially trained Cast Members. Photographers work with you to determine the types of photos you’d like taken, and find the best locations around the ship to help you look and feel like true inhabitants of the Star Wars universe. Price: $399/session.
• Image Design Makeup Session:“Image Designers” come to your cabin onboard the Halcyon and create a custom face paint design to help transform you into your chosen alien species for your cruise. They’re able to ensure that your face paint design is “Batuu Approved” so you look your best during your excursion to Black Spire Outpost. Price:$134.52 (includes gratuities)
• Activities on Batuu: Your Key to the World Travel advisor can help you make advance reservations for all the activities on your shore excursion to Black Spire Outpost on Batuu, including building a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop, designing a BB or R2 series droid at the Droid Depot, or reserving a table for drinks and snacks at Oga’s Cantina.

Who are you, and what do you look like?

This is where the fun really begins. Guests aren’t just allowed, but encouraged to dress the part! Costumes onboard the Star Wars:Galactic Starcruiser don’t have to be elaborate or screen quality. With a little thought and some time scrolling through your favorite online shopping site, you can easily put together a convincing “in universe” look for the cruise.

Name and planet of origin

First, spend a little time thinking about your character, and what path you’d like to follow during the cruise. This can help influence your “look”. Made up character names aren’t necessary, but can be fun and help you feel more connected to the story.  Crew members will ask you where you’re from. Feel free to pick a planet from a Star Wars movie, tell them what city you live in, or make up a new home planet for yourself. No matter what you say, the crew members will play along accordingly.

Clothes make the character

The type of character you want to portray can influence your outfits.

• Are you a Force sensitive student of the path of the Jedi? Light colored tunics and brown robes or cloaks fit the look. For a more subtle Force user look, consider emulating the Saja. The Saja are students and teachers of the ways of the Force and lightsaber combat about the ship. They dress in natural fibers, primarily dark blue with red accents. Look for accessories made of wood, stone, and other materials from nature.
• Resistance sympathizers often dress in a paramilitary style, with lots of flight suits and tactical gear. You can also emulate Han Solo, Poe Dameron, Rey, or your favorite resistance fighter. Vests, scarves and fingerless gloves are popular accessories for this bunch. Please note that blasters and other weapons (with the exception of lightsabers) are not allowed on board the Galactic Starcruiser. However, a very popular and useful accessory is a “drop hip bag”-a belt pouch that straps around the thigh and resembles a blaster holster.
• Are you more of a rogue or smuggler type? Imagine what a space pirate would look like, and run with it! Flamboyant jackets, scarves, flowing “pirate” tunics, and lots of flair help you fit the role.
• If you feel like letting your dark side out, or are a First Order sympathizer,  pack plenty of black! Sleek, futuristic clothes in black or grey, with deep red accents are the perfect fit for this character type.
• It can also be fun to let your imagine run wild. Want to be a member of an alien species? Watch some movies or check out some books, and go for it! Have a favorite character that speaks to you? Put together your best take on their signature look. There are plenty of resources online, including websites and Facebook costuming groups dedicated to the Galactic Starcruiser experience. Star Wars Visual Dictionary books are easy to find at your local library, and are great resources for costume ideas also.

Don’t forget, these are just recommendations. Use your imagination, and make your character look the way you want. Or don’t- costumes aren’t required, but definitely help to immerse you in the experience!

How much to pack for the Star Wars:Galactic Starcruiser experience

One question many guests have is just how much to pack for the cruise. The journey is 2 nights/1.5 days. The waking hours during the experience can get very busy, so a multitude of costume changes aren’t recommended. Of course, if you’re an expert at the quick change and want to go all out, feel free.

• One to two looks can be perfect for your cruise. It’s a good idea to include visual elements that carry from one outfit to another, to help crew members recognize you if they need your help later in the trip. Don’t forget that Batuu has three suns, and your visit to the planet can be very warm-plan accordingly. You might want a fresh set of clothes after you return from the planet in case you get sweaty.
• Even though both dinners during the cruise are extravagant affairs, formal dress isn’t required (although certainly welcome if you want to get fancy).
• Comfortable shoes are a must-you spend a lot of time on your feet. For a relaxing cruise, things can get very busy and hectic, especially if the First Order decides to make an unscheduled appearance during your sailing.
• What to expect on board the Star Wars:Galactic Starcruiser, and how to play the game
• Make sure everyone in your party has a smart phone or device capable of installing apps and connecting to WiFi and Bluetooth. You’ll need this to receive communications from crew members, check your schedule, and complete various tasks around the ship. Old cellphones work great for younglings. If you don’t have a device for kids in your group, ask at the ship services counter in the atrium of the ship. They have loaner devices and can help you get set up.
• Along with devices, each member of your party needs to have an account for the Play Disney Parks app. This app turns into the “datapad” which is the main tool for “playing” the game.

What to expect onboard the Star Wars:Galactic Starcruiser, and playing the “game”

The crew of the Star Cruiser do a great job of making sure everyone has the best experience possible. They subtly guide you through the cruise, and are always available to help if you run into technical difficulties.

Getting on and getting acclimated

Boarding the ship starts at 1 P.M., but you can arrive up to 2 hours early to navigate the parking line, check in, and line up to board. If you drive yourself, complimentary valet parking is required. Guests can also arrive by taxi or ride share.

Pro Tip! If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel prior to boarding the Star Wars:Galactic Starcruiser, make sure the front desk is aware of your cruise, and they’ll give you late checkout for embarkation day so you can stay in your room and prepare for boarding without rushing. The front desk can also arrange for complimentary transportation from your hotel to the starport where you board the Halcyon.

Once you’ve checked in, received your Em-bands (outer space magic bands), and cleared the bag check, you’ll take a transport shuttle up to the Halcyon. Crew members will greet you in the atrium, give you a brief tour of the ship, and take you to your stateroom.

Once settled in, make sure to keep an eye on the schedule in your Datapad. This will alert you to events such as the muster drill and Captain’s welcoming toast, as well as scheduled activities such as your bridge operations training session and lightsaber combat training.

Activities Onboard the Star Wars:Galactic Starcruiser

There are plenty of  complimentary activities on board the ship. Guests can play Sabaac (outer space poker) while enjoying drinks in the Sublight Lounge, compete in droid racing, learn about the history of Chandrilla Starlines and the Halcyon, make a model of the starcruiser, and much more. Special activities for younglings (7 and under) are hosted by the Loth Cat Crew.

During free time, feel free to explore all public areas of the ship. Make sure you push buttons, scan your Em-band, and poke around. You might unlock secrets that help draw you into the story of your cruise. Talk to crew members and characters you meet on board.This is one of the key ways you receive tasks and move through story lines during your cruise.

Pro Tip! On day 2, your scheduled shuttle departure time for Batuu is more of a guideline than a strict rule. It’s a good idea to arrive at the shuttle bay earlier to catch one of the first transports out. This will help you get everything done before the heat of Batuu’s 3 suns reaches its peak, and allow you to spend plenty of time onboard the ship in the afternoon.

Food and drink on board the Star Wars:Galactic Starcruiser

There are many great options for dining and drinking around the galaxy. The best part is all food and most non-alcoholic drinks are included in your fare, so you can enjoy as much as you like without worrying about picking up the check!

• For breakfast and lunch, visit the Crown of Corellia for an intergalactic buffet with familiar but reimagined foods that are really from a different world. Note, the menu for these buffets is different each day, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to stop in as often as possible!
• Grab and go breakfast is also available at the Sublight Lounge if you don’t want to sit down to eat.
  
• Dinner each night in the Crown of Corellia dining room is a fantastic experience, with food that you really can’t get anywhere else. Try everything and be open to new things. Dinners are served family style, and if you want more of anything just let your server know. Also, feel free to order items off the younglings menu if you wish in addition to the main meal.
• Adult beverages in the Sublight Lounge do have an extra cost, but they’re definitely worth trying for an alien take on familiar flavors. The Dagobah Vimlet and Fiery Mustafarian come in souvenir glasses.
  
• Food is available in the late afternoon in the Sublight Lounge, and is included in your fare. Take advantage of the variety of snacks, they’re amazing. The smoked cheese plate is a highlight!
• Food from the buffet in the Crown of Corellia dining room can be taken “to go”, so feel free to load up on alien Uncrustables or purple space hot dogs for a snack in your state room or in the Sublight Lounge while you play a few hands of Sabaac.
  
• The ship services counter has a rotating selection of snacks available throughout the day. The atrium also has a water station for refilling your stateroom’s water flask with still or sparkling water.
• Guests receive a voucher for a meal and beverage at Docking Bay 7 during your shore excursion to Batuu. This voucher can be saved and used at any theme park quick service location on disembarkation day if you prefer. Pro Tip! Unless you’ve never visited Batuu and really want to try the food offered at Docking Bay 7, we recommend you skip lunch on planet. The variety of food in the Crown of Corellia dining room for lunch day 2 is phenomenal and not to be missed!

Other tips

• If you need a break from the action, head to your stateroom and check in with D3-09, the in room droid. She’ll frequently have messages for you on the comms center in your room, and will occasionally have tasks for you to help with. If she offers to tell you a bedtime story the first night, make sure to accept!
• Check your datapad for messages frequently. Once you establish relationships with crew members, they’ll have lots of little errands they need help with. And don’t miss any secret meetings that you may be invited to-these are where the excitement really happens, and everyone gets to participate.
  
• If a strange child approaches you in a public area of the ship and asks for help with a task, don’t be alarmed. It’s part of the story, so play along.
• Talk to lots of people! Make friends with fellow passengers and crew members. Heavy roleplaying isn’t necessary, but it is important to play along. You get out of the experience what you put into it.
• Push buttons, open doors, try to hack into computers that claim to be for crew access only. Even if nothing happens right away, it may unlock story elements later on.
• Have fun! Go with the flow, and enjoy the experience. Be open to changing plans or making unexpected side trips at a moment’s notice. Walt Disney Imagineering has created an amazing opportunity to truly be part of a Star Wars story. Everyone has the chance to feel like a hero.
  

Ready to book passage on the Star Wars:Galactic Starcruiser?

Are you considering a trip? Having a travel advisor means someone there to have your back in any occurrence. There is no additional cost to you and you have peace of mind knowing that your vacation is in good hands.

Contact your Key to the World Travel® advisor for your next trip, or send us a quote request to get started. May the stars light your way!