Ta’Boat e Tay!
Around 8am on our first morning aboard the Disney Wish, under a drizzly, overcast sky, I had accomplished one among many trip missions: getting into a hot tub! I’d never sea cruised before, and was determined to relax as well as revel. And while I dutifully consulted Starcruiser organized events through spreadsheets, chats, and posts, I also committed to forget those plans on occasion.
As with my time on the Starcruiser, missions called during all three frenetic days on board the Wish: group photos, fish extender gift deliveries, Star Wars & Halcyon trivia competitions, Hyperspace lounge smoky bubble cocktails, Rey & Chewie meet and greets, cargo hold tours, swag swap, and (space) pirate cosplay. This morning’s mission, however, was extra special, and I almost missed it: a Saja-inspired meditation facilitated by three time passenger, Diana Sanders. As she walked by the hot tub on the way to the meditation meet up, she asked if we were coming. I attempted to respectfully decline, but Diana gently encouraged me to attend, and knowing the power of “Yes, and…” from the Starcruiser. I followed, coffee and pool towel in hand like sacrament and shroud.
Joining me were two other members of the Halcyon Daze documentary team: Kenzie Greer (cinematographer/editor) and Carly Kocurek, (lead researcher/association producer). Sharing a stateroom, we were celebrating the two year anniversary of the Halcyon’s first voyage, floating and bobbing like Hydronimae, along with 200 or so other faithful Galactic Starcruiser superfans, aboard Disney’s newest, largest cruise ship. I was also sweating out a hangover, enjoying a rare calm moment to reflect about our journeys, not only as a documentary team, but as Starcruiser community members.
The cruise had been planned several months before by Sara Maciel of Carry on the Magic travel agency. As the passenger list slowly expanded, it became clear that we wanted to continue feeling the profoundly joyful connection that the Starcruiser gave us. Opportunities like the Wish cruise promised a moment to honor Lady H again, while we enjoyed Star Wars “umbrella” drinks, lifting our glasses, Ta’bu e tay-ing as the Halcyon’s grand visage edged onto the Hyperspace lounge’s port window. Following its hyperdrive exit, the cheers came so quickly that they would have been easy to miss, if we hadn’t all been paying so much reverent –admittedly raucous—attention.
Other memorable moments included what has become the time honored swag swap tradition among GSCfaithfuls. From Kyber crystals, to friendship bracelets, to planets in tiny bottles, the community’s trademark generosity began the day before embarkation, as we handed out items on Batuu in Galaxy’s Edge. Giveaways continued the first night on the Wish when nearly 200 of us flooded the ship’s Grand Hall, ready to delight and be delighted with tokens in honor of the Halcyon. Among my favorite items from the Wish, is a miniature fluke featuring a delicate chain and medallion. I’d asked for this item in the Facebook group dedicated to Starcruiser crafting, hoping that someone would have the skills to do what I could not. And if I have learned anything about the Starcruiser community, it is to ask. Wait (but not long). Be amazed. Repeat.
After that Grand Hall take-over, several glasses of champagne, and many loud declarations of “TOGETHER. AS ONE” the night before, Carly, Kenzie and I exited the hot tub with a more quiet morning mission. Dripping wet but warm, we followed Saja Diana, who had become our guide into a sober but nonetheless celebratory moment with each other. I breathed in, looking onto the Caribbean, rounding a corner to see a small, expectant group waiting for Diana, who emphasized that “she was not a Saja and…no Jedi,” but to me she was in that moment. After twenty minutes, and after a number of confused “normies” crossed our path, we got still as Diana began her meditation. This was our moment to peacefully consider our journeys. Her calm, soft, yet full voice reached out, asking us to breathe while she spoke of the force, calming and focusing our attentions inward. “It is because of that shared experience, that we are here today. Together again...to continue to maintain that connection both to the self we have found and the connection to others we have made.” I quietly settled into her guidance and the power of connecting intentionally, deeply, with an openness of spirit. She had taken me to a core Starcruiser place, one less easily defined or tangibly felt, and one that has come through tearful stories of beauty, healing, friendships, and dreams come true through the Starcruiser. And I had almost missed it, her, these people, our shared magical experience. I had also considered canceling my five thousand dollar space cruise. That is why we were sailing, though. We are risk takers. We embrace play. We are willing to vulnerably share ourselves and give freely.
The rest of the cruise was a rambunctious string of tasks and snapshots. We grabbed footage for the documentary—mainly Kenzie trying to keep up as I stumbled down stateroom halls, either from the swaying ship or a pirate-inspired drunkenness. I heard tale of FOUR Kyber Crystal cocktails (yes, the 5k one that includes a trip to Skywalker ranch) having been purchased. Carly, Kenzie, and I laughed like middle school slumber party friends. A conga line formed and took off at the pirate show after party with a green toy lightsaber leading the way. Sadie, aka Saja Fen Runa (one of the real Saja characters from the Halcyon), shared that older Starcruiser women like me had helped her come into herself and feel more confident. Several other Starcruiser cast members had been on board, some of whom I never saw, a few of whom I did..
And then finally, the day of disembarkment, Kenzie and I lucked into waiting our turn to leave on a set of stairs where everyone passed by before exiting. I hugged every Starcruiser, feeling our journey’s end, and recalling Saja Diana’s words about the force connecting us all.
