A long time ago on a Fantasy far far away...Feb 2016 SWDAS TR, 5/17 CRUISE EPILOGUE - The End!

[chunkymonkey]

Oh my gosh that video was so cute!!! That's an awesome keepsake!

Alderaan, aka New Jersey bwahaha!

Thanks! Yeah, I can't believe I just came up with that but I guess I can be witty when I try.

Found your TR yesterday and finally got caught up. Loving all of your adventures and all the great food descriptions. I am anxiously awaiting DCL to open up sales for October 2017 to hopefully book an eastern Caribbean on the Fantasy. You are making me very excited!

Thank you and welcome! Yeah you and me both! I'd love to do an eastern cruise as well, although Alaska is really my dream. It's just so expensive and I'd really miss the Rainforest room on the Fantasy!

Eeeek! You guys are having so much fun. We are now in single digit countdown and cant wait. Loved the video

I cant wait to see how the dinner was and what you ate

Thanks! It was a crazy fun day and was really happy to be a part of it. So excited you're going soon!!

That was awesome. Way to improvise Were all of the people in costumes guests? Boba Fett, Darth Vader, and Ahsoka Tano look really awesome. You guys had some really nice costumes too. I figured the whole cruise would be 501st and Rebel Alliance members, but your costumes really stood out as very well put together.

Thanks!! Haha - I surprised myself there too! No, only Ashoka Tano was not a guest, they just had some amazing costumes! Thanks!!

THANK YOU!!!

You're welcome!!

I bet - great to look at, but not comfy, everyday attire.

Yup, I don't even think I own anything white spandex unless it's like a tank top that I wear underneath shirts.

That costume is pretty hilarious!

It was! I'd never seen a Taun Taun before up until now. It was inflatable and he had one of those fans that you could hear buzzing to keep it inflated.

Very cool!

Thanks!!

 

[cyndiloveswalt]

We actually have an Alaska cruise booked for September but unfortunately couldn't afford to do it on Disney. Still really looking forward to it! Just wish Mickey would have been there with me!

 

[mlegerto]

Your costumes look great! I'm not always the first one to jump at the chance to dress up in costume for pretty much any event (Disney or non Disney related), but I've found that if you are with the right people and you just give in and go with the flow that it can be quite fun! Glad you enjoyed your SWASD thus far!

 

[tigger536]

I'm loving your report! I haven't cruised Disney yet but I'm planning one for 2017. I was actually in WDW the weekend you flew in though, for princess half marathon weekend.

I can't wait to try Remy, and now it looks like in addition to dinner I'm going to have to add the brunch too! Yum! And I hope they continue the SWDAS, it looks like a great time. Plus I have costumes already, for the darkside races coming up in a week. Looking forward to reading more. I love your writing style and personality. You guys know how to have fun!

 

[Elevationist]

You look beautiful!!

He liked my dress too!

Well yeah, of course he did!

CS got her other serving of Jambalaya and also Snow White's Wild Forest Mushroom bisque. Looks like she finally tried the grey stuff!

Mm, that looks really yummy.

But not as yummy as this!!! Mmm, red meat!

This looks really tasty too. (Is it time for me to go to lunch yet?!)

After dinner we hung out at the Atrium for a bit enjoying the live music. It was great! I can't remember what name this duo was called! They were really fun and sort of a folksy acoustic twist to popular music. Anyone on the cruise remember?

This is so right up my alley, I would have probably loved this!

Everyone, I bring you...Ceremonial aka "Throne Room" Leia!

I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!

I can't remember everything C3PO said because I was just too excited to be getting a picture with them! He mentioned something about the sands in Tatooine and said it was so good to see us again! He called me Your Highness and he called DH Captain Solo! #starstruck

Aww, what a great character interaction! That's great!

Ya'll are just PERFECT!

On the way outside, we ran into quite possibly the cleverest costume ever...Matt the Radar Technician!! If you have no idea what I'm talking about you have to watch the Saturday Night Live skit with Adam Driver as Kylo Ren in Undercover Boss. It's hilarious!

BAHAHAHA!!! This is awesome!!!

Her dress is SO cute!!!

 

[chunkymonkey]

We actually have an Alaska cruise booked for September but unfortunately couldn't afford to do it on Disney. Still really looking forward to it! Just wish Mickey would have been there with me!

That's awesome! I'd love to hear some feedback about how it is cruising without Disney! I think Alaska is perfect for that as you have all this beautiful scenery and nature to distract you from not having any characters!

Your costumes look great! I'm not always the first one to jump at the chance to dress up in costume for pretty much any event (Disney or non Disney related), but I've found that if you are with the right people and you just give in and go with the flow that it can be quite fun! Glad you enjoyed your SWASD thus far!

Thanks! I hear ya! Last year during Pirate night was the first time I've dressed up in years. I figured it may be my only chance to go on SWDAS so wanted to do so with a bang. It was really fun and I'm glad I did so in the company of so many Star Wars fans!

I'm loving your report! I haven't cruised Disney yet but I'm planning one for 2017. I was actually in WDW the weekend you flew in though, for princess half marathon weekend.

Oh funny! We were originally scheduled to be a WDW before the cruise but I've heard it can be really crowded during Presidents week so we switched to after.

I can't wait to try Remy, and now it looks like in addition to dinner I'm going to have to add the brunch too! Yum! And I hope they continue the SWDAS, it looks like a great time. Plus I have costumes already, for the darkside races coming up in a week. Looking forward to reading more. I love your writing style and personality. You guys know how to have fun!

Yeah Remy is just delicious...I'm so glad we went to both brunch and dinner. Both are really different and equally amazing. Are you thinking about going on the SWDAS cruises next year?
Thank you so much! Thanks for reading!!

You look beautiful!!

Thank you!!

This is so right up my alley, I would have probably loved this!

You would have. The Atrium after dinner had live music and lots of people. It was great!

I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!

Thank you!!

Aww, what a great character interaction! That's great!

I know! We were lucky! It was really fun!

Ya'll are just PERFECT!

Aww thanks!

BAHAHAHA!!! This is awesome!!!

I know, right? Best costume!! The funny part is that I posted this picture on instagram and he found his picture and commented "hey did you know Kylo Ren has an 8-pack?" LOL!!

Her dress is SO cute!!!

Yes so much so that 3 people had it on during that day! Hahaha.
Confession: I ended up buying the same dress after the cruise!

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Ashoka Tano made an appearance too!

Wow was that a guest or a CM?

On the way outside, we ran into quite possibly the cleverest costume ever...Matt the Radar Technician!!

(In the voice of Admiral Ackbar, may he RIP): It's a wrap!!

 

[tigger536]

Yeah Remy is just delicious...I'm so glad we went to both brunch and dinner. Both are really different and equally amazing. Are you thinking about going on the SWDAS cruises next year?
Thank you so much! Thanks for reading!!

Right now I'm looking at a Dream cruise in early 2017, but if they extend SWDAS to summer I might do that one instead. It looks like so much fun and a great addition to the cruise!

 

[kastoney]

What fun the costume gathering looks like. And now you're cruise famous ; )

 

[KathyM2]

That is really cool that you guys got to be part of the show. Also I love your costume pics outside on deck...though I can totally understand wanting to get out of that outfit after a while...those sleeves lol...I can't imagine trying to eat at a buffet in that lol

 

[chunkymonkey]

Wow was that a guest or a CM?

I'm pretty sure she was a CM. It's sometimes hard to tell because some of the guest costumes were so good!

Right now I'm looking at a Dream cruise in early 2017, but if they extend SWDAS to summer I might do that one instead. It looks like so much fun and a great addition to the cruise!

It was really fun! A lot of people were saying how it was not worth the price increase, but I had a great time and I would do it all over again. It was also my birthday, so I was going on this cruise, no matter the price, LOL. If it were any other time I may have to think about it because it was a bit pricier than other cruises. The thing is, I'd be willing to try it again in a few years because I think it can only get better over time. We were the guinea pigs, technically!

What fun the costume gathering looks like. And now you're cruise famous ; )

Thanks! Hahaha not sure about cruise famous but I've definitely put New Jersey on the galaxy map!

That is really cool that you guys got to be part of the show. Also I love your costume pics outside on deck...though I can totally understand wanting to get out of that outfit after a while...those sleeves lol...I can't imagine trying to eat at a buffet in that lol

Thanks! Yes, it was a SWELTERING day. It was pure caribbean weather and it wasn't pleasant being in white spandex. I ended up tying the sleeves together at the buffet just so I could get food! But I also didn't eat that much hehehe, just a lot of bread pudding.

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

Thanks! Hahaha not sure about cruise famous but I've definitely put New Jersey on the galaxy map!

And thanks for that! Raised in Northern NJ so glad to see in on the galaxy map!

 

[chunkymonkey]

And thanks for that! Raised in Northern NJ so glad to see in on the galaxy map!

LOL yeah can't believe that actually just popped into my head! thanks!

 

[natebenma]

Oh, darn!!! I read your update last week, but it looks like I didn't comment.

The costume show was great- I love your video. Very funny!

I noticed the couple in the black t-shirts with yellow lettering in one of your pictures. "I love you." "I know"

The Taun-Taun rider cracked me up!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Star Wars Day at Sea
Day 5 Part 4: Pre-dinner festivities!

Changed and ready to go we headed to the Walt Disney Theater to watch the early showing of The Force Awakens in 3D. This was the 4th time I was watching the movie on the big screen and I still loved it as much as the first time.

I'm glad we caught the early show (4:45pm) because later on that evening there was a lot going on: dinner, fireworks, late buffet, trivia, etc. it would have been really impossible to make the movie at the late showing and get a decent seat.

After the movie, I felt a little hungry but we still had about an hour until dinner and I needed something to tide me over. I headed up to Flo's with DH and that's when we realized it was pouring rain! Rain, wind, it was horrendous weather! They had canceled the Star Wars Saga reenactment which was to happen on Deck 11 at that time, so the deck was pretty much empty. Flo's was open though and we were happy to see they had the special Star Wars Day at Sea item.

Hmm, Dark Vader Bantha Burger or...Fish Burger?

Bantha Burger it is!

We just got the burger and no fries because we still had a dinner to go to. DH and I split the burger making it a perfect snack. It was actually really tasty! Here's a little video of us on Deck 11 eating the burger. You can see how empty it is since it was rainy and windy at that time.

I hoped the weather didn't affect the fireworks later! From what a CM said, we should be OK for the fireworks by that time. We still had a good 3 hours so hopefully we could sail into some calmer weather. Fingers were crossed!!

After our snack, we headed back down to the Atrium - I quickly stopped by Deck 4 at the Onboard booking desk and since there was no one there, we made our deposit for our next cruise!! We didn't pick any specific sailing as we wanted to see the rest of 2017 sailings released before we made a decision.

Where should we go to next?

After making our onboard booking, we met up with CS for some pictures! Here was my outfit for the evening. I was much more comfortable but still "themed"

There was a long line at one of the Shutters photographers but there wasn't anyone there. When we asked someone they said they were waiting for the Imperial Guards. Are you kidding me?? That was awesome so we decided to wait in line. I'm so glad we did!

Here's the pic from our camera:

And here are the Shutter's pictures:

Intimidating looking fellas, aren't they?

While waiting in line we saw this really adorable Ewok costume!!

After that we went to get our final picture with the SWDAS sign.

And then CS and I took another chance with the Shutters portrait pictures. This time, it was something very very galactical...surfing!!

Haha these pictures make me crack up. I wonder if it's worth it for the laughter it will give us for years to come?

Oh, ran into another Jawa!!

The Jawa was fascinated with my phone but I wouldn't let him/her take it. Instead he/she seemed to have fun just pressing the shutter button so now I have a couple of Jawa selfies.

Jawa Selfie!

Fine Whines was playing in the Atrium tonight and they had some Star Wars themes up their sleeve. Really cool! They were great!

Here's a mini video of their expert talent:

Now it was time for dinner! We headed over to Animator's Palate for our seating. The dinner started 15 minutes earlier tonight: early seating was at 5:30pm and late was at 8pm so that people could make it in time to the show and fireworks. The weather seemed to have improved just slightly...it was merely drizzling instead of full blown rain so we shall see...

At Animator's Palate, there was a bit of a crowd because they didn't start letting people in yet, and everyone was super excited about tonight's themed meal they gathered there even earlier. Finally they started letting people into the restaurant. Here's a little video I took of us entering the restaurant. I loved how they played the Star Wars soundtrack throughout the ship including the dining rooms.

Even though all the main dining rooms get the same menu tonight, I thought Animator's Palate was definitely the best theme to suit the night. The screens had the Star Wars Day at Sea logo on it, and I guess the restaurant felt the most modern, and the blue lighting was definitely more space-age than the other restaurants. I just thought it would be funny to have a Star Wars mean in Royal Court, so I'm glad we had Animator's Palate tonight.

At our tables we were greeted with the most awesome looking menu! It was heavy and shiny, the best-looking menu I've seen on board! My sister, who works in custom-printing said this type of print is very expensive to make - so I guess that's why they didn't let anyone take them home. Also don't be surprised of Disney reuses them for next year's Star Wars Day at Sea!!

Dinner continued in next post!!

​

 

[chunkymonkey]

Star Wars Day at Sea
Day 5 Part 5: Voyage Through the Galaxy - a Star Wars themed dinner!

The menu was delightful to look at, but really hard to photograph because it was so shiny that everything kept reflecting off of it.

Here's a little panorama of the restaurant:

Even though they didn't have anything playing on screen, they did have the Star Wars Day at Sea logo, hence my opinion that this is the most "Star Wars" themed restaurant out of the three.

And a video I took of the ambiance inside Animator's Palate:

The bread tonight was a marbled bread with red pepper dip. The marbled bread was kinda green, which regularly may not seem too appetizing, but on Star Wars night, you just think it's Yoda-colored so all was good. I didn't care for the red pepper dip since I don't like bell peppers but the bread tasted like normal bread

My sister and I ordered the 2 special drinks of the night:

CS got the Planetoid Punch: Limeade, pineapple coconut water, berry watermelon smoothie

I got the Galaxy in a Glass: Vanilla Rum, Mango yogurt smoothie, coconut cream, strawberry smoothie and Odwalla C juice. This was served in the tall glass in the picture below.

Both drinks were really good but my sister preferred my drink so I offered to swap with her since I did like the tangy-ness of the limeade in her drink. The Galaxy in a Glass was fruity, sweet, and tropical which is the sort of drink that she enjoys.

She liked it!

In my PTR, I said we were going to try and order the entire menu, or at least a good hunk of it.
I also predicted what I think we would all order.

I got the Padme Amidala Souffle: double baked cheddar cheese souffle with apple compote

This was actually quite good with a deep cheese flavor, with a light texture. I love cheese so I quite enjoyed this.

CS got the Bantha Steak Empanadas: finely ground beef wrapped in puff pastry and served with chimichurri sauce. (I predicted she'll order this!)

These were really great! They were kinda small so we ordered another plate for the table to share!

DH got the Lars Homestead Garden Salad: Arugula, radicchio, parsley, cashews, carrots, raisins, tomatoes and radishes tossed with balsamic. (I predicted he'll order a salad!)

Quite a nice salad.

I also got the Sand People Salad: Romaine, spinach, avocado, bacon, chicken, and tomatoes, cracked wheat, and a red wine vinaigrette.

I really enjoyed this salad because I love avocado!

Our appetizers were great and we were looking forward to more! My sister and brought some glow sticks so we put them on!

And now for our entrees:

I got the Qui-gon's Crisp Chicken: with force mashed potatoes, buttered green beans, biscuit and smoked bacon sauce.

This was quite yummy! My only gripe is that it was served more at room temperature rather than piping hot. I guess one of the drawbacks of preparing food for hundreds of people at a time.

DH got the Lord Vader's Nerf Steak: ribeye with roaster fingerling potatoes, collard greens, baby carrots, and red wind truffle jus. (I predicted he'll order this!)

The steak ended up being tough and chewy, so DH didn't eat that much of it. Our servers saw that and asked if he would like something else instead. So DH got the Grilled Bounty Hunter Fish Filet (swordfish) which was much much better and actually really good.

This fish was cooked very well and was a nice light entree.

CS got the Obi-Wan Shroom Steak: Portobello mushroom katsu (panko-crusted cutlet) with sticky rice, curry and green onions. (Oops, I thought she'd get the Yoda papardelle pasta but she was not feeling it).

This was actually quite yummy although again not hot temperature wise which I would have liked.

Overall, some nice and tasty entrees although I wished they would be served a little warmer.

Now it was time for dessert! We had another special menu!

We decided to get one of each of the desserts, except for the sugar-free flan, and share them all!


Han Solo's Frozen Carbonite Sundae: Vanilla and dulce de leche ice cream with caramel popcorn and whipped cream. This was your all around good ice cream sundae!

Here's the Queen Breha Organa Cake: Light angel food cake with Cyanoberry compite. I didn't have this as it was sugar-free and I'm allergic to fake sugars. But I think it was a typical angel food cake.

Calrissian Velvet Cake: Layers of red velvet cake with white chocoalte ganache and zoochberry sauce. This cake was a bit too sweet for me, and I think would be much better with some cream cheese icing instead of white chocolate. That Lando gives me a toothache!

Cloud City Macarons: Raspberry and lemon macaroon served with raspberry and vanilla sauce. This was really pretty to look at but also too sweet.

Princess Leia's Warm Apricot Pudding: with spiced cinnamon anglaise. I thought this was really good and probably was the most "themed" out of all desserts with the cute little bun cookies! Disney sure knows how to do these warm bread puddings right!

Here's CS with all the desserts we ordered! (minus the apricot pudding which was in front of me)

Here's our fantastic serving team with their SWDAS nametags.

Assistant Serve Joseph:

And our server, Nyoman:

They both work very hard each day, and we were grateful for the wonderul service and fun times at each meal. I felt bad for them since they have to leave their families for long periods of time when they are working on a cruise ship. Joseph also said he has a wife and young baby back in the Philippines. I hope he gets the chance to visit them soon. Nevertheless they looked like they were always having a great time on board DCL!

Joseph and Nyoman had asked me earlier in the week which night I would like to celebrate my birthday. Initially I had said on Star Wars night, but looking around, EVERYONE was celebrating a birthday tonight. Every 5 minutes there would be a "happy birthday" sung by the staff. I asked Nyoman if we could just do it the next night since it would feel more special, and he said of course!

Despite DH's food hiccup, we had a great dinner, it was a really fun themed meal that I think can only get better and more refined over time. Now it was time for the evening festivities! I was determined to get a prime spot for the fireworks so wanted to head up to Deck 11 right away.

We heard it was windy up on deck although it had stopped raining. We headed back to the stateroom to grab some hoodies and warmer layers.

Tonight's towel animal and navigator for tomorrow:

Very excited to see Wishes!

Stay tuned for Star Wars Day at Sea fireworks and midnight buffet!!

​

 

[natebenma]

I love that you got a snack prior to dinner! Great idea to split the burger.

Congrats on booking a cruise (to nowhere). I'll be interested in hearing what itinerary you ultimately pick.

Very cute dress!!! Where is that one from?

I want to meet a Jawa. They are so cute. And greedy!

Thank for sharing the photos and descriptions of your wonderful meal at AP.

Aparently, they should have changed the name of Lord Vader's steak to "Chewie" steak. It looked bad!

Everything else looked better. The 'shroom steak sounds unusual but interesting. The princess leia pudding was adorable!!

They both work very hard each day, and we were grateful for the wonderul service and fun times at each meal. I felt bad for them since they have to leave their families for long periods of time when they are working on a cruise ship. Joseph also said he has a wife and young baby back in the Philippines. I hope he gets the chance to visit them soon. Nevertheless they looked like they were always having a great time on board DCL!

I still remember this from our first cruise 25 years ago. Our server's name was Medic and he told us he was lucky because his wife and children lived in Miami so he was able to see them once a week for a few hours while the ship was in port, turning over passengers.

I know working on a cruise ship is a great opportunity for them, but it really helps me remember how fortunate we are.

 

[disnygirl55]

Great update! The food reviews and update were perfect - and as a result, I have changed what I planned to order for SWDAS dinner, all the way around! LOL! I would have avoided the cheese soufflé, since I am weird and don't like apples with my cheese generally, but based on your comments and the fact that the apples do not appear to overwhelm the dish, I am totally going to order that - as well as the empanadas! I love, love, LOVE cheese - would eat it for every meal of the day if I could. That shroom steak sounds good as well, and I'm going to try the warm apricot pudding - it is worth it just for those cute cookie buns. Thank you so much for the update this morning. Just fantastic!

 

[bcwife76]

Oh I love Ewoks! My husband says I have a 'thing' for them and calls me a furry....

Is it ok that the Jawa's totally freak me out? Like, if I'd seen one on board I think I would have started to panic He took your phone and took a selfie, oh my gosh, too much!!

Those menus look super fancy!! Dinner looked lovely, that princess leia dessert takes the cake (pun intended)!

 

[Elevationist]

This was the 4th time I was watching the movie on the big screen and I still loved it as much as the first time.

That's because it's AWESOME!

I headed up to Flo's with DH and that's when we realized it was pouring rain! Rain, wind, it was horrendous weather!

Oh nooooooo!

Here was my outfit for the evening. I was much more comfortable but still "themed"

Love it!

Oh, ran into another Jawa!!

I love these guys.

Jawa Selfie!

BAHAHA! That's awesome!

I got the Galaxy in a Glass: Vanilla Rum, Mango yogurt smoothie, coconut cream, strawberry smoothie and Odwalla C juice. This was served in the tall glass in the picture below.

This sounds super yummy!

Princess Leia's Warm Apricot Pudding: with spiced cinnamon anglaise. I thought this was really good and probably was the most "themed" out of all desserts with the cute little bun cookies! Disney sure knows how to do these warm bread puddings right!

HOW ADORABLE!!!