Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas
We've been on many cruises over the years. We've also attended many Star Trek conventions. But we've never been on a Star Trek cruise—mostly because they tend to leave from Florida. No excuses this year, though, as Star Trek's 6th annual cruise left February 24 from Los Angeles, sailing to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. We were onboard.
It's no secret that our favorite cruise line is Disney, so I couldn't help comparing this trip to past Disney cruises. The Star Trek vessel, Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas, was similar to other large ships: veranda cabins, theater space, a large dining area for communal meals, as well as a separate cafeteria-style dining area (e.g., all-you-can-eat bacon for breakfast—what's not to love?). This is pretty much where similarities between a Disney and Star Trek cruise end, however. Unlike Disney, this ship had a casino and almost no child passengers—which was just as well, since bar service seemed to pop-up every five feet (ugh).
Music was piped into the hallways and common areas, but instead of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and "Feed the Birds" by the Sherman Brothers, we heard theme songs from the various Star Trek series and movies, plus well-known dialogue and distinctive sound effects from the shows. Passengers were encouraged to decorate their cabin doors, like on other cruises. But instead of Mickey and Minnie, doors were festooned in photos of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, et al.
And speaking of Kirk, our guest cruise captain was James T. Kirk, himself: William Shatner, who appeared at two fan events to answer questions. But unlike captain Mickey, who stays aboard entire Disney cruises, Shatner returned home as soon as the ship anchored in Mazatlan. Disappointing.
No Disney "bounding" here, of course, but many passengers did wear their finest Star Trek costumes and uniforms, according to each day's theme: e.g., Gorn pajama party, zombies, "Knights of the Holodeck," etc. Cosplaying culminated on night #6 with a costume contest that beat anything Disney cruises offer! Our minds boggled, wondering how some participants carried their costumes home.
Meals on the Star Trek cruise were less structured than on Disney, which assigns tables and eating companions for the entire trip. Disney also provides entertainment during dinner—for example, performers and musical numbers from, say, the movie Tangled. Star Trek cruises are much less formal—no assigned seats or companions. And instead of entertainment, you might find yourself debating favorite show episodes with the stranger sitting next to you!
No "Broadway-style" musical shows either, like on Disney; but the Star Trek cruise did offer a wide assortment of cast interviews, panel discussions, and celebrity readings and performances. Our favorites were: a live reading of "The Devil in the Dark" (i.e., the Horta episode), performed by cast members from The Next Generation; a reading of the radio play "The Lost World;" the Gorn "Gong Show" (hysterically funny); and a musical revue by multi-talented Robert Picardo.
Finally, unlike Disney, which makes all their characters available to passengers for free all week long, photo ops and autograph sessions with Star Trek celebs are by appointment only and are very expensive. Luckily, running into my fave actors in the cafeteria or on the ship's elevators was good enough for me!
having a close encounter on the pool deck
So, did we have fun? Yes, but were very happy to beam home once we returned to L.A. a week later. Every Star Trek fan should go on the cruise at least once. For us, though, it's back to Disney.
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