Star Trek The Cruise VII day two highlights: saluting sci-fi

The first full day aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas invited Star Trek fans to celebrate all sci-fi worlds, including iconic movies and shows as well as a mishmash of the two. Klingons and Ferengi hung out with Nausicans on the Promenade while a vast array of fans wore shiny dresses, white robes, and bejeweled headpieces.  Andorians also made an appearance as did Trills, Vulcans, Cardassians, and the Borg as most fans focused on celebrating the sci-fi franchise that had brought them altogether.

The day also brought the Star Trek: The Next Generation panel with Brent Spiner, Denise Crosby, Wil Wheaton, John de Lancie, Gates McFadden and LeVar Burton—an hour long opportunity for fans to ask their most burning questions. There was plenty of humor to go around, and the Royal Theater was packed.

Before the panel got started, I had the opportunity to talk with some fans who gave me reasons why the cruise is something that should be on every Trekkie’s bucket list. Sara from Toronto said "to have the best week of your life totally immersed in Star Trek" while Daryl from Toronto said that the cruise is intimate, unlike conventions, and offers fans a better chance of meeting celebrities.

It was Rosita's first time aboard the cruise, and she was happy to come for the seventh as seven just happens to be her favorite number. Star Trek: The Next Generation is the Bostonian's favorite series, and she added a good dose of cheer to the theater as some of her favorites answered fan questions.

The day also included a 35th anniversary viewing of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, the cruise TShirt party which was hosted by Chase Masterson, a musical evening with Anthony Rapp, an evening with Wil Wheaton, the 45th anniversary viewing of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and Star Trek Movie under the Stars, which was Star Trek: First Contact, from 11:00 p.m.

There are a constant stream of activities taking place at various times throughout the day, leaving literally no chance a fan would ever be bored. In fact, a cruise solely dedicated to Star Trek is virtual Trek-lovers paradise.