Turner Classic Movies is pleased to announce that fan favorite, the TCM Classic Cruise is sailing again!
The official website invites readers to, "Join TCM and fellow movie lovers aboard the majestic Disney Fantasy, October 4-10, 2020, for the one-of-a-kind classic movie experience at sea featuring screenings under the stars, unique presentations by film experts, in-depth interviews and Q&A sessions, fun movie trivia, special guests, and many more surprises along the way!" And all this is true. I'd just like to add information from one who has taken the cruise. Me!
The promotional advertising declares, "you will experience the magic of Disney from their outstanding dining, spacious staterooms and beautiful pools to Disney’s very own private island, Castaway Cay." Coming from someone who is usually skeptical about "magical experiences," I admit that the Disney Cruise line won me over upon seconds after boarding the ship. The champaign reception certainly played a part, but the excitement of the moment was quite visceral. It's as if we had all left the gray, overcast surroundings of New York City, passed through the embarkation dock and up the gang way to instantly step into the Technicolor world of Disney. The exuberant welcome was just the beginning. It was suitably lavish and glitzy to set everyone in the right mood for what would be a classic Hollywood cruising experience.
Although our home away from home was aboard the Disney Magic headed for Bermuda, the 2020 TCM Classic Cruise will set sail on the Disney Fantasy to visit the Florida Keys. To say there is literally always something to do aboard ship is not hyperbole. And even though I had seen most of the movies scheduled over the four days, I kept busy with multiple TCM-themed events and activities to enjoy daily, such as a Margarita tasting, hard core Trivia, a talk on Crime films, a talk about the history of the Oscars, a Bourbon tasting, Bar hoping, and well, you get the picture. There was even a Halloween costume party complete with trick-or-treating where a limited number of TCM collectable enamel pins were up for grabs. All of this was without leaving the ship. With so many unique activities from which to chose, I was never at a loss for what to do.
I can't say that I made the most of our Port of Call. I foolishly did absolutely no research on Bermuda, which left me wondering around a bit. The most interesting part of which was a very exciting bus ride back from the middle of the island. It was very reminiscent of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Disneyland. Seriously, the side view mirror of our bus smacked the side mirror of a garbage truck going the opposite direction on an extremely narrow road at an inadvisably high speed. As unexpectedly thrilling as that was, I'd advise you to do your research in order to make the most of your vacation time.
But you may decide to stay on board more than you think. Although the movie schedule for the days at port was slimmer than the days at sea, there was still plenty to see and do onboard including enjoying the classic movie moments TCM fans love and have come to expect. Of course, I made many new friends along the way, not least of which were our dinning companions. My mother, sister and I really lucked out with a husband, his wife, and his mother being seated at our table for six. The moms ended up going to a few activities together while the husband and I talked incessantly about film history and favorite films.
With only fellow classic movie fans onboard you know you can turn to anyone at any time and strike up a conversation, instantly become a part of a trivia team with absolute strangers, or sit next to fellow wall flowers and blossom out of your shells together. You'll even run into Ben, Eddie, Alicia, Dave and Leonard and feel absolutely comfortable about approaching them knowing they're just as interested in you as you are with them. It really is a unique vacation experience. I highly recommend it and can promise you that it's worth every penny.
If you're a classic film fan you've got to take the TCM Classic Cruise at least once in your life. You'll meet other members of your tribe, and will remember it the rest of your life. Now, that's classic.