Captain’s Log: Stardate Waitlist – The 2027 Cruise Crisis

Felicia Baxter
Apr 1
4 min read

Captain’s Log. Stardate: 2026.330.

The bridge is quiet, but my internal sub-processors are screaming at a frequency high enough to shatter Romulan ale glasses. I am currently sitting in what I can only describe as a "state of temporal and logistical frustration." As the commanding officer of my own destiny, and a professional FORA travel advisor, I am usually the one navigating the complex nebulae of bookings and reservations with the precision of a tractor beam. But today? Today, the universe decided to test my shields.

The Star Trek Cruise 2027. The 10th Anniversary. The big one. The voyage that departs from the soulful, jazz-infused docks of New Orleans. It’s booked. Solid. Full. Not a single Jefferies tube or escape pod left to squeeze into. I have been placed on the waitlist.

Me. A travel pro. Waitlisted.

It’s like being told by Starfleet Command that you’ve been reassigned from the bridge of the Enterprise to a garbage scow in the Gamma Quadrant. I had it all planned out: the pre-cruise stay at the Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans, sipping something sophisticated in a lounge that smells of old money and new adventures, before boarding a ship full of people who actually understand why "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra" is a foundational piece of literature.

Three people in detailed Star Trek costumes and a small dog in a Starfleet uniform pose on a cruise ship’s deck with a futuristic spaceship backdrop

The New Orleans Nebula

Let’s talk about the logistics for a moment, because as any good Captain knows, the mission starts long before you go to warp. New Orleans in 2027 was supposed to be the ultimate jumping-off point. I had my eyes on the Ritz-Carlton. If you’ve never stayed there, imagine the most luxurious quarters in the Alpha Quadrant. It’s the kind of place where the service is so seamless you’d think they had a crew of high-functioning androids behind the scenes.

The plan was simple: arrive in NOLA, soak in the history, enjoy the rhythms of the Mississippi, and then transition from the "Big Easy" to the "Big Empty" (of space). But now? Now I’m staring at a digital confirmation that says, "We’ll let you know." "We’ll let you know" is the Starfleet equivalent of "The Borg are coming, good luck with that."

It’s a crisis, people. A total cruise crisis. I’ve survived the neutral zone, I’ve navigated the Klingon political landscape, and I’ve even managed to keep my Whiskey Barrel Aged Coffee supply from being raided by the crew, but this waitlist? This is the final frontier of annoyance.

Fueling the Resistance

When the shields are down and the dilithium crystals are cracked, there is only one solution: FB Roasters. If I’m going to spend my days hitting 'refresh' on my inbox, I’m going to do it with a cup of Earl Grey in hand. Jean-Luc had the right idea, tea, Earl Grey, hot, but I prefer mine with a side of "don't talk to me until I've had the whole pot."

Luxurious lounge space featuring a grand piano and modern lighting

In times of waitlist-induced stress, I also turn to the archives. I’ve been revisiting George Takei’s autobiography, To The Stars, available through our Far From Beale Street bookstore. George knows a thing or two about navigating difficult journeys, and his voice is the calm I need while I’m mentally preparing to fight my way onto that ship.

The Sedona Detour

While I wait for the 2027 situation to resolve itself, I’m shifting my focus to more immediate coordinates. My Sedona trek has been recalibrated to May 7th through 13th, 2026. It’s a tactical shift. The goal is to see if the price of fuel (specifically Diesel) drops below the current $5.20 a gallon mark. At $5.20, I feel like I’m paying a "tribute" to a space pirate every time I hit the pump.

If you’re planning your own trek, remember: flexibility is the key to any successful mission. Whether it's shifting dates for a desert hike or navigating the treacherous waters of a sold-out cruise, you have to keep your sensors sharp.

Captain’s Choice: The "Waitlist Woe" Old Fashioned

Must be 21 and over. Please drink responsibly. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, please contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

When the waitlist gets you down, sometimes you need a drink that’s as bold as a cloaked Bird of Prey.

Cocktail: The "Double Oak" Old Fashioned Coffee Pairing:Whiskey Barrel Aged (Bourbon Notes, Oak, Vanilla)

Ingredients:

2 oz Bourbon
0.5 oz Whiskey Barrel Aged coffee syrup (made by simmering the coffee with equal parts sugar)
2 dashes Orange Bitters

Method: Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with an orange twist and a maraschino cherry. It’s the only way to endure the bureaucracy of the 24th (or 21st) century.

A powerful rocket launching through dramatic clouds

Final Thoughts from the Bridge

Being on the waitlist "sucks", there’s no other scientific term for it. But as a travel advisor, I know that the itinerary of life rarely follows a straight line. We take the detours. We find the wormholes. We wait for the cancellation that opens up the dream cabin.

In the meantime, I’ll be here at Dale's Angels Inc., sipping my coffee, reading my books, and planning the next great escape. If you want to join me in the stars, or just need help finding a hotel that isn't sold out, you know where to find me.

If you are ready to plan your next adventure send an email directly to felicia.baxter@fora.travel with Subject HELP I NEED A VACATION

Stay bold, stay caffeinated, and for the love of Spock, check your booking dates early.

, Captain Baxter, Signing Off.

Must be 21 and over. Please drink responsibly. SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Contact Us | About Us | Travel Services