Disney cruises tend to offer shorter expeditions compared to other cruise lines and, therefore, some of the briefest trips on their fleet do not have space to fit Marvel Day at Sea on the itinerary. The vacation company does make it easy for Marvel fans by designating which of their vacations celebrate Marvel Day at Sea. Anyone familiar with cruising may know that a “sea day” is when the ship does not dock at a port to let guests off at a destination. Disney selects a single sea day as their Marvel Day at Sea. So, what can Avenger enthusiasts look forward to on this Marvel-lous day?
Strange Academy: A Spellbinding Spectacular
Most cruises put on a live show every day in their largest theaters. Some nights, Disney cruisers may watch a revival of "Beauty and the Beast" or the Disney Cruise Line original "The Golden Mickeys", yet on Marvel Day, the Walt Disney Theater is currently showing "Strange Academy". This is a stage adaptation of the recent comic book run based on the same name, though several Marvel Cinematic Universe characters do make appearances.
In the live show, Wong is hosting a graduation event for four mystic apprentices. He has been helping them to harness their specific gifts and even notes the success he had working with young America Chavez (an image of the MCU character is shown on the side screens). The special guest for the graduation is Ant-Man, who visits through a sling ring portal.
After every student showcases their abilities, Agatha flies in to spoil the proceedings, and in Wong’s absence, each of the graduates must work together to stop the purple-powered witch. Doctor Strange makes a surprise entrance toward the end to give the future sorcerers some guidance in handling evil witchery.
Star-Spangled USO Show
Aside from the main stage, cruise ships offer supplemental entertainment at bar and/or club spots that are furnished in almost every corner of the central floors. On an ordinary Disney Cruise day, you might enjoy a pianist filling one of these rooms with the sounds of Frozen or Tangled, but on Marvel Day, one of the night clubs presents an entire musical experience that pays tribute to Captain America: The First Avenger and its MCU unique time period.
The "Star-Spangled USO Show" is shorter than the plays in The Walt Disney Theater, but is still something that fans of the original Captain America movie would not want to miss. Two singers and three dancers, dressed in the same American flag skirts from The First Avenger's USO scenes, perform big band pieces of the 1940s. Not all of the songs are taken directly from the feature, yet the swing music performed live is evocative of the film’s setting.
The grand finale of the USO style show is Alan Menken and David Zippel’s famous “Star-Spangled Man”, and yes, Steve Rogers himself comes out to salute the crowd. He even makes a speech similar to the ones shown in the montage sequence during the World War II-set film. The performance excludes the part where Hitler sneaks around in the background, so do not expect to see Captain America punch out the Nazi dictator live on stage.
Marvel Heroes Unite
Later at night, everyone gathers outside on the deck for "Marvel Heroes Unite". This is certainly one of the most elaborate live Marvel productions in existence. The story focuses on Spider-Man traveling through the multiverse, reliving the same events three times, with different heroes and villains in each timeline. By the end of the proceedings, every single Marvel hero from throughout the show is assembled at the same time.
Aside from Spider-Man’s amazing stunts – descending to the stage upside down from his web or crawling up the ship’s giant funnel (smoke stack looking tower) – there are 2 Captain Americas (Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson), 2 Hawkeyes (Clint Barton and Kate Bishop), 2 Black Panthers (T’Challa and Shuri), 2 Thors (Thor Odinson and Jane Foster), 2 members of the Marvels (Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel) and 3 Guardians of the Galaxy (Star-Lord, Gamora, and Groot).
The heroes face off against the Tracksuit Mafia, Taskmaster’s skilled mercenaries, and Loki’s Sakaaran forces. Some highlights include Taskmaster fighting Shang-Chi, before Black Widow gets a turn with her nemesis, and Doctor Strange “battling” Scarlet Witch in mid-air. Above the stage, a big screen reveals “surveillance camera footage” of various scuffles occurring around the ship, such as Iron Man firing his Repulsor beam while Thor and Jane bolt electricity at several villains.
In person, on the top deck stage, Hawkeye’s arrow might hit a pipe that sprays out steam, while blasters are aided by firecrackers, and Captain America’s shield sparks brightly when blocking enemy fire. After the Avengers take care of all the threats on the ship, the Kree invade from outer space (on screen), which is when Captain Marvel shows up. The cosmic hero and Iron Man fly off into space, in the form of two real pyrotechnic rockets, to meet the invaders. The space battle lights up the skies; dozens of fireworks go off above the ship. The heroes return back to their own universes with America Chavez punching holes between dimensions on the big screen.
Meet and Greets, Activities, and other Marvel theming
Almost every costumed character from the shows have designated meeting times scheduled at specific stations around the ship. Reserving the meet and greets allows cruisers to pose for pictures with the heroes or villains, and some collect autographs as well. Other activities comprise of a Marvel Comic Academy and learning to draw your favorite Marvel heroes. “Avengers Training Initiative” features hero training on the deck while the “Warriors of Wakanda” sends a member of the Dora Milaje to teach kids in the main lobby hall how to wield a Vibranium staff.
For those who think they know everything about Marvel, this day at sea hosts Marvel trivia galore. Winners walk away with coveted plastic Disney medallions. Aside from several general Marvel trivia sessions, there are distinct contests centered around Marvel movies, Marvel television shows, and Marvel comics. These can take place in any common area with seats and tables. However, an even more engaging trivia challenge is set up in one of the ship’s small stage areas, called Marvel Super Fan Face Off.
For the opening round of the face off, contestants hold up multiple choice answer cards (A, B, C, and D), from their seats. Incorrect responses are met with the removal of one’s alphabetic cards. Once the room is whittled down to 6-10 players, those remaining stand in front of the stage with eraser boards. This second round requires answers to be written down, without multiple choices. If you miss a question, you take a seat. When about 4 participants are still standing, they are asked to step onto the stage and are given glowing wands. Now, only one person can reply to each query; whoever holds up their wand first. The first two players who score 3 points move on to the final round – a face off where each finalist is shown 20+ images of Marvel characters in 35 seconds. The one who can name more is the big winner.
If trivia is not your cup of tea, Marvel shows are constantly playing on the big screen by the pool deck; they play a mix of animated series such as Avengers Assemble and Spidey and his Amazing Friends, as well as episodes from live-action Disney Plus series, like WandaVision and Ms. Marvel. And while every cruise ship is practically required to contain at least one jewelry shop, the cruises with Marvel Day at Sea secure real gems fashioned to look like the Infinity Stones, as well as pieces that are worth upward of $1 million, for example, Loki’s staff and Doctor Strange’s Eye of Agamotto neckwear.
The dining halls also incorporate Marvel into their menus. All of the appetizers, entrees, and desserts are given Marvel monikers at dinner. The buffet serves Ant-Man themed mousse and Iron Man brownies. Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats Shop sells Marvel baked goods, such as cupcakes with Captain America’s shield and large rectangular sandwich cookies, branded with the Marvel logo. Even the popcorn stand offers Marvel drink merchandise, as well as Marvel popcorn buckets.