Comic Con Cruise Vol. 1: A Gamer's Dream Voyage
- Mar 9
- 10 min read
If you're a fan of fandoms, games, and incredible adventures, then the Comic Con Cruise Vol. 1 was made for you. We couldn't wait to dive into the nerdy vibes on the open seas. Here's a look at our epic journey, from pre-cruise shenanigans to our unforgettable experiences on board.
Before Comic Con Cruise Vol. 1: Packing, Flights, and Pokémon Battles
The night before the cruise was all about packing the essentials—clothes, chargers, and most importantly, the Nintendo Switch. We hit the road at 5 a.m., groggy but buzzing with excitement. TSA was surprisingly smooth, which left me plenty of time to use my free YouTube Premium (shoutout to Discord perks!) to “hack” my son’s algorithm by downloading game dev and story analysis videos for the flight. Call it parental guidance—he calls it betrayal.
Once we landed in Tampa, we headed straight to the hotel, where we had our priorities straight: food, nap, Pokémon Stadium. Amanda handed me a crushing defeat, which she’s still smug about. Despite my bruised ego, it was a great prelude to the adventure ahead.
Day 1 on the Cruise: Nerd Heaven on the High Seas
Arrival & First Impressions: We boarded the ship quickly, and let me tell you, the decorations were jaw-dropping. Imagine stepping into a Popeye-themed bar or walking through a Snoopy restaurant complete with a doghouse entrance. Nerdy décor was everywhere, setting the tone for a truly immersive experience.
As we wandered, our jaws practically hit the floor when we spotted Warwick Davis casually strolling by on our way to grab food. It was a solid start to what would be a star-studded day.
The “Sail Away” Party: The party kicked off the cruise with an electric atmosphere. We were literally feet away from icons like Felicia Day and Amy Jo Johnson. Free drinks flowed, the energy was contagious, and it really felt like we’d stepped into a fandom-filled paradise.
DnD & Nerd Networking: Later, we swung by a DnD gathering to watch groups dive into campaigns of one of my all-time favorite games. I took notes on how they taught new players, hoping to improve the teaching methods at our store. Between sips of drinks and chats with fellow fans, we dove into discussions about the countless fandoms represented on board. Let’s just say I slipped in some “guerilla marketing” for our store—purely sarcastic, of course… or was it?
Celebrities & Sunset Views: Felicia Day, as it turns out, is not only the queen of nerds but also incredibly friendly. She grabbed drinks at the bar beside us and chatted with everyone like it was no big deal. Afterward, we soaked in a stunning sunset over the endless ocean, with the Tampa skyline shrinking in the distance. Moments like that remind you why cruises are magical.
Gaming & Hollywood Squares: Back in our room, we took a quick gaming break with Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Smash Bros. before heading out for the night’s highlight: a celebrity-filled Hollywood Squares show. The celebs delivered laugh after laugh, and the audience interaction was on point. It was a fantastic way to cap off an already unforgettable day.
Food & Late-Night Gaming: No day on the cruise ended without more food. After filling up (again), we returned to the room, picked up our controllers, and gamed until we couldn’t keep our eyes open.
Day 2 on the Comic Con Cruise: Nerdy Adventures and Empowering Insights
Day 2 on the Comic Con Cruise was a perfect blend of fandom fun, inspiring encounters, and a little social battery management. If Day 1 was about soaking in the vibrant atmosphere, Day 2 was about diving deeper into the events, people, and experiences that made this cruise unforgettable.
Morning: Ocean Views and Event Planning
We started the day with an energy drink, a refreshing shower, and a moment to enjoy the vastness of the open ocean from our balcony. There’s something magical about the endless blue stretching to the horizon. After taking a peek at the event schedule, we planned out the day with excitement—though breakfast had long passed, so lunch became our first stop.
Afternoon: Merch Madness and Meaningful Connections
The comic con merch store was a must-visit. Waiting in line gave us time to chat with fellow fans, including a couple from Oklahoma. Of course, we couldn’t resist a little “guerilla marketing” for our store (you’d be surprised how many nerdy connections start with a casual chat about collectibles). They even gave us some adorable rubber ducks—a win for both fandom and friendship.
Inside the store, we snagged some real treasures:
● Signed Playmats by an artist sketching out Lord of the Rings—absolutely stunning.
● A gorgeous Miles Morales picture that immediately caught our eye.
● A unique ATLA-inspired character design that’s going to look amazing on display.
We also browsed through a breathtaking artbook by a talented comic artist. It’s amazing how much creativity and passion these artists pour into their work.
Midday Recharge and Empowerment
After stashing our loot, we headed back to the room for some much-needed downtime to recharge our social batteries. Rested and ready, we joined the Interstar Galactica panel, featuring Mary McDonnell, Grace Park, Tricia Helfer, and Rekha Sharma.
This panel was more than just fan service—it was empowering. The women shared their experiences navigating Hollywood, the challenges they faced, and the solidarity they built along the way. Their stories of perseverance, strength, and mutual support left us feeling incredibly inspired.
The panel even tied back to our own mission: fostering inclusivity in gaming. We spoke to Mary and Tricia after the panel and asked for their thoughts on how to get more women involved in gaming. Tricia mentioned a new game she’s working on, and audience members chimed in with ideas, like hosting Girl Gamer Night to create a welcoming space for women in gaming—a suggestion we’ll definitely explore.
Evening: Laughter and Creativity
After a quick nap and some relaxation, we joined the Overdub show with Felicia Day and Jonah Ray. Hands down, this was the funniest event we attended. Watching them overdub scenes in their unique comedic style was side-splittingly hilarious and gave us some ideas for potential in-store events that combine humor and creativity.
We wrapped up the day with (another) dinner—because, cruise life—and a late-night gaming session back in our room. Zelda Tears of the Kingdom was the perfect way to end another fantastic day.
Takeaway from Day 2
Day 2 wasn’t just about fandom—it was about connection, creativity, and empowerment. From incredible merch finds to meaningful conversations about inclusivity in gaming, it reaffirmed why we love being part of this community. And with so much inspiration brewing, we’re even more excited to take these ideas back to White Lotus Gaming and make them a reality.
Day 3 on the Comic Con Cruise: Sun, Inspiration, and Colossal Creativity
Day 3 brought us to the vibrant shores of Cozumel, where the tropical sun, insightful reflections, and a mind-blowing costume contest made for another unforgettable chapter in our Comic Con Cruise adventure.
Morning: Arrival in Cozumel and a Dose of Sunshine
We kicked off the day with a leisurely breakfast-turned-lunch (because vacation time doesn’t run on alarms). Once fueled up, we spent some time soaking in the sun, enjoying the warm breeze and gorgeous views of Cozumel. There’s nothing like a tropical backdrop to set the tone for a great day.
Midday: Leadership Lessons and Our Mission
While lounging in the sun, we queued up the audiobook Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. The book focuses on prioritizing people over profits, a philosophy deeply rooted in anecdotes from the Marine Corps. It was an eye-opener, showcasing how fostering care for the collective can lead to remarkable growth—not just in profits, but in the work-life balance and happiness of everyone involved.
The book spurred some meaningful discussions between us about how we can mirror this model in WLG. From our customers to our future employees, we want to build a culture where everyone feels like family. As we listened, it reaffirmed our mission to create a space that prioritizes inclusivity, community, and genuine care over pure business metrics.
Afternoon: "Designated Debaters" - Batman vs. Superman
After some time in the sun, we attended Designated Debaters, a show where Batman and Superman squared off in the silliest of debates. The entire audience was in stitches, and the interactive nature of the show made it even more fun—audience members could get involved, voicing their own takes on these ludicrous topics.
The debate went on for what felt like hours, and every minute was packed with laugh-out-loud moments. It was pure entertainment, and the playful rivalry between these iconic heroes was the perfect blend of humor and geek culture.
During the show, the one and only Jonah Ray sat down next to us, and we couldn’t have been more thrilled! Between the jokes and laughs, we chatted about a ton of things, including how to bring an Overdub event to White Lotus Gaming. We’ve always wanted to have our own version of that interactive fun, where people can laugh and experience games and media in a whole new way. Jonah shared some great tips and ideas on how to make it happen, and we’re already brainstorming how to incorporate that energy into our space.
Evening: Costumes and Creativity Galore
The day wrapped up with a colossal costume contest and afterparty that left us speechless. The creativity, craftsmanship, and sheer joy radiating from the contestants were nothing short of incredible. Some of the standouts included:
● Link
● Ellen Ripley
● Princess Peach
● Men in Black
● Varying Deadpools
The afterparty was buzzing with energy as fans celebrated their shared love of pop culture and creativity. It was the perfect way to cap off another amazing day.
By Day 3, the Comic Con Cruise had cemented itself as more than just a getaway; it was a space where fandoms, creativity, and community came together in the most magical way. Whether it was learning lessons from books, sharing our mission, or marveling at cosplay brilliance, every moment left us more inspired to carry the experience back to our own gaming and geek haven.
Day 4 on the Comic Con Cruise: Autographs, Inspiration, and a Touch of Reality
Day 4 brought a mix of fandom excitement, personal inspiration, and a subtle reminder that all good things must eventually come to an end. From autographs to impromptu moments of laughter, this day had it all.
Morning: Scoring an Autograph and Soaking in the Sun
We kicked off the day early with a mission: to score an autograph from the legendary Amy Jo Johnson. The Power Rangers icon was as kind and down-to-earth as we imagined and getting that signed memorabilia felt like a true highlight.
Afterward, we grabbed a late breakfast/lunch and made our way back into the sun. With Leaders Eat Last still in tow, we continued soaking in the wisdom from the book. The lessons about leadership, prioritizing people, and creating a strong community were even more poignant as we neared the end of our cruise journey.
Afternoon: Cosplay Wisdom and Personal Stories
Next up was a panel by the incredible Yaya Han, who shared her insights on cosplay as a growing industry. Yaya’s passion for the craft was palpable, and her thoughts on the future of cosplay as both art and business were truly inspiring. It was fascinating to hear how far the cosplay world has come and where it’s headed.
Later in the day, we attended a small concert by Amy Jo Johnson herself. It wasn’t just music; it was a personal moment, as she shared a bit of her own journey and connected with the audience in a way that was both intimate and powerful.
Evening: Star Sightings and Real-Life Dread
After dinner, we spotted Virginia Gardner and Grace Caroline Currey casually strolling around the upper deck. It’s always surreal seeing stars outside of their on-screen personas.
But as the sun began to set and reality started creeping in, the unrelenting dread of real life began to set in. The cruise was winding down, and while we were excited about what’s to come back home, we couldn’t help but feel a little sad to leave this amazing experience behind.
Night: Panels, Laughter, and a Proposal for the Ages
Back in our suite, we caught up on a few panels we’d missed, watching them on the TV while relaxing. Then it was time for the Comic Con “Live” Show, a wild mix of improv, comedy, and staged bits. The energy was contagious, and sitting next to Felicia Day made it even better. We shared a laugh while enjoying Jonah Ray’s stand-up—proof that even in the midst of a packed schedule, these moments of laughter are what make it all worth it.
The show ended with a proposal that completely stole the spotlight. It was so beautifully done, it made me feel like my own proposal from ages ago had been totally upstaged. (I'm not bitter...okay, maybe just a little.)
Day 4 was a perfect mix of heartwarming moments, learning opportunities, and a touch of reality. As the cruise drew to a close, we couldn’t help but feel inspired and excited for what the future holds—both for us as a business and for the fandoms we’re lucky to be a part of. The Comic Con Cruise has been everything we hoped for and more, and as we start planning for next year, we can’t wait to bring that energy and inspiration back home to White Lotus.
Day 5 on the Comic Con Cruise: The Reality Check and Looking Ahead
Ah, Day 5. The inevitable return to real life after a whirlwind of nerdy fun, inspiration, and unforgettable moments. As the ship docked and we made our way back, the gravity of real-world responsibilities hit like a ton of bricks. But that didn’t stop us from keeping the momentum going.
Morning: Ugh. Real Life.
We woke up to the undeniable truth that the cruise had come to an end. No more hanging out with Felicia Day, no more epic cosplay contests, no more carefree days on the open sea. The feeling of ugh was real. It’s always tough to return to reality after experiencing something as immersive as this. But hey, we couldn’t let the post-cruise blues take over for long.
After the Cruise: Time to Get to Work
As soon as we got back to the grind, the creative juices were flowing. We started implementing everything we had learned during the cruise into our work at White Lotus. From the leadership principles we picked up to the ideas for more inclusive gaming spaces, we were ready. We couldn’t wait to bring these lessons to our community and make our space even better.
But it doesn’t end there—we’re working hard to recruit more friends to join us next year. The Comic Con Cruise was so good, we were already thinking about how to make the next trip even bigger and better. It’s going to be epic, and we want more awesome people to experience it with us!
Day 5 might have been a wake-up call to real life, but it also marked the beginning of the next chapter. We’re already planning ahead, drawing inspiration from the cruise, and keeping that infectious energy alive as we work to make WLG even more welcoming, creative, and fun. Let the countdown to next year’s cruise begin!
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