Never Say Never…
Saying Yes to a Once-in-a-Lifetime Invitation
Sometimes the most unforgettable adventures begin with a simple decision: say yes.
Just a few weeks before departure, I opened an email that completely changed my plans. It was an invitation to join a test cruise on the brand-new Disney Adventure, sailing from Tokyo to Singapore before the ship officially opened to the public.
There was just one catch.
The cruise was leaving in five days.
No months of planning. No countdown. Just a choice: jump in or let the opportunity pass by.
As someone who proudly calls herself a “joy junkie,” the answer was obvious.
I said yes.
From “I’ll Probably Never See That Ship” to Standing on It
The funny thing is that just two months earlier I had been talking with a friend about this exact ship. The Disney Adventure had been built in Germany and was heading toward its new home port in Singapore.
I remember saying casually, “I’ll probably never see that ship.”
Fast-forward a few weeks, and I was boarding it in Tokyo.
Lesson number one: never say never.
The Logistics: A Trip That Almost Didn’t Happen
The cruise itself was an incredible deal for Disney cast members, but the real question was airfare.
Could I get to Tokyo and home from Singapore on short notice?
After a little searching, I found a direct ZipAir flight from San Francisco to Tokyo for $258. That discovery turned what seemed impossible into something surprisingly doable.
Within hours, my friend Dana agreed to join me.
Five days later, we were on a plane heading to Japan.
First Glimpse of the Disney Adventure
Pulling up to the port in Tokyo was a moment I’ll never forget.
The Disney Adventure is massive—the largest ship Disney has ever built. Seeing it tower over the port building was the first clue that this experience was going to be something special.
Unlike other Disney ships, the entry space isn’t a grand atrium. Instead, guests walk into an open-air garden decksurrounded by staterooms and a stage used for performances.
It immediately felt different—and exciting.
Coffee, a Balcony View, and the South China Sea
One of my favorite surprises was the ship’s beautiful Bacha coffee bar, a Moroccan coffee brand known for its elegant service and incredible beans.
Even better?
The same coffee was available in our room with pour-over packets and an electric kettle.
Each morning Dana and I would sip coffee on our veranda while watching the South China Sea glide by. It quickly became one of our favorite rituals on the trip.
Sometimes the smallest touches make the biggest impact.
Dining Highlights at Sea
Disney cruises are known for their food, but the Disney Adventure leaned heavily into Asian flavors, which made the experience feel especially unique.
Across the ship we found:
sushi
Thai curries
noodle dishes
Asian-inspired menus in the main dining rooms
Two premium restaurants stood out:
Palo (Italian Fine Dining)
This restaurant holds a special place in my heart—it’s where I first tasted Tignanello, the wine that inspired my own journey into winemaking.
Dining there again felt like a full-circle moment.
Even better, I was able to bring bottles of my Sollevato Sangiovese and Grenache to enjoy with dinner.
Mike & Sully’s Teppanyaki Experience
Inspired by Monsters, Inc., this Japanese teppanyaki restaurant offered a multi-course experience featuring:
sashimi
seared scallops
wagyu beef
sake pairings
It felt like hibachi—but elevated in every way.
A Roller Coaster… at Sea
One afternoon while walking the upper deck, I noticed a group of engineers gathered near the ship’s new attraction: a Marvel-themed roller coaster.
Moments later, I realized I was witnessing something incredible.
The first human test ride.
An Imagineer climbed into the car, and the crowd erupted as the coaster launched across the top deck. After three years of development—including engineering challenges like wind and ship movement—it finally ran with a person on board.
I just happened to be standing there.
Those are the kinds of moments you can’t plan.
Disney-Level Entertainment
Disney cruise entertainment always impresses, but this ship raised the bar.
Highlights included:
“Remember,” a stage show featuring WALL-E as the central character
A spectacular Moana performance staged around a pool
A Lion King fireworks show at sea
Watching fireworks shoot from both ends of the ship while the captain positioned the vessel perfectly in the wind was pure Disney magic.
The People Behind the Magic
What made the experience truly unforgettable was the crew.
Many of them were first-time Disney Cruise Line employees, coming from countries across Asia. You could feel their pride and excitement in every interaction.
From baristas to servers to room service staff, every person contributed to the incredible atmosphere onboard.
Disney magic doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens because of people.
The Real Takeaway: Just Say Yes
This entire trip happened because I said yes to something unexpected.
No long planning process. No perfect timing.
Just a decision.
And it turned into one of the most memorable travel experiences of my life.
Whether it’s dinner with a friend or flying across the world for a last-minute adventure, sometimes the best things in life happen when you get out of your own way and take the opportunity.
Life is short
Chase joy.