Hi Starcruisers! One of our very favorite Galactic Starcruiser add-ons is called the CSL (Chandrila Star Line) Photo Experience. This is a private 30-minute photo session with just your group and a professional Disney photographer on board the Halcyon. A CSL Photo Experience package currently costs $99 and is SO worth it. The pictures you will get are simply so above and beyond what any non-professional photographer can achieve that its not even comparable. Think of it like Photo Pass in the Disney parks but make it a private session set on Galactic Starcruiser! Here are some tips and things to remember to get the best results with a CSL Photo Experience.
- Call immediately when CSL reservations open for your voyage. Reservations for all Starcruiser add-ons such as CSL Photo Experience, Image Design Face Painting, Oga’s Cantina, Savi’s Lightsaber Workshop or Build-a-Droid at Droid Depot currently open up 60 days prior to your Starcruiser departure date, so be sure to call right when the reservation line opens that day (currently 7am EST) for the best selection of time slots.
CSL time slots are VERY limited. We have been told by the reservations team that CSL appointments are generally (but NOT always) available from 2:30-8:30pm on Day 1 and 7:30am-8:30pm on Day 2 but both times we have booked CSL sessions for our voyages we called immediately when the reservations opened and had only a few appointment options each day.
- Be careful about possible schedule/story conflicts! On our first voyage our group booked 4:30pm on Day 1 for our CSL shoot and this in turn made us miss some significant character interaction opportunities at the Captain’s Reception held right after Ship Muster. Our CSL photos were great and we are SO happy to have them but we wouldn’t schedule a CSL session at that specific Day 1 time again. But it’s also important to note that schedules, missions, and priorities can and often do dynamically shift during your Galactic Starcruiser adventure, so just keep that in mind when having to book things like CSL Photo Experience far in advance.
- You are NOT guaranteed any specific photo locations. Your CSL photographer will do everything they can to make your session as incredible as possible but one thing to keep in mind at all times before and during your shoot: they cannot guarantee that any specific desired photo location(s) will be available during your session. For example, there could be bridge and/or lightsaber training going on at that time which could make both of those locations off-limits during your session. On our first voyage, our CSL locations ended up being a hallway, the cargo hold area, the entrance to the Crown of Corelllia Dining Room and the Climate Simulator. Although these weren’t among our first choices for photo locations, the pictures turned out amazing and we absolutely treasure them.
- The experience is 30 minutes total. This includes the time needed to get around from location to location on the Halcyon. Expect roughly 20 minutes of actual picture time, so don’t waste any time during your session. But remember, Captain Keevan wants all guests to walk not run while on board.
- There is currently a 30-day cancellation window for CSL sessions. If you cancel closer to your trip than their required cancellation window (currently 30 days), you will not receive a refund. This can open up opportunities, however! If a CSL time slot you want isn’t available when you first call, try again near the 30-day mark prior to your voyage! There may be some cancellations that free up spots later.
- You may be able to get a bonus shuttle ride from the Halcyon. If you ask very nicely you MAY be able to take CSL photos at the silver CSL Logo that all guests walk by while boarding shuttles on their initial flight to the Halcyon. Besides a very cool picture, you get a bonus shuttle ride from the Halcyon to this location!
- Be on time. This tip is critical. Your 30 minutes do not begin when you meet your photographer, it begins immediately at the time reserved. Many CSL photographers have apointments booked throughout the day so they cannot extend an appointment if the guest arrives late, so plan to be there 5 minutes early just in case.
- You can book multiple sessions. There is a limit to how many peoiple can participate in a CSL session, please contact the Starcruiser reservation line (or your professional Starcruiser travel agent) for current participant limits. BUt if your group is too large for one session or if you want to maximize opportunities to shoot at various locations, you can book multiple CSL sessions during your voyage. $99 per session isn’t cheap but the pictures are so great I have never heard ANYONE not happy they did it.
- Above all, always be nice to your photographer. Not every photo location you want may be available, and frankly maybe NONE of the locations you envisioned will be available during your reservation time. Maybe there will be some other guests in the background of some of your pictures. The time may go by faster than you imagined. Though it all, no matter what one thing remains constant: your photographer is doing everything possible to make your shoot the very best it will be. Be nice to them no matter what. It’s the Halcyon way.
Oh, and one more thing: HAVE FUN! You’ll be on board Galactic Starcruiser having the adventure of your life, and if you reserve a CSL Photo Experience session, you’re bound to have some fantastic photos to remember your journey!
