Contract 3: Relaunching Cruise Ships after the Pandemic

After a year and a half of waiting, refreshing cruise news updates daily, and wondering if ship life would ever come back… I finally got the email. I was heading back to sea — and not just in any role, but in my dream job! This contract was filled with firsts, core memories, Mickey gloves, and a whole lot of happy tears. From hotel quarantine dance parties to waving from the deck as we prepped the ship for Guests again, this was one for the books. Here’s what it was really like to be part of the comeback cruise season — and why it became one of my all-time favorite contracts.

Contract Log

Contract: 3
Year: 2021
Ship: Disney Fantasy
Countries Visited: United States – Bahamas – Mexico – Cayman Islands – Jamaica – US Virgin Islands – British Virgin Islands

Disney Cruise Line Funnel with ship officer smiling next to Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in captain outfits.

Disney Cruise Line officer waving with a mickey glove while standing on deck with ocean and Port Canaveral in the background.

Returning to Sea After the Shutdown

After a year and a half of waiting and watching the cruise industry press pause due to the pandemic, I finally got the call: it was time to return to sea. The pandemic had kept ships docked and dreams on hold—but now, cruising was coming back, and so was I.

The moment I received my “Welcome Back” email was pure magic. After months of checking updates daily, hoping for a sign, my dream job was finally calling me home. Leaving Australia wasn’t easy—borders were still tight, and I nearly wasn’t allowed out of the country—but somehow, I made it on that nearly empty flight. My heart? Absolutely full.

Even better: I was returning in my dream role.

Disney Cruise Line 'returning crew' folder with passport and disney name tag.

Starting My Dream Role

At the end of my first contract, I’d temporarily filled in as Entertainment Integration Manager—the person responsible for all the onboard print and digital communications (think daily activity schedules, TV info screens, etc.). I’d been waiting patiently ever since to return to that role, and finally, it was mine permanently. After years of dreaming, I was stepping into a leadership position I loved, on a ship I adored!

Quarantine in Orlando: Fireworks, FaceTime & Friendship

Before we could board the ship, we had to complete two weeks of hotel quarantine in Orlando. It was my second time doing a full quarantine, and even though I was healthy, the isolation definitely tested my patience. Thankfully, one of my best friends was in a room just down the hall. We FaceTimed constantly, even syncing up YouTube fireworks videos to watch Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After together. 🥲

Honestly? That time, though strange, gave us a core memory we still talk about.

Disney Cruise Line bus parked at airport.

A breakfast spread including waffles, croissant and orange juice that was delivered to hotel room during quarantine.

First Day Back Onboard the Disney Fantasy

When quarantine ended, I boarded the Disney Fantasy and stepped into my first officer cabin. Compared to the crew cabins I’d lived in before, this one felt huge. And putting on my officer whites for real? A dream come true.

We had a few weeks to prep the ship before Guests returned—restocking supplies, refreshing training, and implementing the new health and safety protocols. We’d sail short runs from Port Canaveral, waving in our Mickey gloves each time we left the dock. Locals would wave back, and we could all feel it: cruising was back, baby!

Disney Cruise Ship funnel with ship officer in front, looking back at mickey mouse emblem on the funnel.

Disney Cruise Line officer smiling on deck in officer whites with ocean sunset in the background.

The Return of Cruising: Emotional, Joyful, Unforgettable

When we officially welcomed our first Guests back onboard, emotions ran high. Sure, things looked different—masks, distancing dots, safety shields, quarantine cabins—but the energy was electric. Everyone was just so happy to be back at sea.

We literally clapped Guests back onboard, and yes, I got teary-eyed.

Disney Cruise Ship officer looking out at sunset on the ocean from cruise ship deck.

Disney Cast Member with face mask taking a selfie with Donald Duck.

Highlights from Contract #3

✨ Returning to ships after the long cruising pause
🛳️ Being offered a permanent spot in my dream role
🎆 Watching Happily Ever After fireworks from my quarantine hotel window
👋 Waving to Florida locals in our Mickey gloves while prepping the ship
🍫 Taste-testing all the Guest food before relaunch (yes, including the iconic Palo chocolate soufflé)
🎉 Relaunching cruising and welcoming Guests back onboard with applause (many tears were shed)
🧡 Meeting one of my very best friends for the first time #mitchandjess
🎃 Halloween deck party with the crew
💃 Teaching the Nutbush dance at every fireworks after-party
🐠 Swimming with stingrays at Castaway Cay

Girl swimming in the ocean with snorkel mask, with water splashing and a Disney Cruise Ship in the background.

Disney Cruise Line officers taking selfie laughing on deck.

If there was ever a contract that confirmed I’m a ship lifer, it was this one. I got to wear my officer whites, dance on deck, eat all the test desserts, and live out my dream job — all while helping bring the magic of cruising back to life. ✨ From stingrays to Nutbush dance parties to clapping Guests onboard like it was a red carpet event, Contract 3 reminded me why I love this life so much. Safe to say: I’m in it for the long haul (literally).

Disclaimer: Disney Cruise Line is the only cruise line I’ve worked for, so I can’t speak of the experience with other cruise lines. All opinions in this post are my own and not affiliated with Disney in any way.

🚢 More Ship Life Posts

Check out more of my contracts from life at sea:

Jess at Sea