As we were getting ready to embark from the coast of Singapore, our minds were put at ease as we encountered many kababayans working to make our journey seamless.

Disney Adventure is a ship so massive that it can fit over 9,000 people at full capacity. It’s amazing to think that it operates with just nearly a third of its total capacity, having an estimated 2,500 crew members. Among those 2,500, some work behind the scenes, operating the ship to ensure it’s in top shape. Then there are those we meet daily, working as cast members of various shows and programs, servers from over 20 different dining options, and those who keep the ship’s rooms and seven themed areas tidy. With a mindset of keeping a diverse team, recruiting workers from all around the globe, it’s no surprise that a good number of these crew members working to keep the magic alive are fellow Filipinos.

Among the first we met on board was Ate Nez, who was in charge of keeping our stateroom spotless. During the preview sailing, we had the Deluxe Garden View Stateroom with Verandah. It’s a cozy nook, with ample space for a small family. By the verandah, you get a good view of the garden bar below and those passing by. On the television, you can choose from a selection of timeless Disney films, both live action and animated. You can also pull out the sofa to turn it into an extra bed. A telephone also connects you to room service, which you can order from 24/7 during your stay. Each morning, we would head out for breakfast and find Ate Nez hard at work maintaining her section of rooms. We knew we were in good hands, and she proved us right each time we came back to a flawless room. Sometimes, items we left disorganized after leaving the room in a rush to catch a show would then be fixed up and placed neatly on the table. At night, upon returning to our rooms from dinner, we’d be surprised with fun towel art and little chocolate treats waiting for us on the bed.

Speaking of dinner, Disney Cruise Lines has a unique setup for dinners known as rotational dining. It means that the waiters who serve your table on the first night are set as your personal servers throughout your stay. This means they get to keep track of any needs and requests you have when dining. At our table, we had a Malaysian server assisted by a Filipina named Tin. We rotated through three of the ship’s restaurants, Enchanted Summer, themed after “Tangled” and “Frozen,” the Hollywood Spotlight Club, where Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy greet guests with dinner and a show, and the Animator’s Table, an interactive dining experience where you get to witness your own drawings come to life as you eat. For all three nights, we felt as if we were in proper hands as we tried their recommendations. Their full attention made our dinners for each night go by smoothly, leaving us full and satisfied with our meals. Though at times, when cravings for more food crept in, dropping by the Discovery Reef led us to the Ohana Grill and Cosmic Kebabs. Both have Filipinos serving and cooking up meals to enjoy.

To end each night, we made it a point to join colleagues and unwind at the Buccaneer Bar. It’s a sports pub-style setting, fit for friend groups to gather and rejoice over the day’s events. Of course, one of their servers was also a Filipina, by the name of Ida. She was quick to recommend which drinks to try out. We opted for the Dead Man’s Chest, a sweet, rum cocktail duo served within a smoking treasure chest. By the tail end of our second night, one of the servers tipped us over to a little secret. For those who search hard enough, there’s a speakeasy within the Disney Adventure serving the finest of drinks, with some even being rare drinks that are no longer sold. In charge of it all is a Filipino bartender named Archie. On our final night, he served us drinks and the stories behind them. He told us about the tale of the Dalmore whisky bottle, and how its stag emblem symbolizes the story of how a chief saved King Alexander III of Scotland from a charging stag.

As of writing, the Disney Adventure has set forth on its maiden voyage. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the Filipino crew members who made our stay memorable and wish them luck on their voyage.