The inside story of the 275-year-old Galactic Starcruiser
The Galactic Starcruiser Halcyon may be a new name in the Star Wars universe, but it comes with an impressive 275-year history that includes some priceless moments of galactic intrigue.
These story-telling gems include:
- The Halcyon was the ship that provided the honeymoon for Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa.
- It comes from the same Corellian Engineering Company shipyard that built the famous Millennium Falcon.
- And it takes much of its inspiration from the deluxe design style of Princess Leia’s personal ship, the Tantive IV.
It is all part of the intensive effort Disney has put in to creating the fully immersive world of their astounding new experience in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort.
The back-story of the Halcyon is full of typical Star Wars fascination and adventure. The ship has changed hands a number of times from its original inception as a luxury cruise vessel, and worked variously in covert diplomatic missions, Imperial engagements, and even Hutt-sponsored casino cruises.
Fully restored to former glories by the Chandrila Star Line, new guests board it as it orbits around the Core World of Chandrila in preparation for the 275th anniversary of its maiden voyage from Chandrila to the Outer Rim world of Batuu (the planet setting for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios).
Photo by Veness Travel Media
More importantly for fans of the movies, the Halcyon is also represented in three fully-fledged stories that build on the growing body of Star Wars lore. They are:
“Star Wars: Halcyon Legacy,” a five-issue comic book miniseries written by Ethan Sacks, with art by Will Sliney, detailing the ship’s various incarnations through the centuries.
“Star Wars: The High Republic: Mission to Disaster,” a novel by Justina Ireland, where a Jedi knight and her padawan find themselves aboard the ship as part of a journey to rescue a friend.
And “Star Wars: The Princess and the Scoundrel,” a novel by Beth Revis that is due to be published on August 16, 2022, telling the story of Han and Leia’s honeymoon trip—and the fact it does not according to plan.
In keeping with the ship’s background, her new voyages are the cue for even more adventure and covert activity as passengers enter the latest schemes of The First Order and the Resistance.
