My family chose 2 nights on Disney's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser for $6,000 over a 7-night cruise. Here's why we have no regrets.

Last February, my family walked blindly into Disney World's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser — often dubbed "the Star Wars hotel" — and 45 hours later, we left hooked.

A second voyage a year later was somehow even better and again left us eyeing yet another trip to a galaxy far, far away.

At a starting price of $6,000 for four, shelling out the credits for the two-night voyage is a big decision (notably, 30% discounts on select voyages have recently been offered to annual passholders, Disney Visa cardholders, and Disney Vacation Club members).

Having already experienced Galactic Starcruiser as invited media, we knew it would deliver, but still weighed our options when planning our next family vacation.

We love Starcruiser, but we're also Disney Cruise Line superfans. Our final decision came down to two nights at the Starcruiser or a Disney cruise.

The cost of the two-night Starcruiser voyage can be similar to longer Disney cruises, but we think the Star Wars experience holds up against a seven-night cruise.

As much as we've loved the Star Wars offerings on Disney Cruise Line ships, my family wanted to scratch the Starcruiser itch with another voyage.

Here's why we love it and have no regrets about our choice.

Starcruiser takes what we love about Disney cruising — attentive service, top-notch entertainment, great food — and gives it the Star Wars treatment.

But the Halcyon isn't just an intergalactic substitute for a cruise ship, it's also a stage where an epic Resistance vs. First Order story plays out for two days, and you get to be a main character.

From the moment you arrive, the experience feels like it's part cruise and part Disney ride.

The adventure begins at the departure terminal where you drop your luggage and board a launch pod that "transports" you to the Halcyon by mimicking a gentle ride into space.

Soon, the doors whoosh open to reveal the Halcyon's sparkling atrium.

After boarding, you're escorted to your cabin where your luggage is somehow already inside — one of many moments that make Halcyon passengers feel like VIPs.

Faux windows into space display vistas of nearby planets and a vidscreen (television) shows a map of your ship's route.

The bunk beds are bright-orange nooks that look straight out of a Star Wars movie. My kids love them, and the beds are also big enough for full-size adults.

Your Datapad — a smart device with the Play Disney Parks app — displays your itinerary, detailing scheduled and optional events, from lightsaber and bridge training to sabacc, a game that's kind of a blend of poker and blackjack.

The Datapad is also a tool to advance your story. On it, you get messages from characters like Captain Riyola Keevan, cruise director Lenka Mok, and First Order Lt. Croy. How you respond and whom you help shape your path.

Muster in the atrium kicks off the action. This is where you meet and get your first chance to interact with the main characters.

You might be greeted by the Captain, interrogated by stormtroopers or beeped at by resident astromech SK-620. My youngest son and I were so captivated by Lt. Croy on our first voyage that we immediately let him know we were on his side again the second time.

Ultimately, our family was divided between the Resistance and the First Order on our most recent trip.

My older son stayed close to the Resistance-leaning characters while keeping a watchful eye on his brother and me — "the enemies." We loved sneaking around and attending covert meetings around the ship.

Voyaging on the Halcyon gives Star Wars fans countless bucket-list moments. Two of our favorites are bridge and lightsaber training.

Lightsaber training lets you wield a lightsaber and face off against a training remote. In bridge training, you learn about the ship's functions and how to control it. You also pick up a few offensive and defensive skills that could come in handy.

Breakfasts and lunches are served buffet-style in the Crown of Corellia dining room.

The meals also come with bottomless drinks, including the plant-based blue "milk" and green "milk." The "milk" drinks can be ordered at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, where a cup usually costs about $8.

Many of the foods look otherworldly, but some are just inventive takes on familiar favorites.

We love the Fire-Melted Cheese Takeaway with Red Fruit Soup Dipper, a bubble-bread grilled cheese and tomato soup, and the sunflower butter and jelly, a pillowy green pod that's really just a delicious, nut-free PB&J.

There are plenty of elevated, more adventurous options too, like Chandrilan Salad (made with mushrooms, kale, olives, squash and white berry vinegar) and Sorgan's Stew (made with crawfish tails, rice and yellow-seed stick).

On night one, galactic singer Gaya performs a catchy musical set, accompanied by Rodian backup musician Ouannii. We loved her music.

While the rest of us dug into dishes like colorful Spiral Dumplings with "interplanetary dipping sauces" and Flora Noodle Salad, our server brought my pickier son steamed green beans and waffle fries.

Basics like chicken nuggets and pizza are also available to order.

On night two, courses are inspired by different planets, from Mustafar to Kashyyyk.

The most talked-about dish of the voyage is from the jungle planet of Felucia. Felucian shrimp cocktail is bright blue and served encircled in a billowing fog of dry ice.

There's not much downtime when you're as invested in the story as we were, but for a break we kick back in the Sublight Lounge, the cocktail bar just off the atrium.

We played sabacc and sipped themed drinks like the Mandalore Sling, Pod Chaser, or bright-blue Toniray wine (my favorite).

Even if you've been to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios before, the port excursion to Batuu as a Halcyon passenger is a unique — and exclusive — experience.

Transport shuttles brings guests from the Halcyon to a themed back entrance straight into Galaxy's Edge.

The Starcruiser stay comes with Lightning Lane access, which allows you to skip the lines on popular rides Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.

The Halcyon crew is there to help too, handing out bottled water and phone chargers as needed. They can also hold onto your packages if you shop at the park or build a lightsaber or droid.

Even though our itineraries looked the same on our first two voyages, our experiences were each totally unique. Performers expertly improvise, bringing a personalization to every interaction that ensures it's all but impossible to duplicate the experience.

On both trips, by the end of the second night, we felt the sense of belonging that comes with being a part of something really special. It stayed with us long after we got home.

Months after our first voyage, my son asked for a Starcruiser birthday and Lt. Croy cake. He named his favorite plush after the Halcyon and even started his own Starcruiser fund with his piggy bank.

There's a reason Galactic Starcruiser has spawned superfan groups of former passengers longing to connect with others who share their love of this place and the masterful performers that bring it to life.

There's simply nothing else like it — and we can't wait to go back.