Staring back at me from my Amazon watchlist, since its release a year ago, is the latest instalment of the best show alive, Star Trek. It’s been a long time since I’ve watched any of the original series but last week I finally felt ready to continue my mission and seek out the voyages of the one and only Picard.

I won’t go into detail, for those of you who may not have seen it yet (yes I have already finished every episode), but I will tell you I really enjoyed it! Yes, it’s got a lot more of what I like to call, Hollywood action and drama, as well as lacking some of the more thought-provoking plots and dare I say charm than the original series but I loved the story and seeing a lot of the original TNG cast.

It’s got me right back into my Trekkie groove (I’m already back watching my fave Voyager for the 6th time), so much so that I wanted to write a post about my experience at the Star Trek convention, DESTINATION STAR TREK. A little list of the Do’s and Don’ts that apply to any convention and make sure you get the most out of your day.

Do’s and Don’ts

• Do treat this like a mini holiday and Don’t feel guilty about how much you spend.
  • By this I mean, save in advance enough money to cover the things you already know you want to do, plus a few more when you get there and don’t feel bad about spending the money that you put aside for this exact thing. Ok I understand we all can’t afford the eye-watering £2999 Admiral VIP package (I’m willing to sell my soul for one though) but don’t let yourself miss out on something you’ll regret later. At the convention last year, I stood there and watched people getting photos with THE George Takei in full uniform on the original Bridge set, surrounded by tribbles! At £100, I felt that was too pricey and yes I guess it is a lot for a photo but the thing is it’s not just a photo. It’s a memory that lasts forever and considering I think about how I wish I’d done it at least once a week, I should have gone for it.
• Do have enough left over for souvenirs
  • In all the excitement of being surrounded by trekkies and tribbles, money can disappear fast so make sure you have some left over to buy a few trinkets. I bought a Star Trek lanyard and Borg tribble pin that I wear to work every day. It’s so cute (can a Borg be described as cute? Hugh maybe? although I guess he is more endearing) and every time I put it on I remember what a great day I had. I also bought a mug to add to my vast collection, a Star Fleet academy mug, science officer obviously. I also highly recommend buying a proper frame for any photos you get. I got one for my photo of Brent Spiner and me and that photo is definitely one of the things I would save in a house fire and will be going up alongside photos of my children (who will be put in Star Trek onesies).

• Don’t be scared to dress up
  • It was great to see the effort some people went to with their outfits and pretty much everyone was wearing a Trek themed t-shirt, so don’t feel shy about donning a full costume. However, do think wisely about sizing and overall comfort. I loved by TNG science officer uniform but boy was it uncomfortable. At one size fits all (yeah right), I thought it would be no problem, but as a slightly taller than average woman, boy was that jumpsuit squishing my neck and shoulders down. You know when you take a pair of shoes off after a long day and let out a sigh of relief? When I finally took it off, I practically screamed. It was worth it but I definitely recommend a jumper and trousers if you fancy this look or even go old school Star Trek and wear a dress.
• Do bring water and some snacks
  • Although not silly expensive, food inside the convention is not cheap and with the amount of people, it can be difficult to find somewhere to sit for lunch. If your anything like me, easily hangered that is, some snacks do wonders for your mood and stop you inflicting your hanger on those around you.
• Finally, Do take your time and enjoy!
  • There’s mini museums with original costumes and props, setups for free photo opportunities and talks/panels throughout the day. Take your time, take it all in and just enjoy.

I’ve already been looking at the line up for next year and got so excited to see many Voyager cast, I clapped like a little seal. I’m going to start saving now!

What are your tips for getting the most out of a convention? B x

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