tripadvisor disney wish cruise

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Disney Cruise Line Disney Wish Deck Plans & Reviews

Disney Cruise Line Disney Wish

Activities & entertainment.

• Disney's Oceaneer Club - Kids Club
• Marvel Super Hero Academy
• Star Wars Cargo Bay
• Fairy Tale Hall
• Walt Disney Imagineering Lab
• Mickey & Minnie Captain's Deck
• It's a Small World Nursery *
• Edge - Tweens Club
• Vibe - Teens Club
• The Hideaway - Youth Flex Space
• Hero Zone - Sports Arena
• Treasures Untold - Shop *
• 3 Wishes - Shop *
• Once Upon a Time - Shop *
• Royal Regalia - Shop *
• Enchanted Castle Jewels - Shop *
• Mickey's Mainsail - Shop *
• Shutters - Photo Gallery and Studio *
• Guest Services
• Port Adventures - Shore Excursions *
• DVC - Disney Vacation Club *
• Disney Vacation Planning *
• Shopping Ambassador *
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique *
• Untangled Salon *
• Hook's Barbery *
• Senses Spa *
• Rainforest Room - Thermal Suite *
• Senses Fitness
• Triton Lounge
• Deck Parties
• Dory's Forget Me Knots - Poolside Shop *
• Whirlpools (3)
• Toy Story Splash Zone
• Water Slides (2)
• Slide-a-saurus Rex
• Character Events
• Scavenger Hunts
• Concierge Lounge - Suite Guests
• Concierge Private Sun Deck - Suite Guests
• Sun Deck - Adult-Only
• Fairytale Fresh Laundry *
• Grand Hall Stage
• Walt Disney Theatre
• Never Land Cinema
• Wonderland Cinema
• Funnel Vision
• Film Screenings
• Production Shows
• Fireworks Displays
• Preludes - Theater Snacks *
• The Bayou - New Orleans-Themed Bar *
• Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge - Star Wars-Themed Bar *
• Nightingale's - Atrium Bar *
• Luna Libations - Popular Bar *
• 1923 - Rotational Main
• Worlds of Marvel - Rotational Main
• Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure - Rotational Main
• Hook's Barbery - Speakeasy Bar - Speakeasy Bar *
• Wishing Star Cafe - Coffee Bar *
• Keg & Compass - Pub *
• Enchanted Sword Cafe - Coffee Bar *
• Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods - Poolside Eateries
• Mickey's Smokestack Barbecue - Barbecue
• Sweet Minnie's Ice Cream - Ice Cream
• Donald's Cantina - Mexican
• Daisy's Pizza Pies - Pizza
• Goofy's Grill - Pool Grill
• Beverage Station - Pool Sodas
• Lookout - Pool Bar *
• Inside Out: Joyful Sweets - Premium Ice Cream and Treats *
• Marceline Market - Buffet
• Marceline Market Cafe - Buffet Bar *
• Wheezie's Freezies - Pool Bar *
• Currents Bar - Scenic Bar *
• The RosE - Adult-Only Bar *
• Enchante by Chef Arnaud Lallement - Adult-Only French *
• Palo Steakhouse - Adult-Only Steakhouse *
• Cove Cafe - Adult-Only Coffee Bar *
• Cove Bar - Adult-Only Pool Bar *
• Room Service

Reviews We perform checks on reviews. Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . Learn more about our review moderation.

• Excellent 19
• Very Good 6
• All languages ( 41 )
• English ( 39 )
• Spanish ( 2 )

I just got off the Disney Wish. I was prepared not to like Disney's newest cruise ship, but I loved our $5,300 3-night trip.

•  My family of four did a three-night sailing on the Disney Wish in July for $5,300.
• We've been on eight Disney cruises , and I heard a few negative reviews of the Wish before boarding.
• But I loved the new ship, especially the themed adult lounges and fun new deck layout. 

My family of four recently did a three-night sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Bahamas on Disney's newest cruise ship, the Wish . 

We've been on eight Disney Cruises as a family, and I follow several cruise blogs and podcasts, so I consider myself an expert-level Disney cruiser . Before this trip, I'd read and heard enough Wish reviews to give me the impression I wouldn't like the new ship.

Our decision to sail on the Wish was last-minute. We booked a $5,300 voyage and boarded the ship with no reservations or excursions and no plans other than to explore.

Luckily, I ended up being wrong about pretty much everything I thought I'd dislike about the ship.

I was super impressed by the new Grand Hall on the Wish.

Disney's first ship, the Magic , set sail back in 1998, so embarking on the Wish, which had its maiden voyage in July 2022, was quite the upgrade. Passengers are immersed in everything new and dazzling on the Wish as soon as they enter the Grand Hall.

The other Disney ships have a central atrium where guests embark and are welcomed aboard. But the Wish's Grand Hall is open and airy — more of a multipurpose space with a stage and balcony.

The only criticism I had was that the welcome-aboard announcement from the crew could've been better. Whereas the other ships had a gauntlet of crew members clapping and cheering, there was only one crew member on the Wish's welcoming committee and little fanfare.

You won't miss this if you've never sailed with Disney before . But if you have, you'll probably notice a difference.

Our room also felt shiny and new.

We booked an ocean-view stateroom with a veranda for our cruise on the Wish. 

There were upgraded touches in the stateroom , such as a larger TV screen and robes, compared to the older ships. 

The Wish doesn't have any midship elevators, but it didn't end up being an issue for us.

All the other Disney ships have three elevator spots, forward (front of ship), aft (back of ship), and midship (middle of ship). Despite being Disney's largest ship, the Wish has no midship elevators.

I thought this might be inconvenient, but there are 16 elevators total, eight aft and eight forward, so the lack of midship elevators didn't actually bother me. We were OK with the extra walking as we take the stairs as often as possible anyway. 

What was annoying was the sensor-button panel on the elevators. If someone got too close to the buttons, the elevator would select them, causing most elevators we rode to stop at every floor. It was like having that kid who pushes all the buttons on your elevator every trip.

We're really familiar with the layout of the other Disney ships, so this took some getting used to.

The Disney Wish is the fleet's first Triton Class ship, meaning it has a different layout from Disney's previous ships in the Magic and Dream classes. After three sailings on the Wonder, two on the Magic, and two on the Dream, we had those deck plans down pat. 

Because of this, I had to spend time discovering where things were located instead of immediately knowing my way around. But it actually ended up being part of the fun and not a negative experience. 

I'd heard complaints of a lack of adult-only entertainment, but that wasn't my experience.

All the other Disney ships have a bar-and-lounge district that's off-limits to anyone under 18 after 7 p.m. 

On the Wish, the highly themed Nightingale's, Bayou, Rose, and Star Wars Hyperspace lounges were dotted throughout the ship versus being in an adult-only section. But the fact that kids were passing through didn't bother me.

Plus, there was still the adult-only pool deck and two adult-only dining venues if you wanted to escape.

The dining rooms may have been a little more crowded, but it didn't really bother us.

The three main dining rooms on the Wish are Arendelle, Worlds of Marvel, and 1923.

Before our trip, I'd heard fellow travelers complaining of big crowds, with the tables placed uncomfortably close together. Our sailing was near capacity, and the dining rooms were indeed crowded, but that's typical of all other Disney cruises we've been on.

The tables felt closer together than they've been on other ships, but it wasn't uncomfortable and didn't hamper our dining experience .

We loved the food at the new restaurants , especially the filet at 1923, but we'd probably skip Worlds of Marvel next time. The digital show is such a huge part of dinner, and although it was cute, I wouldn't want to sit through it again.

There were fun added amenities and entertainment options on the ship.

The Pirate's Rockin' Parlay Party on the deck was a great entertainment addition, and the infinity pool in the Quiet Cove area was pretty sweet, even if it was always full of people.

The kid's clubs , especially the Oceaneer Club for kids 3 through 12, were next-level fantastic. I thought the teen and tween clubs were elevated, too, but my 13-year-olds said they liked one on the Magic better. 

My family loved our trip on the Wish, and we'd definitely sail on it again.

The Wish isn't my top Disney Cruise Line pick — that's always going to be the Wonder — but I loved the ship and would book again if the itinerary and rates lined up with our travel needs .

If you're hesitant to book because of a negative review you saw online, I say go for it and try it for yourself. 

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I Was On The First Sailing Of The Disney Wish, Here Are My 10 Favorite Experiences On Board

• Cruises and Sailing
• Destinations
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Note: The Travel Awaits team regularly updates content to provide the latest, and most accurate information to our readers. The updated content in this article may not reflect the views or opinions of the original author.

For the first time in forever, the Disney Cruise Line has added a brand-new ship to its fleet. The 4,000-passenger Disney Wish is the cruise line’s first new ship in 10 years, and it was worth the wait. Disney Wish is filled with magical experiences, innovative technology, cinematic dining adventures, and immersive storytelling that brings much-loved Disney characters to life.

Joining the rest of Disney’s fleet, Disney Magic , Disney Wonder , Disney Dream , and  Disney Fantasy , is Disney Cruise’s newest ship, the Disney Wish . This vacation experience is designed to please families and multigenerational groups as well as adults traveling without kids. This floating luxury resort is packed with boatloads of fun, superb family-friendly staterooms , and some royal suites. Disney Wish sails 3- and 4-night cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida to Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney’s island in the Bahamas. Guests often combine these sailings with a few days at Walt Disney World to get the best Disney vacation on both land and sea.

I was invited by Disney Cruise Line to be their guest on the Disney Wish christening cruise. Several attractions and experiences still needed a little pixie dust to be fully ready, but we were able to sample nearly all of them during our 3-night sailing.

Here are my 10 favorite experiences on the new Disney Wish :

1. Making A Grand Entrance

There’s something special about stepping aboard the Disney Wish . The ship’s theme is “enchantment.” The magic comes alive when entering the dazzling fairytale-inspired Grand Hall. While boarding, a crew member announces your name to all those in the Grand Hall, and clapping ensues. While this occurs on every Disney Cruise Line ship, the Grand Hall’s opulent setting made me feel like I was being formally welcomed to Cinderella’s castle at sea.

The Grand Hall’s magnificent chandelier features a spectacular wishing star that comes alive at certain times through the wonders of technology. Children receive their own wishing wand upon boarding so they can make their first vacation wish when entering the Grand Hall. Make sure to return to the Grand Hall in the evening to experience the mesmerizing “Kiss Goodnight” during your  Disney Wish  cruise.

Pro Tip: Look for Disney princesses appearing on the balcony of the Grand Hall as you enter. Disney characters can often be seen in and around the Grand Hall during sailings. Check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for scheduled appearances. 

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2. Feeling Like A Kid Again

The Disney Wish is an exceptional vacation destination for kids, teens, and adults who love staying connected with their inner child. Guests become immersed in a wonderland of familiar stories and beloved Disney characters. I always look forward to seeing the magic through kids’ eyes on a Disney cruise , and the Disney Wish kid’s and teen’s clubs are out of this world. Adults will be jealous, and kids won’t want to leave.

Disney’s Oceaneer Club

Disney’s Oceaneer Club is the best cruise ship area I’ve seen for children ages three to 12. The kids club features more extraordinarily well-themed areas than ever, including Fairytale Hall, Star Wars : Cargo Bay, Marvel Super Hero Academy, Walt Disney Imagineering Lab, and Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck. The attention to detail in these spaces is mind-blowing, particularly in Star Wars: Cargo Bay. Children can check in to Disney’s Oceaneer Club in the Grand Hall, then slide “down the rabbit hole” directly to their club on Deck 2.

Pro Tip: Adults can access Disney’s Oceaneer Club and the Oceaneer Club slide at the open house on embarkation day and during select Oceaneer Club open house events throughout the voyage. Ride the slide — your inner child will love it!

“It’s A Small World” Nursery

Plus other kids’ and young adult areas.

Kids of all ages have their special place on the Disney Wish . “It’s a small world” nursery caters to young cruisers ages six months to three years, while tweens and teens have their own hangouts. Edge is for tweens aged 11 to 14 and teens aged 14 to 17 have stylish Vibe. There’s also The Hideaway, a multi-purpose area that hosts events for young adults aged 18 to 20.

3. Riding AquaMouse

Disney calls AquaMouse its “first Disney attraction at sea,” and this first-of-its-kind water coaster delivers tons of family fun. As an avid lover of waterslides and coasters, AquaMouse was a must-do on my Disney Wish voyage. Based on The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse series, the ride includes 760 feet of tubes winding around the ship’s top deck, over 60 water features, special lighting effects, an entertaining cinematic show, and spectacular ocean views.

Guests board their two-seat ride raft and are conveyed through the lift hill tunnel while watching one of two new Disney animated short cartoons. Then, you’re off on a wild ride up around the ship’s upper decks, jetting up and down via speed blasters. It’s a cute ride — and you will certainly get wet. 

AquaMouse age and height requirements make the attraction accessible to many families with kids. The water ride is fun and adventurous without being too scary or overwhelming for younger kids. The Disney Wish family area also features six pools, plus a Toy Story Splash Zone for little ones.

Pro Tip: AquaMouse lines can be lengthy, so go first thing in the morning or during dinner seatings. If there are long lines, check out Chip ’n Dale’s Pool on Deck 14. It offers covered loungers and incredible views.

4. Adults-Only Restaurants

Palo Steakhouse

Palo Steakhouse is one of two exquisite adults-only specialty dining venues on Disney Wish . It’s an elegant Beauty and the Beast -inspired setting with wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows, cozy booths, and spectacular views. The service and cuisine are exceptional. Our meal at Palo Steakhouse was one of the best we’ve had on a cruise and included antipasti, Japanese A5 Wagyu beef, pan-seared salmon, and butternut squash agnolotti. The tiramisu and six-layer carrot cake are decadent and delicious.

Enchanté By Chef Arnaud Lallement

The ship’s second adults-only dining experience is Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement , a celebrated gourmet restaurant created by three-star Michelin French Chef Arnaud Lallement. 

Pro Tip: There’s an additional charge to dine at both restaurants . Guests must be 18 or older, and reservations should be made as far in advance as possible.\

5. The Pirate’s Rockin’ Parlay Party

Disney’s parks are famed for their spectacular nighttime events, so it’s no surprise this floating theme park at sea has an amazing celebration as well. The “ Pirate’s Rockin’ Parlay Party ” is a brand-new version of Disney Cruise Line’s pirate-themed nighttime deck party featuring live rock ‘n’ roll music, stunts, amazing special effects, and even a fireworks show at sea.

Inspired by Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, the pirate night extravaganza features Captain Redd and her pirate band along with an appearance by Captain Jack Sparrow. Disney Cruise Line is the only cruise line that includes fireworks shows regularly on its voyages, and I always look forward to their dazzling displays.

Pro Tip: The fireworks launch over the Disney ship’s starboard side. We watched from Deck 12, and the views were incredible.

6. Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge   

I couldn’t wait to experience Disney Wish’s Star Wars -themed bar at sea, and the immersive experience lived up to the hype for me. Yes, there’s a $5,000 drink on the menu, but this venue is so much more. The lounge is designed to feel like a lavish starcruiser where guests can sip creative intergalactic concoctions while enjoying the panoramic vistas of galaxies far, far away. I was completely mesmerized watching the action-packed encounters and stunning views of places like Endor and Tatooine. The viewport’s scenes blur as the ship periodically “jumps” to a new location via hyperspace, and it’s hard to get bored.

The highly themed cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks here are great. Some of our favorites included the zero-proof Temple Twist, The Golden One from the Moons of Endor, Berken’s Flow, and The Chancellor — complete with an added bubble of cinnamon smoke.

Pro Tip: This sought-after experience is currently limited to 45 minutes. Guests can make reservations using the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app on embarkation day once they are on board. Families can access the lounge during the day, but the space converts to adults-only at 9 p.m.

7. Disney Wish ’s Rotational Dining

Disney Wish offers three rotational specialty quality dining venues for guests, including the first and only Frozen and Marvel-inspired restaurants at sea. No surcharges are involved, and your wait staff moves dining rooms with you each night.

Worlds Of Marvel

Worlds of Marvel is an interactive cinematic delight featuring Avengers: Quantum Encounter starring Ant-Man and the Wasp. The dining experience is filled with mission-intensive storytelling, Marvel-inspired menu items, and character appearances that will keep both adults and kids engaged. Each table has a quantum core, and we had fun interacting with it to help save the day.

Pro Tip: It’s great to attend the Marvel Super Hero Academy open house to get the backstory for the Worlds of Marvel cinematic entertainment show. 

Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure

Celebrate the engagement of Queen Anna and Kristoff at Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure . This entertaining dinner theater-type experience stars favorite characters from Disney’s blockbuster hit Frozen . Guests will enjoy the character interactions, live band, great food, and fantastic entertainers who bring the world of Frozen to life. The Nordic-style cuisine is excellent here, particularly the seafood.

Disney Wish ‘s third restaurant, 1923 , offers a classy entertainment-free dining experience where the food is the star of the show. One half of the restaurant is dedicated to Walt Disney and the other to Roy Disney.

8. Adults-Only Areas

The Disney Wish was designed to cater to adults sailing without children as well as parents and grandparents traveling with kids. As a result, there are plenty of adult-only spaces spread across multiple decks, and the cocktail lounges are superb. My favorites were The Rose, Nightingale’s, and The Bayou , a stunning magnolia-canopied lounge inspired by Disney Animation Studios’ film The Princess and the Frog .

Additional memorable adults-only spots on the Disney Wish include the Quiet Cove’s aft-facing infinity pool, the Moana- inspired Cove Café, and the Senses Spa’s Rainforest experience featuring a brand-new outdoor oasis. Purchase rainforest passes as far in advance as possible.

Pro Tip: There’s live jazz music in the evenings at The Bayou and live piano music at Nightingale’s. If you want to have more time for evening entertainment, it might be best to choose the early dinner seating.

9. Enchanting New Shows

Disney Cruise Line ’s entertainment is Broadway-caliber, and the Walt Disney Theatre’s immersive performances bring the magic to life. We saw previews of Disney The Little Mermaid and Disney Seas the Adventure , two brand-new shows making their debut on the Disney Wish . Both were outstanding. Guests will also be able to enjoy a reimagined adaptation of Disney’s Aladdin — A Musical Spectacular on future Disney Wish sailings.

Entertainment choices abound on the Disney Wish , including free first-run movie showings in the Never Land and Wonderland cinemas, shows and interactive features on the Grand Hall’s atrium stage, and programming in the new Luna entertainment hub. This wealth of indoor entertainment options will help keep families happy, even in inclement weather.

Pro Tip: Wheelchair-accessible seating is available in Disney Wish cinemas and the Walt Disney Theatre. Starting 30 minutes before show times, crew members are available at the Deck 3 entrance to the Walt Disney Theatre to assist guests to wheelchair-accessible seating.

10. Incredible, Interactive Games

Disney Uncharted Adventure

Disney Uncharted Adventure is a first-of-its-kind interactive game played through the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. We previewed this free immersive experience on our sailing, and it takes storytelling to a new level. Guests can create their own avatars then head out on themed quests throughout the ship. The multidimensional journey features augmented reality and special effects, unlocking hidden layers of magic around the ship. I loved being immersed in this adventure, and the technology is amazing.

Pro Tip: Disney Uncharted Adventure is a fantastic experience to play with family and friends. Families can play together by linking up to six mobile devices at once or team up by using just one or two devices at a time.

More action-packed games are available in Disney Wish’s Hero Zone sports arena. Don’t miss running through The Incredibles -themed inflatable obstacle course, which is featured in the ship’s Incredi-Games experience. It’s lots of fun, and it’s not just for kids. Time slots are pre-announced, so check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app to see when the obstacle course will be available.

Nancy is founder of the Family Travel Network, launched in partnership with America Online. She serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association and is a consultant and frequent presenter at top travel industry conferences and events. Nancy is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association. She was honored with the Family Travel Association's Mike Janes Media Member Award in 2022.

Disney Wish Cruise Ship Ultimate Guide

Last Updated on May 18, 2021

Disney Wish setting sail in summer 2022, will be a celebration of Disney’s rich history. With the ship powered by liquidity natural gas, this is really set to be a cutting-edge ship with the latest in entertainment innovation. ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Frozen,’ superheroes and more with the magic of Disney at sea

Updated: 18 May 2021

Disney Wish from Disney Cruise Line is the 5th ship in Disney’s cruise fleet and is gearing up some of the most exciting dining and entertainment experiences available at sea.

CELEBRATION, Fla. (April 29, 2021)  — When the Disney Wish sets sail in summer 2022, families will discover a mesmerizing new world created especially for them: a celebration of Disney’s rich legacy of enchanting storytelling that brings to life the fantastical worlds and beloved characters at the heart of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and  Star Wars  adventures like never before. Families will embark on a splashtacular adventure with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse aboard the  first-ever Disney attraction at sea ; revel in a royal celebration during a  theatrical dining experience with “Frozen” friends ; team up with the Avengers on a  Marvel cinematic dining adventure ; and travel to a galaxy far, far away in a  first-of-its-kind  Star Wars  experience  onboard a Disney ship. “With the Disney Wish, we’re continuing our tradition of delivering the most magical and relaxing vacations at sea, combining legendary service and entertainment with imaginative storytelling and all the care you expect from a Disney vacation,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “Our newest ship will celebrate everything that families love about sailing with us, from the incredible dining experiences and character interactions to dazzling shows and the crew’s thoughtful attention to detail. We can’t wait to welcome our guests aboard the Disney Wish as we expand the reach of our world-class fleet.” The Disney Wish will sail its maiden voyage — a five-night cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay — on June 9, 2022, followed by an inaugural season of three- and four-night cruises to the same destinations from Port Canaveral, Florida. Bookings open to the general public on May 27, 2021. Disney

The Grand Hall is a fairytale-inspired tribute to the story of Cinderella, including a beautiful bronze statue of this beloved princess, stained glass embellishments in her signature colours and icons from the film in the carpeting, metalwork and light fixtures.

Disney Weddings

Weddings aboard the Disney Wish will begin June 20, 2022 with 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas!

Space for casual dining, relaxation, and access to the AquaMouse as well exclusive adult-only areas, and an area for little ones called Splash Zone! inspired by the movie Toy Story.

Feature First Disney Attraction at Sea

Port misadventures excursion company.

SCUBA Scramble

Families will embark on a splashtacular adventure with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse aboard the first-ever Disney attraction at sea. With lighting, special effects, and show scenes from an original story SCUBA Scramble .

Disney’s Oceaneer Club

Disney’s Oceaneer Club on Disney Wish will have a secret entrance from the Grand Hall in the form of a slide for the kids inspired by Alice in Wonderland, kids will literally go “down the rabbit hole” on a twisting slide that lands directly and securely into the club according to Disney.

There is an entrance for adults to get there children back…a door. This is a kid exclusive club for ages 3 to 12.

Marvel Superhero Academy

Disney Wish will have many excellent immersive experiences for kids including the opportunity to train with superheroes such as Black Panther, Antman and the Wasp. Plus a unique hero suit experience. Spiderman will make appearances as well.

Creative World of Walt Disney Imagineering

Walt disney imagineering lab.

Kids vacationing on Disney Wish will explore what it takes to make the magic by exploring the creative world of Walt Disney Imagineering. From designing to testing their own roller coaster, and discover the secrets of world-renowned Disney Imagineers with hands-on activities and inventive experiments.

Fairytale Hall

Fairytale Hall is a royal themed experience with a trio of activity rooms in the Oceaneer Club.

Rapunzel’s Art Studio

Channel your inner artist.

Belle’s Library

Princes and princesses will have a royal opportunity to explore Belle’s library. Perhaps even read stories with belle.

Anna and Elsa’s Summer House

Perfect your Frozen powers.

Disney Wish – Family Dining

Arendelle – a frozen dining adventure.

A Frozen themed theatrical dining experience. Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and Kristoff will entertain guests with a musical presentation. The menu will feature cuisine with Nordic influences.

A restaurant inspired by Walt Disney’s legacy and nearly a century of Disney animation, named for the year Walt Disney Studios was founded (1923). The cuisine is inspired by a California Fusion of cultural flavours?

Worlds of Marvel – Marvel Cinematic Dining Experience

Worlds of Marvel looks like a very cool interactive dining experience.

Disney Wish Adult Exclusive Dining

Star wars – hyperspace lounge.

An immersive Star Wars lounge is coming to Disney Cruise Lines fleet the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge.

Beauty and the Beast Inspired Adult Dining

The rose – lounge.

Cocktail bar.

PALO Steakhouse

Décor inspired by Cogsworth, with Italian dining flair in a modern steakhouse.

Enchanté Fine Dining

Elegant dining inspired by Lumiere, menu crafted by 3 Michelin starred, Chef Arnaud Lallement who also developed dishes for Remy on the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream .

Walt Disney Theatre

The design of the theatre is inspired by the enchanted forest worlds of Disney’s Fantasia, and will host Disney Cruise Lines signature Broadway style shows.

Disney’s Aladdin a Musical Spectacular – Reimagined

A Disney Cruise Line fleet favorite.

Two Original Shows are also on the way… more to follow

Wonderland Cinema

Wonderland Cinema is inspired by the fantastical world of  “Alice in Wonderland,”  with nods to the otherworldly creatures and distinctive characters who inhabit the ever-curiouser Tulgey Wood. Disney Cruise Line

Never Land Cinema

Never Land Cinema is inspired by  Peter Pan ’s flight from London to Never Land, sweeping guests up in their own flight of fantasy and depicting iconic scenes such as Skull Rock and Mermaid Lagoon. Disney Cruise Line

Disney Wish Family Venues

A place for families to play together and connect.

Grand Hall Stage

Entertainment in the Atrium. Details coming later in the year…

Entertainment well transition from daytime family entertainment to elegant nighttime adult-exclusive entertainment. It will feature a celestial design inspired by the Disney/Pixar short “La Luna.”

Where imagination will meet active play. Details coming later in the year…

Disney Wish Adult Exclusive Relaxation

Retreat to the upper deck, where you will find an infinity pool.

Treatments and relaxation you would expect from the other ships in the Disney fleet.

Next level storybook-inspired staterooms with fresh new looks and custom artwork throughout and elegant detailing inspired by stories like Cinderella. Oceanview and verandah options you would expect are available on Disney Wish. Expanded premium accommodations will also be available. Also coming to the Disney Wish are seven Disney’s Little Mermaid cabins.

Take a look at how the accommodations on the #DisneyWish are being taken to the next level, including the first-ever Wish Tower Suite, a new look and feel for every stateroom and more! https://t.co/WI4gPnMGtp pic.twitter.com/VSuBt5cdy1 — Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) May 17, 2021

Below we have some concept art from Disney.

Inside Stateroom

Oceanview Stateroom

Verandah Stateroom

Royal Suites

Disney Wish will debut four royal suites two 2-story royal suites with spiral staircases that celebrate the gilded world of Disney Animation’s  “Sleeping Beauty” , and two concierge suites inspired by Disney’s animated movie Tangled . Premium accommodations aboard Disney Wish with amazing views and an exceptional price tag.

two Princess Aurora Royal Suites will boast a soft, dreamlike palette of soft blues and golds, shimmery metallics and white marble, and two Briar Rose Royal Suites evoke the dark wood tones and rich green hues of an enchanted forest.

Princess Aurora Royal Suites

Princess Aurora Royal Suites will boast a soft, dreamlike palette of soft blues and golds, shimmery metallic surfaces and white marble.

Briar Rose Royal Suites

Briar Rose Royal Suites evoke the dark wood tones and rich green hues of an enchanted forest.

Wish Tower Suite

There’s a suite in the Funnel of the Disney Wish!

It’s a Small World Nursery

For the littlest cruisers ages 6 months to 3 years, It’s a Small World Nursery will offer babysitting services in a whimsical environment inspired by the beloved Disney attraction of the same name, where colorful murals depict  Disney ,  Pixar  and  Marvel  characters reimagined as  “it’s a small world” Disney

Once Upon a Disney Wish Reveal Video

Disney Wish Reservations

Early booking for summer 2022 disney wish itineraries.

Castaway Club members and select Disney Guests are invited to book a cruise on the Disney Wish, before the general public—early booking begins May 17, 2021!

Disney Wish 2022 Itinerary

Disney is offering some exciting itinerary’s Check th e m Out .

Not So Final Thoughts

We are super excited and look forward to the release of more details. With so many exciting details release and forthcoming we look forward to making the Disney Wish our next Disney Cruise Line experience perhaps on the maiden voyage!

Your Thoughts...

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Disney Wish Cruise Ship Review

The Disney Wish is going to garner strong opinions from passionate cruisers and first-timers. The newest addition to DCL’s fleet will likely be your favorite or least favorite ship, with only a little middle ground in between reactions. This review of the Disney Wish cruise ship offers our big picture impressions on its highs and low.

Dubbed the “castle on the sea,” the Disney Wish heavily emphasizes some of the company’s MVP IPs. Star Wars, Marvel, Frozen, and more all have strong presences aboard the ship. Just about everything is tied to characters in some fashion, with the Wish feeling very much in line with some of Disney’s other recent additions in its theme parks.

In fact, I found myself noticing similarities to Shanghai Disneyland throughout the Disney Wish. That might seem like an odd comparison given that one is a theme park and the other a cruise ship, but the case could be made that the Wish has more in common with Disney’s newest castle park than the rest of its fleet. Well, once you get past the fact that one was built on solid ground and the other is a big boat (sorry Sarah, big ship ) sailing the seas.

We had the chance to spend 3-nights aboard the Disney Wish for its Christening Cruise. During this media cruise, we experienced a lot of what the new ship has to offer, including backstory and behind the scenes info about the ship’s creation.

We also bought our own cruise aboard the Disney Wish way back last summer when bookings opened and will return as paying guests to see how things differ then. ( Update: see our lists covering the  “Best of”  and  “Worst of” the Disney Wish to see what else we think the new ship gets right and wrong.)

With that out of the way, let’s turn to some broad-strokes impressions of the Disney Wish. Much in the same way that Shanghai Disneyland largely eschewed the familiar castle park formula, so too does the Disney Wish opt for pretty significant twists on the DCL playbook.

Although the iconic exterior design of the Disney Wish matches that of its predecessors, much has changed on the inside. This starts with the layout, which I found a bit funky and downright counterintuitive at times. We never totally got our bearings on the Disney Wish, and know we’re not alone. Some of this could be attributed to a lack of familiarity with the Wish as compared to the other ships, but some odd choices were also made.

Beyond the layout, there are also major stylistic differences. The interior design no longer seems focused on evoking the glamour and beauty of the golden age of ocean liners. It largely opts against period-inspired Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles in favor of a variety of disparately-themed spaces.

Those varying themed spaces exist on the other ships, but the variety of styles is much more pronounced on the Disney Wish. To some degree, this impedes the flow of the ship.

To the extent that there is a unifying interior design motif, the style can probably best be described as glam. Many of the spaces–particularly those for adults that don’t overtly integrate intellectual property–utilize sumptuous materials, touchable textures, and glistening metallics to create an air of opulence and extravagance.

In most of these venues, this works really well. The adult specialty dining area features glam flourishes, and sprinkles in Beauty and the Beast  characters and European stylization in a fashion that is surprisingly cohesive. This area is similar to Enchanted Rose Lounge at Grand Floridian, but miles better–more well-appointed, tasteful, and luxurious. Enchanté is the highlight, but this whole area is superb. As a whole, the speciality dining deck is an unequivocal upgrade on the other ships.

Same goes for the kids clubs, which offer huge improvements over the other ships and a ton of cool new things to do. Adults have long been envious of the fun, interactive experiences offered exclusively to children aboard Disney Cruise Line. To some extent, that has been directly remedied with new themed spaces for all ages.

However, the “problem” is that the kids clubs also got better and added awesome stuff…and now I want those things for adults. For all of the hype about Hyperspace Lounge, the coolest Star Wars space is far and away the Cargo Bay for kids. Also, is it really too much to ask for an Imagineering Blue Sky Bar where adults can imbibe and build/ride roller coaster simulations?! (Okay, perhaps that last part is a recipe for ‘protein spills.’)

In other cases, whether the changes are improvements is more subjective.

The modified atrium, for example, has become a better canvas for live entertainment, character appearances, and more. In simple terms, its design serves more practical purposes than aesthetic ones. In so doing, it has made compromises for the sake of functionality, and lost a degree of elegance and sophistication in the process.

This atrium and other parts of the ship also have the same style of Shanghai Disneyland. At times, that park feels like it’s shouting “OPULENCE!” while in actuality having a plastic-y or insubstantial feel. In other words, the substance doesn’t always adequately support the superficial style. (I apologize for the Shanghai Disneyland comparisons; I realize these are meaningless for the vast majority of readers, but some of Disney Wish’s parallels were uncanny and I found that interesting.)

Whether those changes to the atrium aboard the Disney Wish are “worth it” is really going to depend upon the guest. If you’re big on characters and cruise programming, they probably will be—the new approach opens a lot of doors as to what can be done there.

That’s really the story of the Disney Wish as a whole. In several ways, it feels like the guiding light behind this project was bringing as much of the contemporary Disney theme park experience as possible to a cruise ship.

Obviously, this is easiest to see in the aspects involving Star Wars, Marvel, and Frozen. It also applies to AquaMouse and other venues, as well as the prevalence of IP and degree of interactivity aboard the Disney Wish. There are elements here that reminds me of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Galactic Starcruiser, and Avengers Campus.

For the most part, those are favorable comparisons. There’s a lot that Imagineering and the creative entertainment teams behind the Disney Wish got really, really right. I want to focus on the big picture here—we’ll have separate posts to come about specifics.

In addition to the kids clubs, the dinner shows are fantastic and exemplars of themed design and/or storytelling. We loved all three, with some caveats about Worlds of Marvel.

Same goes for the food and beverage program as a whole.

The restaurants, fine dining, lounges, and even counter service are all the best of Disney Cruise Line. If your primary concerns are activities for kids, eating, or entertainment—there’s a strong chance the Disney Wish is going to be your favorite ship. It iterates upon or flat out reinvents all of that to great success.

It’s a similar story with the staterooms. These offer an array of little form and function improvements that, in aggregate, make them a lot nicer and more comfortable than their predecessors. (Sarah has more experience than me with Disney Cruise Line, and she gushed about the staterooms.)

Everything from the art to the lighting to the utilization of space is more thoughtful than the other four ships that came before. As with so much of the ship, it seems like DCL learned from what worked and didn’t in the past, and made incremental improvements on those bases.

Given its emphasis on intellectual property and characters, you might be concerned for the nightlife. The Disney Wish also improves upon most of the lounges and bars really well. The lounges are interesting and varied, with drink options that are thoughtfully-crafted (read: not colorful sugar water with a splash of alcohol).

The bigger concern from my perspective is the size and capacity of certain venues, in general. Even on this Christening Cruise with only a portion of staterooms filled, some of these areas were woefully undersized for demand. It’s hard to say how that will shake out with normal demographics (and full slate of cruise programming), but I foresee it being a problem.

I think this will actually work itself out over time. Some of the most high-profile venues were among my biggest disappointments, while ones that were barely featured in marketing ran circles around those.

I’d hazard a guess that DCL diehards will quickly learn this, and congregate in the “hidden gems” once they check off some of the one-and-done themed settings. Conversely, first timers will flock to the popular but underwhelming spaces.

With all of that in mind, let’s offer early assessments and recommendations about which demographics might want to book the Disney Wish, and who might want to wait–or book another ship.

The group we’d expect to least enjoy the Disney Wish is experienced cruisers who see DCL as a brand unto itself, and have come to appreciate the style and unique personality of the fleet. Disney Cruise Line diehards are the ones most likely to come in with a certain set of expectations, and like cruising for the distinct DCL atmosphere and experience.

I think there’s more than a mild possibility that these fans will be disappointed in the different direction the Disney Wish takes, and the way it does not comport with their expectations—and what made them fans in the first place.

This is really the first in DCL’s fleet to lean away from being a cruise ship or even strong nautical themes and motifs. It’s somewhat akin to a fan of the original Disneyland going to Shanghai Disneyland and seeing how much that deviated from the tried and true formula. Some may embrace the changes; others may feel it’s too substantial of a departure.

The Disney Wish is perfect for first-timers who are planning a once in a lifetime voyage and want something that is distinctly  Disney,  featuring the characters and movies their kids love. It delivers that exceptionally well, offering a slice of newer additions to the parks while at sea. It also iterates and improves upon some of the biggest shortcomings of the other ships, offering a better overall experience for most mainstream audiences.

As with the other ships, the experience is more laid back and relaxing than the theme parks, thus also making the Disney Wish a good alternative to those for first-timers who want an actual  vacation rather than a trip. (There’s a huge distinction, and one people who haven’t done Walt Disney World may not realize exists.)

However, the Disney Wish is not the ship we’d recommend to cruise newbies who are potentially interested in experiencing the other ships–or longtime Walt Disney World fans wanting to take their first cruise. That comes down to the expectations this particular ship creates that the rest don’t really match.

This is hardly criticism of the Disney Wish, but rather, acknowledging that it’s a bit of an outlier. It’s one that’s better in many ways, delivering exactly what some fans will want and making it difficult to go back to the other ships. By contrast, the things that the other ships do better are a matter of preference, and less make or break.

It’s difficult to articulate, but the best example I can give is that it’s easier to go from the Port Orleans Resorts to Caribbean Beach than in the other direction. The atmosphere of the former is arguably better, but transportation at the latter is hard to give up. Similar idea here, but obviously very different specifics.

Ultimately, we both really enjoyed our first experience aboard the Disney Wish. While this offers critique and criticism, that’s the nature of the beast when it comes to reviewing something. From our perspective, there are more hits than misses with the Disney Wish, but it’s far from flawless. Nevertheless, most of our complaints are relatively minor and some could be attributable to familiarity with the first four ships, a lack of that with the Wish, and personal preferences.

In the end, the Disney Wish is the ship in DCL’s fleet that I’m most eager to revisit and also one that I think has a lot of promise. While the others are already in their mature form, the Wish is going to continue evolving in the months and years to come and—hopefully—improving. There’s a ton of potential and a lot to like already, and it’s only going to get better as the company figures out how to leverage some of its ‘blank canvas’ spaces.

With that said, I doubt the Disney Wish will go down as my favorite ship or the one we’ll sail most in the long-term once that “new ship smell” wears off. For one thing, it’s a lot more expensive than comparable itineraries on the other ships and I’m not sure it’s worth the premium pricing–especially on repeat sailings. For another, I really like the layout, style, design of the other ships (save for the specialty dining and staterooms). Then again, I also prefer many of Walt Disney World’s older resorts to the newer ones, so your mileage–or nautical knots–may vary.

Planning to set sail aboard one of the DCL ships? Read our comprehensive  Disney Cruise Line Guide   to prepare for your voyage, plus plan entertainment, activities & excursions, and learn what to expect from your Disney cruise! For personalized planning & recommendations,  click here to get a cruise quote from a no-fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner . They can find you all of the current discounts, and help you plan the details of your cruise!

YOUR THOUGHTS

What else would you like to know about the Disney Wish? Any specific spaces within the ship that interest you more than others? Does this have you more excited for the Disney Wish? Think this ship will appeal to you, or will you stick with the first four? Wishing you were under 12 so you could enjoy the Imagineering Lab–or hope the next ship has a Blue Sky Bar? Excited for the AquaMouse? Do you plan on booking a cruise aboard this ship, or are you awaiting more reviews and info from the actual guest sailings? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

When do you go on your paid cruise? Curious when you will write more so I can decide if I need to change my plans completely. We are first timers and sort of fit the category of people who would enjoy it. But, still, I may not be able to unsee the cheap-plasticy glam. I do appreciate the “new ship smell” and decided it was worth the premium…but…

How was the adult entertainment options if there were any? The quiet cove seems woefully small, poorly located, and inconvenient when wanting to grab a snack from the walk up options. Is there any kind of dance club like on previous ships? Seems like this is just themed to the max without consideration of wanting to get away from characters in your face.

Sounds like an amazing big boat… Great review, Tom!

Thanks Tom! We’re scheduled for a 3 night cruise in September. By the time we hit our 90 day reservation mark, all the adults only dining options and wine tastings were fully booked. This wasn’t terribly surprising, but do you know if it’s still possible to try and book some of these things as soon as we get on the ship? Also, do you know if the Wishes’ spa will do the Rainforest Spa daily passes? I don’t see any reference to it on the website.

I would like to know how you feel about crowding and waits once you go on a full regular cruise since the Wish has higher capacity. We sailed the Dream and the pools and deck parties were unpleasantly crowded for our tastes, esp on days at sea. Also curious how they will manage Cabana reservations with so many more concierge guests.

How are the staterooms on the other ships inferior to the staterooms on the Wish?

Really looking forward to your opinions on the spaces for adults on the Disney Wish. Early word is they seem rather small and perhaps even an afterthought.

Very informative post. Can’t wait for the disappointments post. I think I have adjusted my expectations but interested to see what your experience was. The Maiden will be our 29th DCL cruise most being on the Magic, we prefer the classic ship. The two things I haven’t found clearly explained is other than the four small closet shelves and hanging area of the closet, where do you store clothes. Are there any drawers for undergarments, etc? Also, is the market a buffet of do they plate for you? The breakfast review I saw showed menus with plated meals to pick from. I prefer buffet, especially for breakfast, which is why we choose not to eat breakfast in the restaurants.

We initially booked the Wish for the end of October. Only our second ever cruise and frost for the kids (11 and 7). The four nights being the only option, we planned on doing 3 extra nights at WDW. But a few months ago, we chose to pass on getting to be some of the first people to enjoy the new ship and instead booked a 7 nighter on the Fantasy. We were hoping being able to enjoy a full week cruise would outweigh what could’ve been a much better experience on a newly imagined ship. Classic FOMO. I’ve been looking forward to your impressions, so far I’m thinking we made a good choice. Not that the fantasy is better. But the we aren’t missing out too badly by missing the Wish. I look forward to your next report when you get more full experience.

You absolutely did. The Fantasy is a fantastic ship and there’s no way the Wish could justify its price right now over one of the best cruise ships in the world. Newer cruise ships always command a premium.

My recommendation would be to eat Palo brunch (the Italian adult restaurant) once, chill at Satellite Falls pool, go to all of the adult shows at the Tube (some can be outstanding), and encourage the kids to go to the Oceaneer Club for the younger ones, 11-14 to the Edge, and 14-17 for Vibe. They’ll love it, especially if they’re social and like to make friends and for the older ones run around the ship hanging out. Cabana’s has an awesome breakfast buffet. Also, remember you can order unlimited menu items at all the restaurants! Appetizers are typically better than the entrees, so I’ve even ordered multiple as an entree before. The coffee is weak on the ship, but the Cove Bar on the pool deck has great coffee and you can get a coffee pass which makes it cheaper as it’s ‘premium’ coffee. Definitely participate in the adult activities like Silent DJ as well. Just let loose and have fun! Don’t feel obligated to get off at every port either. The ship, unlike say Carnival, is the attraction.

We are scheduled on a Wish cruise at the end of January, with our 4 year old granddaughter. When you are talking about space in the different areas, I was wondering about the pools. I have watched a lot of the videos posted (and it may look different when you are actually there)-but the pools looked small and crowded and chopped up into a series of shallow pools. I had heard that they were designed to be covered up when an event is happening on deck. Does the pool deck feel scrunched in? Also, can you describe in more detail what the Festival of Foods area is, and why it is needed in addition to Marceline market?

Thank you for the early info! I love your site and recommend it to anyone going to anything Disney! We are DVC members who started our love of Disney with our honeymoon at Disney World 25 years ago. We will be there in September for our actual Anniversary (Food & Wine here we come and we are doing our first split stay, Bay Lake and Beach Club) , but we have also booked a vow renewal on The Wish in January 2023. They weren’t sure of venue options when we booked, but thought The Rose and Bayou would be options in addition to the atrium. We were leaning towards The Rose, but Bayou is looking like a very viable option as well. There will be about 40 of us, any thoughts?

Happy 4th of July. Hope you all have a good one. Thanks as always for the excellent content

Thanks, you too–and you’re welcome! 🙂

Such a good teaser for the full review! Curious to see if some of my guesses are correct. I haven’t been obviously but have been watching some videos. I suspect the Bayou bar will be one of your “hidden gem” locations—I love the look and it gets bonus points for being out in the open as I feel like on prior ships the seclusion of the bars made me loathe to visit them with my kids with me (they love getting shirley temples as an afternoon treat, while mom and dad get a cocktail). I haven’t seen anyone talk about Luna even though that seemed like one of the more promising additions—was it not open for your preview cruise? The aquamouse, hyperspace lounge and adult infinity pool all seem to be shadows of their potential, which is a shame. But on the other hand, I really think I will like the Spa rainforest room, large balcony (aka “bump out”) rooms, multiple family pools (so if one closes due to an accident, it’s not a big deal), and all those new quick service dining locations. P.S. Don’t feel weird about visiting the kids clubs during open houses to play on the simulators—a lot of adults do!

I actually spent more time in Luna than anywhere else on the ship–it hosted all of the behind the scenes panels. Definitely has potential as a venue, but there’s absolutely nothing special about its design and the panels certainly didn’t put the tech that might exist in that space to the test. Strikes me as fairly utilitarian.

I wish you had an adult cruise without kids.

I have been on 9 DCL cruises and not once have felt overwhelmed by children. DCL does a good job of separating the adults.

Disney and kids are like a glove is to fingers. If kids somehow mess up the Disney experience then maybe you are forgetting what Disney is truly about. There is nothing I like to see more than the kids reacting to everything Disney even though mine is an adult.

Not sure what happened to my last post but kids are to Disney what fingers are to a glove. They kinda go together and something would be lacking if kids were not a part of the landscape during a Disney experience.

Would love to see photos of the bar menus! I’m looking for information about what mocktails might be available, and many of the menus I’ve seen online actually cut off that part as if it can’t be of any interest to anyone!

I don’t have those, sorry–but I do know there was an emphasis made on crafting unique “zero proof cocktails” for the Disney Wish. (That’s the specific term they used since “mocktails” is more juvenile according to the culinary team. I’m guessing “zero proof cocktails” also somehow justifies higher price points than what people would pay for mocktails! 😉 )

We are sailing on the Wish in September and I’m really looking forward to it, though we ended up adding it to the front end of an already scheduled trip. So we will sail on the Wish and then after a weekend in Miami will sail on the Dream. That gets all the ships ticked for us, and saves us airfare by doing another cruise at a later date. However, it’ll be interesting to see how the two ships feel back to back. I’m going in with a very open mind, except when it comes to the Aqua Mouse, which I have very low expectations for. I saw a POV of the “attraction” on Youtube & was heartily disappointed. My initial reaction was “LAME” and felt the same way on a second viewing a few days later. Maybe it’ll be better in person, but… Did you experience it? Thoughts? Is it complete? There were a bunch of what I presumed were speakers between the screens (which featured that new style of animation which I despise!), but maybe they were screens that were missing displays? It certainly was underwhelming for something touted as the first Disney attraction at sea. Aqua Duck & Dunk are much more engaging right off the bat. The Aqua Mouse was just a slow conveyor belt crawling along until the water ride started. Or am I missing something?

C’mon now, don’t make me spoil the upcoming “Biggest Disappointments of the Disney Wish” post!

For now, I’ll just say this…adjust your AquaMouse expectations downwards. 😉

@ TomBricker: Yikes! Adjust my already low expectations downwards? Even with a winky face emoji, that is telling. Oh well, I’ll look forward to everything else, and the Aqua Mouse will be a one & done. Thanks for the first impressions post, btw. Always appreciate your thoughtful perspectives.

I heard from one of the bloggers that the Aquamouse wasn’t running complete…that some special effects were still being worked on? We’re going in November…hopefully many kinks will be worked out a little more by then

I certainly hope what I saw online isn’t the finished product. I was sort of thinking it might be more along the lines of a water version of the Incredi-coaster at Disneyland, but we shall see. Thanks for your feedback Kathleen.

We are booked on the wish for the Christmas cruise start of December (after 2 weeks in Orlando!). It will be our first time on a cruise ship so we felt 3 nights would be a good sampler to if we like it.

I’m curious Tom if the hidden gems you mention, we much rather those than the main ones as prefer quieter ambiance.

How was the food? Fine dining is not something we are used to but rather excited about along with usual ‘park’ fare?

I can’t wait to read more. We recently took and Royal Caribbean cruise for the first time, after sailing DCL on several prior trips, I know it’s even more extreme, but we missed the classic, stylized nature of DCL, despite many new and fun amenities on RC.

This was very informative, thank you! We’ll be sailing on the Wish in September. I’ve previously sailed on both the Wonder and Dream. The Wonder was much easier to navigate and had more “connecting” decks and walkways than the Dream. We caught ourselves having to go up and down to navigate around certain things on the Dream. Is the Wish similar to the Dream in this aspect?

“Is the Wish similar to the Dream in this aspect?”

I’d say it’s slightly worse. Accessing some areas (like Cove Cafe or the specialty dining area) requires a convoluted approach. Even the levels around the atrium have occasionally-confusing orientations. On the plus side, that can add a sense of intimacy.

Our first DCL ship will be the Wish following Thanksgiving. We’re already a bit skeptical of the sizing of popular areas. The Star Wars bar has had super long waits to get into it from what we’ve been hearing. We’re also doing star cruise next month which means the Star Wars bar on the wish more than likely will be a let down anyways lol. We haven’t got our window for buying extras and excursions but lol forward to seeing what is offered there. Can’t wait to see your actual paid for cruise impressions. I’m sure this vessel is impressive though regardless.

The Star Wars bar started doing reservations after the first day, and I’d expect that to continue with actual guest sayings. Nevertheless, your suspicions about going from the Galactic Starcruiser to Hyperspace Lounge are pretty much on point.

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Review: Disney Wish

Reviewed by Susan B. Barnes

What is the line? Disney Cruise Line

Name of ship? Disney Wish

Passenger occupancy?  4,000

Itinerary? Three- and four-night cruises to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney Castaway Cay

Disney Wish , the fifth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, set sail in July 2022 from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and its private island, Castaway Cay, bringing with it all of the magic and hospitality we’ve come to expect from Disney.

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?   Disney is all about the young and the young at heart, and that sentiment holds true for the entirety of the Disney Cruse Line fleet. From on-deck dance parties to dining with “Frozen” characters Elsa, Anna, and Olaf, and much more in between, passengers are invited to be a part of the all-ages fun on the Disney Wish .

Tell us about the ship in general. Disney Wish , which is slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy , was built in 2022 in Germany and arrived in Florida in June. The ship’s 1,254 staterooms—most of which have ocean views (70 percent of those have verandahs)—can accommodate up to 4,000 passengers. Three family restaurants, two fine dining spots, myriad casual dining spaces, and numerous bars and lounges are found throughout the Disney Wish .

One of the greatly anticipated highlights of the Disney Wish is AquaMouse, the first Disney attraction at sea that immerses guests in “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse” by way of show scenes, and lighting and special effects, all in a 760-foot water ride that winds high above the ship’s upper decks.

Who is onboard? Board the Disney Wish and you’re sure to find everyone you can think of, from small families to multi-generational families to couples and groups of friends. Anyone and everyone who’s a fan of Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars will find their place on the ship.

Describe the cabins. My two friends and I stayed in a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, which has a queen bed and a single convertible sofa, as well as a single pull-down bed; plenty of space for three women. The verandah had two chairs and was a quiet and lovely spot to watch the sunrise (if we were up early!) and the sunset.

One of the impressive key design features on Disney Cruise Line’s ships is its signature split-bathroom concept: one with a sink and a toilet, the other with a sink and shower; all cabins have bathtubs. Another is the cabins’ wealth of storage space, which is especially useful in smaller spaces that can easily become cluttered.

In addition to the Deluxe Oceanview Staterooms with Verandahs, which can accommodate up to four guests, Disney Wish also has its Deluxe Family Oceanview Staterooms with Verandahs, Deluxe Oceanview Staterooms and Deluxe Family Oceanview Staterooms that can accommodate up to five guests each; and Standard Inside Staterooms that can accommodate up to four.

Disney Wish ’s 76 concierge staterooms and suites, the most of any Disney Cruise Line ship, include seven exclusive ocean-view rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bow; they’re the line’s first staterooms located above the ship’s bridge. Other staterooms in the class include Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah and Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom, both of which sleep up to five guests; the Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah and Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Extended Verandah, both of which feature two full bathrooms and separate bedrooms and can sleep up to five.

The Concierge 1-Story Royal Suite with Verandah encompasses 1,507 square feet with two main bedrooms with walk-in closets, three full bathrooms, living and dining areas, three 43-inch LCD flat screen TVs, and a private verandah with whirlpool. The suite sleeps up to six guests.

Concierge 2-Story Royal Suites with Verandahs are 1,759 square feet with two main bedrooms with walk-in closets, three full bathrooms, living and dining areas, three 43-inch LCD flat screen TVs, and private verandahs with whirlpool tubs. The suites sleep up to six guests.

For those really wanting to splash out, the first-of-its-kind, Moana-themed Concierge Wish Tower Suite is perched high on the Disney Wish ’s funnel above the upper decks, accessible by private elevator. Within the 1,966 square-foot suite are two bedrooms with walk-in closets, a children’s bedroom with bunkbeds, and a library that can be converted into a bedroom; four-and-a-half bathrooms; a two-story living area with floor-to-ceiling windows; and a grand staircase connecting the spaces. The Wish Tower Suite sleeps up to eight guests.

All concierge guests aboard the Disney Wish are invited to enjoy exclusive access to the Concierge Lounge and a VIP sun deck on Deck 13 with whirlpools and a wading pool.

Accessible staterooms and those equipped with communication features are available in nearly all of the ship’s categories.

Tell us about the crew.   “Be our guest” is a sentiment the crew aboard the Disney Wish takes to heart, and they go above and beyond to make you feel right at home from the moment you step on board. From the cabin stewards to the lifeguards at the pools and beaches to the dining, bars, activities, and island teams, everyone is ready to make your cruise a memorable one.

What food and drink options are available on board? There is absolutely no chance of going hungry on the Disney Wish , starting with the casual Marceline Market and its 10 tempting food stalls for casual dining for breakfast and lunch, and table-service at dinnertime.

Another casual option is Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods, an open-air dining concept on the upper decks with poolside-friendly barbecue, tacos and burritos, pizza, burgers and hot dogs, and ice cream. Elsewhere on the ship is a gelato and candy shop, specialty coffee bar, a place for beignets and plenty more.

One of Disney Cruise Line’s traditions is its family dining concept in which families rotate through the ships’ three main dining rooms. The Disney Wish features three new restaurants, starting with 1923, an elegant celebration of the year The Walt Disney Company was founded, combining Hollywood glamor with the Disney whimsey.

Diners are in the middle of the adventure in “Avengers: Quantum Encounter” in Worlds of Marvel, the first Marvel cinematic dining adventure featuring Ant-Man and The Wasp. Get ready for an interactive dining experience as you help keep the the Quantum Core out of the wrong hands.

The third dining experience on the Wish is a Nordic one—Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure, featuring Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and, of course, Olaf. During dinner, live musical performances in-the-round will keep everyone entertained.

Another of Disney’s family dining concept that really resonates with guests is that your dedicated dining team travels with you to each restaurant, welcoming you by name to the table, bringing your favorite beverage without having to ask, and remembering any special considerations when it comes to food preparation.

To that end, the Disney Wish offers vegetarian and vegan options at every meal, including in the dining rooms and grab-and-go spots, and pays close attention to any allergies or restrictions. For example, one of my friends is vegan, and Melissa, the lead of our dining team, made sure to point out the dishes my friend could enjoy for dinner.

In addition to all of this, the Disney Wish has two fine dining restaurants for which you’ll want to be sure to make reservations: Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté by Michelin-starred Chef Arnaud Lallement. Both spaces are intimate and elegant, and dining in either—or both—will be memorable.

After dinner, or before—or, why not both!—visit any of the Disney Wish ’s bars and cocktail lounges. Of note, The Rose is a chic lounge at the entrance of Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté. Aside from its signature Rose cocktail (Komos Reposado Rosa, Grand Marnier Cuvee Louis Alexandre and Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé served in an elderflower-smoked dome), another cocktail to try is the light and refreshing Monkey Spritzer (Monkey 47, Cointreau Blood Orange, Cranberry and Evian Lemon Ginger).

For the best old fashioned on the ship, stop into the not-so-hidden bar at Hook’s Barbery and have the barber/bartender craft a glass for you. The bar at Hook’s also features bourbons, vintage whiskeys and ports, aged rums and other premium spirits, served in an intimate setting.

Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge is the hottest ticket on Disney Wish , and it’s not surprising because it’s the first of its kind. Step into the luxurious yacht-class spaceship and sip out-of-this-world cocktails, wines, beers, and zero-proof drinks. Or, go all-in and order the $5,000 Kaliburr Crystal, considered “the galaxy’s rarest and valuable cocktail.” While inside, you may just find yourself traveling past the Millennium Falcon on your way to Batuu, Coruscant, Mustafar, or Tatooine.

And that’s just a small taste of the bars and lounges on the Disney Wish !

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting? Find serenity at Senses Spa with private treatment rooms and spa villas for couples to enjoy. Traditional spa services like massages, facials, and skin-enhancing treatments are on the menu, along with acupuncture and pain management therapies.

Just off of the spa is an expansion of Disney Cruise Line’s signature Rainforest experience, now with the line’s first ice lounge, in addition to sensory spa showers, and sauna, steam  and dry rooms. A dedicated outdoor relaxation space with day beds and loungers complete the relaxing setting.

Tell us about the activities and entertainment.   It’s nearly impossible to be bored on the Disney Wish , what with the ship’s daily schedule of fun-filled activities, and all of the space to explore, including its six pools.

One space that’s new to Disney Cruise Line is Hero Zone, a futuristic sports arena that combines athleticism and imagination that hosts game-show-style family competitions. It’s also open for one-on-one games of foosball, air hockey, and even basketball on a full-size court.

Disney Uncharted Adventure is a first-of-its-kind interactive experience that takes guests throughout the ship, uncovering constellations that take the shapes of iconic Disney and Pixar characters. Using a spyglass that’s accessible by the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, Captain Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse guide players to adventures with characters including Moana, Tiana, Tinker Bell, and Nemo.

Disney once again brings its energetic, Broadway-style performances to the Disney Wish with two brand new shows. “Disney Seas the Adventure” is an original musical that’s performed on embarkation nights and features popular Disney and Pixar characters like Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Tiana, Elsa, Moana and Merida. The second new show performed in the Walt Disney Theatre is “Disney The Little Mermaid,” an original adaptation of the beloved 1989 Disney Animation film developed exclusively for the Disney Wish . A reimagined Disney Cruise Line favorite, “Disney’s Aladdin—A Musical Spectacular,” rounds out the trio of live stage shows. In addition to its on-stage performances, the Disney Wish has two 80-plus seat state-of-the-art movie theaters, Wonderland Cinema and Never Land Cinema, that screen classic and first-run films from Disney, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar, and more. The two theaters are the first in the cruise industry to feature Dolby Atmos 3D audio to enhance the movie-watching experience.

How was the experience for families? Families are the stars of the show on Disney Cruise Line, and it’s no different on the Disney Wish, with dedicated clubs for kids of all ages, starting with the Disney’s Oceaneer Club for kids ages 3 to 12. After their parents check them in, kids can ride the slide from the Grand Hall on deck 3 to the club on deck 2. There they’ll find the Marvel Super Hero Academy, New Adventures at Star Wars: Cargo Bay, Fairytale Hall, the Walt Disney Imagineering Lab, and A Celebration of Exploration at Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck for the youngest sailors.

Edge and Vibe is a space for kids 11 to 17 to chill on their own. Tweens ages 11 to 14 can hang out Edge, a space inspired by a New York City loft. Vibe is where teens 14 to 17 can watch movies, play games and make the Parisian artist’s loft-inspired space their own.

It’s A Small World Nursery provides baby-sitting services for kids ages 6 months to 3 years old, complete with play room with favorite Disney characters and even a toy train.

All kids’ clubs are overseen by Disney-trained counselors.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out? Our three-night itinerary sailed from Port Canaveral to Castaway Cay, Disney’s exclusive private island in the Bahamas. The expansive beaches are lined with plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas to accommodate everyone onboard the ship, and complimentary open-air dining spots and (not-complimentary) bars are at-the-ready for eating and sipping tropical umbrella drinks. There’s even exclusive Castaway Cay souvenirs available in the on-island shops.

Activities on Castaway Cay vary from snorkeling and a 5k running and walking course to boat rentals and Pelican Plunge, a 2,400 square foot elating platform complete with water-play area and two waterslides.

Adults (18+) who are ready for some quiet time can ride the tram to Serenity Bay with its own dining spot and bar, and open-air massage cabanas for even more relaxation.

Are there any stand out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise?   On the environmental front, Disney Wish is powered by liquefied natural gas, making it nearly 30 percent more fuel efficient and reducing its greenhouse gases emissions by approximately 20 percent. Other ways the ship minimizes its environmental impact: biodegradable straws; washable dinnerware instead of single-use plastic utensils; and recycling condensation from a/c units to fresh water used in onboard laundry facilities and cleaning the ship’s outer decks that will save approximately 7.5 million gallons every year.

Anything we missed? For all of the family and adult-designed fun on the Disney Wish , the decor of the ship itself is elegant, starting in the Grand Hall and cascading down hallways and staircases. More than 4,400 works of art hang on the walls, and the ambient music gently complements the design.

Once you book a cruise on the Disney Wish , everything is taken care of, from transportation to and from the port, to every last comfy detail in your stateroom, freeing up your time to make lasting memories.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Disney Wish: Is It Worth It?

The Disney Wish, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, is finally sailing the seas — here is a review where we answer the question: Is it worth it? Thank you Disney for the invite to check out the Disney Wish for a 3 day, 4 night cruise.

Being among the very first Disney Wish cruise with guests, the ship literally had that new ship smell when onboard. Everything was shiny and new, fresh and clean, and yes, they were still working out the kinks in a few places. That being said, this guest has been on several different Disney Cruise Line ships (as well as non-Disney cruise ships) and this is easily at the top of the list. 

The attention to detail throughout the entire ship is incredible. Guests can spend hours looking at every nook and cranny and still not find everything that the Imagineers have hidden. 

The Disney Wish Layout 

The Disney Wish is a bit bigger than the other DCL ships we have experienced before (the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy). It has a similar, yet different, layout than we were used to. The most noticeable of which is the no mid-ship elevators.

This allows for a stage to be placed front and center in the Grand Hall (a replacement for the atrium), where characters will provide one of a kind entertainment during future cruises. There is a balcony up above the stage, and when families board the ship on embarkation day, they wave and greet you with warm, welcoming smiles. 

That isn’t all the Grand Hall holds, for the first time ever, there is a slide from deck 3, down to the Oceaneer Club & Lab on deck 2. While this is strictly for children, adults are allowed to try it out during the open house hours.

The new design also has all of the main dining restaurants stacked above each other in the aft of the ship — on decks 3 (1923), deck 4 ( Worlds of Marvel ), and deck 5 ( Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure ). Deck 13 features the adult only sections such as Quiet Cove, which has a hot tub, a pool, a coffee shop, and stunning views.

The Walt Disney Theater is where the Broadway style shows can be seen, with seating on both decks 3 and 4, and wheelchair access on deck 2. The theater itself if similar to those on the other ships, but there certainly is an upgrade.

The technology has exceeded all things of the past, with a large screen in the back of the stage that is very much a part of the shows. That said, the primary seating is straight on, as some views are obstructed when on the sides. 

When it comes to cinemas, there are two on the Disney Wish, and both of them are gorgeous. The Wonderland Cinema is themed towards, you guessed it, Alice in Wonderland, and Neverland showcases Peter Pan.

In between the theaters is a popcorn, soda, and candy stand, where you can stock up on goodies before the show starts. The best part about having two cinemas is that one will play the classics, while one will play new releases.

For those who are Disney Cruise pros, you already know they are top notch when it comes to entertainment for all ages. From drawing sessions, to trivia, to Bingo, to family games, there is so much to offer. While this was not all available during the Christening cruise, the new and improved main gaming room, Luna, is going to be the best place to hang out during cruises. 

This main space is now two levels, found on decks 4 and 5, with movable chairs and tables. This allows it to be a place for games and trivia during the day, but a fun dance club at night. This room replaces several rooms on the previous ships, and is a great use of space. The upstairs level has televisions that look down on the main stage, so that guests who are seated there can get the best view.

What You Need To Know About The Disney Wish Staterooms

NEXT:  10 Ways Disney Wish Is Different From Other DCL Ships

Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.

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Disney Cruise Line Disney Wish Deck Plans & Reviews

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Disney Cruise Line

Beginners Guide to the Disney Wish Cruise Ship

by Elyssa Esposito , Digital Integration Specialist

All our wishes came true when a new Disney cruise ship made its grand debut last summer. The Disney Wish joined the fleet in 2022 with a collection of innovative and exciting experiences for the whole family to enjoy. Here are some of the enchanted offerings you’ll find aboard the newest ship:

1. Welcome Aboard

As you board the Disney Wish, your party will be greeted by name, and a bronze-sculpted Cinderella will welcome you into the Grand Hall. The Disney Wish is the first ship in the fleet to have an atrium stage where princesses and princes alike will make special appearances throughout your sailing. If you visit the Grand Hall at either 10 p.m. or midnight, you will be delighted with a magical moment and a special kiss goodnight.

2. Signature Dining

Rotational dining ensures all guests can enjoy all three themed dining experiences while on board. Your party and service team will rotate to a different table service restaurant each night. As part of your rotational dining experience on the Disney Wish, you’ll be transported to the golden age of animation at 1923 , assemble for an action-packed Avengers mission at Worlds of Marvel , and enjoy a dining experience worth melting for at Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure .

3. Broadway-Style Entertainment

Spend your first night on board at a live performance of “ Disney Seas the Adventure ,” a heartwarming story featuring songs and characters from some of your favorite Disney films. If you love the classics, you won’t want to miss an evening of unbelievable sights and indescribable feelings at “ Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular .” After a long day in the sand, sit back and enjoy the hot crustacean band at a theatrical retelling of the animated film “ The Little Mermaid .” 

4. Adult-Exclusives

The Disney Wish is home to a variety of luxurious experiences for adults to unwind and indulge in. The fan-favorite adults-only dining experience, Palo, has evolved to Palo Steakhouse , offering the carefully crafted Italian cuisine you know and love in addition to the world’s finest steaks. Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement is an elegant restaurant where adults can enjoy a gourmet menu of exceptional French-inspired fare. These two “Beauty and the Beast”-inspired restaurants are sure to satisfy your tastebuds. Don’t believe me? Ask the dishes! Check out the collection of bars and lounges on board for late-night drinks, dancing, and entertainment.

For an adults-only spa experience unlike any other, visit Senses Spa. The Rainforest on the Disney Wish is the first to encompass indoor and outdoor spaces where adults can relax and rejuvenate. The indoor space features heated loungers, an aromatherapy steam room, a dry sauna, and an all-new ice room. The first-of-its-kind outdoor area offers a private oasis complete with whirlpool spas and comfortable lounging areas.

5. Just for Kids

While adults take advantage of those exclusive experiences, the rest of your crew can enjoy age-appropriate, supervised fun at the Kids Clubs. The Oceaneer Club is home to interactive themed experiences, like Walt Disney Imagineering Lab, where aspiring Imagineers can get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring Disney magic to life. They’ll even have a chance to participate in hands-on experiments and design their very own attraction! The young Avengers onboard can put their skills to the test and suit up for a virtual battle at Marvel Super Hero Academy.

6. Poolside Fun

Whether you’re looking to go for a swim or just get your feet wet, the Disney Wish has got you covered! The entire family can make a splash in the reimagined pool deck area, featuring six pools of various depths and sizes. If you’re a thrill-seeker, check out the AquaMouse , the first-ever attraction at sea. This exciting new water coaster with animated scenes and special effects will take you on a journey above the upper decks.

There is much more to discover on the Disney Wish, and we’ve only scratched the surface. To learn more about additional offerings and planDisney tips, be sure to swipe through our planDisney Pocket Guide:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by planDisney (@plandisneypanel)

You can also download a copy of the Disney Wish planDisney Pocket Guide here .

It’s been a blast covering all five Disney Cruise Line ships in the pocket guide series, but don’t sail away just yet! Stay tuned for the ultimate guide to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. In the meantime, complete your pocket guide collection with the Disney Resort hotel pocket guides to help you plan your next vacation ashore! For more fun tips and great advice for planning your next Disney vacation stop by  @planDisneyPanel  on Instagram,  @planDisney  on Twitter, or  planDisney.com . We look forward to answering your planning questions.

Panelists receive compensation for their participation on planDisney.

Destinations: Disney Cruise Line

Topics: planDisney , Vacation Planning

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First Impressions of the Disney Wish

For those of you that follow this blog, you are used to my detailed daily trip reports on our cruises. However, being that we were invited guests and were hosted on the 3-night Disney Wish Christening cruise on June 29th , I am going to provide more of an overview with some opinions woven in and save the detailed trip report for the Maiden voyage upcoming this week, since that is a sailing in which we are paying guests on.

The first thing everyone sees is the exterior of the ship, and just with the other four ships in the fleet, she is a beautiful ship. In fact, the view from the direct back (or front) of the ship flows better than the Dream or Fantasy. There is something that is just very classy and beautiful with the nautical colors of the Disney ships. However, that is where the nautical colors and theming end…..

Once you board into the Grand Hall (yes, that is the new nomenclature of the ‘atrium’), you are transported to a true ‘ castle at sea ,’ which is a departure from the other four ships. Now, I am not at all saying this is a bad thing, but it is definitely different. The whole ship is very elegant and opulent – from the statues and chandelier, to the carpet, wallpaper, decor and especially the furniture.

The layout of the ship is a bit choppy, but one of the things I actually liked was that I didn’t feel like I was walking down long never ending hallways like on the Dream or Fantasy. Not having the aft stairway/elevators wasn’t terrible once we got used to figuring out which way we were going.

We had someone tell us the green carpet/wallpaper meant ‘go’ so that was forward and the blue had B for back, meaning aft. Plus, once we found the Mickey heads and the star fish on the hallway carpet, that was also a huge help.

The lay out of the pool deck seemed to be better in a stage-like set up, but the huge stand out was the Oceaneer Club and the It’s a Small World nursery moved to deck 2. This removed the bottleneck that we were used to on the Dream and Fantasy on deck 5. Plus, one of the neatest features is the slide entrance on Deck 3 into the Oceaneer Club. The answer is YES! During open house hours, anyone can slide down the slide !

There is a Youth Activities counselor there to check the child in and then down they go. I know a lot of people have asked about the noise or if the slide is ‘off putting,’ but I can assure you that neither is true. It is hidden and does not take away from the decor or overall feel of the Grand Hall, nor is it noisy. This gets a thumbs up and if our daughter was still in that age group, that is probably the way she would choose to check-in every time. The other kids clubs also looked great, and yes, even the inflatable area looked like a fun time.

Sticking with the topic of the layout, the adult areas are more spread out versus in one central area, and I am indifferent about this. I am fine with either way, and in fact, there are some bonuses to have more lounges in more areas in that you are more apt to stop by and visit one that may not be ‘out of the way.’ For example, Nightingales is on Deck 3 midship, making it very convenient to 1923 if you are looking to stop there for a drink before or after dinner. While everyone is talking about the Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge, we actually loved the Bayou and the Rose the most.

The Bayou is gorgeous, and live music is a huge plus. The only detracting factor was that to one immediate side, there is a very bright jewelry shop, and on the other side was a crowd at the entrance of Hyperspace Lounge (however, that may not be the case on routine cruises).

On to the topic of lounges, the Wish has many lounges and bars , and several notables about them. One, the cocktail program is great! There are many wines and beers very reasonably priced, and several that are mid to high (to even super high) end. We were able to order a new-to-us glass of Taittinger Prelude.

The Rose drink in The Rose lounge wins for presentation and taste. There were so many new and unique drinks, including more ‘zero proof’ cocktails. The glassware is also tremendous – there were pineapple glasses at the Wishing Star cafe, themed glasses at the Bayou and in Nightingales, plus the glasses at the Rose – you can absolutely tell that these details were thought out and we definitely noticed.

The old fashioned bar in Hook’s Barbery is also a top notch thought and it had us wondering why you could not order a Prosecco or the like when getting a pedicure in the Untangled Salon! Another thing that we liked was the sheer number of places that you can get coffee, as most of the bars/lounges had an espresso machine.

One morning as Em was on her way back from the gym (which is on deck 5 forward), she was able to stop at the Enchanted Sword Cafe at deck 5 midship, rather than having to go up to the Cove Cafe.

The Toy Story splash zone with Trixie’s Falls and Slide-a-saurus Rex is absolutely adorable. All 3 adults in our party rode the slide and it was fun. On the other end of the spectrum, the Quiet Cove was also very pretty with the infinity pool. The ladies tried it out after returning from Castaway Cay, but on the sea day, it was super packed, so your mileage may vary. The adult hot tub was in a great location and was fairly quiet.

Dining. The three of us all agreed that we liked the feel and decor of 1923 the most. It is also nice to dine in new restaurants with new menus as well. The shows were well timed to finish dinner in a timely manner. We did not have the chance to dine in PALO Steakhouse or Enchante, but we were given a tour and look forward to trying them out on the Maiden voyage. The Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods is by far the best set-up and pool deck quick service food of the fleet. We in fact came back to the ship to eat lunch there instead of eating lunch on Castaway Cay.

As far as staterooms, we were in a 4C, which was definitely comfortable for 3 adults. The addition of the night light and the hand soap in the bathroom was incredible!

It’s the little things!!! We did get a chance to tour the Wish Tower Suite and a 2-bedroom Princess Aurora Suite and all 3 of us unanimously agreed that the 2-story suites would be our choice over the Tower Suite.

Other random thoughts: We did not see any movies on this voyage, but did go into the Wonderland theater to take a peek and the seats and set-up looked great. Having one central laundry room seems to be great, and we will try this out on the Maiden voyage as well.

If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below and I will try to answer them. We look forward to sailing again and going back to our trip reports !

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32 Replies to “First Impressions of the Disney Wish”

Scott, thank you so much for your very comprehensive reporting from the Christening voyage! It’s is the best I’ve found anywhere, and very much appreciated!! And, to get all of these articles out while also prepping for your maiden voyage speaks to your dedication to the readers of your blog.

One quick question- is there any time aside from the dinner seatings to be in 1923 and view all of the items on display? It seems like the dinner seating would not allow for enough time to really explore it or to be in both rooms.

Enjoy your maiden voyage, and thanks again!!

1923 was open at other times during the cruise for lunch and breakfast service. Depending on guest volume during those dining windows, you should be able to walk around to see all the interesting items in the cases.

Hi Scott. My wife from the videos says it looks more claustrophobic than the other ships with lower ceilings and more congested spaces. Also the spacing between table in 1923 did not look like it left much room for the servers or to get in and out? Any views on this

1923 overall was smaller sections of tables instead of a vast open space. This was nice as it should create a more quieter and intimate dining experience. Our serving team did not have any issues navigating between the tables. However, not all table were used as the sailing was not at capacity.

Looking forward to your review of the maiden voyage. We are booked on the Disney Wish in August and are contemplating changing to the Fantasy – while we want to try a new ship, I am not sure how I feel about the lack of the nautical feel on the Wish. Also have a teenager, and everything on the Wish seems to be geared towards the 9 and under crowd. (Kid activity-wise) Would you say that was your feeling too? I’m only going by the media reviews. One thing I didn’t see, does this ship have something like the Midship Detective Agency? Thanks 🙂

Do they offer the coffee card like the other ships, buy 5 get one free?

Bonnie, great question. We were not offered a card, but we didn’t think to ask. Possibly this was do to the fact it was a preview cruise and not a normal sailing.

Reading around the ‘net, it does seem Disney Wish is a ‘Marmite’ ship (love it or hate it, no middle ground). There are those that love it for being different and those that hate it because it is different. It’s been 10 years since the Fantasy joined the fleet and from what I can see, DCL chose to completely rethink how the ship should look. Time will tell if it works.

I’m looking forward to seeing for myself in 2023 and so far, I fall into the love category.

Great info and pics!! Curious if there’s any nice spot to enjoy and evening cigar and scotch, similar to Meridian on Dream/Fantasy? Thanks!

There is an outdoor deck area by PALO Steakhouse/Enchanté, but the access is through the restaurant so you’d need to check with the Cast Members at the host stand.

How to you feel about the lack of a shipside promenade that circles the entire ship? I’m in disbelief now that it’s on three floors and there are steps. I’m not a runner but we loved the fresh air walks and playing shuffleboard. Did you have any thoughts or pictures of what it’s like now?

It is problematic for those who enjoy running outdoors.

I have several friends with disabled relatives in wheelchairs who love to walk around deck 4 with them. Sadly no longer possible as no way to get up the steps

Looking forward to your reviews of the maiden voyage.Can you book the day spa pass like prior to covid (calling or online) for the outdoor spa when the booking window opens? Or does that need to be done upon arrival. We would like to check out the new outdoor spa space on our cruise.

On the deck plan the entrance to the Aquamouse looks very close to the Quiet Cove area. Did this distract from the adult area enjoyment? Same for The Rose looks next to Hero Zone.

No, the Quiet Cove is on the opposite side and set back in the aft area of the deck.

See you on the Maiden Voyage!

With the quick service food on deck, is there something like Daisy’s Delites, with fruit, sandwiches, soups, etc.? I haven’t seen it in any reviews. Thanks.

No Michelle. You have to go in to Marceline Market for those items.

They’ve gotta fix the aquamouse on the Wish. It broke down multiple times per hour on our cruise resulting in 15 min downtimes while they shut the water off and freed the stranded guests. Something isn’t right yet if it’s that unreliable. And somehow they ran out of mint chocolate chip ice cream on day 2, which is part of the signature dessert in Arendale. Not to mention they didn’t have ingredients to make some of their menu cocktails at some of the dinners. Beautiful ship but they definitely crashed the schedule and it shows.

Scott I am disabled and I noticed at the adult pool that they have walls around it. On the dream and fantasy I would swing my legs around and drop into the seating area. It does not look like this is possible on the wish. Is there something I’m missing in the pictures? If not do you know if the lift is available at the adult pool for people that can’t use the pool ladder?

Joseph, I did not see a single lift at any of the pools. However, there are chair lifts for the various staircases to navigate the upper decks. Others have left comments about contacting DCL ahead of time to request a chair lift at a pool.

Are they still doing a Drink of the Day on the Wish?

Yes, there was a drink of the day offered with the souvenir cup.

Does Disney still require security photos for online check-in?

Yes, you can upload a picture or take a selfie during the online check-in process. The only caveat is that it is not the same image from your passport or other approved ID.

I like that you can get coffee in multiple locations, but can you use your coffee card at all those locations or is it still only usable at the Cove Cafe?

We booked a cruise on this ship in February but looking on line at the deck plans it showed lots of areas were not complete or under construction. Is the ship complete or are there areas still being added?

The deck plan Disney had published did not have all the venues labeled because they didn’t necessarily announce all venues. Here is a look at the deck plan as it is posted onboard showing all the venues .

Scott, would you say it’s a nice cruise for teenagers? (15,16). I mean they will have things to do? (Accept the vibe) Thank you!

I feel like this ship leaves me indifferent compared to the classics and the dream/fantasy. A multi-year dream of mine was to sail on the maiden voyage of the newest ship when they announced these new builds. Sadly, once the teaser and hype videos from Disney started rolling out, there was nothing compelling enough to make me shell out the dough. To be sure, I’ll try the Wish, but there’s something “off” about it compared to the rest of the DCL. No doubt, either way, it’ll be a hit with central Florida vacationers looking to maximize their Disney time. Bottom line: The Wish leaves me “wishing” for more.

I’m amused by the description of this ship’s interior as “elegant”.

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• CruiseMapper
• Disney Cruise Line

Disney Wish

Former name: disney triton.

Cruise line Disney Cruise Line

• Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida)

Disney Wish current position

Disney Wish current location is at US East Coast (coordinates 28.41300 N / -80.62819 W) cruising en route to Port Canaveral. The AIS position was reported 27 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Disney Wish

Disney Wish current cruise is 3 days, round-trip Bahamian Cruise From Port Canaveral . Prices start from USD 2869 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 31 May, 2024 and ends on 03 Jun, 2024 .

Specifications of Disney Wish

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Disney Wish Itineraries

Disney wish review, review of disney wish.

The 2021-built/2022-inaugurated DCL Disney Wish cruise ship is The Walt Disney Company's newest and the first in a series of all three newbuilds . The Disney ship Wish was originally scheduled for launch in 2021-Q4 (inauguration by Christmas 2021) and to start passenger shipping operations in January 2022. However, due to COVID-related issues (shipbuilding yard closures, supply chain disruptions), the liner's introduction was postponed for 2022-Q2 (July).

MS Disney Wish is DCL fleet 's 5th vessel. The other two units from this series (TRITON-class sisterships) are with postponed launches and deliveries currently scheduled for 2024 ( Disney Treasure ) and 2025 ( Disney Destiny ).

The TRITON-class is very similar (as size and capacity) to the sisterships Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy .

DCL's new boats are originally planned for year-round deployed in the Caribbean and Florida-homeported - in PortMiami (Destiny) and Port Canaveral (Wish, Treasure).

Like all DCL ships, the Disney Wish vessel (IMO 9834739) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311001098) and registered in Nassau .

History - construction and ownership

DCL-Disney Cruise Line is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (shipowner). The company was incorporated in 1996 as "Magical Cruise Company Ltd". Walt Disney also owns the Bahamian private island Castaway Cay (exclusive port of call - for Disney ships only), an exclusive Cruise Terminal at Port Canaveral (Orlando) Florida USA  and the exclusive Lighthouse Point (privately-developed cruise resort complex on Eleuthera Island, Bahamas). Disney cruises are marketed as "family vacations" and feature unique and exclusive activities, such as costumed Disney Characters, adults-only deck areas, dedicated facilities for teens, kids and infants-toddlers, signature (trademarked) shipboard facilities and activities, themed live entertainment.

In early-March 2016, Walt Disney announced plans to build three new liners (the company's largest) and in July 2017 signed a 3-unit shipbuilding agreement with Meyer Werft Gmbh (Germany). Triton-Class vessel's interior design, facilities and cruise itineraries are still a well-protected secret. What is known so far is that they will be LNG-powered (by liquefied natural gas), gross tonnage 144,000 GT tons (larger than the originally announced 135,000 GT) and passenger capacity 2500 (1250 staterooms). This design is only slightly larger than the previous Disney Dream-Class.

The 3500-passenger ship Disney Wish is no exception with its primary market being families with small children (especially with kids younger than 8) - the major revenue provider for The Walt Disney Company. The vessel features some of the most innovative technologies and "best fun" ideas at sea, including:

• pieces of "Enchanted Art" adorning the walls of hallways - paintings and pictures that are actually framed LCD screens with a technology to recognize guests present and proceeding with one of several animations;
• wave phones in every stateroom (used to call or text other guests) and effectively replacing the old onboard beeper system (now the counselors' messages come directly to the parents' phones);
• the Magical Portholes on the walls of all Inside cabins (LED screens showing real-time outside views).

The company's clientele consists almost entirely of North American travelers (USA and Canada). Disney's new approach to teens and young couples features age-related activities and limited access to shipboard venues, adding a really strong appeal for multi-generational cruisers.

Ship's dress code is similar to Disney's luxury resorts - daily casual and evening resort casual - men with jackets (no ties) and pants, women - with summer dresses (optional gowns). All Disney Triton-Class ship cruise itineraries include one "pirate night" and one semi-formal night. On 3-day cruises, one night is casual, 4-days are with 2 casual evenings, on 5-days and longer - 3 nights are casual.

DCL's shipboard gratuities are now USD 14.50 per person per day (US$15.50 per Suite guest daily). Tips are generally given to waiting staff (including assistant waiters) and cabin attendants/stewards. Additionally, a 15% gratuity on all beverages is automatically charged to the passenger's shipboard account.

Decks and Cabins

MS Disney Wish staterooms (1238 total, in 26 grades) are mainly midship-located Balconies. All cabins and suites are well planned and equipped with the travel industry's latest amenities. Like on all Disney ships, passenger staterooms by sizes are ranked among the industry's largest standard cabins, designed to easily accommodate four people. Cabins are with ample storage space, lounge/living area and split bathrooms (1 room with shower-bathtub-sink-WC, and separate toilet-sink). Beds on are raised to allow underbed storage for 2 medium-sized suitcases. Each cabin has as standard amenities 2 mirrored vanities with chairs, 22-inch smart HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system), iPod docking station, 2 rechargeable "Wave Phones" (for shipwide use).

The boat has 15 passenger-accessible decks , of which 10 are with cabins. There are a total of 35x wheelchair-accessible cabins for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility.

DCL's innovative Inside Cabin features (industry's first) "Magical Portholes" - large, round-shaped LCD screens (positioned above the beds) projecting real-time outside views provided by the ship's cameras. Veranda Cabin's balcony is fitted with 2 deckchairs and a low table.

Concierge Suites and Concierge Family Cabins offer direct access to the ship's concierge-served facilities (1 small lounge, private sundeck area with chairs, free food and drinks). Most 1-Bedroom Suites are with connecting doors, Queen bed (convertible to twins), sitting/lounge area with double sofabed, 1 pull-down bed (in the living room), walk-in closet, 2 bathrooms (one with a whirlpool hot-tub).

One of the largest accommodations are the Royal Suites, featuring a separate living room, wet bar, kitchenette (small cooking/dining area), media library, outdoor/balcony Jacuzzi.

The "Wish Tower Suite" is the DCL's (and the industry's) first-of-its-kind loft suite located in the ship's forward funnel (smokestack).

The unique accommodation is sized 1965 ft2 (183 m2), with max capacity 8 passengers, and interior design themed on Walt Disney's 3D animation film "Moana" (2016). The Wish Tower Suite features 2x master bedrooms, 4x full bathrooms, half-bath (powder room), library (converting to a bedroom), kids' room (with built-in bunkbeds). The living room (on the lower level) is flanked by an open dining area, a pantry, and a bar, all offering unique views across the ship's upper decks through a 2-story window wall.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The Wish ship has 3x themed MDRs (main restaurants) called "Animator's Palate", "Enchanted Garden", and "Royal Palace". There are 2x adults-only specialty restaurants - "Remy" (named after the "Ratatouille" movie star, French cuisine) and "Palo" (Italian cuisine) as alternative dining options. The line's Rotational Dining system allows you to rotate to each of the three main restaurants each night while your servers follow you. The Animator's Palate has screens showing animated Disney characters and themes from "Finding Nemo" movie. The Enchanted Garden is a Versailles-inspired room, featuring lighting effects, transforming the day into night. The Royal Palace is princesses-themed with numerous portraits of "Cinderella" and the "Sleeping Beauty" movie characters (even the bread baskets are shaped like Cinderella's coach). The food quality is very good, the service staff is amicable and timely.

The Remy restaurant is a classy place to be on any special occasion, offering a marvelous French menu and charging serious prices - a service fee of $75 PP (reservations are required, along with the formal dress code), drinks and wine are additional. The Palo restaurant is an Italian (Mediterranean) eatery with US$20 cover PP (serves dinner and on selected days - Champagne brunch). Superb fish and seafood entrees, a cold buffet (meats, cheese, shrimp, salads and desserts) and several hot made-to-order items. The "Cabanas" casual dining complex on Deck 11 has several food and drink stations for hot and cold buffet items (including made-to-order omelets and sandwiches). The "Flo's Cafe" offers burgers, chicken fingers, wraps, pizza, salads.

In late-December 2020, DCL released a teaser video that revealed that the Disney character Cinderella will be the lobby statue positioned in the Atrium's lower/base level. The midship-located Grand Hall Atrium is a 3-deck high entertainment area with an open-floor design and a grand staircase. At the liner's stern (aft hull section) is painted the Disney character Rapunzel.

Disney's 35-minute youtube video production released on April 29, 2021, revealed the following signature features of DCL Disney Wish.

• onboard appearances by Disney characters (Olaf, Captain Minnie, Captain Mickey, a fairy godmother)
• The 760-ft (232-m) long waterslide (Slide-a-Saurus Rex) has show scenes, special lighting and sound effects. In comparison to Fantasy-Dream, Wish has more swimming pools (7 total) and outdoor deck spaces, plus AquaMouse (pool district/water playground for families).
• The Oceaneer Club (a dedicated venue with supervised activities for children 3- to 12-years-old) is currently not available on other Disney ships. Other kids clubs include Marvel Super Hero Academy (Spider-Man, Ant-Man, The Wasp, Black Panther, kids can make their own-design superhero costumes), Fairytale Hall (Rapunzel Art Studio, Belle Library, Anna and Elsa’s Summerhus), Imagineering Lab (VR experience/kids can design and virtually ride their own roller coasters - based on designs like Tomorrowland's Space Mountain Roller Coaster, Anaheim Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds roller coasters, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad/mine-train roller coaster), Small World Nursery (for toddlers 6-months to 3-years-old, with babysitting), Hero Zone (indoor playground/sports arena), Olaf’s Royal Picnic (character interactions, live music performances).
• For teenagers (11 to 17-yo) are designed exclusive hangouts with supervised programs. Children 11 to 14-yo have a separate hangout.
• On the deck above the Navigation Bridge/Wheelhouse are positioned staterooms. Some of the Suites are 2-level accommodations (fleet's first duplex apartments with connecting spiral staircases).

New for DCL dining venues include Palo Steakhouse (115-seats, also serving traditional Italian cuisine/Cogsworth-themed), Enchante Restaurant (by Michelin chef Arnaud Lallement/Lumiere-themed, capacity 45 seats, a-la-carte-priced menu, 6-course & 9-course dinners), The Rose Restaurant & Bar Lounge ("Beauty and the Beast" movie-themed).

Quiet Cove Pool District is an adults-only Sundeck with a swimming pool (infinity pool), Jacuzzis, Pool Bar, Pool Cafe.

The boat has two 3D Cinemas (named Wonderland Cinema, Never Land Cinema). These are screening rooms (with capacity 84 seats and 86 seats) for films produced by Walt Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm.

Luna Square is a midship-located space with family-style entertainment during the day, and in the evenings transforming into an adults-only venue. Luna Lounge features a 2-deck LED screen, Bar (Luna Libations), stage (for interactive and live shows, like “Villains Game Night”, “Disney Songbook”, “Disney Uncharted Adventure”.

Star Wars superheroes entertain adults at the new Star Wars movie-themed " Hyperspace Lounge ”. The venue became "hyper-famous" for offering one of the world's most expensive cocktails - the Kaliburr Crystal, priced at USD 5000. The new drink is encased inside a camtono (a security container for storing valuables in The Mandalorian/The Book of Boba Fett) which opens with a button touch and a twist of a rotary cylindric handle. The carrier's side panels then fall open granting access to the "content" - three shot-style glasses full of the expensive concoction. While the ingredients are not listed, there are some speculations that one of them is Remy Martin's Louis XIII cognac (US$3000-4000 a bottle) or other top-shelf liquor.

• Regular-priced beverages at the Hyperspace Lounge are priced from US$15.
• With the purchase of any cocktail, guests can take home as a souvenir the Hyperspace Lounge Glass for an additional US$12.

Disney ship Wish has 3 family restaurants with table service: "Arendelle" (with a Frozen Dining Experience/live shows featuring Disney Frozen 2 film's characters Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven, Olaf), "1923" (the year Walt Disney Studios opened/with menus featuring California food specialties), and "Worlds of Marvel" (superheroes and multimedia dining experience).

Also new for the DCL fleet are the "quick food" bars "Marceline Market" and "Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods". Both are complimentary and open throughout the day.

• "Marceline Market" is a food marketplace with a changing menu (and daily specials), both indoor-outdoor seating. All dishes are freshly prepared and include American and international classics, seafood, comfort foods, baked goods, soups, salads, vegetarian and vegan fare, desserts. Marceline Market is casual, with buffet-style dining (for breakfast and lunch) and table-served diners (with cooked-to-order entrees).
• "Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods" is a family restaurant (for quick bites) open throughout the day, including for lunch and dinner. This is an outdoor (seaside boardwalk-style) eatery with shaded seating and all 5x themed food stations - Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue (fleet's first BBQ bar), Donald’s Cantina (fleet's first Mexican food bar), Daisy’s Pizza Pies, Goofy’s Grill, Sweet Minnie’s Ice Cream (also offering soft ice cream).

On Disney Wish (at Worlds of Marvel Restaurant/deck 4) debuts DCL's "Avengers: Quantum Encounter”. The new cinematic experience combines dining (Marvel Cinematic Universe-themed menu) with superheroes (Ant-Man and The Wasp on an action-packed mission), storytelling (with guests playing interactive roles) and technology (Quantum Core is a new device that causes objects to change size/shrink and grow remotely). Worlds of Marvel Restaurant's dishes are inspired by Marvel Studios' fictional countries Wakanda and Sokovia, as well as Avengers Compound (NYC base).

Follows the complete list of DCL Disney Wish restaurants and food bars.

• Enchanted Garden Restaurant (696-seat forward Dining Room, inspired by the gardens of Versailles; serves as a buffet for breakfast and lunch, full service for dinner 5:45-8:15 pm)
• Royal Palace Restaurant (696-seat forward Dining Room, offers complimentary French cuisine; specialty coffees and drinks are extra)
• Animator's Palate Restaurant (696- seat aft Dining Room, animator's studio design, features favorite Disney-character dinner shows; serves complimentary drinks; Rotational Dining with two fixed Dinner seatings - at 5:45 pm and 8:15 pm)
• Flo's Cafe (quick-service restaurant with 3 food stations: "Fillmore's Favorites" (lite lunch, complimentary), "Tow Mater's Grill" (burgers bar, complimentary) and "Luigi"s Pizza")
• Cabanas (self-service complimentary restaurant with American cuisine, pasta, sushi)
• Remy (reservations-only, adults-only French specialty restaurant for lunch and dinner; aft location, bookings via the internet or onboard)
• Palo (144-seat Italian specialty restaurant; adults-only, reservation-only; aft location; bookings via the Internet or on board).
• Wheezy’s Freezies (poolside bar)

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The ship's kids clubs are the main reason for Disney's high loyalty passengers ratio. Besides all the Disney characters, innovative technologies and fun attractions, Disney children counselors are a pretty big reason many families to repeat their bookings with the company. Always smiling and friendly, they are hugely experienced, all college-educated, attentive and downright. The Oceaneer's "Club" and "Lab" facilities (ages 3-10) are connected, thus doubling the fun space. The "Oceaneer's Club" features the "Andy's Room" (with oversized Disney characters for kids to climb on) and the "Laugh Floor" (with its "laugh-o-meter" and Mike and Sully of "Monsters Inc"). The "Oceaneer's Lab" is maritime-themed, featuring an Animator's Studio and a small Sound Studio. The new Disney approach allows all kids ages 3-10 to access the same clubs with separate rooms and age-related activities.

Cruise liner's children club is called "Edge" (ages 11-13) properly secluded on Deck 13 in the funnel. The best attractions here are the 18 ft (5,5 m) high LCD wall, the video karaoke, numerous interconnected PCs. The teen-only "Vibe" club (ages 14-17) is sized 9000 ft2 (836 m2), fitted with a fountain bar and its own sundeck and swimming pools.

Public spaces are decorated in deep blue and red, with numerous "Mickeys" just about everywhere (cabin, artwork, dinnerware, railings). One of the ship's most memorable places is the 3-deck high Atrium Lobby with its golden hue, the wide royalty-style winding staircase, and the Donald Duck bronze statue. The Grand Hall Atrium is a hub area connecting restaurants, theaters, and shops. You may check emails in the Internet cafe, but there's also Wi-Fi coverage throughout the ship.

Like all Disney liners, Wish has no Casino (gambling lounge).

Onboard fun activities

All stage shows feature intricate sets and Disney themed captivating performances, and the big place for grand entertainment is the Disney Theater with goldies like the "Golden Mickeys" and "Villains Tonight", new amazing stage productions, like the "Disney's Believe" (directed by Gordon Greenberg) and all the best Disney movies in 3D. Walt Disney characters onboard have always been the greatest sensation of all, and there are countless opportunities to meet and greet Mickey and company around the ship - in contrast to Disneyland, here they all are accessible and will always stop for a hug and a photo with you. Another big success is the "Pirates in the Caribbean" kids party divided into two programs - the sing-along "Mickey's Pirates in the Caribbean" followed by the "Club Pirate" (with many special effects) and great Disney fireworks (between the shows).

Wellness (SPA and FITNESS), swimming pools, waterslides, technology

The wellness complex "Senses" (Spa & Beauty) offers all the usual treatments (haircuts, manicures) and more exotic choices (hot-stone massages, mud baths).

• Senses Spa features an outdoor relaxation space/sundeck (with Jacuzzis, padded sun loungers and deckchairs) where can also be held open-air Yoga sessions.
• Senses Spa's "The Rainforest" (ice lounge) offers thermal therapies and is fitted with heated loungers, sensory showers.
• The wellness complex also has Treatment Rooms (for massages), Sauna Room, Steam Room, Dry Room, Spa Villas (for couples).
• Senses Fitness Center consists of a large main room (with premium gym equipment) and separate Cycle Studio and Aerobics Studio (where at an additional fee are offered Yoga and Pilates classes).

Untangled Salon (Beauty Parlor) and Hook’s Barbery (Barber Shop/Men’s Salon) are DCL fleet's first venues dedicated to hair- and beauty services for adults.

• Untangled Salon (themed on Princess Rapunzel from Disney's movie "Tangled", 2010) is colored in purple and gold and offers haircuts and styling, manicures, pedicures, teeth whitening, skin treatments.
• Hook’s Barbery (themed on Captain Hook/from Disney's movie "Peter Pan", 1953) is decorated in dark woods, furnished with leather chairs and golden mirrors, and offers haircuts, shaves, skincare and nail services. Part of the Barbery is a hidden bar serving premium liquors (bourbons, vintage whiskies, aged rums).

The Sports Deck has a small sports court, a mini-golf course, Ping-Pong tables, a walking/jogging track.

The "Chill" is a teen-only Spa within the facility.

The pool deck has a large area for family fun water activities, featuring 2 whirlpools/hot tubs and 2 kids pools - "Donald's" (5 ft deep) and "Mickey's" (with a spiral slide). A big attraction here is the big LED screen mounted on the funnel. There's a toddler splash area (Nemo-themed) located in the center on Deck 11 with huge glass panes for parents to monitor their kids.

The Slide-a-Saurus Rex waterslide (water-coaster at sea) is located atop the ship and features a 765 ft (233 m) long 4-decks high transparent tube. The spinning tube reaches an incredible height of 150 ft (46 m) above sea level (there's a 42-inch / 107 cm height requirement). "Toy Story Splash Zone" is the kids' aquapark where the waterslide ends. The adults-only "Quiet Cove" pool area is a great place to hide from all the little angels and devils around the ship.

Midship on decks 11-12 there is a Mickey-themed family district with a total of 6x pools (various sized and with different depths) surrounded by spacious sundecks with plenty of sun loungers.

"Disney Uncharted Adventure" is another fleet-first - an interactive family experience that combines imagination and VR technology into a multidimensional sea voyage full of Disney-Pixar characters. The new gaming experience is offered via guests' mobile devices. Via the app "Play Disney Parks", the phones/tablets transform into magical spyglasses allowing them to sail uncharted worlds, unlock missions, solve puzzles, conquer other "virtual cruisers".

• The "virtual ship" is mastered by Captain Minnie Mouse assisted by Captain Mickey.
• Players choose the ship's course, with VR options like Motunui Island (from the Moana movie), Neverland Island (Peter Pan movie), New Orleans (from "The Princess and the Frog" movie), Sydney NSW (from Finding Nemo) and others.
• "Disney Uncharted Adventure" gaming includes signature characters like Moana, Tiana, Tinker Bell, Kakamora, Peter Pan, Captain Cook, Nemo & friends.
• You must download the app prior to the cruise.
• Each player can choose to complete all or just a few adventures/missions and is allowed to start and stop at any time.

AquaMouse is a family fun water attraction and another DCL fleet-first.

• AquaMouse waterslide has length 760 ft (232 m) of winding tubes suspended above upper decks. The experience is complete with video scenes, special lighting and sound effects, "splashtacular surprises" (60+ water effects).
• The water ride starts with boarding 2-seater vehicles and ascending into a "magical tunnel" teleporting into the virtual worlds of “Scuba Scramble” and "Swiss Meltdown" (two short animation movies played out through the tube's large virtual windows/LED screens). Along the way are encountered curious sea creatures and popular Disney characters.
• At the height of the "show", passengers are blasted out of the tunnel to start watersliding around the upper ship decks - first around the forward funnel (through an enclosed tube/lighting effects), then through a dark tunnel followed by a transparent tube revealing breathtaking ocean views. Follow a series of speed blasters up and down ending with a loop over the ship's edge and into the Mermaid Lagoon (swimming pool).
• Both AquaMouse animated shorts (Scuba Scramble, Swiss Meltdown) are starred by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. "Scuba Scramble" is an underwater adventure (at Mermaid Lagoon), while "Swiss Meltdown" is a mountain sledding excursion going awry. The two chipmunks Chip and Dale are in both shows, hitchhiking to Castaway Cay (DCL's Bahamian island) .

Follows the complete list of DCL Disney Wish lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Walt Disney Theatre (1274-seats, Magical Forest-themed entertainment lounge) is fitted with a Dolby Atmos (3D sound system) and offers live shows, aerial acrobatics performances, 3x grand-style productions (in the evenings), bingo, trivia games and 3D movies (during the day). There are two shows held each evening - at 6:15 pm and 8:30 pm.
• Buena Vista Theatre (400-seat 4D cinema, features 3D movies, Dolby Surround 7.1 and Dolby 3D movie technology)
• Triton Atrium (3-deck high central ship area, featuring marble-carpet flooring, grand staircase, and panoramic glass elevators) - the boat has 16x Lifts total / 8x midship and 8x aft. The Atrium's lobby level houses the Grand Hall Stage (designed for live shows).
• Mickey's Mainsail Shop (selling Disney brand logo merchandise -postcards, souvenirs, DVDs, toys, clothes, games)
• Sea Treasures Shop (duty-free crystals, brand jewelry, watches, precious stones, Disney merchandise, underwear, sport, and swimming apparel)
• Whitecaps Shop (duty-free brand jewelry, perfumes, liquor, and tobaccos)
• Inside Out: Joyful Sweets (dessert shop themed on Pixar's movie Inside Out) is DCL fleet's first and sells 40x varieties of daily-handmade gelato and ice cream, as well as candies and novelty sweets (cupcakes, macarons, cake pops, truffles, cookies, brownies), fruit compotes, fresh-made sauces.
• Bon Voyage Bar (adults-only, serving wine, beer, and cocktails)
• Preludes Bar (quick wait-service snacks & beverages bar)
• Nightingale’s Lounge (piano bar) offers fine wines, bubblies, handcrafted cocktails.
• The Bayou Lounge (New Orleans-style, The Princess and the Frog movie-themed) offers cocktails, brand coffees, fresh-made pastries (including beignets), live music and entertainment.
• Shutters PhotoShop (photo packages, accessories, photographic services)
• Vista Cafe (atrium bar for specialty coffees and teas, dinner cocktails, complimentary snacks, and pastries; Wi-Fi spot)
• D Lounge Bar & Nightclub, The Tube Disco & Nightclub, Vista Gallery
• Europa District (adults-only zone housing Ooh La La Bar, La Piazza Bar, The Tube Disco, Keg & Compass Pub, Skyline Bar)
• Vibe Disco & Club Lounge (teens-only venue)
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (youth club for kids 3-12 yo) is a beauty salon for fairy-tale makeovers to Disney characters (princesses, pirates, knights, captains, creatures, etc). The Cinderella-themed "storybook salon" features wood detailing, candle-light chandeliers, classic wall sconces, large round mirrors.
• It's A Small World Nursery (for 3 months to 3 yo infants and toddlers; reservations required)
• Oceaneer Club (kids 3-12 yo; with four play areas with themes from Disney films); Oceaneer Lab (play area for kids 3-12 yo)
• Senses Spa & Fitness Complex (with 17 treatment rooms; 1 Whirlpool; "Rainforest Room"; "Relax Room"; Fitness Centre /health and wellbeing seminars; Beauty Salon)
• Luxurious Spa Villas (two private suites with own hot tub, private verandah, Roman bed with canopy, open-air shower)
• Quiet Cove Pool (adults-only swimming pool, served by Cove Bar; with 2 Whirlpools)
• Chill Spa (teens only spa with separate relaxation area and treatment rooms)
• Cove Cafe (adult-only, with big HDTV; Wi-Fi spot)
• Outdoor LED movie screen (24x14 ft / 7,3x4,3 m)
• Eye Scream Treats Bar (complimentary ice cream, poolside)
• Frozone Treats (iced fruit smoothies bar, poolside)
• Whozits & Whatzits Shop (poolside, sells AquaDuck related stuff)
• Kids' swimming pools (Donald's Pool, Mickey's Pool)
• Trixie's Falls (circular pool/adults-only)
• Nemo's Reef (waterplay kids zone; features characters meetings and greetings)
• Arr-cade (kids/teens video games arcade)
• Waves Bar (family poolside bar)
• Meridian Lounge & Bar (adults-only venue for dinner cocktails); Concierge Lounge
• Currents Bar (outdoor bar for cold drinks, refreshments, cocktails)
• Edge Lounge (11-14 yo teens-only club area, with a giant video wall, interactive games, Internet)
• Goofy's Sports Deck (Walking Track, Jogging Track, 9-hole Mini-Golf Course, Virtual sport gaming simulators, combined sports court (volleyball-basketball-tennis), Ping Pong/Foosball tables)
• Funnel Vision Deck Stage
• Wonderland Cinema & Neverland Cinema
• Mickey's Pool, Minnie's Pool, Daisy's Pool, and Pluto's Pool
• Radio Studio (live radio programs for Disney Wish itinerary-related news and onboard events)
• Outlook Bar (retreat area with a piano and full bar; hosts wedding receptions).

The Walt Disney Theater hosts 3 evening shows specifically designed for the Disney Wish ship

• "Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular" (a comedy musical based on Disney's 1992-released musical fantasy film "Aladdin"/starring Robin Williams)
• "The Little Mermaid" (Broadway-style version with a reimagined script of Disney's 1989-released musical fantasy animation "The Little Mermaid")
• "Disney Seas the Adventure" show (held on embarkation day and featuring all the Disney and Pixar characters).

In the evenings, the Pool Deck hosts the "Pirate’s Rockin’ Parlay Party" - an outdoor deck party featuring live music, DJ programming, special effects, acrobatics, and ending with a fireworks display.

Note: More details on the boat's facilities and amenities are expected in the following months.

Itineraries

Starting in July 2022, Disney Wish itinerary program is based on roundtrips to the Eastern and Western Caribbean departing from homeport Port Canaveral (Orlando City) Florida . A signature port destination included in all itineraries is DCL's private island in the Bahamas Castaway Cay .

The Maiden Voyage was rescheduled for July 22, 2022 (postponed from June 9th) due to construction delays, but eventually departed on July 14th. The ship's ex-Port Canaveral DCL cruise program includes short break roundtrips to The Bahamas (3- and 4-night itineraries), all visiting Castaway Cay with Nassau .

Bookings on Disney Wish cruises were opened on May 17, 2021 (for Castaway Club members) and on May 27th (to general customers).

Disney Wish - user reviews and comments

Photos of disney wish.

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Other Disney Cruise Line cruise ships

• Disney Adventure
• Disney Destiny
• Disney Dream
• Disney Fantasy
• Disney Magic
• Disney Treasure
• Disney Wonder

Disney Wish Wiki

On July 15, 2017, Disney Cruise Line/DCL officially announced the company's plans to build 3 new vessels in Germany, at Meyer Werft 's Papenburg Shipyard . The so exciting for all Mickey Mouse fans announcement was made by Bob Chapek (Walt Disney Parks and Resorts company's Chairman).

MS Disney Wish's construction officially started on April 8, 2021, with the keel-laying ceremony (Meyer Werft yard/hull number 705) held at Shipyard Papenburg, being the 54th cruise vessel constructed there. During the special event, the first hull block was lowered into the building dock, and, for good luck, under the keel was placed a newly minted coin that features the Disney character Captain Minnie. The coin was placed by Philip Matthew Gennotte - Executive Manager of the subsidiary Walt Disney Imagineering (Germany) GmbH. DCL also announced that Captain Minnie will be part of the ship's hull artwork (at the bow).

Disney Wish was launched/floated out from drydock (at Meyer Werft Papenburg) on February 11, 2022.

At ~8 am local time (~6 am UTC) on March 30, 2022, started the ship's 10-hour (32-km / 20-mi long) conveyance voyage on Ems River from Papenburg towards Emden . The voyage started with the Papenburg yard's dock lock passage, and around noon passed the Friesen Bridge (near Weener). During the night, the ship arrived at Ems Barrage (a storm surge barrier near Gandersum), then headed for Eemshaven (Netherlands) where remained docked for final outfitting. Curiously, the ship navigated/moved backward, being assisted by tugboats. Next is listed the conveyance voyage's schedule (local time):

• March 30 (~12:15 pm) Friesen-Brucke/Bridge passage (near Weener)
• March 30 (~3:30 pm) Jann-Berghaus-Brucke/Bridge passage (near Leer )
• March 31 (~12:30 am) Ems Barrage passage (near Gandersum)
• March 31 (~2:30 am) arriving at Port Emden

On January 22, 2019, Port Canaveral officials gathered to discuss the new liners' docking at DCL's exclusive Cruise Terminal 8. The facility was improved and upgraded in order to accommodate/berth the 3 new boats simultaneously. With scheduled deliveries in 2022 (Wish), 2024 ( Treasure ) and 2025 ( Destiny ), the newbuilds are designed with ~1250 staterooms each. To handle them, Orlando Port Canaveral's Disney Terminal 8 was upgraded to passenger capacity 7500 tourists at a time.

DCL's TRITON liners have LOA length 341 m (1119 ft), making them the fleet's longest. By GT tonnage/volume (~144,000 tons each) and passenger capacity (2500 / max 3500), the newbuilds are similarly sized as the sisterships Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy , but LNG-powered (by liquefied natural gas) and with more and new facilities and amenities. In 2025, Walt Disney will nearly double its old 4-ship fleet (Dream, Fantasy, Magic, Wonder).

At the released on March 9, 2018, the new ship's exterior rendering was shown the company's traditional black-white-red hull color scheme. New in the design is the superstructure's golden flair. Between the two funnels is located top-deck's waterpark with slides. Balcony cabins are positioned midship, which allows larger staterooms.

'"Disney Triton" was chosen as the name of Walt Disney's new vessel class/series. Triton is Ancient Greece's god of the sea. Being the son of Poseidon (the god of the waters) and Amphitrite (the goddess of the Sea), Triton is the herald for his father and usually represented as a Merman (male mermaid) having an upper human body and tail and fins of a fish. Like his father, Triton carries a trident, but his special attribute is a twisted conch shell with which he calms or raises the waves. According to the Disney story, King Triton is the protective and loving father of "The Little Mermaid" Ariel, as well as one of the most powerful Disney characters ever created.

Disney Wish was officially delivered by Meyer Werft to DCL on June 9, 2022, in Port Bremerhaven . The ceremony was attended by Thomas Mazloum (DCL's President), Jan Meyer (Meyer Werft GmbH's Managing Director), Henning Stellermann (Meyer Werft's Project Manager).

Following the delivery to DCL, Disney Wish left Bremerhaven (on June 9th, at 17:29 UTC) and via Ponta Delgada/Sao Miguel Island Azores Portugal (bunkering stop on June 13th, between 12:11-21:56 UTC) made the Transatlantic crossing from Europe to the USA, arriving at Port Canaveral on June 20th, at 9:08 UTC.

In 2019 was announced that during their inaugural seasons in the Caribbean, two of Disney's newest ships (Wish and Treasure) will be homeported in Port Canaveral - the principal seaport for Orlando City (Walt Disney's theme park capital). The 3rd newbuild (Destiny) will be based in PortMiami . In Miami and Port Canaveral, DCL's newest liners are fueled by LNG bunkering barges docking alongside the berthed vessel.

In late-April 2021, DCL released the first video of the "Designing the Disney Wish" series themed on the ship's design, Disney characters and special features. The hull design features Captain Minnie Mouse (bow character) and the sculpture of Rapunzel (aft/at the stern). The liner's interior is designed using three classic Disney themes - fairytale castles (including for the Atrium's Grand Hall), forests and animals, and the spirit of the sea. The 3-deck high Atrium (midship-located, open-floor area) features a grand staircase, the bronze sculpture of Cinderella (at the Lobby level), and a large chandelier with thousands of crystals and a huge "wishing star" at its bottom.

Ship christening 2022

In June 2022 DCL announced that instead of a godmother/godfather/godparents the Wish ship will have godchildren - from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Make-A-Wish is a 1980-founded children's charity (Phoenix, Arizona USA-headquartered American non-profit organization) created to fulfill the wishes of children with critical illnesses (website wish.org).

DCL's announcement included that during the ship's naming ceremony, the Make-A-Wish children will recite the traditional blessings for the vessel. The Disney-Make-A-Wish partnership also includes creating and selling fleetwide Disney-themed merchandise, with 10% of the profits donated to the Foundation.

The christening ceremony was held on June 30th (pierside at Port Canaveral Terminal) and attended by Bob Chapek (The Walt Disney Company's CEO) and Josh D'Amaro (Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products). Anika Noni Rose (voice actor for the character Tiana in "The Princess and the Frog"/2009 animated musical film) performed live singing along with characters from the movies Toy Story, Frozen, Marvel, Star Wars.

Near the end of the naming ceremony, three godchildren/Make-A-Wish children recited the traditional ship blessing.

Inaugural itineraries 2022

Next tables show the boat's Bahamian itineraries, all roundtrips from homeport Port Canaveral, Orlando City, Florida USA ).

Bookings opened on May 27, 2021. Originally, the maiden voyage was planned to depart on June 14th but was pushed back due to COVID-related construction delays at the German shipbuilding yard.

( MAIDEN VOYAGE ) 5-day "Bahamian Cruise" itinerary - from US$3330 pp (EUR 2800 / GBP 2410)

(inaugural) 3-day Bahamian itinerary

(inaugural) 4-day Bahamian itinerary

Disney Cruise Line Tips for First Timers

D isney Cruises can be so much fun for families. In addition to the daily port visits, you will also enjoy activities, shows, fun kids’ clubs, delicious food, character greetings, shopping, and so much more.

If you are headed out on your first Disney Cruise Line cruise, you’ll definitely want to be prepared. Preparing for a cruise can often be stressful for families, especially if you aren’t sure what to expect. Since we absolutely want you to have the best experience, here are a collection of Disney Cruise Line tips for first timers.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and purchasing and/or clicking on some of the links (or calling the number) may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. We’ve been on a media preview cruise and two cruises as part of Disney Social Media Moms (as well as 12+ cruises that I paid for on my own). All opinions are my own.

Book Your Disney Cruise

First, you’ll want to book your cruise. If you really aren’t sure what to do, it’s a good idea to go with a Disney travel agent, who can help you remember key dates (for final payments, etc). Otherwise, you can book directly through Disney. You’ll need to research sailing dates, ships, itineraries, and stateroom categories before you book.

When booking a Disney Cruise, I recommend booking with Get Away Today. Plus, when you mention Family Travel Magazine, you get an extra $25 on board credit! Give their agents a call at 877-510-2929.

Think about the type of experience you want to have. Obviously, an Alaskan cruise is much different than a Caribbean cruise. For a first cruise, I like the Disney Wish 3-day itinerary. It’s a good way to get started cruising, without too much risk. Many families even combine that agenda with a Walt Disney World trip for a Disney land and sea vacation .

Disney Cruise Line currently has five ships (the Dream, the Fantasy, the Wish, the Magic, and the Dream). While these ships do vary in size and amenities, I would generally recommend starting with the itinerary you want to go, rather than the ship.

You’ll also have your choice of staterooms. My family typically books a family stateroom with verandah. I like being able to stand out on the verandah throughout the day, and it also extends the room a bit. Other options include interior, oceanview (but no balcony), and concierge rooms.

When you book, you’ll also choose a seating time for dinner. I prefer the earlier time when traveling with my kids. Be sure to select a time when booking your cruise, and if your preferred time isn’t available, you can get on the waitlist.

Research Your Disney Cruise 

After you’ve paid your deposit, it’s a good idea to do some research – about the ship, and the ports of call. You’ll find that there are so many excursions offered, and you’ll want to book them ahead of time because they do fill up.

Keep in mind the ages of your kids – some of the excursions are definitely too challenging for younger kids, but the Disney Cruise Line website does a fantastic job showing that info. You should also research the different entertainment and dining options available on board, that way you know exactly what to expect.

Remember that you don’t have to do an excursion in every port, if you don’t want to. There’s always the option to explore on your own, or to stay on the ship.

In Grand Cayman , for instance, I booked a day stay at a hotel on Seven Mile Beach. I contacted the hotel directly for that, and just took a cab to and from our destination. Just keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for getting yourself back to the ship in time at the end of the day. If you don’t want to be worried about that, booking an official excursion is your best option.

Book Hotel, Airfare, and Transportation

I always recommend arriving the night before sailing if you are flying into your port of call. That will help avoid the potential of flight delays.

If flying into Orlando International Airport , I like to stay at the  Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport  (see the  reviews on TripAdvisor  and book here ). You should also plan transportation to the port.

When we sail out of Port Canaveral , I prefer to take the Disney shuttles, which makes it nice and easy. Port Miami and Port Everglades (in Fort Lauderdale) are very close to the respective airports, which makes it easy to get there.

Check In For Your Disney Cruise

As a first-timer, you’ll be able to check-in 75 days before sailing. Disney Castaway Club members are able to check in earlier, which means that you may find some excursions that are already booked up by the time you check-in.

I definitely recommend that you already know which excursions you want, so you can book them right after checking in. Prepare a second and third choice option as well.

At this time, you’ll also fill out the guest information form, the payment authorization form for your on board purchases, and some other forms. If you need special services when on board, this is the time to request them.

You can also book certain on board experiences, like a meal at Palo. Because you’ll be one of the last to check in, you’ll want to do it right when your booking window opens. Your cruise will have to be all paid off before you are able to book anything.

Prep Door Decorations and Fish Extenders

If you aren’t aware, many Disney Cruise Line guests participate in a fun little unofficial program called  Fish Extenders . Essentially, you get together with other families and swap little gifts throughout your cruise. It’s completely optional, but can be a fun thing to do. My fish extender post contains all of the information that you need to know.

In addition, many families decorate their stateroom doors, so you’ll want to check out my post on decorating your Disney Cruise Line stateroom door  if you are interested in doing that.

Most families do some form of decorating, so you’ll probably want to do at least something. It’s a good way to be able to identify your door among the sea of doors that look exactly the same.

A relatively new tradition on cruise ships (not just Disney) is cruise ducks. It’s completely unofficial, but some guests hide rubber ducks on the ship for others to find. You can learn more about cruise ducks on this post.

Shop Before Your Trip and Pack Appropriately

There are shops on the ship, but they aren’t open when the ship is in port, and they have a limited selection of merchandise. So, you’ll want to have everything you need in your suitcase . Be sure to pack any medications you definitely need, as well as anything that you may potentially need on your trip.

Bags are delivered throughout the afternoon and evening, so you’ll want to pack a day bag for the first day on the Disney Cruise Line . We typically put essentials, sunscreen, medications, electronics, and evening dinner apparel in our day bag.

That way, if our suitcases don’t show up before dinner, we are still prepared. We also put our door decorations in that day bag so we can start decorating right away.

You won’t be able to get in your room until the early afternoon, so you won’t want your day bag to be too heavy. If your kids are older, you may want everyone in your family to carry a small backpack to spread out the weight.

If you are traveling to a warm weather destination, you may find yourself wearing a bathing suit much of the day. In that case, you may not need as many daily clothing items as you’d expect.

We often rewear things on a longer cruise because we aren’t wearing them for more than a few hours. Overpacking isn’t a big deal – but keep in mind that there isn’t tons of space in your stateroom.

If your ship will have a pirate night , you may want to bring pirate apparel. It’s totally optional, but many guests do dress up. We never dress up for pirate night, but we are generally in the minority. You’ll see all levels of pirate dress, from t-shirts and bandanas to full costumes.

Bring whatever you are comfortable in. Kids may like to have glow sticks for pirate night as well.

There are a few cruise specific things you may want to bring. The doors in the room are magnetic, and along with door decorations, I like to bring magnetic hooks.

That gives us a few places to hang wet clothes beyond the shower. I bought ours at the Container Store, but these from Amazon.com are similar. You may also want to purchase autograph books in advance. They are also available on the ship, but shops don’t open on the first day until after you set sail.

If you are participating in a fish extender exchange , in addition to your gifts, you’ll want to buy or make a fish extender. There are lots of options on Etsy. Fish extenders can be as deluxe or as basic as your want. I’ve seen some people use a tote bag, while others have personalized, embroidered fish extenders.

Activities on the Ship

Even if your kids don’t generally love kids’ clubs, they’ll probably love the clubs on the Disney Cruise Line. As a result you may find yourself with some free time.

When you book at the activities available to book on the app, you’ll probably see some availability for beverage seminars. These are adult-only, and include martini tasting, wine tasting, and mixology. I’ve done most of them, and we always enjoy them.

During your cruise, you’ll be using the Disney Cruise Line app often. You’ll want to download that while you are still able to access cellular data. The app includes a daily schedule, menus, and information about the various ports of call on the trip.

You can also communicate with other passengers on the ship using the app, even if you don’t purchase WiFi or have cellular service turned on. My family regularly uses the app to communicate because it’s a great way to keep in touch as we head in different directions throughout the day.

Disney’s Castaway Club

Once you’ve completely your first sailing on the Disney Cruise Line, you’ll be a member of Disney’s Castaway Club. Castaway Club members receive a lanyard at check in.

For your first sailing, you won’t receive one. They are pretty handy to have, however, so you may want to bring a regular lanyard or purchase one on board to hold your Key to the World card.

Disney Cruise Line is rolling out MagicBand use on the ships. These are optional, and you do have to purchase them separately.

You won’t have to sign up to become a member of the Castaway Club – it just happens when you complete your first sailing. There are four levels of the club, and you’ll get different perks and benefits as you sail more times.

What’s Included on a Disney Cruise Line trip

As you budget for your Disney Cruise Line trip, you’ll probably want to know what’s included. Alcohol, packaged snacks, premium coffee, popcorn, excursions, premium meals (in Remy, Enchante, and Palo), photos, the spa, and the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique all cost extra. If you don’t prepay your tips, you’ll do that on board as well.

To know what to expect on your first day, be sure to read this post .

More Disney Cruise Ships Resources: Click to read more about the Disney Cruise Line ships including restaurants, tips, itineraries, activities, and more.

The post Disney Cruise Line Tips for First Timers appeared first on Family Travel Magazine .

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Disney Wish Staterooms