We like to cruise and we’re not shy about sharing it! Once we realized that a cruise is actually the perfect family vacation, we were hooked.
We love that there are activities for our whole family to do together, but also time for the kids and adults to go their separate ways.
After trying out a few different big ship cruise lines, we determined that Disney Cruise Line is our family favorite. We’ve sailed on the Disney Wonder, Dream and Fantasy. And we’re super excited for the launch of the new Disney Wish!
The 5th ship in the Disney fleet sets sail in the summer of 2022. While the Dream and Fantasy have many similarities, expect a lot of new magic aboard the Disney Wish.
Enchanted Design
The theme of this ship is enchantment. That design motif is visible throughout the ship. The Grand Hall has a fairytale castle theme with a wishing star dangling from a chandelier. There’s a magical forest setting in the Walt Disney World Theater. And the staterooms are storybook-inspired. Not to be forgotten, Rapunzel will grace the stern of the ship.
Related: Magical Details Aboard the Disney Dream & Fantasy
More Water Fun
The Wish boasts the first-ever Disney attraction at sea. The AquaMouse is a water ride that includes show scenes, special effects and other surprises throughout its 760-feet of winding tubes that zig and zag over the upper decks of the ship.
There are more pools and deck space on this ship, six family pools in total. There’s a Toy Story-themed splash area for toddlers and little kids.
There’s also a space just for adults. The infinity pool in the Quiet Cove with its poolside bar and cafe are exclusively for grown-ups.
New Activities for Kids
Just like all Disney ships, the Wish has clubs for kids of every age.
The reimagined Disney’s Oceaneer Club is dedicated to ages 3-12. It features the Marvel Super Hero Academy, headquarters of the Avengers. Young recruits train here to be the next generation of super heroes. Fairytale Hall has not one, not two, but three princess areas! Kids can hangout in Rapunzel’s Art Studio, Belle’s Library, and Anna and Elsa’s Sommerhus. If that’s not enough, there’s also a Walt Disney Imagineering Lab with hands-on activities and experiments.
Edge is designed for kids ages 11 to 14 and Vibe is specifically for the 14 to 17 year old crowd. These fun hangouts for tweens and teens have age-appropriate programming.
Not to be left out, the littlest cruisers, ages 6 months to 3 years, can spend time in the It’s A Small World Nursery.
Related: Sailing the West Coast on the Disney Wonder
Adults-Only Activities
For those that think a Disney cruise is tailored to kids, they’d be wrong! Disney does a great job catering to its adult passengers, too. Once you get the kiddos checked into the kids clubs, you can finally have that long-overdue date night. (I speak from experience!) There are several exclusive adults-only venues including the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge. It’s an immersive experience, styled as a luxurious yacht-class spaceship. Guests are transported via hyperspace jumps to iconic locations from the eras of the Republic, Empire and First Order.
Your date night should include a reservation at one of the special restaurants, for adults-only. The Wish has three to choose from: Palo Steakhouse, a favorite on the other Disney ships. It’s an Italian dining experience. New to the wise, there’s Enchante, a romantic an intimate venue with a gourmet meal crafted by a Michelin-starred chef. The Rose is a lounge at the entrance of the two restaurants where you can enjoy a pre or post-dinner cocktail and some small bites.
I’d also recommend splurging at Senses Spa. Book a spa or beauty treatment for yourself, or make it a couples thing!
Inventive Dining
The Wish has three brand-new family dining concepts and they look really fun! Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure is a theatrical dining experience. Live entertainment is brought to you by Frozen favorites like Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf. The menu has a Nordic vibe. Worlds of Marvel is a cinematic dining adventure. Guests play a role in an Avengers mission that unfolds around them while they dine. Then there’s 1923. That’s the year that The Walt Disney Company was founded. This restaurant is elegant and classy, with a nod to the golden age of animation. The menu is rooted in the flavors of California.
Related: 8 Must Have Foods on a Disney Cruise
Family Entertainment
It wouldn’t be Disney without plenty of family entertainment. Guests will experience Broadway-style performances at The Walt Disney Theater. Both classic and first-run movies will be shown at the Wonderland and Never Land Cinemas. Luma is an entertainment hub that’s open to families in the day, and adults at night. The Hero Zone is futuristic sports arena where families can do challenges and game show-style competitions.
Refreshed Cabins
The cabins have a different look and feel from other Disney ships, in line with the enchanted theme aboard.
Most cabins have the split bathroom feature, a signature on Disney ships. The toilet is located in one space, the bathtub and shower in another.
There are 1,254 staterooms, most with an ocean view. Most of the cabins have a verandah, although there are inside cabins, too. Larger family groups will appreciate that many of the cabins have connecting doors.
Related: 6 Things You Don’t Know About Disney Cruises
Sailing in Summer 2022
Well, we’re sold! How about you? Bookings for the summer of 2022 open to the general public on May 27, 2021. There are three and four-night sailings out of Port Canaveral, Florida. The ship docks in Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
We recommend making reservations through an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner like Magic Family Getaways. The cost is the same if you book the cruise on your own, but your travel advisor at Magic Family Getaways handles all of the details. Trust us, it’s so worth it, especially right now. Full disclosure, KidTripster receives a small commission if you book with Magic Family Getaways, but there’s absolutely no added cost to you. We use Magic Family Getaways when booking our own Disney vacations and cruises because they are experts in everything Disney and all-around nice people.
Related: Saving Money on a Disney Cruise
