These Photos of Disney's Newest Cruise Ship Will Have You Dreaming of Your Next Vacation
All aboard! This summer, Captain Mickey and Minnie will begin their maiden voyage on the Disney Wish, the newest cruise ship to join their existing fleet of four. Beginning July 14, 2022, the boat will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas. The sun-drenched itinerary includes a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, where you can snorkel, splash, and snap photos with your favorite characters. As the dreamy name implies, the Wish will encapsulate everything true fairy tale fans adore. There's a Grand Hall that'll whisk you away to Cinderella's castle, Frozen-themed dinner theater, an adults-only Star Wars lounge where you can take a kids-free moment to savor intergalactic cocktails, and Disney's first "attraction at sea" — a mesmerizing water ride, aptly called the AquaMouse. Whether you're searching for a (very generous) gift for the biggest Disney lover you know, or flirting with a family-friendly vacation yourself, starting now, you can book a three- or four-night trip. So gather up your bedazzled Minnie ears, your DIY DisneyBounding dresses, and Disney couples costumes, and read on for everything to know about the Disney Wish Cruise and what will set this journey apart.
Alright, so what's different about the Disney Wish cruise?
While you can't go wrong with any of Disney's ships if you're in the market to splurge on a memorable vacation, the latest vessel is all about enchantment, which is a theme you'll find throughout the 1,254 storybook-inspired staterooms, elegant restaurants, and other hideaways. It also features unique experiences for fans of Frozen, Marvel movies, and Star Wars, but more on that later. While it can hold the same amount of passengers (4,000) as its sister ships, the Fantasy and the Dream, it's technically the biggest boat.
The Wish has Disney's first-ever "attraction at sea," a.k.a. a very cool water ride, and tons of pools.
Towering above the decks, you'll find the AquaMouse, which will fully transport you into the "Wonderful World of Mickey" as you glide through winding tubes, guided by scenes from new animated adventures.
The Wish also has the most pools of any Disney cruise — including a new Toy Story-themed land where toddlers can play in a wading pool, a splash zone, and their own water slide.
For adults who've dropped the tots off at the nursery (or who are traveling alone), the Quiet Cove offers the perfect spot for a relaxing après-swim moment, or a "big kid"-only dip in the infinity pool.
Other firsts? The Frozen and Marvel dinner shows.
Escape to Arendelle to celebrate the engagement of Anna and Kristoff during an immersive dinner experience. Expect sing-a-longs (of course!), a visit from everyone's favorite snowfriend, Olaf, Nordic-inspired cuisine, and views of the Northern Lights (well, thanks to a little Disney magic, that is).
After you're done toasting the bride- and groom-to-be, the following night, join Marvel superheroes on a critical mission. Danny Handke, senior creative director, Walt Disney Imagineering said in a blog post that the “Avengers: Quantum Encounter” show is the most "ambitious dining experience ever."
There's adult-only restaurants (and bars) too, including the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge.
Besides the Bahamas, this boat also stops in a galaxy far, far away. Grownups will get a special tour of the Star Wars galaxies while they sip on beverages inspired by the films in this luxe lounge. Seriously, when you look out the virtual windows, you'll think you're actually in space. Or, at least you will after a few drinks.
Mom and pop can also enjoy a date night at 1923, a swanky restaurant that evokes the glamour of old Hollywood, Palo Steakhouse or at Enchanté, where a three-Michelin-starred chef will lead anyone 18 and up through a romantic menu in a stunning venue inspired by Beauty and the Beast.
But in this writer's humble opinion, the best thing about dining on a Disney cruise is the 24-hour room service. Read: Mickey ice cream bars delivered to your door whenever the mood strikes.
Activities abound for all age groups.
The Grand Hall will double as an interactive space, complete with special effects, shows, and character meet-and-greets.
Over at the sports arena, the Hero Zone, families can partake in a little friendly competition with nightly game shows and cabarets, or quite literally run off their sugar high from the Inside Out-inspired sweet shop during the day.
Need a little shade? Catch up on the classics and newer releases in the cozy movie theaters, or delight in musicals including an adaptation of Broadway's Aladdin in the state-of-the-art theater.
You can also take advantage of the kids clubs.
Naturally we love spending time with our little ones, but the kids clubs are real stars of the Disney Cruise experience. When they're enjoying time with Disney-trained counselors (and characters!), you can catch up on your reading, get your hair styled like Elsa at Untangled or cut at Hook's Barbery — the first salons of their kind on a Disney ship.
If you're traveling with tykes from six months to 3 years old, babysitters at the It's a Small World Nursery will take them off your hands while you visit the spa, or ya know, take a nap.
Three- to 12-year-olds are welcome to spend the day at the Oceaneers Club (which they'll enter through a secret Alice in Wonderland-inspired slide). While there, future animators can paint in Rapunzel’s Art Studio, take in story time at Belle’s Library, and get in a snowball fight with Olaf at Anna and Elsa’s Sommerhus.
Over at the Marvel Super Hero Academy, they can train to be the next Avenger or design their own rides at the Imagineering Lab.
Tweens and teens can buddy up at Edge and Vibe, respectively, two chic hangouts with activities curated specifically for them.
Prices vary depending on the type of room you book, and when you sail.
Ready to get down to the brass tacks? The cost for one guest for a 3-night cruise (not during the special Halloween or Christmas sailings) begins at $1,568 for an interior room.
For an ocean view, which the majority of rooms on the ship have, the cost begins at $1,748 per guest.
A larger room option, the verandah, begins at $1,976, and many offer connecting doors for bigger families or friend groups.
And the most spacious concierge rooms start at $4,136 for your stay.
For a four-night cruise, prices range from $4,470 to $4,926 per guest.
There are also four royal suites available where up to six guests (presumably celebrating an exceptionally special occasion) can stay. Two of them are two-stories and those will start at around $27,789 for two adults.
And the crème de la crème is the Tower Suite, Disney's first of its kind stateroom above the bridge, which has remarkable ocean views, a private sun deck, and bar. The price of the 1,966-square-foot penthouse starts at $21,000 for two adults.
Hey, isn't Disney all about dreaming?
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