Disney Wish

Disney staterooms have families in mind. Kids will enjoy the Disney-themed art hanging above the headboards, while adults will appreciate the simple addition of a privacy curtain (dividing the sleeping and living room area) and the split bathrooms (in all staterooms except for inside cabins). Bathrooms are tasteful and modern, featuring classic white subway tiles. All bathrooms aboard the Wish have bathtubs, a rarity with cruise ships, but a necessity for those with small children. Raised beds create more space by allowing passengers to tuck away their luggage underneath, and every cabin comes with a flat-screen TV that includes the Disney channels.

Although there are no single-occupancy cabins (solo travelers pay the same fare as two guests sharing a stateroom), there are various configurations and sizes, including connecting cabins. The most budget-friendly are the 170 square-foot Deluxe Inside Staterooms, sleeping 3 or 4. The 220 square-foot Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom (sleeping 3 or 4) doesn’t provide mere portholes, but large floor-to-ceiling windows.

Those looking for more space might choose a Verandah Stateroom. Balconies with child-proof door locks feature two chairs and a small table, giving adults a nice space to relax as others are sleeping. Balcony railings are covered in plexiglass, providing parents with little ones additional peace of mind. A curtain separates the queen bed from the couch and desk area, where a bunk bed pulls out of the ceiling to sleep four and the couch sleeps another. Verandah Staterooms sleeping five will also have a pull-out Murphy bed.

Staterooms on floors 12 and 13 come with access to the Concierge Lounge, which offers free alcohol daily from 5-10 p.m., as well as snacks and lite fare throughout the day. The Concierge Lounge offers a relaxing outdoor deck with cushioned, shaded seating, hot tub, outdoor shower, and a bar. Concierges are on hand to assist passengers with setting up activities and services.

For those not on a budget, Wish offers another first for the cruise industry- the first suite inside a ship’s funnel. The ultra-luxurious two-story Tower Suite sleeps eight and would make for an unforgettable experience, from its elegant living room featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, to its two main bedrooms with king beds. Of course, the marble bathrooms are equally luxurious, from stand-alone tubs to walk-in rain showers where you can indulge in Bulgari bath products.

In addition to the Tower Suite, Wish features four uber-luxurious two-story Royal Suites with similar amenities, but sleeping only six. Unlike the Tower Suite, which has no balcony, Royal Suites have elaborate sun decks, plush furnishings, a large dining table, and hot tub.

Staterooms across various categories are designed for those with accessibility needs, featuring roll-in showers, lowered towel bars and closet bars, and accessible vanities. There are also cabins available for those with visual impairments.

The theme park feel of a Disney cruise extends to the restaurants and bars, where entertainment is as important as what’s on the menu. Disney cruises offer rotational dining, which means that on a three-night cruise, all passengers rotate through the three complimentary restaurants, and their waitstaff rotates with them, giving guests the same servers every night. The only decision passengers have to make is whether they’d prefer the early or late dinner seating.

The three complimentary restaurants include a Frozen dinner theatre show featuring Scandinavian fare and a boisterous Marvel movie-themed restaurant. At Avengers: Quantum Encounter, diners are distracted by video walls playing Marvel movie scenes, flashing lights, and tables with glowing cylinder centerpieces called Quantum Cores with buttons that can cause objects to shrink and grow… at least in the imaginary Marvel universe. The third complimentary restaurant is 1923, named after the year the Walt Disney Company was founded. The most sophisticated of the three included restaurants, 1923 pays homage to the golden age of Hollywood glamour. 1923’s elegant dining rooms are adorned with beautifully framed animation from a century of Disney masterpieces.

Open for breakfast and lunch, Disney’s buffet restaurant, Marceline Market, provides high-quality fare, including many vegetarian options and a seafood station with all-you-can-eat mussels, stone crab claws, and large shrimp.

The main pool deck has a complimentary food court offering everything from burritos to pizza to barbecue to soft-serve ice cream. Vegetarians and vegans will be happy to see that the Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods offers Impossible Burgers and plant-based sausages.

Wish also has upscale adults-only restaurants that charge an additional fee. Reservations must be made early to secure a table at Palo Steakhouse or Enchanté, a French restaurant with a menu crafted by a Michelin-starred chef. Enchanté is the most high-end dining experience aboard Wish.

Unlike many cruise lines, non-alcoholic beverages, including soda, milks, coffee, tea, and juice are complimentary without needing to buy a beverage package.

The star attraction aboard Wish is the Star Wars-themed Hyperspace Lounge which often had long lines and required reservations to enjoy a drink. Hyperspace Lounge is open to children during the day and becomes adults-only at night. The main feature is a video wall with starships flying by, making it appear like passengers are flying through outer space. The sound effects, especially when the video wall shifts into hyper speed to travel to another galaxy, can make it difficult to have a conversation. Although Hyperspace Lounge doesn’t compare to the Star Wars ride at Disney World, fans of the movies will still get a kick out of having a drink here.

Passengers who can’t get into the Hyperspace Lounge have their choice of two other elegant nearby bars on deck 3. Inspired by The Princess and the Frog, a canopy of magnolias and Spanish moss covers the ceiling at The Bayou, a nod to New Orleans. Nightly live music also contributes to that Big Easy feeling.

Live music is also offered at the sophisticated Nightingale’s piano bar. But that’s not the only entertainment in this beautiful venue with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. Passengers will be mesmerized as mixologists craft cocktails using smoke and other tricks. A crystal chandelier resembling bubbles echoes the Bubble drinks on the menu. Order a drink topped off by a smoke bubble or have one served up in an ice bubble that you crack open yourself.

Keg & Compass is a more casual pub with a nautical theme.

Known for its Broadway-caliber live productions, Disney Cruise Line has mastered family-friendly entertainment. Wish carries on that tradition with more stages than any of the four previous Disney ships. The main theatre aboard Wish is state-of-the-art in terms of audio and stage technology and is debuting new productions including The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Seas the Adventure, to rave reviews.

Wish is also the first Disney ship with two movie theatres. A highlight for many families is getting to see Disney, Pixar, and Marvel studio films as soon as they’re released in theaters.

Deck 11 is where the party’s at, and not just on the beloved Pirate Night when the large stage gets turned over to bands and dancing pirates who lead a massive dance party, culminating in fireworks being set off over the ocean. The main deck is also home to a multi-story movie screen allowing passengers in the six surrounding pools, hot tubs and lounge chairs to enjoy Disney favorites throughout the cruise.

The top deck is stacked with the eagerly awaited water ride, AquaMouse. Passengers wind through animated tunnels filled with visual, sound and water effects, before being swirled over the edge of the ship in clear plastic tubes, providing a view of the ocean below.

Adults will enjoy relaxing in the Quiet Cove on the upper deck, rear of the ship. There’s a small adults-only infinity pool, two hot tubs, an outdoor shower, a bar, a café and plenty of cushioned seating. Even the lounge chairs here are cushioned, unlike the loungers on the rest of the ship.

Nighttime fun awaits at Triton Lounge which hosts family-friendly karaoke and game show events. Since so many Disney cruisers are families with children, there is no casino or more adult forms of entertainment like comedians.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean and plenty of state-of-the-art exercise equipment make the complimentary fitness room an inviting space to work out. A separate room with equally breathtaking ocean views offers a daily schedule of fitness classes, from yoga to Pilates to cycling, most of which cost an additional $20 fee.

While the fitness center is adults-only, kids can exercise at Hero Zone, Disney Cruise Line’s first-ever full-size indoor gym. Passengers will find pick-up basketball games, free throw competitions, as well as inflatable obstacle courses, ping pong tables, and foosball.

The luxurious Senses Spa includes a wide array of treatments, from $150 50-minute massages to the $250 Ultimate Facial, as well as acupuncture services. One indulgence would be a couples massage in a specially designed treatment room with its own hot tub.

The Rainforest Relaxation Room has been expanded for the first time aboard a Disney ship to include an outdoor sundeck. The indoor space has heated loungers, sauna, steam room, and an ice room for cooling down. The inviting Outdoor Oasis has shaded daybeds, loungers and a hot tub. Booking a service does not include access to these indoor and outdoor relaxation areas. A three-day pass costs $195. Day passes are not available for purchase.