Cruise
Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship is a Wish come true
by Daniel Smajovits
Evoking all the feelings that come to mind when one thinks of Disney, there is no more appropriate name for Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship than the Wish – and much like its namesake, the onboard experience makes every passenger’s wish come true.
Sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida, the Disney Wish encompasses all the latest in the Disney universe with its patented attention to detail that for both adults and children, transforms fantasies into reality.
On-Board Experienc
As a family with two small children, the Disney cruising experience and expectations for our family is vastly different than one with older children or for couples traveling solo. Regardless of the size or age of your party, Disney ensures a special on-board experience for everyone to enjoy.
For families with children, the magic of the Disney Wish begins as soon as you step aboard via the Grand Hall, where true to theme, children are greeted with their own wishing wand and above their heads, Disney Princesses line the balcony welcoming all.
As childcare is a primary concern for parents, Disney provides a few options for children of all ages. The It’s a Small World nursery welcomes babies as of six months to children three years old, while the Disney Oceaneer Club will entertain children until the age of 12. The latter features multiple themes, ensuring to pique the imagination of all. From fairy tales to Star Wars, while parents enjoy a few calm hours basking in the Caribbean sun, your children are safe and sound – spending time with Cinderella, Iron Man or R2D2 only a few decks away.
As part of the fun of a Disney cruise is to experience the magic as a family, the Wish offers several on-board attractions that allow parents and children to dive into the movies together. From the Star Wars Universe, where you can step into an interactive high-tech cargo bay with Rey and Chewbacca to the Disney Imagineering Lab, where via hands-on activities, your children can see how the Disney magic comes to life – the Wish provides one-of-a-kind experiences at sea for young and old.
Yet, perhaps the most unique aspect of the Wish is the Disney Unchartered Adventure, the first-ever interactive game at sea played via the Disney Cruise Navigator app. Guests create their own avatars and then participate in themed journeys throughout the ship. True to form, the game is truly immersive with augmented reality and special effects and takes your on-board experience to an entirely new level.
If it’s thrill seeking you’re after, Disney has dubbed the AquaMouse water coaster as the first Disney attraction at sea where the two-seat ride navigates 760 feet of tubes which wind around the ship’s top deck, providing incredible views, a show and over 60 water features.
Once the day has come to a close, as with all Disney sailings, the entertainment is family-friendly and echoes the best of Broadway. Both The Little Mermaid and Disney Seas the Adventure made its debut on board the Disney Wish, along with a reimagined version of Aladdin. Furthermore, two theatres consistently play first-run movies, and the Luna entertainment venue is home to live music, comedy and family game shows.
For adults, the Disney Wish offers the adult-only Quiet Cove complete with an infinity pool, bar and poolside lounge for a serene getaway. However, once the kids are asleep, the piece de resistance is the Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge.
The Hyperspace Lounge made headlines for both its theme and for having the most expensive drink in the galaxy, The Kaiburr Crystal. Priced at $5,000, the Kaiburr Crystal is a drink, but also an experience – to be expected for that price tag.
Guests are presented with four silver-plated glasses filled with a cocktail made of Camus Cognac, Yuzu, Kumquat, Grand Marnier Quintessence, one shot of Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Reserve Bourbon, one shot of Taylor’s Kingsman Edition Very Old Tawny Port and one shot of Watenshi gin. Additionally, the buyer receives a gift-bag with a water bottle and backpack, while their cabin is decorated in a Hyperspace-theme, complemented by a bottle of Sparkling Wine from Skywalker Ranch. Additionally, the purchaser also receives a voucher for 4 people to visit the Skywalker Ranch itself, which is normally closed to the public.Designed to look like a star cruiser, you can experience Hyperspace Lounge as a family during the day, but it becomes adults only as of 9 PM. Due to the popularity, visits are limited to 45 minutes, which is plenty of time to grab a reasonably priced drink and soak in the atmosphere.
Dining
Guests on the Wish have the opportunity to rotate between three specialty quality dining venues, with zero surcharges, while keeping the same waitstaff each night.
While the warmth of the Caribbean might be just outside your window, the Wish is home to the world’s first Frozen-theme theatrical dining experience, where you can experience the Kingdom of Arendelle and dine on Norwegian-inspired cuisine with its most famous residents: Queen Anna, Kristoff, Elsa and Olaf. The restaurant allows you to be seated around a centre-stage where the Frozen story comes to life. For those familiar with Frozen, ensure you come with an appetite as Oaken is the one preparing your meal.
On your second night, not to be outdone by Arendelle, Ant-Man and the Wasp showcase Quantum technology in a nod to the latest installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, at the Worlds of Marvel restaurant. Guests play an active role in the experience while dining on dishes inspired by the superheroes from throughout the Marvel universe.
The third stop of your rotation is the 1923 restaurant where guests enjoy a diverse menu inspired by Disney’s Californian heritage, featuring local ingredients native to that evening’s theme.
As with all Disney cruises, a casual dining experience is offered via the Marceline Market, named for Walt Disney’s early childhood hometown. The market features 10 unique food stalls inspired by films such as Tangled, Ratatouille and Zootopia. Additionally, quick bites, such as barbeque, pizza and ice cream can be found at the Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods.
Staterooms
As the newest Disney ship, each stateroom stays true to the Disney theme in a modern and welcoming environment. Guests can choose from four options: Concierge (the most luxurious), Verandah (balcony), Oceanview (porthole) and Inside cabins. All rooms are designed with families in mind and regardless of your choice, the Disney magic is felt inside each and every cabin.
Itinerary
The Disney Wish is currently sailing to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay (Disney’s Private Island) for three-and four-night cruises.
