We recently returned from a four-night adventure on Disney’s newest ship, The Disney Wish, and despite the less-than-ideal weather, this cruise delivered an exceptional holiday experience for our family. The mix of festive activities, top-tier entertainment, and the magical Disney touch made this Merrytime Christmas cruise a memorable journey. Below, we’ll share our insights into the ship’s offerings, from ports of call to dining, entertainment, and family-friendly amenities.
Itinerary
The Disney Wish offered three- and four-night itineraries through the Bahamas. Both options include stops at Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. For four-night sailings, you get the added luxury of an extra day at sea to explore the ship and indulge in all the holiday-themed activities.
Ports of Call: Nassau and Castaway Cay
Nassau, Bahamas
As parents with two young children, Nassau didn’t offer many family-friendly activities for kids under eight. For older kids or adults, Atlantis is a popular option, where you can get a day pass to explore its water park and marine habitats. However, for families with younger kids, staying onboard to enjoy the ship’s amenities might be a more enjoyable alternative.
Castaway Cay
Unfortunately, due to weather conditions, we couldn’t dock at Castaway Cay during our cruise, so we didn’t get to experience the highly anticipated island activities. Typically, Disney’s private island offers everything from snorkeling and bike rentals to character meet-and-greets, and even a 5K race. However, Disney handled the situation gracefully, adapting the schedule with extra activities onboard for the extra day at sea.
Disney’s Oceaneer Club: A Dream for Kids
One of the standout features of the Disney Wish for families is the Oceaneer Club, designed for kids aged 3 to 12. This immersive play space offers themed rooms where children can meet Disney characters, participate in games, do crafts, and hear stories. Our kids enjoyed the interactions with their favorite characters and the variety of age-appropriate activities.
Parents must register their children upon boarding, and each child is given a MagicBand (or you can use the one you already have if you own one), which helps track their location within the club. This gives peace of mind to parents, knowing their children are in a safe and secure environment. One unique and fun feature of the Wish’s Oceaneer Club is the slide entrance from Deck 3, where kids check in and slide down into the play area—an instant hit for our little ones!
Dining Experience: Presentation Over Flavor
The Disney Wish has three main dining rooms: Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure, Worlds of Marvel, and 1923, along with the Marceline Market buffet and several quick-service options on the pool deck.
Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure
The Arendelle dining experience features a live Frozen-themed show during your meal. Characters like Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf interact with guests as they perform beloved songs from the film. This interactive dinner was one of the highlights for our kids, who were thrilled to meet their favorite Frozen characters.
Worlds of Marvel
In the Worlds of Marvel dining room, diners are treated to a high-tech show involving the Marvel superheroes. While visually impressive, we felt it was more of a distraction than an immersive experience. However, Spider-Man’s appearance and interactions with each table were a fun touch for the kids.
1923
This elegant restaurant pays homage to the early days of Disney animation, with artwork and notes from classic films. We dined here twice during our four-night cruise and found that the second experience gave us a deeper appreciation for the attention to detail in the theming.
Food Quality
While the food presentation was impressive, especially in the table-service restaurants, we found that the taste was lacking throughout our cruise. Many dishes were somewhat bland, and we found ourselves reaching for the salt shaker more often than we would have liked. The buffet options at Marceline Market were standard fare, but the convenience of all-day ice cream, sodas, and snacks helped keep the kids happy between meals.
Entertainment: Disney Magic at Its Best
Disney shines when it comes to entertainment, and the Disney Wish is no exception. Character interactions were plentiful throughout the ship, with opportunities to meet the classic Disney gang, princesses, and even Star Wars and Marvel heroes.
Broadway-Style Shows
The ship offers two Broadway-style performances: Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. Both shows were done very well, with stunning visuals, fantastic singing, and professional-level performances. These shows alone are worth the trip for anyone who loves live theater.
Fireworks at Sea
One of the most unique aspects of a Disney Cruise is the fireworks show at sea, which typically takes place during the pirate-themed night. Despite the weather challenges, Disney pulled off the fireworks without a hitch, adding a touch of magic to our holiday voyage.
Cabins: Spacious and Family-Friendly
Disney’s staterooms are comparable in size to other cruise lines but come with some thoughtful family-oriented features:
- Split Bathrooms: One room contains a toilet and sink, while the other has a shower and an additional sink, making it much easier for families to get ready.
- Full Bathtub: Most cruise lines only offer a shower, but Disney provides a bathtub in all staterooms, a blessing when traveling with small children.
- Under-Bed Storage: The raised beds allow for full-sized suitcases to be stored underneath, freeing up valuable space in the cabin.
Final Thoughts: Disney’s Unique Touch
Having sailed on multiple cruise lines, we were impressed with how Disney handled our unexpected second day at sea, adding impromptu entertainment and keeping the holiday spirit alive. The premium price of a Disney cruise may be a deterrent for some, but in our opinion, the entertainment, complimentary beverages, availability of Disney characters and overall attention to detail make it worth considering the investment.
We’ll cherish the memories we made aboard the Disney Wish and look forward to revisiting our photos and reliving the magic of this special Christmas cruise for years to come. If you’re looking for a family vacation filled with holiday cheer, we can’t recommend this experience enough.
FAQs
1. What is the Merrytime Christmas Cruise?
Disney’s Merrytime Christmas Cruise is a special holiday-themed voyage featuring festive décor, holiday entertainment, and seasonal character interactions.
2. Is Castaway Cay worth visiting?
Absolutely! Although we couldn’t experience it due to weather, Castaway Cay offers numerous family-friendly activities and is often a highlight of Disney cruises.
3. How do I sign my kids up for the Oceaneer Club?
Parents can register their children for the Oceaneer Club upon boarding. Each child receives a MagicBand for safety and tracking while enjoying the club.
4. Are the Broadway shows kid-friendly?
Yes, both Aladdin and The Little Mermaid are family-friendly shows designed to entertain guests of all ages.
5. Are all beverages included on a Disney Cruise?
Non-alcoholic beverages like soda, coffee, and hot chocolate are included. Alcoholic beverages and specialty drinks come with an additional charge.
