For Disney Cruise Line (DCL) fanatics like me, the reveal of their newest ship, feels like Christmas. Pushed back a year due to Covid, the Disney Wish will be setting sail starting in June of 2022 and just recently, Disney has shared renderings of what we can expect.
DCL currently has four ships in its fleet. The first ship, the Magic, was built in 1998. Next came the Wonder in 1999. Both are part of their Magic Class. The third and fourth ships, the Dream and the Fantasy, were built in 2011 and 2012 respectively. These two ships are larger than the first two and make up the Dream Class.
Between 2022 and 2025 DCL will release three new ships as part of their Triton Class. They will be the largest ships in Disney’s fleet. The first ship released in the Triton Class is the Disney Wish.
Inspired by Cinderella and the theme of “enchantment” that guided the design of the ship, guests will enter the ship in the grand atrium. From a three-story staircase, the Cinderella statue, and the chandelier with a ‘wishing star’ guests will start their trip in style. This is part of what I love so much about Disney cruise ships – the decor. Everything is just stunning. It isn’t over-the-top cartoony like some might expect from Disney. It isn’t bright and garish like many expect from cruise ships. Every touch is elegant and classy and harkens back to classic ocean liners.
Staterooms will vary from smaller inside cabins to large 2-story suites. Most rooms will be rooms with verandahs that typically hold up to 4 guests. The design looks more like an upscale hotel than a cruise ship. For parents, the cabins are set up perfectly. A large bed for the adults can be separated by a large curtain, leaving an area for the kids.
The sofa turns into a single bed while a drop down bunk is just above it. Plus they have a split bathroom feature with a toilet and sink in one bathroom and the shower and another sink right next to it. Compared to other cruise lines, DCL has the best configurations for families.
Some of our favorite things on the Disney ships are the dining rooms. There are three main dining rooms and you rotate between the three each night. The best part is that your servers travel with you so you have the same staff the entire trip. You get to know each other and they develop bonds with the kids. Since they are from all over the world, you hear stories about where they are from, which the kids always enjoy. Each dining room has a theme with unique menus that change nightly and often entertainment to match the theme.
The Arendelle dining room will be similar to a theater in the round, with entertainment at the center of the room. In Worlds of Marvel, guests will have a more interactive experience that has yet to be revealed. 1923 will pay homage to Disney’s beginnings in an elegant room with touches of classic animation. There will be plenty of other options such as adults-only dining, casual dining, and more, to be revealed in the coming months.
For most families, the kids’ clubs are a highlight. They are a place where parents can safely drop off their kids and enjoy some kid-free time in the many adults-only areas. The themed rooms, let kids of various ages interact and play with their favorite characters. For kids ages 3-12, they can visit the Ocenear’s Lab which will include the Marvel Superhero Academy, Fairylate Hall, and the Walt Disney Imagineering Lab. For babies and toddlers, parents can feel at ease dropping their wee ones off in the It’s a Small World Nursery. If you are like me and also have a teen, there will also be the tween and teen lounges, Edge and Vibe on board. Kids 11-14 can hang out in an NYC loft-inspired club while kids ages 14-17 can watch movies and play games in a Parisian artist-style loft.I can’t tell you how many times our kids begged to go to the clubs in order to hang out with friends they’ve made on the ship. From movies, games, crafts and more, it is one of the best places on the ship for your children.
Aqua Mouse ©Disney 
Disney Wish pool area ©Disney
Another feature families love are the recreation areas. On the Disney Wish, there will be plenty to explore. Starting with the very first Disney attraction at sea, the Aqua Mouse will be blend of a water slide and immersive roller coaster. With video, lights, and sound, guests will zoom though 760 feet of winding tubes high above the upper decks. There will also be a pool area with six pools where families can swim or just relax. As for the little ones, there will be a Toy Story Splash Zone with toddler-sized slides, jets, geysers and bubblers. For the grown-ups a visit to the adults-only Quiet Cove which will offer breathtaking views of the ocean from a luxurious infinity pool along with a whirlpool spa, and area to lounge, and the Cove Bar.
There is so much to share for this newest Disney ship, and so much that still has yet to be revealed. For those wanting to see even more, check out this video with even more exciting revelations.
The Disney Wish will set sail in June 2022 with 3 and 4 night cruises to the Bahamas and their private island Castaway Cay. For those interested in booking a trip, booking opens in just a few days for Castaway Cay and DVC members. Booking for the general public opens on May 27. Please let me know if you are interested in sailing on this newest ship, and making all your ‘wishes’ come true.