Halloween on the High Seas: Disney Wish

Pre-cruise stay

Given our close proximity to Port Canaveral, we decided to make our Disney cruise part of a road trip. We’ve always wanted to visit Amelia Island, so we split our journey and chose to enjoy a brief stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. The highlight of our stay was the exceptional pool and beach service, complemented by delicious poolside food and refreshing cocktails. Although we didn’t use the kids' club during our visit, the pool and beach offered plenty of opportunities for our children to make new friends. We were entertained all day at the beach and pool. There were activities like cornhole, ping pong and a putting green conveniently located near the pool area.

What makes Halloween on the High Seas special?

The fun of the cruise begins the moment you step aboard your Disney ship. On Halloween-themed cruises, the main atrium is beautifully decorated with pumpkins and a pumpkin tree. It is illuminated during a special lighting ceremony on the first evening. Halloween offerings included themed crafts and trivia, specialty drinks, treats and merchandise. There are movies in the theater and the pool is decked out like the Haunted Mansion and Hocus Pocus. There is trick-or-treating, and of course, all your favorite Disney characters dressed in festive Halloween costumes. On our "at sea" evening, guests were encouraged to wear their costumes to dinner, and afterward, we joined the excitement at Mickey’s Mousequerade Party on the pool deck, where Disney characters danced with cruisers under the stars.

What we loved about the Disney Wish?

All the dinners in the main dining room rotation were fantastic. My daughter’s favorite was Arendelle, a Frozen-themed dinner theater designed around an engagement party for Anna and Kristoff. My son loved World of Marvel, an interactive dining experience that featured a visit from Spider-Man. We all enjoyed the food and theme at 1923, especially the peppered filet mignon and churros. One of the dining highlights of the trip was our visit to the adults-only Palo Steakhouse, from cocktails to dessert — it was a delicious evening. The Japanese A5 Wagyu Strip Loin is one of the best steaks I have ever eaten.

My husband's favorite spot on the Disney Wish was the Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge. We enjoyed cocktails and mocktails along with the stunning views as we jumped to hyperspace, traveling to different planets across the galaxy. While the kids' clubs are incredible across the Disney fleet, the Disney Wish takes it to the next level with a slide entry from the main atrium. Both of my kids had a blast at the ride studio, where they could design their own roller coaster and virtually experience the ride. The Hero Zone is another great spot for family fun, offering a variety of games like ping pong, cornhole, foosball, air hockey and shuffleboard. At times, there’s even an Incredibles-themed obstacle course to enjoy!

What makes Disney Cruise Line unique?

The accommodations and cabin service on all Disney ships are exceptional. We stayed in a Deluxe Family Oceanview stateroom with a verandah. Nearly all Disney cruise staterooms feature a unique dual bathroom setup — one with a toilet and vanity, and another with a shower/tub combo and a second vanity. This design allows multiple guests to use the bathrooms simultaneously. Our room included a queen-size bed, a sofa bed and a pull-down bunk bed from the ceiling. There was also a divider curtain separating the queen bed from the bunk beds. The verandah was the perfect spot for relaxation, equipped with two deck chairs and a small table.

Disney cruise fares include many items that are typically extra on other cruise lines. For dining, the standard fare covers all main dining rooms, the buffet, quick-service food options on the pool deck (our family especially enjoyed Donald’s Cantina, which offers tacos, burritos and bowls with a variety of toppings and salsas) and most room service items, available 24/7. Sodas, water, juices, tea and coffee served in the dining rooms, pool deck and buffet areas are also included. I highly recommend splurging on specialty coffees — they’re delicious and reasonably priced, while the regular coffee could use some improvement. Additional charges apply for alcoholic beverages, smoothies, specialty coffees, bottled water, sodas and mocktails in lounges, room service and theater concession stands. There are also charges for food and snacks in lounges, theater concession stands, adult dining venues and the Joyful Sweets dessert shop.

Disney cruise fares also include a wide range of activities, such as the impressive kids' clubs, Broadway-style shows, new releases and Disney classics in the theater and on the pool deck, character meet-and-greets, crafts, games, trivia, karaoke, tours, dance parties and themed pool deck parties. For Caribbean sailings, Pirate Night is a highlight. It features special character experiences, a themed pirate dinner and a pirate party on the pool deck, capped off with a spectacular fireworks display at sea. If your child misses meeting a character they were hoping to see, be sure to attend the farewell party on the last evening of the cruise. It’s a fun and quick way to say goodbye to all the characters while reflecting on a memorable vacation.

There are a few extras on the Disney Cruise Line that may be worth considering for you and your family. During this trip, I took my daughter for a princess makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and it was a joy to watch her choose a costume and fully embrace the makeover experience. Other experiences beyond the standard fare include Bingo, specialty food and beverage seminars, shore excursions and spa and salon services.

Ports of call

Our ports of call include Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s Castaway Cay. In Nassau, we visited Atlantis’ Aquaventure. We had a blast on the water slides and river rapids, savored delicious Bahamian cuisine at Pisces on the beach and enjoyed jumping waves and relaxing by the shore. On Castaway Cay, we spent most of our time unwinding on the beach, while our kids made new friends, built sandcastles and tried out the water slides. When they wanted to explore the island's kids' club, we took the opportunity to relax at Serenity Bay, the adults-only beach. The island also offers a included BBQ-style buffet and unlimited soft-serve ice cream cones, making it easy to indulge while enjoying the stunning surroundings.

Planning a Disney cruise can feel overwhelming. But as an experienced cruiser, I’m here to help you choose the perfect ship and itinerary to suit your travel preferences. I can also assist with arranging onboard activities, shore excursions and pre- and post-cruise travel, ensuring you have the vacation of your dreams.