Review of Disney's Newest Cruise Ship: Wish

The best part of a Disney cruise (DCL) experience is that the destination is only part of your trip; the ship is an experience in its own right. You will board the ship in the main atrium, and your family name will be announced to everyone. This is one special touch of many. Depending on your arrival time, you may have a few hours before your room is ready, so this is your chance to explore! I always search for food first. On your first day, there are a few options: the pool deck has uniquely themed food stations, and you can also visit one of the main dining rooms for a seated lunch or the buffet! The food on the ship is a foodie's dream; I still crave the BBQ I had from Mickey's Smokestack! Everything but alcohol, specialty coffees, and a few specialty restaurants are included in the price of a cruise; yes, sodas are included! Disney does rotational dining, so you rotate between the three main restaurants on board and experience different entertainment and a unique menu every night. Do not worry, the staff follows you along, too, so you get to develop a special relationship with them over the length of your cruise. I have fortunately been able to request the same server on every single one of my Disney cruises. She has become a special part of my trips, and I look forward to seeing her and catching up.

You will know your room is ready when you see your key card hanging outside your door, so once you see it, feel free to go in and explore, maybe even take a nap. Your luggage will either be waiting outside your door or arrive shortly. You will have the same room steward for your entire voyage. They will clean your room in the morning and then turn down service while you are at dinner. I looked forward to entering my room every evening with a new towel animal on my bed and a little chocolate! My steward knew I liked ice for water in the evening, so he would fill the bucket for me every night without hesitation. This is a minor touch that makes you feel like a VIP. Standard rooms are spacious, with some fitting five people in them, and have up to two bathrooms. The beds are HEAVENLY; I took off the sheets to find the brand of mattress; that is how amazing they are! I also enjoyed having all Disney movies and shows on demand. It was nice to fall asleep to something familiar and re-watch some classics.

Since I traveled in January, I only hung out by the pool a little; it was just too cold. I went down the Aqua Mouse once, the first-ever Disney attraction at sea. You go through a little immersive show while going through the water slide. It would have been more enjoyable if I was not freezing, but overall very cool! The entertainment on board is absolutely Broadway-caliber. I have been on other cruises, and nothing compares to the quality of nightly shows that DCL puts on. If you are on board, do not miss these nightly shows! They start before or after your dinner, depending on your seating time. I had second seating for dinner, so I saw the show, went to dinner, and then checked out one of the many bars.

The Wish has 13, yes, 13 bars on board, including a secret whiskey bar hidden inside the barber shop. Each bar has a unique theme and menu. My favorite was the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge. It is styled like a luxurious star cruiser, and while you are sipping on your cocktail, you will be transported to iconic Star Wars locations via Hyperspace. I am not a Star Wars person, but this bar is a must-visit! My friends were on a mission to get a drink from every bar and did not succeed. Since we had to visit Hyperspace every night, the drinks were just that good. If you are not a big drinker, the coffee bars are a must-visit also. Something about a latte with a cute little Disney character on top always gets me!

As an adult, I, of course, checked out all the adult-only areas, the adults-only pool, restaurants, bars, spa, and entertainment. DCL goes out of its way to make the adult-only areas as unique as the family areas. DCL knows that people need a break from their kids or are adult-only travelers like I am. It is nice that most adults are with their kids, so these areas tend not to get very crowded.

I have traveled on other cruise lines, and even as an adult, I will choose DCL over them all. I have never had better food or customer service than I had on DCL, and these two things will keep me returning for years to come!

I recommend booking a Disney Cruise Line even as an adult-only group or solo traveler if you are looking for a memorable trip with lots of special touches, amazing food, and lots of onboard activities!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Bahamas. In need of further inspiration? Check out Elizabeth Kaczka‘s guide, A Romantic Relaxing Guide to the Bahamas