Our Experience on the new Disney Wish cruise

We just returned home from the newest ship from Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Wish cruise.  It was the boys fall break, so we had a four day weekend.  I learned pretty quickly to start planning those kind of school vacations early.  I always want to make the most of the long weekends we have.  Living 2.5 hours from Port Canaveral, and with the enticement of a new cruise ship, we booked the Disney Wish.  We used Mary Helen of Mouse Counselors – I have never used a travel agent, but it cost us no more $, and I could ask all the questions and get all of the advice I needed before hand.  Last year we went on a disney cruise during fall break with my parents.  And covid restrictions were a lot to navigate, so I knew with all the changes it would be nice to have someone who could give me hard answers.

Our Room

We went with a Deluxe Oceanview stateroom with verandah.  It’s tiny, so it’s best to unpack and organize right away so you can see everything you need.  Honestly we spent such little time in the room that we really didn’t need the balcony.  I think when they were younger and napping, it was nice to have.  We could pop out there when the kids were sleeping for coffee, a glass of wine or just to enjoy the view.  Our room was 8550 for reference.  Close to elevators, but we certainly didn’t hear them at night.

What’s the best age to take a Disney Cruise

I think everyone has different comfort levels with travel with kids.  JB and I have kinda always just taken them with us.  3 months in Mexico, 6 months in Italy… But lots of times JBs parents or my parents came along.  My parents came along with our first two disney cruises.

I do typically say age 3 is the best because then they can go to the kids club.  There is a nursery for those under 3 though.  My son on our first disney cruise was just shy of 3, and he was pretty bored being in the nursery.

JB and I thought this particular cruise, The Wish, was great for our boys ages of 7 and 9.  They love Star Wars and Marvel, and this cruise has a lot of that!

My Top tips for Cruising on the Disney Wish

Honestly there is sooo much to do.  And something for everyone!  So here are my hot takes, having just come off the cruise.

• Put the kids in the kids club during the 1923 Roy/Walt Disney night dinner.  It’s not interactive for kids, and feels a bit more adult.  We would have been better off just letting them play and having an adults only dinner with our friends.  Kids would have been happier too!
• To snag great seats at the shows, grab popcorn and drinks about 20 minutes before the live shows start.  I like to sit on the bottom floor but right in the middle.  We watched all of them, and they were all SO good.  Truly broadway level in my opinion.  We loved The Little Mermaid the most.  My kids absolutely loved it!
• Aqua Mouse is a lot of fun!  If you want to skip the lines, go during dinner times.
• You can check out the kids club when it’s not in session during open house hours.  I loved seeing the spaces there.  The star wars room is unbelievable!
• Hyperspace Lounge is a can’t miss for the Star Wars lovers like us.  I didn’t love our drinks there, but the kids loved their cloud milk.  Which is basically ice cream!  So you may want to skip a drink for yourself, and go for the kids.  To us, they tasted a bit too sweet for cocktails.
• Incredi-Course: Fun for everyone!  Make sure to bring socks.
• On the morning the boys did the kids club, we checked out the infinity pool on the adults only side.  It’s beautiful, and a great spot to grab some coffee and watch the waves.
• Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I don’t love the free coffee on the ship.  I wonder if it’s instant.  They have a couple different specialty coffee places.  We grabbed some at The Cove in the adults only side in the mornings.
• Make sure to take some snacks when you’re checking in.  Our process wasn’t super long, but definitely go at your assigned time or you’ll be waiting even longer.

Packing tips

• For each day I packed a bathing suit, casual outfit, and a dressier look for dinner for each person.
• Tampons.  If you are or might be on your period, they don’t sell these on ship.  TMI, but info you may need!
• I always travel with kids basic meds for just in case.
• A hang up toiletry bag was nice to have as space is tight and it’s great to see it all in one place.
• An underwater case for your cell phone would have been wonderful.  Especially while snorkeling!

What to do on Castaway Cay

• We loved the sting ray adventure last year.  I would highly recommend that for ages 5 and up!  You can snorkel in there after which is also fun.
• This year we did the glass bottom boat.  It was fun and quick and we were able to see some beautiful fish, and feed them too.  Then ended up getting to hold a starfish.
• My boys always love the ropes course in the middle of the water.  We like to start with that. Then move to the water slides in the ocean on the other side.
• There is a kids club on land there, but we have not used it yet.
• They also have an adults only spot.  I’ve heard the food is a little better over there.  But we haven’t done that yet.  I feel like it’s fun to make Castaway Cay a full family day time.  But y’all know I love a kids club!
• There are a ton of other excursions.  Really just depends on what is age appropriate and what sounds fun for your kids.

What we did in Nassau

Both times we have gone on their catamaran cruise.  Some of my favorite memories are snorkeling with my family.  But again there are tons of things to do in Nassau.  But we prefer something where you’re enjoying the beautiful water.

Testing requirements

This seems to be on everyone’s top of mind, and one of the first questions I get.  Vaccination requirements are changing quickly.  So it’s best to go straight to their updated rules.  Last year there were vaccination requirements, but this year it just changed to testing beforehand.  Still, this information could get old as soon as next week.  So always check with the cruise line.  Still, it was nice to be reassured with Mary Helen, that we weren’t missing something testing/vaccination wise.

Our itinerary:

before day one:  We drove over after school to Titusville to go to the Kennedy Space Center before our check in time for the cruise.  We loved it!  Hotel was space themed (Courtyard Marriott of Titusville).  I highly recommend the Kennedy Space Center!

Day one:  Checked in, went to hyperspace lounge, went to the deck party, went to dinner at Frozen (so fun!!), went to the Disney theatre for the show, then let them ride the AquaMouse.

Day two:  Had breakfast in 1923, checked the boys into the kids club, went to the infinity pool and hot tub at the adults only,  picked the boys up from kids club and had lunch.  Checked out the incredi-course. Went on our catamaran cruise!  Went to the Little Mermaid show, went to the hyperspace lounge, went to dinner at 1923.  Lights out!

Day three:  Had breakfast in 1923.  Went on the glass bottom boat tour, had lunch at Cookies, played on castaway cay until 4.  Hopped back on the ship, let the kids do kids club for an hour.  Met our friends at Nightingales for a drink. Picked them up to watch Aladdin.  Had dinner at Marvel.  So fun!

Day four:  Had breakfast at 1923, and disembarked.

You can also check out my highlight on IG here.  Hope that was helpful!!  We packed a lot of fun into just a few days!