The WISH - The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (Review)

[Geomom]

CC looks like a snooze fest, haven't experienced it myself yet but on Wish next week and considering it as a sea day

No drink packages doesnt help either - Would be fine to perch up at the bar with a few dozen Pina Colada's for $50 a day like other cruise ships offer, take that, add some good music and some dancing girls with bikinis on is a great day!

3rd DCL cruise in June, on the Fantasy, 1st time to Castaway Cay. We're not big beach people, but had a great time. (It was a gorgeous sunny day, best they'd had in weeks.) DH and DD18 did the Stingray adventure, not really worth the money, but DD LOVES rays, so it was perfect for her. We booked 2 of the getaway packages ahead of time that included snorkeling equipment, bike rental, and float rental. DD22 and I went snorkeling while the others were at the ray adventure. DD22s first time snorkeling...and it had been 23 years since I last went! There is a snorkeling trail with hidden Disney themed treasures--all the white and orange buoys. We made it out to the first 2 and then called it quits--they are a ways out especially for beginners. I'd love to do the full trail someday since it was fun. As we're all adults, we took the tram to the adult beach (Serenity Bay) to eat the included buffet, lots of grilled food! (There are 2 buffet locations on the family beach as well.) Then our adult kids went back to the ship, and DH and I did the bike rental part. Last time I rode a bike, I was in my teens, so it was scary, lol, but fun doing the bike path and walking up the observation tower. Great thing is we could return the bikes to the family beach, making a 1 way trip. Never used the float rental part, but we got our money's worth, as the package costs the same as doing the snorkeling and the bike or float rental if we did all 3, it would have been like getting the 3rd item free.

I would definitely get off the ship to at least check it out, but make it a half day. Most of the crew gets off on the island to help with the food and activities, so there won't be many organized activities on the ship during Castaway day.

Also wanted to add that while there is no drink package, there is a drink of the day on the ship that costs $5.50 + the 18% gratuity.

 

[Mickey'sTown]

This may be true at the initial booking window, but I have seen several people post that they were able to secure a reservation once on board. What I don't know, and hopefully someone does, is if the waitlist is prioritized by concierge or Castaway Club status.

The first thing we did when we got on was to try booking Palo. We are Platinum also. We were 2nd on the waitlist. Did not get to go

 

[DMMarla07860]

We were so disappointed with the Wish that we switched our Feb B2B on the Wish to a 7 night Fantasy cruise. The issues we have with it are not fixable. (Cove non-pool pool; lack of shade; broken up spaces, etc)

Booked on Dream in Fall 2023, so I’ll live if I don’t enjoy it. Everyone I know say there are hits and misses but so far from then not bad reviews and they say need to try for yourself

 

[dcassetta]

The first thing we did when we got on was to try booking Palo. We are Platinum also. We were 2nd on the waitlist. Did not get to go

How many people were in your party?

 

[Mommb]

Die hard Disney fans who are also already cruisers are definitely complaining. But I think the fans they hope to entice are those who are not already cruisers. I would guess that new cruisers and adults who love going to the parks are more likely to be tempted to try a cruise if it’s short, has tons of the IP they already love, has lots of differently themed areas, etc.

To me, the Wish seems like it was designed to entice new customers and a different type of cruiser.

Based on the reviews I've read, this is exactly it. People who have cruised on and enjoyed the other DCL ships do not like many of the changes that were made on the Wish. People who have not cruised before, or not cruised with Disney before, seem to like the Wish much better because they are not comparing it to the other Disney ships.

Disney veterans may cruise the Wish once (or even just read about it) and continue sailing the other ships. Disney novices may cruise the Wish and decide to try a longer cruise on another ship. Either way, Disney gets customers. There will always be families planning their first Disney cruise, and the Wish appears to be designed for those families. That's not to say it won't work for other guests, but that wasn't the goal. When/if Lighthouse Point opens, DCL may be able to add shorter cruises on the older ships, for those who want 3 or 4 nights but not on the Wish.

I agree there are aspects of the Wish that don't make sense even for young families, such as the lack of drawer space and odd TV placement in the staterooms. I'm hoping those get updated in the next ships (and possibly in drydock on the Wish).

 

[Cheburashka]

People who have not cruised before, or not cruised with Disney before, seem to like the Wish much better because they are not comparing it to the other Disney ships.

Those who haven't cruised DCL can't like the Wish better than the Fab Four if they've never sailed on the Fab Four. I just don't see any evidence that new cruisers naturally would prefer it to the ships that have already been popular and beloved my old and new cruisers alike for years, including to this very day.

When/if Lighthouse Point opens, DCL may be able to add shorter cruises on the older ships, for those who want 3 or 4 nights but not on the Wish.

I hope so, but I'm worried that eventually all of the new ships will be stationed out of Florida and the Fab Four will be sent away. Hope that never happens but it's possible. That might be their grand plan to keep as much money flowing in as possible. Expensive new ships for the cruises to Castaway that can be paired with WDW, to keep that market expensive, and Fab Four to more expensive locations like Alaska, Europe and Asia/Australia.

Ensures all Disney cruisers pay through the nose, and ends the classic ship to Castaway experience we've grown to love. Typical Disney greed and I would not put it past them. They've already done that kind of thing to Disney World.

 

[Karin1984]

CC looks like a snooze fest, haven't experienced it myself yet but on Wish next week and considering it as a sea day

No drink packages doesnt help either - Would be fine to perch up at the bar with a few dozen Pina Colada's for $50 a day like other cruise ships offer, take that, add some good music and some dancing girls with bikinis on is a great day!

May I ask, why are you going to cruise with Disney again? You make it sound, also in other posts, that you do not like cruising with Disney because of Castaway Cay, that it doesn't focus on alcohol, not has a casino, or no half naked women dancing around to entertain you.

If you want a cruise that focuses on adult entertainment, is DCL then the right cruiseline for you? Why fly around the world to do something you seem to despise?

 

[closetmickey]

I just wanted to thank everyone for posting their reviews on the Wish. Whenever we finally go on the Wish, it won't be a surprise that things we loved on the other ships are missing (Cove snacks,full promenade,etc) and maybe we'll be able to judge the ship more objectively vs focusing on the 'negatives'.

So there are no longer snacks in Cove Cafe in the Wish?

 

[Cliffside]

So there are no longer snacks in Cove Cafe in the Wish?

No there are no snacks in the Cove Cafe on the Wish…there also no free snacks at Keg and Compass or the Bayou like you might of found on the classic ships.

 

[Snowwhyt]

No there are no snacks in the Cove Cafe on the Wish…there also no free snacks at Keg and Compass or the Bayou like you might of found on the classic ships.

I always felt it was good Business having food around, especially when someone notices they’re getting a little extra tipsy. Sort of slowing the the chances of drunk jerk showing up.