Fantasy again or try the Wish/ Destiny/ Dream?

[justme0729]

We just got off a 6 night cruise on the Fantasy. We loved it but would like to try a new ship to get different shows and restaurants. We live 1 hr 45 min from Port Canaveral and 4 hours from Ft. Lauderdale. Is an extra night for the same price worth doing the same shows and restaurants again? Will the Fantasy be getting new shows/ restaurants during its upcoming dry dock?

A: 5 night Fantasy with Lookout/ Castaway $4590
B: 4 night Wish with Lookout/ Castaway $4599
C: 4 night Dream Merrytime with Lookout/ Castaway $3687
D. 4 night Destiny with Lookout/ Castaway $4239

 

[auntlynne]

Well, your premise is a clue to how I’d answer: “We loved it but would like to try a new ship to get different shows and restaurants.”

The Dream is her sister, so I’d look at something truly new.

I like the idea of less expensive, but from those choices, my first reaction would be go with the brand new: Destiny.

I’m guessing these are all about the same time of year. If I had a choice between early December in the Wish and February on the Destiny, I would pick Destiny for the warmer weather / water.

I don’t ever foresee changes in the shows - if it happens, I am amazed. But, yes, it does happen.

Is it restaurant theming or menu that you are hoping for difference? Dream & Fantasy should have the same menus. Wish is different from those. It’s possible that all Wish class ships (+ Treasure and Destiny) will have a common restaurant and menu in 1923. But if the other two venues are different themes, they may get different menus, too.

Look at the show offerings to see if they could appeal to you.

And rank your priorities.
Budget
Dates
Homeport (will you have to drive down to Ft L the day before = more travel $)
Repeated shows v new
Repeated menus v new
Same/ similar ship v different
Did you think one night would have made a significant difference in your last cruise? Enough to say “always a linger cruise”?

 

[auntlynne]

Shows on Destiny:




Dining on Destiny





And also on Wish, a no-show dinner:

 

[auntlynne]

Disney Wish
Dining




Shows

 

[auntlynne]

Disney Dream

Dining







Shows

 

[auntlynne]

Would you like the newer look to the staterooms?

Dream/Fantasy


Wish/Destiny



We have an oceanview booked on the Destiny - with a very large porthole. Category 8B.

 

[auntlynne]

There are a variety of things that appeal to some and not others.

Lounge theming

Movie theaters - I love the big Buena Vista Theater and have watched many movies there. Wish introduced two tiny viewing rooms. I don’t anticipate using them.

Pools - the multiple small pools on Wish+ with steps, not just ladders look like a better option than one human soup watering hole. But their adult area gets a lot of down votes for multiple reasons. People seem to enjoy the adult exclusive outdoor area of Dream+ in with Satellite Falls.

Here’s my routine. Consider what you would want to do on your single or two sea day(s) and nights.

I spend a cruise eating breakfast and lunch in the buffet. On Wish+, I would venture out to the pool deck for BBQ or Mexican QS. I have a complimentary dinner on Pirate night (that’s my choice) in adults-only Palo (thanks to spending lots of time on DCL). I like to watch a movie in the theater (late night) or on the pool deck (FunnelVision).

I go to the shows, walk around, get off in ports (if one of your options - both islands). I don’t rush out in the morning, but will hang there until closer to leaving time, when the crowds are essentially gone. I don’t do excursions at the beaches anymore, just enjoy the water. I have been known to just go at lunch time, as 90 minutes of sun is as much as I am allowed. I eat lunch at the adults-only Serenity Bay BBQ - unless I am pushing the end of lunch window on Castaway.

I play trivia several times a day - Fantasy has a good venue for that; my family said it wasn’t large enough on Wish.

Then I watch character meet and greets. Seeing happy children and knowing how nice the characters are is enough for me. I don’t take up time and space when so many really want the interaction. I don’t know of any ship where there really is a difference in line wait time. And I enjoy seeing them “in the wild,” in the halls.

I like to go on Deck 4 Promenade for sunsets. If it’s Dream+, I will often walk the loop of the ship’s length. That’s not an option (without stairs) on Wish+. I don’t need something to discourage me from walking.

Actually, most of the above, the general idea, is the same for me no matter the cruise line. I just end up seeing different places in the world.

Have fun thinking and deciding.

 

[holula]

Normally I’m all more nights=better however that wouldn’t work for your dilemma.

All of the other ships share one show with the Fantasy (Wish has Aladdin, Dream has Believe, Destiny has Frozen). The Wish for me felt a bit flat for The Little Mermaid (although I did enjoy the Wish a lot.)

So I’d pick the Dream or Destiny. The Dream is just the Fantasy with different make up, and it doesn’t sound like they’ve added a dinner show in the refurb.

Which then leaves the Destiny. So that would be my choice based on your criteria.

 

[Lillebelle]

Since you opened with wanting to experience different shows/restaurants, then it feels like that's really what you should prioritize. An extra night isn't worth feeling like you are missing out because it's all repeat (and to that end I wouldn't do the Dream either since the restaurants are more or less exactly the same). So I'd say do Wish or Destiny and base it on what appeals to you in their differences -- princess theme vs superheroes, Little Mermaid vs Hercules, Frozen restaurant vs Lion King, and any of the bars/lounges if you care about those (like Destiny will have the Haunted Mansion parlor).

 

[Cfabar1]

Given your drive time, I would pick the Wish...

It would not be worth it to me to drive 4 hours for the Dream or the Destiny. Especially for such a relatively short cruise.

We live 2 hours away from Fort Lauderdale, especially with kids, if that is part of your situation, I think sticking with PC is a no brainer.

 

[greensombrero]

If you love the broadway shows I think the Dream is worth experiencing because Beauty and the Beast is such a good show. You’d also get The Golden Mickeys which isn’t my favorite but is still a different show. The ship itself though is not that different from the Fantasy and no new dining experiences.

The newer ships Wish/Destiny will be a more different experience but if you’ve only done the Fantasy once you may not need something that different.

Personally we prioritize itinerary and cost above other things now. We’ve done all 4 of the original ships and loved seeing the different shows. We’ve repeated ships and been fine with it too.

 

[auntlynne]

Beauty & The Beast is very well done. I love Golden Mickeys - but they were there on my first cruises. So possible positive connection.

If you opt for the Dream, you won’t be spending as much time getting to know the ship - and more time being in the moment.

I can argue for pretty much any! I hope we are giving you info to help make the decision for your cruise.

 

[sponica]

I didn't know the Wish had any itineraries with LC and CC. If that's the case, I would do the Wish because it's out of PC and closer.

 

[auntlynne]

I didn't know the Wish had any itineraries with LC and CC. If that's the case, I would do the Wish because it's out of PC and closer.

Starts this November - Jan 2025, then again Jan 26 > for 11 cruises.

 

[sponica]

Starts this November - Jan 2025, then again Jan 26 > for 11 cruises.

Ah times of year when I'm not looking to cruise.