Favorite to Least Favorite Ship for a 1st Timer

[MouseTriper]

Hello. I have never been on a cruise. Can you tell me your favorite ships and least favorites and why? Again, I know NOTHING about cruising. Thank you!

 

[OKW Lover]

Before I do that, can you tell me which of your children you love the best?

Seriously, there are so many different answers to this question that you really can't just pick one. Perhaps you should look at the length of cruise and where it visits. Combine that with the cost, if that's a consideration, when you make your decision.

My only suggestion is to make that first cruise at least 4-nights. The shorter 3-night cruises are a bit aggravating since it doesn't really give you enough time to get to know the ship and get into the cruise routine.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello. I have never been on a cruise. Can you tell me your favorite ships and least favorites and why? Again, I know NOTHING about cruising. Thank you!

Unfortunately, that information isn't really going to help you.

Since everyone has their idea of what makes a ship/cruise line the best, it's not going to tell you what will work for you.

Some people prefer smaller (less passengers) and a more laid back entertainment schedule. Others want the biggest ship with the most people and lots of entertainment options.

Different ships also visit different ports, sometimes a smaller ship and a larger ship may visit the very same port, but the passengers experience there will be different.

 

[Disneyworldlocal]

The Disney Wish gets a lot of hate in general.
We love it. We’ve been on it twice.
We have also done the Fantasy, Magic and Dream. Going back on the Fantasy in May.
I personally love just being on a Disney ship.
Ranking them for me
#1 Magic. It’s old in age but it seems pristine last May when we went on it. Love love love the Broadway style shows on this one. Dining locations are also why it’s my favorite. Plus the fact that it never felt crowded ever. Pirate night deck party boogies

#2 Wish. Love the newness of it. Layout gets a bad rap. We never had any issues with navigating through it. Love the dining locations. Shows are ok. Pirate night rocks ( literally ). Layout does lead to some crowding and the pool situation is horrible

#3 Fantasy - generally considered the favorite by most until the Treasure came out.
Love the layout and classic design. Shows are good. Dining really lacks for me. Animators pallet is good on a long sailing with Animation Magic. Turtle talk with Crush is meh. Dining venues are meh. We like show themed dining. Pirate night deck party is a total snooze fest. If there wasn’t fireworks at the end I don’t think many would attend. Adult district is awesome. Rainforest room on Fantasy and Dream is the best.

#4. Dream. Honestly it was our first cruise ever in 2017 and I don’t remember much about it.

The reality of all this is everyone has their own opinion and others most likely think differently than mine. I’m of the belief that any cruise on DCL is fabulous even the Meh parts are just my opinion of how DCL could do something better to suit what I like best.
No matter what ship you end up on you are going to have a blast.

 

[Travel60]

First love is always the one you love best.

We sailed on the Magic 4th sailing and it is still my favorite. I love the classic styling, the size, the decor and the layout. The Wonder, her sister ship) is a close second.

I tolerate the larger ships if they have an itinerary I like. Actually haven't sailed them all because I won't do anything less than 5 and that has to be a GREAT itinerary. Prefer 7-14 day.

 

[AquaDame]

As others have said your list will be different - everyone plays favorites for their own reasons. I haven’t sailed the destiny yet and am not in a hurry to as I personally don’t resonate with Marvel. I probably will at some point as I would like to see some of the other areas and the Hercules show!

#1 Wonder post cove cafe extension but before they took it over for concierge. If I can’t be specific swap her with Fantasy.
#2 Fantasy
#3 Dream
#4 Treasure
#5 Magic
#6 Wish

 

[tidefan]

I like all of the original 4, a bit less on the Wish, but still fun.

1) Magic
2) Fantasy
3) Wonder
4) Dream
5) Wish

Haven't sailed Treasure or Destiny yet.

 

[holula]

There is no right or wrong best ship. I would personally pick an itinerary you’re interested in and then go on whatever ship sails that itinerary.

Mine from favourite to least favorite is:
Wonder
Magic
Fantasy
Dream
Destiny
Wish

The Wish class for me do have some layout issues that become more apparent in poor weather, and I find the Destiny hard to rank because it offers specific experiences with villains that other ships do not (but I did prefer it to the Wish even not including those things). However a Disney ship for me is better than another ship and way better than being at work.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Hello. I have never been on a cruise. Can you tell me your favorite ships and least favorites and why? Again, I know NOTHING about cruising. Thank you!

Wrong mindset to have about your first cruise.

Your first cruise, no matter the ship, no matter the ports will have special meaning to you. You are experiencing everything for the first time, so like any new experience there will be things you will enjoy, things you dont, things you wish you did differently.

We do not know your party make up, what the personalities, views and opinions, the likes and dislikes, the must haves and so much more about you and the people your will cruise with.

Choose a cruise in this way

1. Your budget
2. The dates you are available
3. The destinations you would like to see

All Disney ships have

• Rotational Dining
• Character meets
• Pools
• Onboard activities like deck party, trivia, arts and crafts
• Theatre Shows
• Cinema
• Kids Clubs
• Adult only areas
• Adult only activities

 

[sponica]

I've been on the Dream (2014), the Wish (2024) and the Treasure (2025).

I've enjoyed them all for different reasons. For us the knock against the Wish is that it only does 3/4 night itineraries. We're on the Dream in 2027 because it had an interesting (for DCL) itinerary.