First sailing on the Wish

[Kwami]

I got it off Wikipedia so it could totally be wrong

Wikipedia has the same numbers as what I posted. Maybe you just read it wrong?

Wikipedia also says that DCL services Africa!

EDIT: Looking closer, 121 ft. is at the waterline and 138 ft. is the maximum width of the ship. Wikipedia doesn't say which measurement the 128 ft. for the Wish is.

 

[princesscinderella]

Wikipedia has the same numbers as what I posted. Maybe you just read it wrong?

Wikipedia also says that DCL services Africa!

EDIT: Looking closer, 121 ft. is at the waterline and 138 ft. is the maximum width of the ship. Wikipedia doesn't say which measurement the 128 ft. for the Wish is.

I think a few of the early cruises on the magic or wonder that went to Europe also had stops in Africa years ago. I could be wrong but just the seating areas in cabanas vs marceline seemed so much wider on the fantasy/dream. We need a picture of both of them in port together from the front to see if one looks wider than the other.

 

[tom1944]

Would anyone like to share their recommendations on the excursions available. We are going on the 4-day cruise. My 6-year-old granddaughter will be with us so are there specific excursions we should make sure we take her on?

Thanks

 

[sponica]

Would anyone like to share their recommendations on the excursions available. We are going on the 4-day cruise. My 6-year-old granddaughter will be with us so are there specific excursions we should make sure we take her on?

Thanks

We stayed on the boat in Nassau this time around, so I have no comment on that stop. My mom and step dad did the stingray adventure C13. https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/castaway-cay-castaway-rays-stingray-adventure/ They highly recommended that one for us in the future.

 

[OKW Lover]

No real reason to get off the ship in Nassau. In castaway cay you might be interested in the stingray encounter. But there is much to be said about just enjoying the beach.

 

[loislane]

This will be our first cruise ever so I wonder what we might not like and what we will love since we have nothing to compare it to

Just go in with an open mind and form your own opinions. I wouldn't worry too much about what others think - everyone is different.

 

[loislane]

Would anyone like to share their recommendations on the excursions available. We are going on the 4-day cruise. My 6-year-old granddaughter will be with us so are there specific excursions we should make sure we take her on?

Thanks

Read through the descriptions of the excursions on the DCL website and see what looks interesting. You can always come back here after highlighting a few and search for reviews of them to get a better idea.
We were just in Nassau Friday. It was the 3rd time for us and we had booked the Nassau Backstage Local Flavors with Beach Break, but it got canceled.

"On this adventure you will…​

• Embark on a culinary adventure, delving into the mouthwatering treasures of the island as you begin with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the renowned Rum Cake Factory, indulging in the traditional rum cakes made from locally sourced ingredients.
• Immerse yourself in the local culture at the bustling Fish market, a seafood lovers paradise where you will be able to savor a fresh taste of Konk, prepared right in front of you.
• Continue your exploration of Nassau and as you delve into the history at Fort Fincastle, capturing stunning photos against the backdrop of this majestic structure.
• Ascend the Queens staircase as you gain insights into the areas rich heritage and uncover the intriguing history behind the water tower.
• Hear about Nassau’s rum legacy and have a sip of Nassau spirits at the iconic John Watlings distillery.
• Conclude the day with relaxation at the beach with just over an hour to bask in the warm sunshine and enjoying the crystal-clear waters before your return transportation back to the pier.

We looked at Google maps and saw the fort and staircase were less than a mile from the pier, so we decided to just go do them on our own. We walked up to the fort, down the the Queen's Staircase, and then made our way to the rum cake factory. Couldn't do the tour, but shopping was the important part there.
I think all totaled we were off the ship for like an hour and a half.

Previously, we've done the Graycliff chocolate one. It's sort of a tour - but very short - and you get to make your own chocolate bar to take with you, which is fun.

If you don't want to do a full excursion, but just want a little taste of Nassau, there are little shops and vendors right at the end of the pier you can explore as well. Really, just depends on what's interesting to you. Some people want the Atlantis waterpark, some want the beach, and some just want to stay on the ship.

 

[auntlynne]

I think a few of the early cruises on the magic or wonder that went to Europe also had stops in Africa years ago. I could be wrong but just the seating areas in cabanas vs marceline seemed so much wider on the fantasy/dream. We need a picture of both of them in port together from the front to see if one looks wider than the other.

Africa, yes. We visited Tunisia from the Magic in 2010.

 

[auntlynne]

Would anyone like to share their recommendations on the excursions available. We are going on the 4-day cruise. My 6-year-old granddaughter will be with us so are there specific excursions we should make sure we take her on?

Thanks

A first cruise, and with a 6 yo. I’d treat it as basically a ship vacation. You have two days to really use the ship. And a day at Castaway for beach time.

This is one of the easiest vacations to do. So different than the massive planning for WDW.

Eat, sleep, watch some stage productions. Play in the pools while watching Disney cartoons and shows on the big FunnelVision (Jumbotron) screen on the pool deck (it’s not blaring loudly). Watch the kid run over to the table and grab some fries. Get some quick service lunch / snacks at Mickey’s BBQ or taco stand.

Have some coffee if you wake early and then watch the sun rise over an island.

Be entertained during dinner. Watch fireworks.

Watch sunsets from outside Promenade.

Smile while the little ones (or whole family) meets various characters for a hug and photo. Repeat for favorites.

Or perhaps she will enjoy sliding down to the kids’ clubs and wave bye bye for her time of fun.

I would suggest at least the adults get off the ship and see the controlled access new port area in Nassau. They have invested in this project and really modernized this to a safe area. It’s not a long walk and is not a big event. But you are there. Why not.

After many visits, I treat Castaway Cay as just a beach. The loungers and umbrellas are set up (no fee). The family beach is calm, with a breakwater wall providing a large swimmable area. Lots of lifeguards. There is a water feature with slide.

Lunch is right off the beach.

There is a kids area if you want to separate and see the adult beach, Serenity Bay. It has a very different look. Honestly, it could really be a great area for kids. It is shallow, very clear and colorless, with essentially no waves. But it’s set apart for 18+. And it is serene. No beach games. No loud music.

If any of you are interested in Stingrays, that activity is long -running. I’m guessing well done.

But you really don’t need to book anything if that’s your family’s speed.

I knew nothing, had no plans when I went on my first DCL cruise, a 3-night. Didn’t feel I had missed anything going in clueless. Seventeen years and 21 cruises later, I still feel that way about short cruises that don’t have significant ports.

Just bring your passport, bathing suit, and sunscreen. Maybe a sand bucket and toy shovel. The sand is lovely.

*I did go to Blue Lagoon (from Nassau) for a dolphin encounter on a later cruise. And would like to go back for their beach day offering. But I am waiting for them to recover from a fatal boat accident before I trust them again.

I also have enjoyed the water park excursion to Atlantis in Nassau. I wouldn’t recommend it for littles, but it was fun for us adults and teens. We call their river offering “the not so lazy river.” It was a bit wild. And the slides are significant. Maybe something you could consider for your future cruises.

 

[Kwami]

Africa, yes. We visited Tunisia from the Magic in 2010.

Yeah, but that was 14 years ago. It's silly to say that Africa is serviced by DCL when they never go there anymore.

 

[auntlynne]

Yeah, but that was 14 years ago. It's silly to say that Africa is serviced by DCL when they never go there anymore.

I know. But you’ve already figured out that Wikipedia doesn’t get everything correct (Or in this case, timely). Relying on unpaid contributors to maintain entries can result in outdated info.

Ideally, one of us would edit that wiki post. Until then, “DCL services Africa.”

 

[Racer X]

The spaces are divided up in odd ways, and it feels like a lot more space is dedicated to high end shopping & the spa

IMO i Did not care for the "fleecing" aspect of all the hi end shops on the main deck 3 - it felt very out of place. Not enough main gift shops of normal DCL products.

 

[Racer X]

Just off the Wish - my personal impressions:

First it is a very beautiful ship and there are no major complaints, and i wouldn't hesitate to sail her again. Here are some of my personal opinions:

PROS:
Lots of attention to detail everywhere you look
Love the Deck 11/pool deck - is very wide open with kids splash zone area moved to rear of ship
More small bar/cocktail areas around the ship
Liked having the adult area in the rear however it felt small
Dining areas are very nice
Initially i didn't prefer the 2 elevator stacks however they do move you efficiently around the ship - however not very well signed. I spent a lot of time pointing fellow passengers to hallways to main areas.
Marceline was very nice and food offerings were plenty
Shows are still top notch - and updated with more features/lighting etc

CONS:
Indoor public areas seem cramped and ill-placed with no real flow.
Very little access to outside deck 5 or outside views - seemed like they designed the inside to make you "forget" you were on a cruise
Bar areas were nice but not a place you would want to "hang" - in other words not inviting but functional - seating was not very comfortable in some of these areas ie small stools and tables
Stateroom baths "feel" smaller - or I am bigger - or both
Still prefer the TV in the sofa area of the stateroom with a swing out option.
Signage could be improved
Only hi-end gift shops on main deck 3 seemed out of place. Lots of wasted prime real estate.

Can answer any questions if you like

 

[Snowwhyt]

I too was on the Wish last week. I felt the space lounge was designed by 3 guys from college that decided to keep the hay day rolling and made stuff in their garage. But I felt like they transformed a white box with a fun door, wide screen TV and did their research on fun looking drinks.
I too felt like they said make the venues smaller but they did improve the seats. Those barrel chairs on the other ships are big and so uncomfortable. Though I feel like a few of the upper seats slanted so you would slide off. I think they need better hardware?

 

[NAB]

Another con for me is that hard as a rock sofa in the staterooms….lol

A pro would be the glass door for the shower that open in or out. No curtains.

I thought that the kids club had a better Star War room than the set up in the bar.

Was on last year and going on again next month.

 

[Racer X]

We had the Family stateroom and it did have a glass door on the shower.. that category was not much more than the regular verandah room.

 

[rinse82]

Would anyone like to share their recommendations on the excursions available. We are going on the 4-day cruise. My 6-year-old granddaughter will be with us so are there specific excursions we should make sure we take her on?

Thanks

We're going to do Baha Bay Water Park at Baha Mar when we go in December.

I have stayed at Baha Mar a couple of times and the Water Park is great - not too busy and everything is compact unlike the sprawl that is Atlantis.

The water play features on Disney ships are quite lacking so for my 10 and 7 year olds, a day at the Water Park at an otherwise blah port sounds good to us.

 

[Cfabar1]

The lack of merchandise shops is befuddling to me. Is anyone really clamoring for jewelry and handbag shops on a cruise ship? I understand that they get to charge high rents for these spaces but especially with the Wish doing only short cruises you would think that regular merch sales would make up for it.

I suspect this was a Chapek move that allows them to generate revenue. Those shop companies are undoubtedly leasing the space from Disney. Other lines have a lot of these. Personally, I think the Magic class handles shopping the best, as if I am going to buy anything on DCL it will be a DCL or Disney item. Even the Fantasy class ships (or whatever they’re called) have too much high-end shopping in my view.

 

[Cfabar1]

Compared to the other ships:
We liked Nightingales and the Rose more than the adult options on the other ships
We missed the Happy Hours that they do on the other ships. Maybe they will bring those to the Wish class ships soon? I’m thinking Treasure will want to do that with 7 night sailings?
I like the adult venues being more spread out - I don’t like the “District” area on the Dream, everything about it feels tired and almost skeevy to me - especially the round oversized single-stall bathrooms.

However, the WISH class outdoor adult pool area is so weak, that is a HUGE minus for that class of ship, and they appear committed to that design for the rest of the Wish class ships… While I don’t think they could have solved the lack of Midship Elevators or Running Deck, I DO think they could have made some improvements to the Adult Area for the Treasure and Destiny based on feedback.

BUT, that said, when I look at the theming of the Wish, I actually think it is the strongest from a Disney Brand perspective compared to the rest of the ideas. DeVils, at least based on the concept art looks like it will go away after the first dry dock for example…

 

[jwalk03]

Compared to the other ships:
We liked Nightingales and the Rose more than the adult options on the other ships
We missed the Happy Hours that they do on the other ships. Maybe they will bring those to the Wish class ships soon? I’m thinking Treasure will want to do that with 7 night sailings?
I like the adult venues being more spread out - I don’t like the “District” area on the Dream, everything about it feels tired and almost skeevy to me - especially the round oversized single-stall bathrooms.

However, the WISH class outdoor adult pool area is so weak, that is a HUGE minus for that class of ship, and they appear committed to that design for the rest of the Wish class ships… While I don’t think they could have solved the lack of Midship Elevators or Running Deck, I DO think they could have made some improvements to the Adult Area for the Treasure and Destiny based on feedback.

BUT, that said, when I look at the theming of the Wish, I actually think it is the strongest from a Disney Brand perspective compared to the rest of the ideas. DeVils, at least based on the concept art looks like it will go away after the first dry dock for example…

What is wrong with De Vils? I think it looks pretty awesome in the concept art at least.