Give it to me straight about the Wish

[KashasMom]

Our last Disney cruise was a Halloween cruise 3 years ago on the Magic. It was our 9th Disney cruise. We had such a mediocre/underwhelming experience that I swore off Disney cruises. It was after Covid and it seemed the crew was "off", food was no good, etc. It was no where like our previous Disney cruises. We were in concierge and that was the only good part.

So now, we're looking to book an extended-family cruise in concierge. Eye-watering prices for next summer leave us with 2 options - 4 nights on the Wish (we've never cruised) and 5 nights on the Fantasy (have cruised before). The reviews for the Wish seem pretty terrible, even for recent cruises. Fantasy's are just a bit better but we would love new shows and dining experiences and from what I've read the concierge area is supposed to be better on the Wish than the others we've done.

Is the Wish that bad? I know some things, such as food, are subjective but I read that there are less activities for kids/families than earlier and there were a lot of complaints about the lines (ugh) and even the ship's layout/design. Kids won't be going in the kids' clubs, which is a big part of a Disney cruise's "value". Please give it to me straight, without the usual "fairy dust" people post here. Would love to hear from recent summer cruisers, since crowds will be similar. Would you recommend the Wish? Thanks!

 

[OaklynnsMom]

I can't compare to other disney boats but we have cruised on the Wish 3 times and I Love it. Ill be doing fantasy for Christmas but loved the wish and made my 1 and done become a regular thing lol. Food was great and staff was all very polite as well. The food on the pool deck is good too. Those cantina bowls live rent free in my head haha

 

[asgur5]

Wish is better than older ships for dining, kids activities, enhanced experiences, aesthetics, dinner shows, theming.

Worse for adult pool area, no running track.

 

[Wedgeout]

The Wish is not bad. The layout choice of mixing in adult bars and lounges at each turn doesn’t impress. Prefer the theme choices they picked for the Treasure better.

Still same Disney Ship dining food as on the others. Dining room entertainment has improved.

Don’t like you can’t do a full outside loop on the promenade. That rear aft area makes you cut across through the rear side doors. However this ship class makes up for it with front access to that forward bow area. That beats out the other ships. Great viewing there.

Only forward & rear elevators was another design fault but manageable. The Wish is worth a try. Choosing which ship for me still comes down to the number of nights preferred, if it’s a ship I haven’t experienced, and the itinerary.

 

[John VN]

Our last Disney cruise was a Halloween cruise 3 years ago on the Magic. It was our 9th Disney cruise. We had such a mediocre/underwhelming experience that I swore off Disney cruises. It was after Covid and it seemed the crew was "off", food was no good, etc. It was no where like our previous Disney cruises. We were in concierge and that was the only good part.

So now, we're looking to book an extended-family cruise in concierge. Eye-watering prices for next summer leave us with 2 options - 4 nights on the Wish (we've never cruised) and 5 nights on the Fantasy (have cruised before). The reviews for the Wish seem pretty terrible, even for recent cruises. Fantasy's are just a bit better but we would love new shows and dining experiences and from what I've read the concierge area is supposed to be better on the Wish than the others we've done.

Is the Wish that bad? I know some things, such as food, are subjective but I read that there are less activities for kids/families than earlier and there were a lot of complaints about the lines (ugh) and even the ship's layout/design. Kids won't be going in the kids' clubs, which is a big part of a Disney cruise's "value". Please give it to me straight, without the usual "fairy dust" people post here. Would love to hear from recent summer cruisers, since crowds will be similar. Would you recommend the Wish? Thanks!

r.e. 1st bold -- DW and I had a wonderful Dream Concierge 1 Bedroom in 2015 and chose to repeat in 2017 having cruised other lines in between. Expectations were high but our disappointments immediately began when we were 1st to get on the ship with NO WELCOME ABOARD or excitement shown in the Concierge Lounge. Many other issues so we gave up on DCL and continued cruising elsewhere much cheaper.

r.e. 2nd bold -- In spite of the many negative WISH reviews, we would give WISH a try instead of Fantasy -- 1st because of the expanded Concierge and simply the curiosity regarding another ship experience. I also prefer the ability to WALK the deck UNINTERRUPTED but am now OK with the lack of it due to expanding our cruise line choices where other ships do not have the uninterrupted flow.

p.s. For us because FOOD is FOOD, Entertainment is not a priority nor is the DISNEY EXPERIENCE AND the VALUE received for $$$$$ spent no longer exists with DCL - ESPECIALLY in Concierge!!! - we no longer cruise DCL. We now cruise a line that offers much more at a far lesser price than DCL and enjoy more cruising time for our $$$$$ even cruising Concierge that DCL does not give.

ENJOY either ship simply because you will be cruising.

 

[KashasMom]

r.e. 1st bold -- DW and I had a wonderful Dream Concierge 1 Bedroom in 2015 and chose to repeat in 2017 having cruised other lines in between. Expectations were high but our disappointments immediately began when we were 1st to get on the ship with NO WELCOME ABOARD or excitement shown in the Concierge Lounge. Many other issues so we gave up on DCL and continued cruising elsewhere much cheaper.

r.e. 2nd bold -- In spite of the many negative WISH reviews, we would give WISH a try instead of Fantasy -- 1st because of the expanded Concierge and simply the curiosity regarding another ship experience. I also prefer the ability to WALK the deck UNINTERRUPTED but am now OK with the lack of it due to expanding our cruise line choices where other ships do not have the uninterrupted flow.

p.s. For us because FOOD is FOOD, Entertainment is not a priority nor is the DISNEY EXPERIENCE AND the VALUE received for $$$$$ spent no longer exists with DCL - ESPECIALLY in Concierge!!! - we no longer cruise DCL. We now cruise a line that offers much more at a far lesser price than DCL and enjoy more cruising time for our $$$$$ even cruising Concierge that DCL does not give.

ENJOY either ship simply because you will be cruising.

1 - We've always had a good experience in Concierge so no issues there. Last cruise kids missed the private character meeting, which I was wondering if they didn't do because of COVID?

2 - I really don't want to go on the Fantasy again, even if it's a day longer. No issues with it but want different, although the ports are disappointing on the WISH cruise.

For us food is important (we have a few with special restrictions/requirements and Disney has always handled that well). Entertainment and shows ARE important to our family, as is the Disney Experience with our younger kids. The flip side is that casinos/bars are not so we're good there. My own preference is RC Oasis class but those suites are as expensive/more than Disney. I agree that the value is no longer there and this will definitely be our last Disney cruise. And yes, we will ENJOY just because we're all together, which is rare.

 

[jrez]

I’m the contrarian who prefers the adult pool on the Wish/Treasure more. Way better view and no reason for kids/families to be walking through!

 

[CamColt]

Speaking from an adult's perspective (my kids are adults now but we have sailed DCL all throughout their lives) my biggest complaint on the Wish is the adult areas are inferior to the other ships. I'm at a point where that is what we cruise DCL for as we have always enjoyed that part of it on other ships. Not having those plus having "Disney in your face", as they say, made me not love the Wish. I think with kids, I would enjoy it more.

With that said, we thought the food was great, and might give a slight edge to the Wish (and definitely the Treasure) on that.

So, overall not a bad experience (I don't think any cruise can be) but it wouldn't be my first choice ship.

 

[BillO]

You should choose another cruise line -- the glass slipper just doesn't fit. You'll be second-guessing the decision throughout the cruise. You'll be miserable along with everyone in your cruise party.

 

[AquaDame]

As you're going with extended family and are conflicted I would recommend asking what their thoughts are. Have them look at the Wish and perhaps some other lines too. (I know, I know...) when we sailed with extended family we went with RCCL as they are not Disney people and as you said the price is such a jump. We included them on the decision and are glad we did rather than risk them paying much more and feeling bad about it.

Personally I did not enjoy the Wish but I'd sail on the Treasure again. I'm in the group who thought her themeing wasn't on par with the other ships. They'd do well to add something like Sage and Coriander / Zayah and Gamble. As Camcolt said I didn't find the adult areas to be as enjoyable and well thought out as on the other ships. Even Cove Cafe hits different though its very pretty inside. The adult pool in the back is a joke... again, pretty, but we usually just make the long trek through it to get a coffee and leave as there is no seating. When we swim its mostly in the Chip & Dale pool unless its closed as it felt like it often was. We only got in the one in the back once and only because we'd already gotten our suits on and gotten wet on the AquaMouse. You'll usually find us in Satellite Falls on the Dream class or the adult pool on the Magic class.

 

[dreamer17555]

Why are you considering DCL over another line? Especially since the kids dont do the kids club? What is the draw? I understand extended family trip but idea of paying for a vacation that you seem already upset about or having someone on an extended trip who is upset about the cost does not appeal.