Give it to me straight about the Wish

[Flcruising]

Maybe there is other people in the party to consider. Maybe she wants to give DCL another chance. Every cruise is different once you've been on enough your going to occasionally disembark feeling underwhelmed or disappointed. I read her post on asking for clarification on some of the negative reviews she has read about the ship.
She also made a number of positive comments that you left out.
She stated that she didn't want to go on the Fantasy because she wanted something different not because she hated the ship.
There is nothing wrong with cruising on a certain cruise line because it's the best fit for a large group. Nothing wrong with it being the last DCL cruise either. Many people are one and done due to the cost.

You may be right but I responded to what was said. Im sure the op is capable of clarifying without us guessing, if she so desires. I agree it would be more helpful to have more details rather than us talking about unknown details.
But my question remains. Based on what was said why is she considering DCL?
Im truly wondering.

 

[OKW Lover]

Is the Wish that bad?

No, the Wish isn't bad at all. The people who tell you that it is bad are just upset because it's not like the previous two classes of ships. You need to go in without a preconceived notion of what the ship will be.

The concierge product on the wish class ships are in fact a huge upgrade from the Dream class.

 

[Chrispy97]

I guess I’m in the minority because I prefer the scattered bar/lounge setup on the Wish class to having to trek all the way to the back on deck 3-4 on the Dream or Fantasy. Also easier to meet up with my family randomly after a drink or adult trivia or other things.

While some aspects of the layout took getting used to, we still enjoyed the Wish and want to go back on. I’d even say Arendelle was my favorite dining experience of all 6 ships to date. But when we were looking at a NYE cruise and the Fantasy is $3-4k cheaper than the Wish for the same dates and almost identical itinerary there wasn’t any debate.

 

[KashasMom]

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.

Uh, okay. I doubt anyone will be miserable, especially the kids.

 

[KashasMom]

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.

The rest are happy with the ship. It's a family-oriented cruise so we're least concerned with adult areas/pools. At least there are more pools than on the original 4.

 

[Wedgeout]

The rest are happy with the ship. It's a family-oriented cruise so we're least concerned with adult areas/pools. At least there are more pools than on the original 4.

Keep mind open for a Spa Rainforest cruise pass. Even though it looks funky in that bow hole, the jacuzzis are great & really enjoyed snoozing on the hanging beds! We tried it for the week on the Treasure.

 

[reluctantredhead]

Keep mind open for a Spa Rainforest cruise pass. Even though it looks funky in that bow hole, the jacuzzis are great & really enjoyed snoozing on the hanging beds! We tried it for the week on the Treasure.

Completely agree with this! We just got back from a 4 night HOTHS cruise, and this pass was our saving grace. My husband and I didn't care for the noisy dinner shows (as quiet introverts, they were sensory overload for us, and we were used to the quieter, show-less dinners on the older ships), and used the rainforest room to decompress. I don't know if it was just a situation where not many people on our cruise bought the pass, but every time I went in there, there were a only a handful (or less!) of people, the stone loungers were heavenly and 4+ were always available, and I had the hot tub to myself every time I used it. It seemed expensive at the time I booked it, but my husband and I agreed it was worth every penny for the peace, quiet, and serenity, and we'd book it again in a heartbeat.

 

[dreamer17555]

The rest are happy with the ship. It's a family-oriented cruise so we're least concerned with adult areas/pools. At least there are more pools than on the original 4.

The pools (while more of them) are smaller and shallower than the other ships. I would not book the Wish simply for the pools at all. Two of the "pools" by the funnel vision are really wadding pools. The Dream and the Fantasy IMO have the best pool set up (both for adults and kids)

 

[ngl]

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.

We cruised on the Dream four times and the Wish once, all in Concierge. We enjoyed every cruise. We did the Dream more often simply because we live in Florida and were always going over Thanksgiving week (4 night cruises) and until the Wish came out that was the option out of Port Canaveral (easier for us to get to). We may be the minority but we do not like cruises longer than 5 nights! Last year our Spring Break lined up with the Marvel Day at Sea cruise on the Dream out of Ft. Lauderdale and that was our longest at 5 nights.

All this background to say, there were things we love about Dream and Wish. Like anything in life pros and cons for both. But in no way would I say Wish is that bad. The Concierge lounge is much bigger and better offerings. We loved the intimate setting of the Dream Concierge but that right before it went into drydock and they did the full concierge expansion. We have looked into Norwegian and Celebrity as most say those are the most comparable and if you do their concierge-type level you get more than Disney. However, my kids (now 16 & 14) do not want to try anything but Disney! But like you said, the prices for concierge are staggering now. I am not sure when we will go again but if there was a price drop and it was on Wish I would not hesitate to go.

 

[Marthasor]

I have sailed concierge several times on the Dream, Fantasy, Magic and once on the Wish. Yes, the lounge on the Wish is absolutely gorgeous, however, there are so many concierge staterooms on that ship and so many concierge guests, we felt the service was not personalized nor personable at all. I also hated the layout of the ship - it felt very clunky and having to use stairs to access some of the pools seems quite hazardous. Everyone has their own preferences, but I will always enjoy the smaller, classic DCL ships more. A PP mentioned the shows in the dining rooms - I wasn't a fan of those either - very loud, very distracting.

 

[John VN]

I have sailed concierge several times on the Dream, Fantasy, Magic and once on the Wish. Yes, the lounge on the Wish is absolutely gorgeous, however, there are so many concierge staterooms on that ship and so many concierge guests, we felt the service was not personalized nor personable at all. I also hated the layout of the ship - it felt very clunky and having to use stairs to access some of the pools seems quite hazardous. Everyone has their own preferences, but I will always enjoy the smaller, classic DCL ships more. A PP mentioned the shows in the dining rooms - I wasn't a fan of those either - very loud, very distracting.

r.e. bold - and *that's the rub* we have with the DCL Concierge pricing along with the additional insufficient secondary benefits given for cruising in Concierge.

 

[Cfabar1]

We have sailed 3 years in a row in September.... every year when we go to book we think very seriously about Concierge... We end up not doing it because:

1. The deposit is non-refundable, so that is kind of a pain particularly with a September cruise
2. We have felt, due to the limited offerings available for Concierge, we'd rather save that money and add a second cruise whenever possible. The lounge is lovely, but you can get free food anywhere on the ship or use room service. We buy maybe 2 popcorn refills. We often don't leave the boat, so the cabanas don't impact us, and we have young kids so, as much as we know we would love to sit out in the lounge and stare at the ocean all day, there's no way they'd let us.

I would consider, when the kids get older, just doing a 1 BR instead of booking 2 separate rooms, depending on the price difference. But, if at that point in time there was a non-concierge 1 BR option, I'd probably book that. It would be about the space, not about the Concierge experience.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

We have done the Wish twice, both times in concierge, not traveling with our children, who are adult size now. Is it my favorite ship? Not really. For many of the reasons stated above- the layout, lack of walking track, too many dinner shows. The concierge lounge is lovely and have received great service from them. While busier than the smaller lounges, which as of dry dock of the Fantasy, basically non-existent, we have always connected with the hosts. I find it to be a quiet refuge from the chaos-lol. The Wish is a huge ship, on shorter sailings. I find that to be quite busy. Lounge gives me a place to land and spend quiet time. It really is hard to have a bad time, it is a cruise afterall. If the time, price etc. all fit with my travel plans, I would sail on her again, but if another ship fit that criteria, I would chose it over the Wish.

 

[John VN]

We have sailed 3 years in a row in September.... every year when we go to book we think very seriously about Concierge... We end up not doing it because:

1. The deposit is non-refundable, so that is kind of a pain particularly with a September cruise
2. We have felt, due to the limited offerings available for Concierge, we'd rather save that money and add a second cruise whenever possible. The lounge is lovely, but you can get free food anywhere on the ship or use room service. We buy maybe 2 popcorn refills. We often don't leave the boat, so the cabanas don't impact us, and we have young kids so, as much as we know we would love to sit out in the lounge and stare at the ocean all day, there's no way they'd let us.

I would consider, when the kids get older, just doing a 1 BR instead of booking 2 separate rooms, depending on the price difference. But, if at that point in time there was a non-concierge 1 BR option, I'd probably book that. It would be about the space, not about the Concierge experience.

r.e. bold - So true but our line of choice is only $98.00 pp deposit and with a Private restaurant, 2 full service bars with Lounge bar open from 6:30am to 1:00am, all drinks no charge throughout ship and Private Island, POT anytime one wants, fewer $$$$ for much more - blah - blah - blah

 

[jimmymc]

I'm curious where you're seeing the recent terrible reviews? There were some service issues when the ship launched, and people who enjoy the bars and adult areas have some real complaints with the layout. But the food and shows get great reviews, and the staff hosts similar activities to the other DCL ships.

 

[Disneyworldlocal]

I can’t speak to concierge on any of the ships. We did the Fantasy 7 nights August of 24 and the Wish Labor Day 25. This was my second time on the Wish (22 first time). We love the Wish. Heck we love all the ships. The big drawbacks for me on the Wish is the adults pool area. Total afterthought in design. We went to the Chip and Dales (supposed to be sensory pool area ) instead as the adult area was packed. The chip and dale pool is fine if they would police it in a manner as to make it a “quiet sensory pool area”. It’s was fine the first few hours. But then it turned into a kids pool area with kids running and screaming like the kids area. Parents shouting at their kids etc.
other than that. We had no problem finding our way around the ship. Food was great. Service was outstanding. Little Mermaid was ok. The other two were awesome. We don’t really mind the spread out adult areas. Hyperspace lounge is cool but way under themed for what it could be. It’s too small as well.
All in all we loved the Wish and would for sure go again and again. Every ship has pros and cons. We went on the Magic in May for the first time and loved everything about it EXCEPT the service. Food was great. Service terrible.