Give it to me straight about the Wish

[John VN]

To echo your thoughts. We are looking at MSC Yacht Club as an option. We have a couple of friends that totally love it especially for the price. I’ve priced them out and their yacht club is similar in price to ocean view or verandah standard rate on DCL. I’ve heard cruising regular on MSC isn’t spectacular but the yacht club is a whole different level of service

r.e. 1st bold -- we have been spoiled since 2019 and even MORE with the OVERNIGHT at OCEAN CAY


r.e. 2nd bold -- cruising regular AT THE MUCH LOWER COST compared to other lines is not that bad.

 

[mmouse37]

Ok, I'll be honest. Sailed the Wish 3 times and the first time I hated it....well it was more why did they do that type of thing. The next two times I really enjoyed the ship and appreciated it much more. I think my initial reaction was that it was just so very different from the other ships. Go with an open mind and don't compare to the other ships. The pool food is miles above the other pool deck foods, the many pools are nice, the decor is beautiful, the dining rooms are very interesting in a good way.

I have never sailed concierge in 59 DCL so I can't comment on that but I found the ship very nice. Do visit the kids clubs....they are extraordinarily themed and really cool...especially the slide from the atrium down to the kids club. Even if the kids don't want to stay in the clubs, just visit them to check them out.

Don't miss the Incredi course up on Deck 12. That is really cool as well for the kids. As far as the shows, I did not enjoy their version of the Little Mermaid the first time. The costumes and sets were minimal and it reminded me of a high school production. The talent was great but it was more interpretive dance vibe for me which I didn't enjoy. They updated the costumes a bit on our subsequent Wish cruises for LM. Thank goodness because on the first Wish cruise King Triton looked like he swung by Party City on the way to the ship for his costume. Aladdin is very good and I enjoyed Seas the Adventure show. The 2 elevator banks did not bother me at all as they are much larger than the other ships. The laundry room is out of this world compared to the other ships. The cabin set up is nice though the cabins seem smaller than the other ships. Shower set up is better.

I fell in love with the Treasure when I sailed that ship......I loved every single thing about the themeing. Have a Destiny cruise planned for January with 2 other couples and hoping it matches the enjoyment I had on the Treasure.

Have a great cruise. I just Wish (lol) she sailed longer itineraries. 4 nights go by so fast!

MJ

 

[OKW Lover]

Have a Destiny cruise planned for January with 2 other couples and hoping it matches the enjoyment I had on the Treasure.

We're on the Destiny 1 /31 sailing. We have very similar experiences as you on the Wish (did maiden voyage, as well as a later concierge sailing), and the Treasure (concierge).

 

[jimmymc]

Probably on Cruise Critic, trip advisor and others. Reviews are always a mixed bag with most ships. As far as the Disney ships go the Wish seems to score the lowest. On CC the Wish has an average of 3.3 where the Fantasy 4.3.

I see that. The wish isn't perfect, but 3.3 seems low.

 

[mmouse37]

We're on the Destiny 1 /31 sailing. We have very similar experiences as you on the Wish (did maiden voyage, as well as a later concierge sailing), and the Treasure (concierge).

Yes! I was on the MV of the Wish as well. I remember you talking about the MV. We are on the Destiny the cruise before you...We debark on the 31st Did Treasure in January and loved, loved, loved it!

MJ

 

[DCLMP]

I see that. The wish isn't perfect, but 3.3 seems low.

I've noticed those kind of ratings on a few of the new ships not just DCL. It leads me to believe bigger is not better for seasoned cruisers.

For instance I've booked the Viva for next year. I've watched numerous you tube ship tours and the ship looks great to me, but it get's bad reviews from the NCL crowd. The size, small venues, confusing layout are some of the complaints I've seen.

I've also seen a lot of negativity about Princesses new ship which is also over in the Med next year. Royals new Icon class seems to be fairing a little better for a new ship.

 

[jimmymc]

I've noticed those kind of ratings on a few of the new ships not just DCL. It leads me to believe bigger is not better for seasoned cruisers.

For instance I've booked the Viva for next year. I've watched numerous you tube ship tours and the ship looks great to me, but it get's bad reviews from the NCL crowd. The size, small venues, confusing layout are some of the complaints I've seen.

I've also seen a lot of negativity about Princesses new ship which is also over in the Med next year. Royals new Icon class seems to be fairing a little better for a new ship.

I've also seen that for newer NCL and Princess ships. I haven't been on the newest classes, but I've heard the small event spaces and upcharges are bad on NCL Viva. I'd still book it for the right price, just keeping the feedback in mind.

 

[DCLMP]

I've also seen that for newer NCL and Princess ships. I haven't been on the newest classes, but I've heard the small event spaces and upcharges are bad on NCL Viva. I'd still book it for the right price, just keeping the feedback in mind.

I booked for the itinerary. There are no sea days on the 10 day cruise. We will be too busy to care about entertainment and venues.

 

[DCLMP]

r.e. 1st bold -- we have been spoiled since 2019 and even MORE with the OVERNIGHT at OCEAN CAY


r.e. 2nd bold -- cruising regular AT THE MUCH LOWER COST compared to other lines is not that bad.

Do they still do status matches?

 

[John VN]

Do they still do status matches?

Certainly do.

 

[DCLMP]

Certainly do.

I'm Pearl on DCL what would I get on MSC?

 

[John VN]

I'm Pearl on DCL what would I get on MSC?

*Blue Diamond* is the highest level

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/msc-voyagers-club

DW and I have been Blue D since this level was introduced. We were Diamond when MSC added the BD Level and we already had the required points so we were bumped up.

 

[Chirple]

@KashasMom we sailed on Wish in November 2022. The ship decor is pretty. The layout was confusing, and the elevator buttons were a pain (think they have been changed); we could not find a door to deck 4 that wasn't marked crew only. We still enjoyed it. It was a four night.

Like others have said, while Treasure has the same layout, we loved that ship. I was even able to find the door out to deck four and relaxed in a deck chair. Looking forward to sailing on Destiny in the future.

 

[sponica]

I can't speak to the concierge experience. I've done a Wish cruise and a Treasure cruise with kids. My Dream cruise was in 2014 so those memories are fuzzy and useless.

To me the biggest factor will be what ages are the kids involved? I had a potty trained kid young enough to use the splash pad and an older kid who wanted to be in the deeper pools on the pool deck....and those are at opposite ends of the ship basically.

I like the scattered bars. We NEVER made it to the bars on the Dream on our honeymoon. I couldn't tell you where they were, we never made it down there.

I think everything is subjective. If you prioritize a walking track or the adults area or midship elevators, the Wish is going to be more challenging than if you don't.

The restaurant tables are too close together, and it feels the worst in arendelle. (Although Arendelle has one of my favorite menus).

If you're in concierge, book the royal gathering and you can knock out the princesses in one meet and greet. The princess lines seemed the longest on the Wish. The pirate night characters also had longer lines (this is where the Treasure really shines, more opportunities to meet captain hook).

Unless things have changed, Stitch doesn't meet on the Wish. So if he's important, I think he is on the Fantasy.

For us, the biggest knock on the Wish is it's only 4 nights....

 

[DCLMP]

*Blue Diamond* is the highest level

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/msc-voyagers-club

DW and I have been Blue D since this level was introduced. We were Diamond when MSC added the BD Level and we already had the required points so we were bumped up.

I priced one out for December and it is 3200 for yacht club 4 day cruise out of MCO. That's probably equivalent to the Wish. I will keep that in mind for the future. I've always wanted to try concierge.

 

[Kingoglow]

The Wish (and all Wish class ship) disappoint me.

I love the smaller ships. Less people on board, the adult district is in one place (so kids aren't mingling around if I am 3 cocktails in), I prefer the Cabanas experience to Marceline Market and the bigger adults only section/pool/bar.

I would forgive the Wish class of ships if the adult only areas were just as big as the kids only areas. There are a LOT of adults on board these ships and they take up more space than children. Give the adults only sections more space and pools.

 

[brandtb]

We sailed on the Wish for the first time last April. We were wondering if we would like the different layout and smaller adult-only areas.

We ended up really liking the Wish as the adult pool area was situated so that families with small children didn't have to cut through it to get somewhere, nor could they make excuses to wander through. The adult pool area never felt too crowded and we always found a good place to sit. I would like to see a larger or a second hot tub.

Not having the bars and lounges clustered together was not an issue as they still were adult-only after a certain time.

Some folks are concerned that there are only two elevator banks. They were at least as efficient as the Dream/Fantasy class. I like how they are not right on top of the atrium on deck three -- which is why they can have the stage there which works better for a lot of things.

You're seeing the "adult-only" pattern here? Our son is in college so that when he does cruise with us, he can join us in those areas.

 

[petrola]

We just completed our first sailing on the Wish (concierge) two weeks ago and all I can say is we absolutely LOVED it! We have only sailed the Dream and Fantasy in the past (all concierge sailings) and while they are both great ships, my family enjoyed the Wish and her crew the most. We are going to give the Dream one more shot in January and see how it goes. We are looking at the Treasure for next summer if we can squeeze it in!

 

[lisset005]

We have sailed the Wish 3X now, the Dream, and the Wonder (so long ago and pre-kids so barely counts as I hardly remember it!) Hands down my favorite ship is the Wish! It is so full of Disney nostalgia and as our Palo waiter on the Dream put it " A floating Palace".

Hubby and I actually did a side by side a month ago for our 20 year wedding anniversary and did 3 nights on the Wish, then drove to Lauderdale and boarded the Dream for 4 nights. So, we were able to really compare the two since we disembarked and embarked same day. We hated the adult pool area on the Dream (near the Cove Cafe). There is no where to lay in the sun, there were constantly families walking through, kids trying to get into the pool and it was overall loud and busy. We did like the area at the front of the ship on the Dream for adults (still had parents trying to come through with kids!), it was HUGE, and could really be utilized so much better though! The adult pool area in the Wish IS small though. They really could have made the pool larger and gotten rid of the weird benches with running water. Also, who puts the adult area next to the Aqua Mouse? A woman who in her own words "has never been on a cruise" Who picked her, lol??

We also liked the District area vs. the scattered adult bars on the Wish (though we enjoyed the theming on each it was annoying to walk all over the ship vs having them in one spot) Shows on the Dream hands down are better, no contest. Service on the Wish was better imo.The rooms, no contest-the Wish wins. Our verandah on the Dream had spattered white paint all over it and on the chairs/loungers (had an oversized verandah) so we had to ask for extra towels to put on top to use them. I know they just did a dry dock on that ship but man, there was done sloppy work done. The coffee table was chipped all around, the couch was sagging and smelled (the whole room smelled weird tbh) the bathrooms were in dire need or a refresh and there was mold in the shower. Definitely not what I expect when paying Disney prices. (Our stateroom host could only do so much and was great)

We did Palo brunch and dinner on both ships. Wish wins hands down. Service on the Wish and attention to details was incredible! Wasn't even close to the same level of service on the Dream. This is getting long and now and I have nothing to really add that has not been said before, lol! But, at the end of the day the Wish is hands down my favorite! I would love to sail on the Treasure next but with 5 kids chances look slim as we always do a big 2.5 week WDW vacay each summer. Maybe another adult only trip is in our future! If you got this far thanks for reading my un-asked for review!

 

[SL6827]

Does the Wish have a set of staterooms or stateroom locations that has had terrible reviews of them. For example, like the aft staterooms on the Fantasy, because of the noise and vibrations? Or deck 5, aft on the Dream because of noise from the night club below? Any areas to be leary of?