Help me pick a Disney cruise

[dreamer17555]

My son , who is autistic and 15 currently, has decided to ask for only one thing for Christmas. You guessed it. He wants a Disney Cruise.

I originally booked the Wish for a 4 night on Feb 27th (the day he turns 16) But I’m a little nervous about the ship layout in terms of adult areas and also that the Vibe seems to be smaller and is definitely lacking their own pool deck which he has enjoyed. Also the adult pool seems tiny.

The other option is an early Christmas gift in the form of a December 5-10th 5 night on the Dream. It is about $600 less and an extra night.

Part of me loves the idea of The Wish on his birthday. Seeing new shows etc… but the adult areas for myself (as he is often off at the Vibe) appear lacking.

The Dream we haven’t been back on since before the pandemic so it could be fun to revisit (he loves the Fantasy but a 7 night is out of budget). But torn on if a Merry time will skew too young for him. Also less on Christmas to give him. But it’s 5 nights and we really enjoy the Fury Catamaran out of Cozumel so that could be good. Plus it’s cheaper.

Anyway which one would you choose?

 

[Cheburashka]

My son , who is autistic and 15 currently, has decided to ask for only one thing for Christmas. You guessed it. He wants a Disney Cruise.

I originally booked the Wish for a 4 night on Feb 27th (the day he turns 16) But I’m a little nervous about the ship layout in terms of adult areas and also that the Vibe seems to be smaller and is definitely whacking their own pool deck which he has enjoyed.

The other option is an early Christmas gift in the form of a December 5-10th 5 night on the Dream. It is about $600 less and an extra night.

Part of me loves the idea of The Wish on his birthday. Seeing new shows etc… but the adult areas for myself (as he is often off at the Vibe) appear lacking.

The Dream we haven’t been back on since before the pandemic so it could be fun to revisit (he loves the Fantasy but a 7 night is out of budget). But torn on if a Merry time will skew too young for him. Also less on Christmas to give him. But it’s 5 nights and we really enjoy the Fury Catamaran out of Cozumel so that could be good. Plus it’s cheaper.

Anyway which one would you choose?

I don't recommend the Wish for a teenage boy- it's princess-heavy in its theming. Reports also seem to indicate that its big waterslide is not as good as the one on the Dream class ships.

I recommend the Dream. The Merrytime theming isn't childish, just Christmassy. (In fact it's a lot less childish than the Wish's princess & Marvel emphasis that replaces DCL's standard maritime theming) The atrium is beautifully decorated for Christmas, there are a lot of other trees around the ship, and Castaway Cay is decorated, too.

Plus, 5 nights is better than 4 nights, especially for less money.

 

[holula]

The only thing on Merrytime that I feel is more aimed for kids is having Santa around. Other than that, there is little difference other than the decor.

So I would do the Dream.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

If your son is happy and familiar with the Dream/Vibe, then go with the Merrytime cruise. Sounds like you both enjoyed the teen and adult areas. Plus, longer (and cheaper) is always better.

 

[auntlynne]

I didn’t know Christmas was just for little kids - I thought it was a lifetime thing. .

Seriously, it is Christmas decorations + a Disney cruise.

I‘d vote for the Dream cruise.

And take a bunch of photos or video and view / watch them on Christmas. Maybe get some cruise merchandise on the sly and wrap it for Dec 25 opening?

Saving $ on the cruise fare is a nice bonus.

Hope you have a great time.

 

[Clarkson U]

No brainer in my book - do the Dream at Christmastime. More nights, great theme decor and it is absolutely not childish as others have mentioned. To me the holiday decor is just right and classy and allows for great pictures and a good feel that it is the season. Enjoy the longer and cheaper cruise.

 

[Shellyred8]

Another vote for the Dream at Christmastime. The extra night and cheaper cost would be my deciding factor.

 

[facepalm]

I'd do the Dream, hands down. We were on the Dream on Christmas Eve/Day last year and the theming was pretty, but not over the top. Definitely nothing childish about it. The only thing that would be a slight consideration would be travel if you're not local. We recently rescheduled a great Dream itinerary for a Fantasy itinerary bc our flights to Miami got rescheduled by the airline and the new ones were abysmal in terms of routing/time. For the $1200 it would have cost us to fly to Miami, we were able to get an extra day on the Fantasy out of Port Canaveral and not have to fly at all.

Also, Wish is going to be more crowded until the newness wears off. Nicer to have something cheaper, less crowded, and familiar.

 

[goofy4prez]

My son , who is autistic and 15 currently, has decided to ask for only one thing for Christmas. You guessed it. He wants a Disney Cruise.

I originally booked the Wish for a 4 night on Feb 27th (the day he turns 16) But I’m a little nervous about the ship layout in terms of adult areas and also that the Vibe seems to be smaller and is definitely lacking their own pool deck which he has enjoyed. Also the adult pool seems tiny.

The other option is an early Christmas gift in the form of a December 5-10th 5 night on the Dream. It is about $600 less and an extra night.

Part of me loves the idea of The Wish on his birthday. Seeing new shows etc… but the adult areas for myself (as he is often off at the Vibe) appear lacking.

The Dream we haven’t been back on since before the pandemic so it could be fun to revisit (he loves the Fantasy but a 7 night is out of budget). But torn on if a Merry time will skew too young for him. Also less on Christmas to give him. But it’s 5 nights and we really enjoy the Fury Catamaran out of Cozumel so that could be good. Plus it’s cheaper.

Anyway which one would you choose?

I say do the early Christmas gift and go with the Dream from December 5-10th and the extra night. Why? Because I'm going to be on that sailing. LOL

Seriously, if DCL is decked out half as much as they are in the parks its going to be a great time. Will it skew to the younger? I don't think so at all. My wife (56) and me (58) are going alone as two adults and plan on having a great time on this cruise. I've been to both Castaway Cay and Cozumel on our first trip on the Fantasy, but can't wait to go back again. Either way, I'm sure your son and you will have a great time.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Another vote for the Dream, even though to be honest I've never been on that ship! The only reason I'm considering the Wish is because the kids club looks so awesome and my eldest DS is about to age out of Oceaneers so I want to do one sailing before he can't go there anymore, and I also know that he'll love the Marvel restaurant. If he was already in Edge/Vibe I would be looking for something longer with a better itinerary. From what I'm hearing about the Wish it seems like the ship layout might be really disorienting which doesn't seem ideal for kids on the spectrum. Mine won't have checkout privileges but if they did I might feel nervous about them trying to find their way around on their own.

 

[randumb0]

After watching videos on the Wish I feel like it is a disappointment. Perhaps it's different one stepping foot on it but I say stick with the Dream

 

[dreamer17555]

Thanks all! We ended up with a family wedding happening his birthday week so we are switching to the dream. We will be on the December 5 sailing if all goes well. Appreciate all the advice!

 

[dreamer17555]

I say do the early Christmas gift and go with the Dream from December 5-10th and the extra night. Why? Because I'm going to be on that sailing. LOL

Just booked this very sailing!

 

[goofy4prez]

Just booked this very sailing!

I'm excited for you. Maybe we'll run into each other through a Disney FB site or some others here on the DIS. I found the Disney Dream December 5,2022 group on FB and asked to join two weeks ago. I'm guessing they just don't like me. I'm still pending approval two weeks later. LOL

 

[Cheburashka]

Maybe we'll run into each other through a Disney FB site or some others here on the DIS...I'm guessing they just don't like me. I'm still pending approval two weeks later. LOL

It's probably just a very inactive group, or a group whose leader recently left and maybe the replacement (if there is any) isn't up to speed.