New ship vs new Disney island

[Bella Mina]

I’m looking at 4 day cruises from canaveral in 2025. My question is what would you choose?

I’m a gold member so have sailed many times to Nassau and castaway cay. Now there are options to cruise to lighthouse point but there are no reviews since it not yet open

I can sail on fantasy (which I’ve been on before ) to the new island or sail the wish (never been on) to castaway cay

Both are about the same price

I’m trying to choose so I can send the reservation in my Christmas cards to my daughters who will be coming as we are celebrating my 60th birthday and my youngest 30th. The last time we all sailed together was when I turned 50

I just can’t decide which would be more fun - sailing a new ship or visiting the new island? I really wanted to book the treasure or a longer cruise with stops at both islands but out of my budget

Any thoughts would be appreciated

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Any thoughts would be appreciated

Well, I gave you some thoughts on the other forum, but here's another.

For me, I'd probably pick the Fantasy to Lighthouse Point. Reason - Based on reviews (on ship configuration) I'm not sure I'd like the Wish as much as the Fantasy, and I'd like to give the new port a shot.

 

[Bella Mina]

Well, I gave you some thoughts on the other forum, but here's another.

For me, I'd probably pick the Fantasy to Lighthouse Point. Reason - Based on reviews (on ship configuration) I'm not sure I'd like the Wish as much as the Fantasy, and I'd like to give the new port a shot.

Thank you. This is where I am leaning to now. I know being so far out I can always change it

 

[Marthasor]

I've sailed on the Wish and the Fantasy and I would, hands down, choose the Fantasy to Lighthouse Point. I was not a fan of the Wish - I didn't like the layout and wasn't a huge fan of the MDRs.

 

[Skippyboo]

Just got off Fantasy on Saturday. Loved the adult areas on the upper forward decks. Tables mates spent much of their evening in lounges on aft section of Deck 4. I heard bad reviews of the adult only areas of the Wish from multiple people. I would go with Lighthouse point and Fantasy.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'd go with the Fantasy because it's 7 nights. I've been on the Wish and enjoyed it. But a longer cruise always wins for me.

 

[Skippyboo]

I'd go with the Fantasy because it's 7 nights. I've been on the Wish and enjoyed it. But a longer cruise always wins for me.

I think the Treasure is taking over the 7 night cruises the Fantasy is doing now.

 

[happycamper47]

I think the Treasure is taking over the 7 night cruises the Fantasy is doing now.

Correct, but only going to Cataway Cay along with the 3 & 4 night Wish cruises. The Fantasy will be doing 5 & 6 nights that include Lighthouse Point, so they are longer.

 

[dwg]

We have been on the Wish twice. The first time we really did not like the ship and we found much to complain about like the Adult area seeming to be an afterthought and crowded, no walking deck, the MDR's being really noisy and crowded to the point that when we returned we were seriously talking about skipping the MDR's. The only reason we went on the second Wish cruise was because we are retired DVC members and wanted to go on the member cruise which we could never go on when working.

We lowered our expectations of what to expect on the second Wish cruise so we enjoyed the cruise but if possible we would prefer the design of the original 4 ships. We are booked on a 5 day Disney Dream cruise out of Ft Lauderdale December 24 so we can experience Lighthouse Point. The cruise is to the Bahamas with a stop at both Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point. Looking forward to seeing the new island.

Another issue we had on the last cruise which I think is part of Disney making changes in the MDR due to all the complaints they had including from the staff is that we initially were denied a private table even though the ship was only about 65% full. This was the first time in 15 cruises that we had a problem with the MDR seating. Ultimately we were in PALO's the first night and talked to a Head waiter the next day and they fixed the table for us.

 

[RedHead0186]

The Fantasy is my favorite ship, so I would pick that. Plus, I almost always go for a longer itinerary, which it sounds like that will be.

I wouldn't let the negative reviews steer you away from the Wish, though. Keep an open mind and if you do go that route, form your own opinion. It's very different from the other ships and worth a try to at least see it.

 

[CamColt]

I love the Fantasy and I love Castaway so both options have a plus for me. I did not love the Wish and I can't have an opinion on Lighthouse Point since I've never been. Based on how I felt about the Wish though, that would be my last choice if I were basing it just on the ship. I am intrigued to see what LHP has to offer so I would probably go with that option on the Fantasy.

 

[Bella Mina]

We have been on the Wish twice. The first time we really did not like the ship and we found much to complain about like the Adult area seeming to be an afterthought and crowded, no walking deck, the MDR's being really noisy and crowded to the point that when we returned we were seriously talking about skipping the MDR's. The only reason we went on the second Wish cruise was because we are retired DVC members and wanted to go on the member cruise which we could never go on when working.

We lowered our expectations of what to expect on the second Wish cruise so we enjoyed the cruise but if possible we would prefer the design of the original 4 ships. We are booked on a 5 day Disney Dream cruise out of Ft Lauderdale December 24 so we can experience Lighthouse Point. The cruise is to the Bahamas with a stop at both Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point. Looking forward to seeing the new island.

Another issue we had on the last cruise which I think is part of Disney making changes in the MDR due to all the complaints they had including from the staff is that we initially were denied a private table even though the ship was only about 65% full. This was the first time in 15 cruises that we had a problem with the MDR seating. Ultimately we were in PALO's the first night and talked to a Head waiter the next day and they fixed the table for us.

Thank you it helps my decision to sail on fantasy to the new island. I look forward to your review after visiting LHP

 

[ItsHades]

We have been on the Wish twice. The first time we really did not like the ship and we found much to complain about like the Adult area seeming to be an afterthought and crowded, no walking deck, the MDR's being really noisy and crowded to the point that when we returned we were seriously talking about skipping the MDR's. The only reason we went on the second Wish cruise was because we are retired DVC members and wanted to go on the member cruise which we could never go on when working.

We lowered our expectations of what to expect on the second Wish cruise so we enjoyed the cruise but if possible we would prefer the design of the original 4 ships. We are booked on a 5 day Disney Dream cruise out of Ft Lauderdale December 24 so we can experience Lighthouse Point. The cruise is to the Bahamas with a stop at both Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point. Looking forward to seeing the new island.

Another issue we had on the last cruise which I think is part of Disney making changes in the MDR due to all the complaints they had including from the staff is that we initially were denied a private table even though the ship was only about 65% full. This was the first time in 15 cruises that we had a problem with the MDR seating. Ultimately we were in PALO's the first night and talked to a Head waiter the next day and they fixed the table for us.

That is exactly how I felt about the wish! It seemed so small and squeezed in. Going on the Fantasy for the first time soon and the difference in the adult section is crazy from all of the videos I have seen. I agree with most people on this thread. New port over new ship.

 

[Skippyboo]

That is exactly how I felt about the wish! It seemed so small and squeezed in. Going on the Fantasy for the first time soon and the difference in the adult section is crazy from all of the videos I have seen. I agree with most people on this thread. New port over new ship.

Try the satellite falls pool on deck 13 forward. It is great.

 

[Cheburashka]

I would choose the Fantasy over the Wish any day. I'm not a person who tends to be enchanted by new for its own sake, though. I suspect (given Disney's trajectory) that the new island won't quite measure up to Castaway Cay, so I'd rather sail to Castaway Cay than the new private island, too.

 

[DisneyDad0315]

I’m looking at 4 day cruises from canaveral in 2025. My question is what would you choose?

I’m a gold member so have sailed many times to Nassau and castaway cay. Now there are options to cruise to lighthouse point but there are no reviews since it not yet open

I can sail on fantasy (which I’ve been on before ) to the new island or sail the wish (never been on) to castaway cay

Both are about the same price

I’m trying to choose so I can send the reservation in my Christmas cards to my daughters who will be coming as we are celebrating my 60th birthday and my youngest 30th. The last time we all sailed together was when I turned 50

I just can’t decide which would be more fun - sailing a new ship or visiting the new island? I really wanted to book the treasure or a longer cruise with stops at both islands but out of my budget

Any thoughts would be appreciated

My family and I had the exact same dilemma as you. It was either the Fantasy to Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay (4 nights) or the Wish to Castaway Cay and Nassau. We ended up going with the Fantasy. We have young kids that love the beach and I'm guessing Lookout Cay will be like Castaway, in the sense that you get off the ship and the beach is right there. No excursions necessary for us Castaway or Lookout.

 

[JM_97]

Wish isn't really my cup of tea, so I would go with the Fantasy to Lighthouse Point. I also like to choose new locations if I can. There will be PLENTY of other chances to do a 3/4 night Bahamian from Port Canaveral.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I’ll be the dissenting voice that both would vote for (and actually is sailing on!) the Wish to Castaway Cay.

The Wish was our first DCL ship and we were impressed with the kids club, and adult dining. Our staterooms were also nicer than other premium lines, and really all but the luxury lines we sailed on pre-kids. I thought that Arendelle and Marvel were both neat, but yes, loud and (especially Marvel) too chaotic and loud. Dinner was more of a show than a family meal (and the food was not better than Celebrity, though was better than Princess). I think what we loved most was Disney’s way to create separate fun for adults and kids…but having not sailed on any other ships, we didn’t have many issues with the ship itself like you hear DCL superfans often discuss. I also like Star Wars and thought the lounge was pretty cool (which I believe is an unpopular opinion on these boards). We’ve now sailed all 5 ships and I’m curious to see how I like the Wish on our next sailing—my kids have been clamoring to return to Wish for the kids club and the AquaMouse and the “chipotle” food station. I’m looking forward to revisiting Arendelle, Hyperspace Lounge, and especially Enchanté. When we got off the Wish in summer of 2022, I said it was a great experience but one I couldn’t see myself wanting to do more than every 2-3 years… well, here we are less than 18m later excited to go back!

But the main reason I vote Wish is that my very favorite thing about DCL is Castaway Cay. It’s so gorgeous, clean, safe, friendly—everything I love about the Disney parks bubble of my youth, but laying around the beach with a a delicious tropical cocktail. I’m sure we will eventually visit Lighthouse Point — but I’m not in a rush. I would take a CC double dip if I could before a Lighthouse Point visit—but if the reviews are rave, I may cave to the FOMO sooner rather than later!

Finally, I’m hit and miss on the Treasure theming. Overall, the Wish seems like more of our favorite Disney “brands” so we’ll probably wait to do the Treasure until there’s not a new ship premium.