Treasure vs Destiny

[Honeypot]

Hi, I would love some input from others as I've been going round and round and can't make up my mind. Perhaps I can get a fresh perspective on my dilemma.

Background, we have taken one previous cruise, on the Dream in March 2023. 5 night Western Caribbean. Me, my husband, and my two sons (currently 11 and 14). My husband was very reluctant to go initially, he wasn't sure about crowds, lines, having a quiet space to chill out. At the end of the cruise, he told me he enjoyed it more than he thought he would, and would consider taking another one.

So I booked for spring break 2026 a 7 night Eastern Caribbean on the Treasure. I picked it in part because he loves the Virgin Islands. But as we have spoken about it, it's like he has forgotten all about his positive thoughts about the cruise and has gone back to his hesitation about a cruise. My boys and I really want to do another one, and we have done lots of other travel that is his preferred style between the two cruises. Plus, I know he liked the cruise once he was doing it!

Anyway, I did look and I saw that I could get a 5 night on the Destiny in Concierge for about the same price as our family verandah for 7 nights on the Treasure. I have been thinking if I should change to that sailing to give my husband some things he would like - the lounge, the concierge sundeck, easy embarkation and debarkation, maybe if we are lucky a cabana on Castaway? It seems like the adult spaces (which is where he liked to go) are lacking on the new ships, but if he had the lounge and sundeck, I think he would be happy. Or is the adult sundeck not as bad/small as it appears to be in photos or videos? Also, as much as I love the idea of a 7 night, maybe doing another 5 night is a better compromise?

Flying into and out of MCO vs FLL is not a big deal either way, we have daily flights and we were not planning on park time for this trip.

What would you do in this case?

Thanks!

 

[dreamer17555]

Assuming the pool deck situation is the same as the Wish- I would compromise and do the 5 night. That being said...if your husband really does not want to sail how much would it save if just you and your boys went on the Treasure (maybe in an Oceanview room to keep costs down)? And then your husband could do a trip he might enjoy? Our family often does not all vacation together because of schedules and different likes and it works well for us. We do get a lot of family time day in and out though so it might not work as well for you.

 

[Honeypot]

Assuming the pool deck situation is the same as the Wish- I would compromise and do the 5 night. That being said...if your husband really does not want to sail how much would it save if just you and your boys went on the Treasure (maybe in an Oceanview room to keep costs down)? And then your husband could do a trip he might enjoy? Our family often does not all vacation together because of schedules and different likes and it works well for us. We do get a lot of family time day in and out though so it might not work as well for you.

Thanks for your thoughts. I know my husband, and if I said we are going without you, he would end up joining us. He doesn't like being left out If he had really and truly hated it, I would not have booked another cruise.

Have you been on the Wish? Is the adult deck really as small as it seems?

 

[dreamer17555]

Thanks for your thoughts. I know my husband, and if I said we are going without you, he would end up joining us. He doesn't like being left out If he had really and truly hated it, I would not have booked another cruise.

Have you been on the Wish? Is the adult deck really as small as it seems?

Yes. I have been on her 3x and just got off a sailing last week. It is tiny- like postage stamp tiny pool. And the only non up-charge hot tub is right under the Aquamouse speakers so thats always fun too as an adult to hear Mickey and Friends in a constant loop...

 

[jwalk03]

Yes. I have been on her 3x and just got off a sailing last week. It is tiny- like postage stamp tiny pool. And the only non up-charge hot tub is right under the Aquamouse speakers so thats always fun too as an adult to hear Mickey and Friends in a constant loop...

There's only one hot tub?! really? I haven't been on the Wish and havent studied the deck plans at all but that seems crazy to me!

 

[OhThePain]

Have you been on the Wish? Is the adult deck really as small as it seems?

Is the pool small? Yes. Deck space lacking? No. Those are 2 different things that everyone seems to clump together as 1. The entire 1/3 aft of deck 13 is Adult Only. Lots of chairs, lots of quiet along the sides of the ship along with some extra chairs on deck 14 aft. Granted, the pool is small and the area is a bit cramped, but I personally couldn't care less about that since I don't have an interest in being in that pool. There are much worse adult only areas on other non-Disney ships.

The concierge sundeck on 13 on the Wish had 2 hot tubs, one of those pools you can dip your feet in as water runs down the back of the bench you sit on (there are 2 of them in the quiet cove area) and a couple of showers.

 

[Skippyboo]

The Treasure and Destiny are the same design as the Wish. Could you do maybe a 5 day Fantasy cruise going to Castaway and Lookout? The Fantasy and Dream are same design.

 

[auntlynne]

You mentioned Spring Break. I stopped to gasp. But reread that you also went Spring last year. Exhale. You’ve already experienced the big hurdle of crowds.

What is the Destiny’s itinerary? If it’s Bahamas, that’s a fairly good match for Virgin Islands. If it’s the Cozumel route, I would stick with Treasure and it’s E Caribbean VI stops.

The 7-night E Caribbean is a long, relaxing cruise. More so than other 7 nights, as it takes a while to get to the Islands.

For me, a Caribbean cruise is to go to nice beaches. We did this itinerary last Fall. Our excursion was to St John from St Thomas for Trunk Bay time. I revisited it a few months later on another cruise. We went to Jost Van Dyke. I would loved to have been able to visit The Baths from Tortola, but I wouldn’t try the hike to get to them. If I were younger and better shape, definitely. And do it as a DIY trip to get a better experience (longer time).

But I came away thinking I would actually rather do a fly-in trip to St Thomas and ferry over to St John for a stay to visit multiple beaches for several days. We have stayed in both St Thomas and St John in the past. So many great beaches.

For my interests, I would go for the 4-night cruise that visits Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. It truly is a Disney bubble beach vacation. I am okay/ happy with the shorter cruise. Especially the idea of both beaches. Lookout Cay looks like a great Bahamian water + pink sand experience. The dates may not be an option for you.

I’m not a fan of Concierge. You still eat and go to shows with everyone. But that is also part of cruising - unless you opt for a private yacht. Others love the separation.

Bottom line - which itinerary would be best for your family?

And once decided, just don’t try to convince your husband he’ll like it. Once he’s on the ship, I expect the magic will come back.

 

[Honeypot]

Yes. I have been on her 3x and just got off a sailing last week. It is tiny- like postage stamp tiny pool. And the only non up-charge hot tub is right under the Aquamouse speakers so thats always fun too as an adult to hear Mickey and Friends in a constant loop...

I had seen a video or a review about the hot tub - that does not sound fun or relaxing at all!

 

[Honeypot]

Is the pool small? Yes. Deck space lacking? No. Those are 2 different things that everyone seems to clump together as 1. The entire 1/3 aft of deck 13 is Adult Only. Lots of chairs, lots of quiet along the sides of the ship along with some extra chairs on deck 14 aft. Granted, the pool is small and the area is a bit cramped, but I personally couldn't care less about that since I don't have an interest in being in that pool. There are much worse adult only areas on other non-Disney ships.

The concierge sundeck on 13 on the Wish had 2 hot tubs, one of those pools you can dip your feet in as water runs down the back of the bench you sit on (there are 2 of them in the quiet cove area) and a couple of showers.

Thanks, you're right they are two separate things. I will say on the Dream we did spend a good amount of time chilling in the Satellite Falls pool, and enjoyed it. I went back to watch some videos again, and you are right, there is a decent amount of seating. Although not much shade from what I can see. Perhaps the Chip N Dale pool is the answer, I guess depending on the vibe up there. But I assume it's not super popular with lots of the kids based on the location.

 

[Honeypot]

The Treasure and Destiny are the same design as the Wish. Could you do maybe a 5 day Fantasy cruise going to Castaway and Lookout? The Fantasy and Dream are same design.

The dates we need the Fantasy goes to Lookout and Nassau. And the kids are very excited to try one of the new ships. But perhaps I could look at the Fantasy again.

 

[Honeypot]

You mentioned Spring Break. I stopped to gasp. But reread that you also went Spring last year. Exhale. You’ve already experienced the big hurdle of crowds.

What is the Destiny’s itinerary? If it’s Bahamas, that’s a fairly good match for Virgin Islands. If it’s the Cozumel route, I would stick with Treasure and it’s E Caribbean VI stops.

The 7-night E Caribbean is a long, relaxing cruise. More so than other 7 nights, as it takes a while to get to the Islands.

For me, a Caribbean cruise is to go to nice beaches. We did this itinerary last Fall. Our excursion was to St John from St Thomas for Trunk Bay time. I revisited it a few months later on another cruise. We went to Jost Van Dyke. I would loved to have been able to visit The Baths from Tortola, but I wouldn’t try the hike to get to them. If I were younger and better shape, definitely. And do it as a DIY trip to get a better experience (longer time).

But I came away thinking I would actually rather do a fly-in trip to St Thomas and ferry over to St John for a stay to visit multiple beaches for several days. We have stayed in both St Thomas and St John in the past. So many great beaches.

For my interests, I would go for the 4-night cruise that visits Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. It truly is a Disney bubble beach vacation. I am okay/ happy with the shorter cruise. Especially the idea of both beaches. Lookout Cay looks like a great Bahamian water + pink sand experience. The dates may not be an option for you.

I’m not a fan of Concierge. You still eat and go to shows with everyone. But that is also part of cruising - unless you opt for a private yacht. Others love the separation.

Bottom line - which itinerary would be best for your family?

And once decided, just don’t try to convince your husband he’ll like it. Once he’s on the ship, I expect the magic will come back.

Thanks for your reply.

Not only spring break, but spring break with the Disney+ promotion!...the ship was completely full, and with packed staterooms because that was the only way to get kiddos for free. Unfortunately we still have to follow the Christmas/Spring break/Summer dates for now with the kids in school.

The Destiny is doing the Cozumel and Castaway stops. I would have loved a Lookout and Castaway sailing, but it does not work with our dates. If I had found one that did both beach stops, I would have booked that with no hesitation.

You've given me some things to think about though. If only the price of concierge was not so prohibitively expensive on the 7 night, I would just switch to that, but there is no way for me to justify spending an extra $8000+ for that.

 

[SL6827]

I had seen a video or a review about the hot tub - that does not sound fun or relaxing at all!

Probably not meant to be. They want you to pay extra for the hot tubs. $$$$

 

[juxtapose]

Looking at the stops you have to choose from, I'd stick with the 7-day Eastern Caribbean. I am the person in the family who isn't big on cruises, my kids and husband had such a great time on the Dream a few years ago we are giving the 7-night Treasure a shot next year. We did a 4 night on the Dream and it was so rushed trying to get everything done I'm hoping a 7 night is more relaxing.

The negatives everyone tells me about the newer ships don't really concern me, I just want to use a lounge chair in the adult's area not a pool as I get enough time in the ocean/pool with my kids, and I don't care about the walking track not making a complete loop.

 

[sponica]

I'm not sure what the pricing on this is yet, but you could also add rain forest passes to the treasure 7 night, I didn't have a ton of time on the rainforest sundeck because of my kids, but my mom and stepdad really enjoyed it.

 

[shosh1530]

My humble opinion, but if your husband doesn't have strong opinions then maybe book the itinerary that you personally (and maybe the kids) are most excited about.

I'm the trip planner in my family and this past summer I originally booked a Western Caribbean for us because I thought it would be preferable to my husband (who is less enthused about Disney, cruises, and high dollar vacations) than I am. But neither of them were very committal about what they would like or not.

In the end, I switched us to the Eastern Caribbean because that was what I really wanted (more beautiful scenery, more interesting islands to me, relaxing with extra day at sea). We did add a day at Hollywood Studios before the cruise to fulfill one of my husband's desires and I was sure to book him the rainforest room and a massage for some extra relaxing time.

What I learned from both this recent cruise and the year before is that when I'm excited my enthusiasm carries over to them. I'm realizing that I can agonize over all the different itineraries, excursions, and activities on my own and they are happier being presented with less options.

We all ended up having a great time! I hope you do too whatever you decide.

 

[Honeypot]

I'm not sure what the pricing on this is yet, but you could also add rain forest passes to the treasure 7 night, I didn't have a ton of time on the rainforest sundeck because of my kids, but my mom and stepdad really enjoyed it.

Oh, I had forgotten about the rainforest pass. On the last cruise, I booked him a massage which he enjoyed. But he would probably like and use the sundeck and steam room a decent amount on the cruise!

 

[Honeypot]

My humble opinion, but if your husband doesn't have strong opinions then maybe book the itinerary that you personally (and maybe the kids) are most excited about.

I'm the trip planner in my family and this past summer I originally booked a Western Caribbean for us because I thought it would be preferable to my husband (who is less enthused about Disney, cruises, and high dollar vacations) than I am. But neither of them were very committal about what they would like or not.

In the end, I switched us to the Eastern Caribbean because that was what I really wanted (more beautiful scenery, more interesting islands to me, relaxing with extra day at sea). We did add a day at Hollywood Studios before the cruise to fulfill one of my husband's desires and I was sure to book him the rainforest room and a massage for some extra relaxing time.

What I learned from both this recent cruise and the year before is that when I'm excited my enthusiasm carries over to them. I'm realizing that I can agonize over all the different itineraries, excursions, and activities on my own and they are happier being presented with less options.

We all ended up having a great time! I hope you do too whatever you decide.

Thanks for this. We sound very similar. You're right, I think they will like whatever we do; but they will probably enjoy the ports on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary more. On the last cruise, I booked my husband a massage. If I do that again, and with a rainforest pass, that might do the trick for his relaxation and quiet time/space. Appreciate it!