Which ship would you take a first time cruiser on?

[Chandra C]

So, My husband doesn't have any interest in cruising so I have convinced a friend to go along with me and my 3 kids as well as her 7 year old son. She has never cruised at all. I have only been on the Dream back in October. I have no objection to doing the Dream again but really wanted to try the Wonder now that its in PC. Don't know which would be best to take someone on who is new to cruising and Disney. We could go on the Dream for close to same price. I don't want to be selfish and insist on trying The Wonder. Also, the Fantasy has one sailing but it's running several hundred more right now, that's an option. I think at least the shows would be different from the Dream even though the ship looks very similar from what I can tell. I would appreciate any input, Thanks!

 

[KristiMc]

The Wonder is an amazing ship. I have been on all 4 and they are all great. Go with the cruise that you like the itinerary the best.

 

[Shanti]

So, My husband doesn't have any interest in cruising so I have convinced a friend to go along with me and my 3 kids as well as her 7 year old son. She has never cruised at all. I have only been on the Dream back in October. I have no objection to doing the Dream again but really wanted to try the Wonder now that its in PC. Don't know which would be best to take someone on who is new to cruising and Disney. We could go on the Dream for close to same price. I don't want to be selfish and insist on trying The Wonder. Also, the Fantasy has one sailing but it's running several hundred more right now, that's an option. I think at least the shows would be different from the Dream even though the ship looks very similar from what I can tell. I would appreciate any input, Thanks!

The Fantasy usually costs thousands (not hundreds) more due to it having longer itineraries. Are you talking about the May 17th 3-night double dip sailing to Castaway Cay on the Fantasy? If so, I would do that one, as Castaway Cay is great and a double dip there is preferable to sailing once to CC and once to Nassau. Yes, the Fantasy's top-billed show is "Aladdin", so that is different from the Dream.

But if that is too expensive, stick with the Dream. I personally wouldn't do the Wonder. Yes, I'm sure you want to see "Frozen" and Tiana's Place, but your friend's son likely won't have any particular interest in those. The Fantasy will have just come out of dry dock on this sailing, so she should boast a few (more minor) enhancements, as well.

The Wonder has the least bells and whistles of any Disney ship, having no major water slide unlike the other 3 ships, and as a classic ship, having no Midship Detective Agency, no miniature golf or sports simulators, no on-demand Disney cartoons/movies in the staterooms, no magical porthole should your friend book an inside stateroom. If you really want to wow your friend and her child with the cruise, I'd stick with a Dream-class ship, but of course, you'll all have fun on any Disney Cruise.

 

[Chandra C]

The Disney website is showing a 3 night cruise on the Fantasy for May 17th I think. Wonder if its a mistake? It does seem odd that it's the only one with fantasy, the others are Dream and Wonder

 

[Shanti]

The Disney website is showing a 3 night cruise on the Fantasy for May 17th I think. Wonder if its a mistake? It does seem odd that it's the only one with fantasy, the others are Dream and Wonder

It's not a mistake. It's only 3-nights because the Fantasy is coming out of dry dock a few nights before it resumes its regular week-long itineraries, and the 3-night cruise fills the gap. It's a double-dip to Castaway Cay. We're booked on that cruise, so it's definitely real, LOL.

 

[TestingH2O]

The Disney website is showing a 3 night cruise on the Fantasy for May 17th I think. Wonder if its a mistake? It does seem odd that it's the only one with fantasy, the others are Dream and Wonder

It's not a mistake. It's a special cruise they added for when the fantasy comes out of dry dock. Honestly, it's a great deal and a way to see that ship without doing a 7 day. Plus, you get 2 days at CC. I'd probably pick that between the three you mentioned.

 

[o&smom]

I would do the longer cruise on the Wonder. If you have never been on a cruise, even the smaller ships seem huge. There will be plenty to do and more time to enjoy it. Happy cruising!

 

[tnshsms]

The Fantasy usually costs thousands (not hundreds) more due to it having longer itineraries. Are you talking about the May 17th 3-night double dip sailing to Castaway Cay on the Fantasy? If so, I would do that one, as Castaway Cay is great and a double dip there is preferable to sailing once to CC and once to Nassau. Yes, the Fantasy's top-billed show is "Aladdin", so that is different from the Dream.

But if that is too expensive, stick with the Dream. I personally wouldn't do the Wonder. Yes, I'm sure you want to see "Frozen" and Tiana's Place, but your friend's son likely won't have any particular interest in those. The Fantasy will have just come out of dry dock on this sailing, so she should boast a few (more minor) enhancements, as well.

The Wonder has the least bells and whistles of any Disney ship, having no major water slide unlike the other 3 ships, and as a classic ship, having no Midship Detective Agency, no miniature golf or sports simulators, no on-demand Disney cartoons/movies in the staterooms, no magical porthole should your friend book an inside stateroom. If you really want to wow your friend and her child with the cruise, I'd stick with a Dream-class ship, but of course, you'll all have fun on any Disney Cruise.

100% agree. I've been on all the ships and the wonder was probably my least favorite. Now, it was before dry dock and we went to Alaska so we were preoccupied with Alaska while on the Wonder but still my least favorite. I like shorter cruises for people who have never cruised because you don't know how they will react. Will they get sick? Hate the feeling of not being able to get off? Find it boring? Annoying? You never know. 3-4 days on a ship that is as nice as the Dream is hard to come by. Typically cruise lines put their less exciting ships on those shorter cruises. I know it would be a duplicate for you but I think if you want this friend to go again, a Dream will wow her as Shanti put it. Happy Cruising!!

 

[missyp]

Everyone has a favorite ship. I have been on all but the Magic so far. The Wonder is by far my favorite. Love the crew, love the smaller ship and personalized attention. It feels like home to us. Recently on the Fantasy, beautiful ship but the crowds on the big ships are a big turnoff for us

 

[monarchsfan16]

Our first (and only so far) cruise was on the Wonder last spring. Granted, we were an adult couple, but we loved that ship and the crew. As it was our first cruise, the ship still seemed plenty big, and we never ran out of things to do, only time to do all the things we wanted to do! We are taking my future in-laws with us on our next cruise (spring 2018) and it'll be on the Magic. It will be their first cruise. The classics are a great place to try out cruising. I say, look at the itineraries and other factors, rather than the amenities on the ship, because it's all new to a first timer anyway. They can't miss what they haven't experienced before!

 

[Stratus22]

Our First cruise was also on the Wonder. Lots of things to do and besides, its a smaller ship, didn't feel overwhelmed with it being our very first cruise. After that, no ship is too big or too small.

 

[AnnaS]

We have cruised all except the Wonder. My only advice is to consider a minimum of 4 nights. Since your friend has never cruised, she can't compare it to the other ships anyway. They are all great.

 

[Chandra C]

It's not a mistake. It's only 3-nights because the Fantasy is coming out of dry dock a few nights before it resumes its regular week-long itineraries, and the 3-night cruise fills the gap. It's a double-dip to Castaway Cay. We're booked on that cruise, so it's definitely real, LOL.

Thank you for posting this! I had no idea that Disney even did double dips on the short cruises! I am so excited, booked it this morning!