So you think you're not a cruiser? Why this new ship may be the one to prove you wrong
Editor’s note: TPG writer Summer Hull sailed on Disney Wish on a free trip provided by Disney Cruise Line. The opinions expressed below are entirely hers and weren’t subject to review by the line.
For 38 years, I said: "I don't cruise." And for 38 years, that was firmly true.
I'd seen snippets of at-sea wet T-shirt contests, drinking competitions, overcrowded pools and masses of people stuck together on a ship on the ocean with frequent buffet visits and it looked ... awful.
But then, in 2019, I tried a short three-night cruise as a test. I went with Disney Cruise Line, as I was comfortable with the company's brand on land and figured Disney would likely be the line for me if I was ever going to try cruising. Worst-case scenario: We'd go to Disney World when the ship docked back at Port Canaveral in Florida and still have a good time there even if we hated the cruise.
Fortunately for me, I didn't need to go to plan B. During that brief sailing, I discovered just how wrong I had been about cruising.
There was so much more to cruising than what I had initially imagined. I loved it, so much so that I have gone on three subsequent Disney cruises since that first voyage and have three more sailings actively booked. Most recently, I got to go on the new Disney Wish.
While cruising won't ever be for everyone, Disney Wish is the ship that could turn some non-cruisers into people who love being at sea way more than they ever expected. Although folks who are already fans of the Disney parks, brand and service will likely be easier to convert to cruising, you don't actually have to be a Disney person to have a great time on this ship. If you enjoy Caribbean resorts, lazy pool and beach days, Broadway-style shows and seemingly endless food and beverage options, chances are you'll love sailing on Disney Wish.
Here are five reasons why self-professed non-cruisers should reconsider vacationing at sea to go on a Disney Wish cruise.
The decor resembles what you'd find at a high-end hotel
Disney Wish is not a kitschy floating cartoon version of a ship. It's a high-end hotel out on the ocean.
If you look closely, you will see some Disney touches, but beyond the clearly themed corners of the ship (such as the "Star Wars" bar), you'll discover upscale details that could easily be found on land at a luxury resort.
For example, in the Grand Hall, you'll find an intricate chandelier mounted on the ceiling that just so happens to resemble an upside-down version of Cinderella's ballgown skirt.
Then there are the suites, which may not be the accommodations you're booking but give you a sense of the elevated, modern design featured throughout the ship.
While your individual cabin may not look quite as chic (unless you are working with a large budget and plan far enough in advance to snag one of the coveted suites), you'll quickly realize that accommodations on Disney Wish are much more elegant than the everyday cruise cabin. Even entry-level interior cabins are still pretty darn good.
Related: Best cabins to choose on a cruise ship
All of the food is exceptional
When you sail with Disney, the price of your cruise covers tons of food options, including the main restaurants you rotate through each evening.
But you're not simply getting more food on Wish — you're getting more high-quality food.
Disney Wish's complimentary food is better than anything I've had at all-inclusive resorts I've visited — and that's saying something, as I've been to some pretty stellar resorts.
You'll have your pick of restaurants, plus room service, poolside snacks and a buffet, all of which your cruise fare covers, so have a ball. Don't waste one extra bite on something you don't love when there are so many other options freely available. Trust me: The servers don't seem to mind bringing you more options.
If you consider yourself a foodie and really enjoy sitting for a meal in an upscale dining venue, budget a little extra for one (or more) of the adults-only restaurants. While these spots are not cheap — dinners at Palo and Enchante start around $45 per person and $125 per person, respectively — you will not be disappointed by the plates presented to you.
After one meal at any of the onboard restaurants, you will quickly realize that this ship does not offer the mass-market cruise buffet of your nightmares. Instead, Disney Wish focuses on fine dining provided at a leisurely pace with excellent service.
So, if hearing Elsa sing at Arendelle or immersing yourself in the world of comics at the Marvel-themed restaurant is not your thing, you can rest easy knowing you'll have plenty of refined options to choose from.
Related: Cruise ship restaurant nirvana: The 9 best meals you can have at sea
Amazing bars, drinks and lounges are available throughout the ship
Whether you want cocktails, mocktails or just a fun place to hang out, Disney Wish delivers.
Where else can you go from a New Orleans-themed lounge with music, beignets and hurricanes to a piano bar with fancy, bubbly drinks to a pool bar with a view and popsicle drinks before concluding your day at a space-themed bar?
And those are not even all the options available.
Your cruise will be at least three nights long, so know that you don't have to hit up every bar in one night. That's a relief because you may find it hard to pull yourself away from a bar (or two) during your sailing.
After all, the bars and lounges on Disney Wish are not just lovely physical spaces. They are also places where you'll find creative cocktails that are thoughtful and tasty.
Sure, drinks are not included, but most of the more imaginative options cost between $12 and $15, making them comparable to (if not more affordable than) similar options served on land. Having tried a few myself, I can attest that the drinks are well worth the extra expense.
Related: There's a $5,000 'Star Wars' drink on Disney's new cruise ship — but its contents are a mystery
You will not get bored
If you think you'll be bored on a cruise, let me assure you that you won't be on this one.
With two movie theaters showing new hits daily, a larger main theater with live shows, a dedicated space for activities like bingo and family games, five sit-down restaurants, numerous grab-and-go outlets, coffee shops galore, more than a half-dozen pools, a waterslide, an amazing spa and salon, a barbershop with a secret drink menu and so much more, there's no way you could possibly get bored while on Disney Wish.
That's true even if you spend all your time on the ship, though you'll probably find yourself on shore for at least a few hours when the ship is docked at Disney's private island in the Bahamas or another port.
So, even if you decide you hate sitting on your balcony looking at the ocean or are not into some of the onboard programming, you will have plenty of other options both on the ship and on land. Not to mention, kids in your crew will have ample ways to pass the time, whether it's in the "The Incredibles"-themed activity area or one of several meticulously planned kids clubs.
Long story short: The three or four nights you have on Wish will quickly pass.
Related: 5 reasons why Disney cruises aren't just for kids
It doesn't feel like a ship
OK, this one will be weather dependent, so please don't come for me if you sail during a storm, but assuming you encounter mostly clear skies, you may barely notice you're on a ship if you don't look outside.
As someone who is on the motion sickness-prone end of the spectrum, I was pleasantly surprised by just how smooth my cruise was in early July. I couldn't feel a darn thing 99% of the time I was on Disney Wish during its media preview sailing. In fact, I didn't even notice when we pulled into or out of a port, something I've really heard and felt at times on other ships.
While there is no guarantee your experience will be like this, you can rest easy knowing that even if you do feel the ocean more than you wish at night, you'll be docked for at least eight hours (in most cases) during the day before moving on to the next port.
Related: How to avoid feeling seasick on a cruise
Bottom line
If you love new hotels, resort life, beach views or all things Disney and think you don't like cruising but haven't tried it, I'm here to suggest you give it a shot.
Disney Wish is not like other cruise ships out there; it's an all-new experience that takes some of the best things to do on land and puts them together on a ship.
While it may not have surfing, rock climbing, ice skating and other boundary-pushing activities you'll find on larger ships, Wish offers an elevated experience that appeals to kids and adults alike — even those who think cruising is not for them.
So before you write off cruising completely, consider setting sail on Disney Wish. If there's ever a ship that will change your view on cruising, this one's it.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.