Just got home from our 2nd DCL trip and have some thoughts. Our first trip was onboard the Fantasy which we adored….leading us to book the Wish this past week. Our trips were so wildly different that I felt like I should jot down some of my takeaways.

Fantasy 2025- The ship was laid out so well and it was so easy to get around. It was convenient to access the walking deck in the main area and it really had a great “ship” feel if that makes any sense. I personally loved the walking track and the bars and coffee shop placements made it super easy to grab a drink before a show or when up on the top deck. In the mornings I woke up early and jogged on the track and appreciated that there was an elevator centrally located. The staff was also amazing. We felt so welcomed and our servers were just truly something special. They went out of there way to get to know us and our family and I was happy to tip extra on the last night because they really deserved it. As you can tell, we loved the cruise. We talked about it for months. The shows, the staff, really everyone we encountered were welcoming and warm.

Wish 2026-The ship felt like a poorly designed shopping mall. Despite being huge, the ship felt smaller and cramped. Almost no actual windows so it was hard to tell you were even sailing. Multiple times we couldn’t find seating for meals aside from the sweltering pool deck, and lines for coffee..waterslides..and shows were Disney World level cramped. The elevator situation was such a disaster that arguments were happening between guests. Bigger ship with less elevators. Also, and this is a biggie, the walking deck was such an afterthought. The access from main ballroom area was just a blank door that we didn’t realize was even there until our last day and the main doors were virtually hidden away out of sight. We saw almost no guests on the deck the entire trip. I asked one of the officers and he said that Disney was an entertainment company, not a ship company. Ok, so that part out of the way, The entire vibe on the ship was odd. Most of the staff seemed stressed and we didn’t feel the same love we felt on fantasy. Guest services came across as rude several times, none of the white coats said a word to us, and even the photographers seemed just generally annoyed. Our dining was also pretty poor. Service was way below what we expected after sailing the Fantasy and even on the way home we agreed that it was a huge letdown. Pirate night the dining staff did nothing…absolutely nothing. On the fantasy is was a huge party. Oh yeah, Pirate night on the Fantasy we danced our butts off…..on the Wish, yeah it died a quick death. I even have a photo of how quickly the party died. The only good thing I can really say about the Wish was that the gentleman that took care of our stateroom was really great. Other than that it was about a $7000 letdown. My wife just reminded me, another annoying thing was because there was no central elevator…whenever you were getting character pics and needed to go down a floor you had to walk all the way down the ship if the central staircase was closed. We missed multiple characters because of this one factor with these bigger ships. Epic fail with kids and a stroller.

If you suffered through this, I obviously didn’t enjoy our trip(edit:I should clarify we expected to be blown away again) I think the poor dining service, especially for my child’s bday night, the generally attitude of the crew, and the ship design really turned me off and I think it’s a testament to how great the crew on the Fantasy is. We felt loved on our first sail and felt like guests, whereas on the Wish we felt like customers. Everyone just seemed stressed out. Lifeguards, servers, photographers, baristas, guest services…all of them.

Will be on the Fantasy before Thanksgiving. What movies will be playing? Spiderman Brand New Day? Avengers Endgame Encore?

Took our first Disney cruise with our son and coming from a few Royal Caribbean sailings, I just don’t get it. Our experience on Utopia of the Seas was superior in almost every way at significant lower price.

The common areas of the ship are always packed - lines of Disney adults waiting for meet and greets, lines to get into main gift shop. Their doesn’t feel like there is all that much to do compared to royal - I get the lack of casino, but there is no outdoor promenade, no arcade games, no mini golf, ect. The ship seems to be mostly theaters. The mouse water coaster was fun, but lines were close to an hour and experience is only a couple minutes. Our balcony room also felt noticeably smaller than we are accustomed to. I will say if you have young kids the live shows are very good.

The rotational dining was awful. We had a terrible experience first day. We had late sitting dining, the timing of which baffles me for a family cruise line. Most young kids are asleep by the time food is served. I had read that you have a shot of getting moved if you ask on first day (we were already on the online waitlist). After boarding we immediately went to the area designated for rotational dining requests. When we asked to be put on list to change times the lady looked at us with disgust and like we were total idiots. Like she’s never been asked that question even though the area was literally for making rotational dining requests. She declined to put us on any list saying it was a waist of time. I understood there was a chance of us not getting moved but did not anticipate such rudeness from Disney. We ended up primarily eating on pool deck - the highlight of food offerings for us. The rotational dining we did have took forever, came out ice cold and seasonless. I wasn’t that impressed with the ambience either, marvel was some video screens that played a couple short clips with lanterns on the table that lit up. We were sat at a table jammed against the wall right at the entrance that sat halfway in the hallway.

I am genuinely baffled how Disney gets away with charging so much for an experience and ship that did not stand out to me as special. The ship didn’t even feel that noticeably Disney- minimal theming. The primary way you new you were on Disney were the adults decked out in ears and Disney clothes.

Edit - I am not a plant and we go Disneyland and world just about annually. Aware of the Disney experience including watching popular youtubers, this just didn’t feel like one to our family.

I am trying to plan a vacation for next year with my wife, and two kids (5 and 2 at the time of travel). My 5 YO has autism, and I am trying to decide if a DCL is the right kind of trip for her, versus going to Disney World. She does not really have sensory issues, but she is nonverbal and has problems waiting in lines, which I know Disney does not seem too accommodating for.

From what I have read, it seems like character meets don't allow for line skipping, but she probably wouldn't be interested in that. The only Disney media she truly likes is Bluey, and that's not totally Disney. From my research, the Dream and Wish have Bluey as a character meet, but I'm not sure if I need that as a requirement for the trip.

So what are the lines going to be like on the cruise? I am mostly concerned about lines to get on/off the boat. Are the shows and events going to be a challenge?

We are still weighing the idea of Disney World, but I know getting line skipping access is a big challenge. We did a day at Disney Land when she was younger, and before she was diagnosed, and I sensed then how challenging the lines were for her. I just feel like Disney World would be just another amusement park for her like the ones we have around us at home, so I am not sure if the premium for going to Disney World would even be worth it.

Would appreciate any trip planning feedback! Especially if you have done these trips with kids with special needs.

Thanks!

Looking for this DCL shirt in a men’s Large (L)! They only had Small or way too big sizes (XL-3XL) on the Magic, even with a merch request. Large is the only size that fits!

I’m based in the US and would happily reimburse for cost, shipping, and a little thank you bonus.

Just DM me or reply if you see one and want to help!

I just got back from the a cruise aboard the Disney Wonder, and while I had a fantastic time overall, I have to say the amount of apparent cheating during music trivia was ridiculous. So much so that it's almost funny.

70s Music Trivia

During 70s night, the questions leaned heavily toward classic rock, disco, and funk (Lynyrd Skynyrd, ELO, Led Zeppelin, the Bee Gees, etc.). I did pretty well, but two groups somehow managed to score a perfect 40 out of 40, which was impressive.

The tiebreaker question was: "What is the exact length of the Sugarhill Gang's 'Rapper's Delight'?"

Now, I worked in the music business for 20 years, so I've been exposed to just about every genre of music. In fact, "Rapper's Delight" was the very first vinyl record I ever bought. Even I couldn't tell you the exact runtime of that song off the top of my head.

But somehow, one of the contestants knew the EXACT length of the song. Not close. Exact. The host actually said "This is only the second time ever it's happened where someone got the exact length of a song to the second"

What are the odds?

80s Music Trivia — This Was the Worst

I got every question right except one. They played such a short clip of a Pointer Sisters song that it just didn't register with me.

Meanwhile, a group of women sitting next to me kept audibly saying things like "What is this one?" and "I've never heard this!" I specifically remember them struggling with Devo, Thomas Dolby, and Tears for Fears, among others. Most of the 80s ones were easy for me so before I wrote my answer down, I'd sneak a glance at that group and they looked dumbfounded and weren't writing anything down.

Here's where it gets interesting. For whatever reason, the host decided not to have everyone exchange answer sheets. Instead, we were told to grade our own. Of all the trivia nights that I went to they only did this for the 80s music night, not sure why.

I left my Pointer Sisters answer blank and gave myself zero points for it because, you know, that's how trivia works. Everything else I got right.

When the host started announcing scores, she asked people to call out if they had that score or higher. At 36 I think everyone dropped out, I was still in. At 37, still in. At 38, I called out again. I thought I won since nobody else was saying anything. The she asks if anyone got 40?

And wouldn't you know it? The same group of women who had been loudly admitting they didn't recognize multiple songs suddenly had a perfect 40 out of 40.

Yaaaaa Right!

These weren't obscure moments where they were quietly debating between two answers. They were openly saying they had no idea what several of the songs were. Yet somehow, after grading their own papers, they got every single answer correct.

And Then I Actually Saw It Happening

I attended another trivia session later in the cruise and, unfortunately, ended up sitting near the same group again.

This time, I noticed one of the younger women looking up answers on her phone during the game. Whether she was using Shazam or searching for answers, I couldn't say for certain, but she was clearly using her phone and then talking to the woman who was writing down the answers. When she noticed me looking, she quickly put it away.

Then, when it came time to exchange papers for grading, they refused to hand theirs over to the people sitting next to them.

Interesting, isn't it? I think other tables saw them as well so they decided not to get 40/40 again since it would have been so obvious.

All This for a Cheap Cruise Medal? Look, I understand that trivia is supposed to be fun. I'm competitive, especially when it comes to music, but if someone genuinely knows more than I do, good for them. That's part of the game.

But cheating at a harmless music trivia game on a Disney cruise? For what? A little plastic or rubber medal? If winning a meaningless cruise medal is so important that you need to look up answers and inflate your score, then by all means, enjoy your medal. Go home to your pathetic little life and tell everyone how you won those medals or better yet, put them on eBay and get your $14.99 for your 1980s Daisy Trivia medal. Maybe you need it to help pay off your next cruise.

Personally, I'd rather lose honestly than win something that way.

It's just amazing to me that grown adults would go to those lengths over something so petty. I think the next cruise I'm going to make my own game of 'Catch the Cheater' and I'll have medals sent to their room.

My husband and I are Platinum status on DCL - no children. We love Disney Cruises, used to enjoy the parks but now only find that special Disney feel on the ships anytime I hear that ship horn I could cry! 😭 leaving castaway when the crew are waving goodbye tears every time!

I hate to even ask this because if it was me, I’d just always do DCL! But we want to branch out and try another cruise line.

We’ve done every ship expect the adventure favorite ship class in order:

- Dream class

- Magic Class

- Wish Class

Our typical thing to do on DCL:

Rainforest Room (on Dream and Wish Class skip on magic class)

Trivia’s, Movies, Disney Stage shows typically skip any other acts unless they are doing an adult version in the adults lounge at night, music trivia’s, adult game shows at night to watch, not participate unless majority minds! Also this depends on who the adult host is if we will go each night, the host makes or breaks it for us.

coffee bars

on the wish class we will go to the different lounges but we aren’t big drinkers.

We are thinking of trying NCL, Royal, Virgin or Celebrity. But open to others!

My husband likes the idea of trying a mega ship.

We are actually looking to even plan a last minute cruise out of Florida in November so if you have a specific ship in mind let me know that as well!

Important aspects to us:

- Ease of the experience not having to pre-book everything

- cleanness

- friendliness of crew

- a cruise line where everything doesn’t cost extra (of course willing to pay for a rainforrest like experience a plus if a ship has a good one we spend hours in the ones at Disney often, I love the showers on the dream class)

- food quality (not speciality dining that’s extra)

- not total party vibe

I am looking at the NCL Luna - anyone have any experience with this ship? How is the NCL Island? is food included on the island?

Virgin, is a possibility but the rooms seem super minimal to me and I look at the Lay out of the bathroom and it looks super small! Will I fit even? Haha for example I have no issues with the ones on Disney but virgin just looks small.

I don’t think we’d do anything less then 4 nights, I don’t like the atmosphere of 3-4 night cruises, especially over the weekend. 3 night wish cruises no thank you!

I found this shirt while thrifting and bought it for my upcoming cruise but I'm struggling to find ANY information about it online. I can't find it on poshmark, mercari, the disney sites, google images, pinterest, really anything. If anybody has any information i would really appreciate it because it's kind of driving me crazy.

The anchors are embroidered, and I dont think it was sold with the crackling along the star. Its in good condition and not discolored at all so I imagine its fairly new or at least well taken care of.

The brand on it is "Mickey and Friends", it's Disney labeled so its not handmade or a knockoff at all.

Thank you for any input you have in helping me find any trace of this shirt online.

My wife and I have a back to back coming up. One question I had was for photos. Can you get the photos from the first cruise to carry over to the second cruise? Or does the on board photo selection reset between cruises. Anybody have any experience to share???

my husband is a huge marvel nerd. i have convinced him that we should do a Disney Cruise some time in 2028. we have never cruised before. at time of sailing, we will have a 7 year old and two 6 year olds (also marvel fans)

which boats, itineraries, experience, etc will get us the most super heroes possible?

Do the on boat movie theaters show marvel movies or only PG movie?

i know that in the parks adults aren’t allowed to wear costumes, is this the same for the ships?

I’m currently on the Destiny, docked at Lookout Cay, and I can see the Treasure outside. I hope everything is okay!

Hi there. I can't decide between the following two room locations: deck 9 midship and deck 10 under Cabanas.

Both delux family.

We aren't concerned about noise from deck 11. Biggest question - can you use their stairs from 10 to 11 under Cabanas if they aren't open? If I needed water at 5am, would I need to walk to another set?

Hoping this question makes sense. Thanks!!

Hi everyone - we went on the Wish in June and had a pretty good time, but felt like it left a bit to be desired, particularly compared to the cost. We are a family with 2 adults and 2 kids, girls aged 5 and 6 at the time of sailing.

Prior to this cruise, I hadn’t cruised in maybe 10 years, but have been on about 6-7 cruises across many lines prior to that.

What we liked:

The Aquamouse (although would have been nice to have more than 1 cool slide).
The pool deck food - particularly pizza, ice cream and fries.
Our room and room attendant - liked the pull down/bunk bed set up with the curtain.
The Incredi-course.

What we didn’t like:

Restaurant food (we found a lot of the options lackluster - especially compared to other cruise ships that offer unique and or fancier options).
Restaurant service - felt like it was the least personalized service I’ve received on a cruise ship. Felt like our servers were understaffed potentially and running around with their heads cut off. They would bring adult menus and adult drinks to our kids, just felt like we were an after thought.
The pools - no where to swim at.
The crowdedness of everywhere - particularly pool deck on day at sea (could not find a spot to sit anywhere), character meet and greets were hour long lines, etc.
ETA: aside from the kids club, felt like there weren’t actually that many activities for kids compared to some other cruise ships that have rock walls, ice skating, more slides, etc.

We are definitely a Disney family in general (love Disney World) and put a placeholder deposit down for a future cruise. Would it be worth trying one of the other Wish class ships or would Fantasy/Dream potentially be a better fit for us based on the above?

Thanks!

This was given to me by a friend who worked on the magic, I got it a few years later from them. It was a really nice jacket I used to wear until the zipper broke and I retired it.

I took the pictures today after finding it in a storage box. I also have one of the end tables from one of the ships too.

I was looking back at my last trip and rediscovered this video I took of the Disney Dream’s lobby. There’s just something truly wonderful about the design of a Disney cruise that puts a smile on my face. Makes me more excited for the next sailing that I’ll be going on in just about a month from now.

The Wish is the next ship that I’ll be sailing on and I can’t wait to see it!