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The Disney Wish Cruise Ship: Our Photos and an Honest Review

The Disney Wish is the fifth custom-built ship to join the Disney Cruise Line fleet, joining the smaller Disney Magic (1998), Disney Wonder (1999), Disney Dream (2011), and  Disney Fantasy (2012). Maiden voyage: July 14, 2022 Size: 144,000 gross tons Length: 1,119 feet (341 m) Number of decks: 15 Number of cabins: 1,254 Number of cabins with Verandas: 877 Number of connecting doors to double cabin space: 451 Inside cabins: 121 Number of passengers at capacity: 4,000 Number of crew: 1,555 Year built: 2022

When you board the ship, a crew member will announce you by name to everyone in the Grand Hall, which is at the heart of the ship. That charming welcome is extended on all the Disney ships, but the Wish is the first to add a little performance balcony overlooking it all and a stage that can be used for various character appearances and diversions over the course of the cruise.

Most Disney cruises go to warm climates, so of course everyone wants to know what the pool decks look like. This is the main one on the Wish : Scattered across tiers on several levels, you'll find six pools—all of them small, all of them shallow (usually 2 feet deep), and each equipped with a lifeguard despite the pools' teeny sizes. (The generous supply of lifeguards was a running gag in our group: "Last night at dinner, the waiter poured me a cup of water and a lifeguard showed up!") Skirting the high levels of the decks is AquaMouse , a two-rider raft flume that goes uphill and downhill and passes through a clear portion of tube that ventures briefly over the ocean. The company is marketing the ride as the "first Disney attraction at sea," but really, it's pretty much like AquaDuck, which already exists on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. The difference is that AquaMouse has   some added cartoon segments in the lift hill tunnel of the ride. It's easygoing fun and not too scary, but it's still AquaDuck plus screens.  Slide-a-saurus Rex , visible in yellow, is a basic helix-shaped slide. Not pictured, and located on the other side of that funnel, is the  Toy Story Splash Zone , which is the toddler area. Built under a ledge to shelter young skin from strong sunlight, the zone features gently moving, bubbling, and spraying water, all themed after the film franchise.

At night, the main pools can be covered and turned into cinemas or performance zones, such as for the Pirate's Rockin' Parlay Party , during which a band of melodious pirates plays '80s hits (somehow, the mash-up works) and host a brief fireworks show over the sea.

Some of the most hyped elements of the Disney Wish are its restaurants. This one has an awkward name that most passengers forgo in favor of calling it "the Avengers restaurant." Dinner is interspersed with video of Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly delivering gentle, Burns and Allen–style banter as Ant-Man and the Wasp.

There's a plot involving your dinner and the cruise ship itself. Kids are encouraged to help save everyone from a supervillain by pressing a button on their dinner table "Quantum Core" centerpieces—the least stressful way to vanquish a villain, really.  The food you're served doesn't play with Ant-Man 's size-shifting theme in the way that Disney California Adventure's Pym Test Kitchen does, which is a missed opportunity. But the Avengers restaurant still delivers a pleasant dinner, even if most of the innovation lies in watching screens. My 13-year-old nephew, who I brought with me on my cruise, said this was one of his top three experiences on the Disney Wish . He loved the interactivity with the Quantum Core. He even ordered a kiddle mocktail in a light-up version of the Quantum Core (for an added fee). This is only one of the speciality restaurants you'll go to over the course of your cruise. A key feature of Disney Cruise Line is that your party is scheduled to eat at all the big themed restaurants over the course of a vacation—there are no surcharges for the privilege, and you're accompanied by the same waitstaff so kids and crew can get to know each other over time.

The Arendelle restaurant is closer to a traditional dinner theatre. Positioned on a low deck at the back of the ship, it's a dining hall with a central platform stage. Here the main characters from the Frozen franchise gather to celebrate Anna and Kristoff's wedding and sing a few songs. Olaf doesn't get to sing "In Summer" himself, but he does make an appearance in another way.

Olaf shows up on a dessert cart, chaperoned by Arendelle shopkeeper Oaken, to interact with guests as they dine. The other Frozen characters arrive on their own two feet, which makes Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure a lot like the character meet-and-greet meals that are popular in the Disney theme parks. (No, Disney star Jonathan Bassett, who is talking to Olaf here, is not part of the dinner show cast—he just happened to be one of the many people sailing on the Disney Wish with us.) Each specialty dining location has its own menu of specialty cocktails for adults—the Frozen Fractals concoction is bright blue and twinkles in the light when you stir. And the Arendelle dinner is distinguished by another cruise ship innovation: It's the first restaurant I know that has been configured to usher guests to exit through a souvenir shop.

After the excitement of the Avengers and Arendelle, the third major restaurant, 1923, is likely to bore small kids. Its main appeal is class—and that's for the adults. This restaurant has two halves, Walt Disney and Roy Disney, which are stylistically similar and identical of menu.  The adult beverages are less twee than at the other restaurants. This drink, the Buena Vista Boulevardier, is a blend of rye, Campari, and Lillet Rouge topped with a chocolate disk. That's a combo ($12 on our sailing) that we wouldn't have thought of ourselves, but it worked very nicely.

There are a few restaurants you have to pay extra to access. One of them is the steakhouse, Palo, which has splendid wraparound ocean views, costs $45 per person, has a dress code, and is only for diners aged 18 and older. You'll need to make reservations. One additional waiter-service restaurant is even more exclusive: Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement (dinner: an extra $125–$195 per person) is an intimate high-deck space with ocean views that's intended to woo high-spending adults with specialty ingredients and award-level preparation. Other Disney ships have Remy for their special-occasion meal services; the Wish has Enchanté. Most families won't see the inside of either.

Most mega cruise ships have a buffet where you can go without having reservations for all three meals. For the Disney Wish , that space is Marceline, wrapping around the aft section of deck 11. The setup is as regular cruisers expect: various stations serving various genres of food. The food is included in your cruise fare, sodas and juices are free, and there's a bar where you can pay for alcohol or specialty coffee.  We were surprised and pleased to find some atypical items here: Most American cruise ships don't serve congee and fried rice for breakfast (though both dishes are popular morning options in Asia), but the Disney Wish does. So if you get weary of standing in line for bacon and those ever-popular Mickey waffles, you can dip into the alternative fare. Sometimes, Marceline will close for a few hours in mid-afternoon, but you won't go hungry: Near the pools, there are stations for burgers and hot dogs, pizza, burritos and tacos, and barbecue to fill the hours between restaurant seatings.

Disney's kids' clubs truly set the cruise line apart from its competitors. Instead of installing casinos aboard ships, Disney gives all that space to children, and the kids-only areas are kitted out like no other line's.

This is the slide from the Grand Hall to the Oceaneer Club, geared toward kids aged 3 to 12.

And just take a look at some of the rooms inside. The next few photos were taken in the Oceaneer Club—no grown-ups allowed except to drop off or pick up their offspring.

Oceaneer Club has several major elements. One of them is Fairytale Hall, a hub for crafts and storytelling, which itself has three parts: Belle's Library, Anna and Elsa's Sommerhus , and Rapunzel's Art Studio (pictured). 

Another section exclusively for kids aged 3 to 12, Walt Disney Imagineering Lab lets kids approximate what it's like to be one of Disney's famous Imagineers. Youngsters get to design a roller coaster they can then ride (safely) in a small motion simulator. Sorcerer Mickey also makes character appearances here occasionally. 

Also in the no-adults-allowed club for kids aged 3 to 12, the Marvel Super Hero Academy looks cool enough when it's dormant, but at appointed times, it mounts "Avengers: Mission Training," which Disney calls "a gesture-based game where [players] put their new suits and skills to the test as they virtually battle bad guys." An appearance by Black Panther often figures into the game.

Above, here's more of that delicious Star Wars -themed area for kids.

Kids aged 11 to 14 (including those who qualify for the huge Oceaneer Club but prefer a hangout that's more intimate and ocean-facing) can visit Edge , a zone dedicated to them that's fashioned after an urban loft. There's a stylized Mickey Mouse statue here that proved popular for photos.

The club for the oldest kids is Vibe , high up on the 12th deck with great ocean views befitting kids who want to feel like they're having a cruise experience. Vibe's official age range is 14 to 17, but staff members have discretion to stretch that minimum age downward if your kid is a grown-up 13. That was the case with my nephew, who later declared Vibe his favorite space on the Disney Wish —he especially loved the coffee machine.

Hero Zone , a few steps from Vibe, is the ship's all-purpose sports center. Here, it's set for basketball below, but there are a few table games (like puck slides) on the mezzanine.

For preannounced time slots, the inflatable Incredi-Course fills the Hero Zone for obstacle challenges. (The course is packed away most of the time.)

One more kids' space before we move on to grown-up diversions: The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique presents essentially the same royal makeovers for kids as its counterparts at the Disney theme parks do. Makeovers start at around $200, and a few of the dresses offered to kids are exclusive to Disney Cruise Line. 

There's a serious salon for adults, too. That's Untangled Salon (pictured above), and, a few steps away, it has a tiny pirate-themed counterpart for men in Hook's Barbery .  And while there isn't a casino on board, there is the Senses Spa as well as a Senses Fitness center. 

There are plenty of bars on board (although some are for beer and wine only, and one caters to those seeking healthy juices and drinks), but the most ballyhooed is Hyperspace Lounge . Like the adult-only Skyline Lounge on Disney's Fantasy and Dream , the main feature is a large back wall where giant images are regularly changed.

But instead of showing world cities, as on the other ships, Hyperspace Lounge pauses to linger at computer-animated stops across a Star Wars– themed galaxy. Every so often, you hear a rattling sound, the stars streak across the screen just like when spaceships hit hyperspace in the movies, and you're delivered to a new vista for a while.

Yes, there's a little-ordered $5,000 drink that distracted much of the travel press in its coverage, but otherwise the experience for regular drinks (generally $10–$20 each) falls short. There are blue ice cubes. There's a well-used smoker gun. There are designs on foam that only show up under a UV light that your server shines before walking away again (so you'd better take a picture while the waiter is there).

But to me, Hyperspace Lounge is another missed opportunity. The décor, for example, has none of the excitement or detail of the  Star Wars : Cargo Bay kids' area we showed you earlier. In fact, although the two spaces are only a few decks apart, they look like they were designed by two disconnected teams with vastly different budgets.

The Hyperspace ceiling is mostly plain, and some of the only flourishes meant to signify galactic panache are some tanks of bubbling water. Oga's Cantina uses those at Galaxy's Edge at the Disney parks, too, but as part of an eye-pleasing riot of steampunk decoration. Hyperspace Lounge has no characters, and the drink recipes are so complex that servers have a hard time keeping up with demand.

The bar also suffers from its own promotion: It simply isn't large enough for everyone who wants to get in, so securing a time slot adds a level of red tape that frequent guests of the Disney parks will know well—you might have to drop by several times before you finally score. Most adults' drinking time will be spent in other spaces.

The Bayou (pictured above) is right outside Hyperspace Lounge's closed "airlock" door, so don't be surprised if you end up here after failing to get into Hyperspace Lounge. The Bayou lacks direct ocean views but it has musicians at night. Around the corner,  Nightingale's is an intimate ocean-facing piano bar (most likely to be open in the evening and later). The three cocktail locations form a little hub for entertainment on deck 3.

The nautical-themed Keg & Compass, on deck 5, is the ship's equivalent of a sports bar—it's where games and broadcast events are likely to be shown. There are a few beers on tap that are brewed expressly for the Disney Wish .

Triton Lounge  (pictured above), across the corridor from Keg & Compass on deck 5, has the perfect setup for comedy or cabaret, but there was none scheduled on my abbreviated preview cruise.

Luna , spanning decks 4 and 5, is a space that was created for the Wish . Luna functions as a lavish cabaret-like performance space. Disney says it will transition from family entertainment during the day to adult-oriented entertainment by night. 

Another perk of Disney Cruise Line ships: Since Disney owns the rights to a significant chunk of American popular entertainment, ships can show vacationers the same movies that are simultaneously playing in the movie theaters on land. Don't go to the movies right before boarding the Disney Wish. Save your money, because at least two current selections will be playing repeatedly, day and night, in the two classy screening rooms on deck 4.

Disney cruises are also known for their top-tier stage shows, and the biggest ones are mounted nightly in the Walt Disney Theatre (1,274 seats, with a balcony). The company manages to hire some of the best young voices in the business, and true to form, some of the singers on the Wish will give you goosebumps. Sets and costumes are also among the most impressive you'll find on the seas.

Most entertainment is geared to reinforcing the company's most popular stories and songs. On the Wish , the three main shows during the maiden voyage were new stagings of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin as well as a jukebox revue of Disney hits. The presentation is far beyond what other lines can do, and it's fun—as long as you like seeing the Disney canon again and again. Most kids do.

There's plenty of shopping, of course, across multiple stores that are priced everywhere from the high end to the really high end. There's also plenty of merch that's specific to the Disney Wish , from clothing to toys—Disney knows its fans love to collect souvenirs from across its range of businesses.  This is the largest shop, but there are several spread around the ship, from the pool deck to the entertainment zone.

There's also a sizable laundry room, and not a miserable closet like some ships give you. Someone at Disney HQ must have had a great sense of humor to give the room this name—fairy-tale princess Cinderella worked hard to meet a prince so she could get out of doing laundry. Still, it's a well-equipped facility and you can charge everything to your room card. (Pro tip: Make sure to twist the knob on the dryer to increase your dry time before pressing the start button; otherwise you may end up paying for a 1-minute cycle.)

Now for a quick look at a stateroom. You can see the shelves to the right, but there are also two closets (including a safe) behind that built-in. Make sure to specify how many people you need your room to accommodate—some units have pullout sofas, some have drop-down cots, and some don't. If your party can't fit in one cabin, you can rent adjoining ones. Beds have night-lights for individual reading plus convenient outlets (both electrical and USB) for charging things bedside. The TV has a full menu of Disney movies for free streaming, which is nice. But we sometimes had a hard time contacting our porter to make simple requests: The phone system routed all our requests to the general switchboard. On one occasion that resulted in a 20-minute hold just to ask for our room's Murphy bed to be opened.

The desk drawers contain a hair dryer, so you don't have to pack one. There's a European-style pin outlet, too, plus some more U.S./Canada-style outlets and some additional USB ports.

The shower/tub room is separate from the cubicle with the toilet (and both of them have sinks), so families can maximize their morning routines. 

Naturally, there are some very lush suite options for people with the spending cash. These rooms all come with concierges and access to private areas that people in standard cabins can't use.

The most notable of these lavish quarters is the Wish Tower Suite , which is installed in the forward funnel. It turns out the front smokestack isn't a smokestack at all and is just there for looks—or for your own private 1,966-square-foot duplex suite. No other cruise ship has a luxury suite in one of the funnels. True, the location means views of the ocean aren't as expansive as in the other types of suites, but the bragging rights are unparalleled.  The price for a typical 3-night sailing is $21,000, so just keep on wishing.

Like most modern cruise ships, the Disney Wish could use a few more quiet spaces to sit and read. There are small ship-side promenades on decks 4 and 5 that don't encircle the ship, and of course there are heaps of loungers in the sun on the top decks. The higher you go, away from the pools, the more likely you'll find a free chair.

I'm partial to these cozy porthole seats off the Grand Hall on deck 3. But when you find yourself searching the ship for a quiet place to sit, you realize that Disney Cruise Line seems to be walking away from its original mandate. When the brand emerged in the late 1990s, it intentionally focused on smaller ships with an old-world ocean liner vibe. The Disney Wish leaves that behind—it's a megaship, jangling like a jukebox, abandoning the antique dignity of bygone sea voyages.

Disney Cruise Line is already a premium-priced product, and the Wish , being its newest and hottest ship, is priced the highest. (For lower prices, choose older ships.) For October 2022 sailings, a typical price for a 3-night sailing would be $2,140 for two guests. (All cabins are priced per person, double occupancy.) But don't quote us on that, because the prices are ever-shifting depending on date and cabin category. Generally speaking, a Verandah stateroom, which has a small balcony, is $100–$200 more than an Oceanview cabin, which just has a window. There are a few inside cabins with a screen that displays what's outside the ship at any given moment, and those are about $100–$200 less than an Oceanview room. The fare includes meals and basic nonalcoholic drinks (including on Castaway Cay) as well as live entertainment, youth clubs, and access to the water slides. Special activities may be charged. Disney Wish 's inaugural season is comprised of 3- and 4-night cruises to Nassau in the Bahamas and to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay (pictured above). Cruises depart from Port Canaveral, Florida, which is an hour's drive east of Orlando.

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First look: We got early access to Disney Cruise Line's first new ship in 10 years

As Mickey Mouse would say, "Oh boy!"

For the first time in a decade, Disney Cruise Line is debuting a new ship, and — as we saw during an exclusive sneak peek on Tuesday — it's truly spectacular.

Christened Wednesday at Port Canaveral in Florida, 2,500-passenger Disney Wish (4,000 at total occupancy) offers everything from a "Star Wars"-themed bar and a waterslide that features animation to a revamped kids club and interactive "Frozen"- and Marvel-themed restaurants.

As you can see in our first-look array of Disney Wish photos below, it's a vessel heavy on technology, as well as magic.

Scroll down for TPG's exclusive Disney Wish first look in photos. We'll be posting lots more live from the ship over the next four days as Disney holds a preview event for the media in advance of the ship's first sailings with paying passengers next month.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

When you first board Disney Wish, you'll be welcomed by cast members (Disney's term for crew and other employees) with a booming announcement as you step into the Grand Hall. It's a sweeping three-deck Cinderella-themed atrium with a stage area, balconies and bejeweled staircases. There's also a bronze sculpture of Cinderella herself and a chandelier that was constructed to look like an upside-down version of her twirling dress.

Disney isn't just for kids. In that vein, there are plenty of bars for adults to grab a drink. But this is Disney, after all, so you should fully expect that many libations will come with a bit of fanfare -- and a price tag to match.

Perhaps the most anticipated watering hole on the vessel is the Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge. The premise is that you're on a luxury ride between galaxies; every few minutes, the screen behind the bar jumps to a different location at hyperspeed.

Another great bar that's worth a visit is The Bayou. With its New Orleans vibe, it's an obvious tie-in to "The Princess and the Frog," boasting earthy tones and a ceiling overflowing with flowers. Rumor has it that you can also find beignets at this outpost.

Disney Cruise Line's Oceaneer Club is for kids aged 3 to 12. There's also the Small World Nursery for little ones aged 6 months to 3 years. Offerings include a nursery area with cribs; Mickey & Minnie Captain's Deck, a nautically themed playground; an Imagineering Lab for creative activities; Star Wars Cargo Bay, a "Star Wars"-themed play area; and other spaces that feature Princesses, Marvel superheroes and more.

Kids can reach the Oceaneer Club in one of several ways, but usually their preferred method is the slide, located in the Grand Hall. (Don't worry, parents. There are stairs for you.)

For tweens and teens, there are Edge and Vibe, where the 11-14 and 14-17 crowds can chill with video games, coffee and mocktail bars and a less organized "come and go as you please" setup. Vibe is equipped with a side room that can be separated for use by 18- to 20-year olds who are too old for the kids club but too young to hang out at adult bars.

Dining is always a production on a Disney Cruise -- and that's a good thing. Disney Wish offers three new main dining room concepts, including 1923, an ode to old Hollywood and the golden age of animation; Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure, which celebrates Anna and Kristoff's upcoming nuptials; and World of Marvel, where diners find themselves and their ship shrunken by Ant-Man after a Quantum Core mishap.

Attractions and public spaces

On Disney Wish, the main pool deck features four tiered pools. There's also a splash area for kids.

Another one of Disney Wish's highlights is the AquaMouse water slide. Billed as the line's first at-sea attraction, it's a combination of watery fun and animation that both kids and adults will love.

For anyone who needs some relaxation after a day riding AquaMouse, Senses Spa offers a complete menu of spa treatments. For the first time, the space also has an outdoor area with loungers and hot tubs.

Entertainment is everywhere on Disney Wish. With that in mind, there are several theaters and lounges that house everything from major Broadway-caliber productions and game shows to trivia and movies.

For a sweet treat, including gelato, macarons and more, check out Joyful Sweets, near the pool deck.

Feeling like you need a refresh? Captain Hook now has his very own barbershop for the fellas, and women can head to the Untangled Salon to be coiffed and manicured. For kids, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is the place to be. Parents, be warned: makeovers for your minis don't come cheap.

A new feature for Disney Cruise Line, the Hero Zone is a multipurpose space that serves as Disney Wish's basketball court and a venue for a new inflatable play area that's set up at select times on each sailing. It also hosts Jack Jack's Incredible Diaper Dash, where parents enter the littlest cruisers into an adorable race.

Although Disney Wish offers mainly short voyages, anyone needing to do laundry on the ship can take advantage of onboard launderettes, like this one located on Deck 8.

For more adult respite, seek out the Quiet Cove, which offers pool, hot tub, lounge and bar areas just for grownups. The super-luxe ambiance will leave you feeling refreshed for sure.

This balcony cabin sleeps two, but there are several options for families that sleep up to five, as well as connecting cabins that make it easy for larger families or groups to travel together.

Disney Wish is replete with suite options, including Concierge Suites and two-deck options like the Aurora Suite and the Tower Suite. The first has access to a dedicated Concierge Lounge, while the the last has three bedrooms and 3.5 baths and is built into the vessel's fake funnel. The Tower Suite is the most expensive accommodation on the ship, running several thousand dollars per night.

Disney Wish has taken Disney Cruise Line's Midship Detective Agency to a whole new level with Uncharted Adventure, a high-tech cell phone-based interactive game that takes participants around the ship in search of clues. It's not quite ready yet, but a demo was set up for us by a team of Imagineers during the preview sailing.

Miscellaneous

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

1st look at Disney Destiny heroes and villains-inspired cruise ship

The new cruise will sail to the Bahamas and the western Caribbean.

Get your sea legs ready to set sail aboard the brand new Disney Destiny, Disney Cruise Line's new heroes and villains-inspired ship with themed venues and entertainment inspired by Disney, Pixar and Marvel characters.

"Good Morning America" got an early look at what to expect aboard the new vessel, which is set to make its maiden voyage in November 2025 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

From a first-of-its-kind Pride Lands dining experience inspired by the unforgettable music of "The Lion King" to an exclusive confectionary inspired by "The Incredibles," the Disney Destiny takes a page from an array of legends and legacies.

Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Cruise Lines, said in a press release that "guests aboard our new ship will be surrounded by extraordinary storytelling paired with the signature service and family-fun adventures that are hallmarks of a Disney Cruise vacation."

Editor’s Picks

First look at new Disney Cruise Line Bahamas destination Lookout Cay

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What's aboard the new Disney Treasure cruise ship

Check out all the photos below to get a glimpse of even more magical features aboard the ship, like hero-worthy luxury staterooms, King T'Challa presiding over the Grand Hall and more.

Booking opens Sept. 12, 2024, with cruises to the Bahamas and the western Caribbean.

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Disney Cruise Photo Package – What You Need to Know

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If you’re about to, or thinking about going on a Disney cruise, you may be wondering which is the right photo option for you! 

Disney cruises offer several different photo package options, and to help you out, I have put together this handy guide to tell you everything you need to know, including;

• An overview of Disney cruise photographers
• How to find your Disney cruise photos
• Whether the Disney cruise photos are any good
• How to buy Disney cruise photos 
• How much the packages cost
• The Disney cruise photo book
• How to get the most out of your Disney cruise photo package.

Let’s get into it!

Disney Cruise Photo Package Overview

Here is our complete guide to all the options of the Disney Cruise Photo Package to help you decide if it is worth it.

Learn some things along the way which will help you make the most out of your Disney Cruise Photo Package.

Disney Cruise Photographers

Even in the Disney cruise port terminal, you will have your first chance to have a picture for your Disney cruise photo package.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be there for you while you are waiting to board.

When you board a Disney cruise the first thing you do is hand your Key To The World Card to be swiped to show you have entered the ship.

I have to confess I am not the most enthusiastic person about stopping for that embarkation photo.

However, it is often the very best one we have taken for the cruise. I know that feeling of just wanting to get on board the ship as soon as possible, but take a couple of minutes to stop for a photo and you will be glad that you did.

Photographers are everywhere on the ship.

Every character greeting you go to you will find a photographer. You can always use your own camera. However, there will also be a professional on hand.

They also set up lots of photo backgrounds around the ship.

You can even have your photo taken with the captain on certain sailings!

You can see which backgrounds they are setting up so you can choose which one you like.

The lines for photography on a formal night on a Disney cruise are always the longest.

If you want a formal night photo be aware that you may be standing in line for quite a while.

101 Disney Cruise Tips You Need To Know

How Do You Find Your Disney Cruise Photos?

Disney Cruise Line makes it very easy for you to see your photos.

On every ship (exepct Disney Wish) on Deck 4, there is a Shutters photo area.

There you will find digital kiosks where you can view your photos.

All you need to do is swipe your Key To The World and all the photos which are in their system will be displayed.

How do they know who you are?

They have a digital facial recognition system which in theory puts all of your photos in your account so that you can view them on the kiosk.

I say in theory because it doesn’t always work.

If you think that photos are missing the Shutters staff can help you find them. Just inquire at the desk.

Another way to make sure that your photos definitely make it into your account is to hand the photographer your Key To The World Card.

This then links the photos with your account.

All of your Disney cruise photos used to be printed out.

This is not the case anymore.

They have gone fully digital and your photos are all available to view on the Shutters kiosk.

This is located on Deck 4 of all of the Disney ships (except Disney Wish).

Join my Disney Cruise Group for Tips and Free Giveaways!

Are The Disney Cruise Photos Any Good?

Photos are of course an amazing way to capture the memories of your Disney Cruise. My house is filled with photos from past cruises.

The photographers are generally good. Not outstanding.

However, given that they are working quickly and often with very large parties, they do a good job. They have the advantage over you in that they have worked out the lighting and the best angles.

You really should have as many photos taken as you can just so you can see which ones you like.

Having said that I am not a big fan of the backgrounds that Shutters use sometimes.

The borders around the photos are often just not to my taste.

Unfortunately, you do not have the option to choose to remove or change the borders. I am not sure why in the age of digital ease but you get what you are given with the borders.

I am sure that one day soon that will change but at the moment there is no option to choose a different one.

It’s great also that you actually get a complete family or group photo.

I know that there are such things as selfie sticks but nothing beats a great photo of the whole family having fun on a Disney cruise.

If Minnie Mouse is with you then that’s even better!

How Do You Buy Disney Cruise Photos?

There are a number of ways that you can buy Disney cruise photos.

If you know you are going to want a Disney cruise photo package then the best way is to purchase it online before you sail on your cruise.

You can do this up to 48 hours before you sail. See below for prices and the Shutters website.

You can also buy a package or individual photo at any time that the Shutters desk is open. Just like anything on a Disney cruise, the amount will be charged automatically to your onboard stateroom account.

What you absolutely must do is purchase the photos that you want whilst you are still onboard your Disney cruise.

Once you have left the ship it is too late.

There is no going back to reorder!

My advice is to choose whatever photos you want prior to the last evening on the ship.

If you try and buy on the last evening of your cruise you are going to be with crowds of people and wait in a long line.

Just really try and avoid it.

That is not how you want to spend the last evening on your cruise.

Disney Cruise Line Photo Package For More Than One Stateroom

This is where people get very confused.

However, it’s simple if you break it down!

Often families or groups stay in more than one stateroom on a Disney cruise

They want to know how to make the Disney cruise line photo package work most economically for them.

The general rule is that it is one package per stateroom. Say you have one stateroom with your kids and the grandparents have a separate stateroom.

This is a pretty common setup on a Disney cruise.

However, you can’t combine a Disney Cruise Photo Package with two staterooms (with certain exceptions I will explain below).

Say for your embarkation photo you have a group photo with all the family. Parents, kids, and grandparents. Just the parents get the package.

The picture will show up in the parent’s and the grandparent’s accounts on the Shutters kiosk.

Facial recognition or the swiping of the Key To The World will make sure they know who you are.

However, if the parents have bought a package they can get it for their account. The grandparents can’t.

If the grandparents decide to get a photo of just the two of them it will not be on the account if just the parents bought it for their stateroom.

Remember. It’s about the stateroom – if you don’t have someone in the photo who has a package it will not be included in the package.

However, if the grandparents decide to get a photo with the kids, that photo will be included on the parent’s stateroom account.

It’s all about who is in the photo.

The package is exclusive to the stateroom but just so long as someone from that stateroom is in the picture and you have bought a package, it will be available as part of what you bought.

There is an exception.

A lot of families travel with parents in one stateroom and kids in another. Just so long as there is one person over 18 in each stateroom this is allowed.

The exception for kids being in another stateroom is for any “children” aged under 21. This is a great exception if you are traveling with older offspring as well!

If you have 2 or more staterooms and your children aged 17 or under are in a stateroom they will be included in the package. That’s easy.

How does this work?

Let’s say Dad is in one room with the 5-year-old and Mom is in the other stateroom with the 12-year-old. If Mom or Dad had a Disney cruise photo package linked to their stateroom, pictures from both staterooms would be included.

To make sure this works you do have to visit Shutters on the first day of your Disney cruise. They can explain what the position is.

There is another way to get a discount if your family is traveling in 2 staterooms. The first stateroom can buy the Disney cruise photo package online.

Then once you get on board the second stateroom family can buy the package at a 50% discount.

However, this isn’t quite as good as it sounds.

This is 50% of the onboard price. Therefore you do not get 50% off the online discounted rate. You get 50% off the higher price onboard. It is still a discount. Just perhaps not as great as it seems at first.

How Much Do Disney Cruise Photo Packages Cost?

When it comes to the price of the Disney cruise photo packages, there are several different options. 

The first option is to buy individual prints. This is where Disney will print your selected photos for you, which you can take as a keepsake from your magical cruise. 

Alternatively, rather than receiving hard copies of the photos, you can opt for the digital option. This means you choose which photos you would like to buy, but they are sent to you digitally for you to print how you wish. 

Typically, both the digital and photo prints are billed similarly. The prices for the different options are as follows; 

Furthermore, if you do not wish to select just a few photos from your cruise, you can opt for a length of sailing Disney Cruise Photo Package!

This package gives you access to every single photo you take while on board on a USB, which can be exceptional value for money if you end up taking many photos. 

If you pay for your package before your sailing, you can expect the following prices:

However, if you pay onboard, the prices will be slightly higher: 

Disney Cruise Photo Book

Another great option is the Disney Cruise Photo Book.

The price if you buy it online at Our Cruise Photos is $139.95.

If you purchase it onboard it is $149.95

There is also a Shipping Charge of $10 for the Continental United States, Alaska & Hawaii.

All other countries are $15.

You can add up to 34 photos to your Disney Cruise Photo Book.

This is a really good way to make sure that you get a good selection of your Disney cruise photos to keep.

It’s a lot of fun putting together your Disney Cruise Photo Book. You can do this at the Shutters kiosk.

It’s easy to change photos in and out of your Disney Cruise Photo Album and arrange them on the page as you want to. Don’t leave this until the last moment.

The Shutters area on the Disney ships is very crowded on the last evening. Don’t leave it that late.

I suggest that you keep looking at your photos every day so you know what is there and start arranging them in the Disney Cruise Photo Book. You do not want to be leaving all of this to the last evening of the cruise.

Shutters will be crammed full of people on the final evening and you may feel pressured to get it done. It’s a lot easier to do it a bit at a time. You can always rearrange things if you get photos that you prefer.

I actually think that the Photo Book is a reasonable option as you do get to have a lot of printed memories for a reasonable price. However, if you prefer to put your pictures on display this is obviously not the best option as they are all in a book.

How To Get The Most Out of Your Disney Cruise Photo Package

A Disney Cruise Photo Package is pricey. There is no denying that. Some people think it is an amazing value. Others think it is a huge expense. Only you can decide which view is your view.

However, if you do decide to get the Disney Cruise Photo Package there are ways to make it more valuable.

By getting more photos taken.

It is one thing to pay $349.95 for 10 photos on a USB but quite another if you get 100 photos!

How can you maximize the number of photos in your Disney Cruise Package? There are so many photo ops you really can go all out and maximize it.

We have heard of guests having 800 photos on a 14-night cruise.

Not sure if you would actually get a chance to sleep if you were having your photo taken that many times. However, it definitely is possible.

The secret is planning.

You know that every day on the cruise there will be photographers out setting up backgrounds.

Go and take a walk before the first seating of dinner and see what your options are.

Arrive early so you minimize the time spent in line.

Sometimes the photographers will be in your rotational dining room .

They always suggest what pictures they take.

For instance, they may say a photo of you as a couple, as a family, and then separate photos of the children.

Ask for what you want. If you want extra ones tell the photographer.

It is not going to take much extra time, but it will mean that you get more photos in your account.

Disney photographers are even found on Disney Castaway Cay . 

You may be floating along in your inner tube in the ocean and see a photographer approach. Go and seek them out.

If you want a family photo then set one up.

Photo of you and your significant other? Ask for one.

The photographers want to sell as many photographs as possible so they are happy to oblige.

In my experience, a lot of people ignore them on Castaway Cay. So go for it. You may get a great Castaway Cay picture for your Disney Cruise Photo Package.

Character greetings are often the best chance you have to get a really great photo for your Disney Cruise Package.

Every day the character greetings are posted on the Navigators App.

If you want to be even more organized and plan further in advance use the Disney Cruise Navigator App so that you can see where the characters will be more than one day in advance.

Mickey and Minnie appear most often in lots of different costumes. I love the Golden Mickeys costumes for Mickey and Minnie.

However, if you want to have your photograph taken with one of the more minor characters, say Peter Pan or Captain Hook this takes a little more planning as they don’t appear as often.

If you have your heart set on a photo with Captain Jack Sparrow he appears on Castaway Cay as well as on Pirate Night.

You do need to plan ahead to seek out the Disney characters which appear less often.

It is so much easier to get a picture with a Disney character on a cruise than at Disney parks.

You can wait for less time.

In air-conditioned comfort.

Make the most of it and get as many photos as you can.

Then the value of the Disney Cruise Photo Package really kicks in.

Will you be buying a Disney cruise photo package? Let me know in the comments below.

Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando.  In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.

Monday 22nd of April 2024

I just inquired about the photo book. I was told that they no longer offer it pre cruise price of $139. We love the photo book. We have purchased the photo books on our last 4 cruises.

Wednesday 14th of February 2024

You forgot to mention the "Magic Photos" I did several on my Disney Cruise & loved them. You night feel a bit silly holding your hands out but you never know what or who will be in them later. And the multi pic is cool too

Monday 1st of January 2024

Thank you for all the information! Do you know if you have a Disney Annual Pass with the photo package, does it apply to photos taken on the Disney ships? Or will I have to buy a totally a separate photo package for on board?

Tuesday 2nd of January 2024

Glad that you enjoyed the information! The parks and cruises are separate so even as an Annual Pass Holder you will have to purchase a separate package for the cruise. You may like to join my Disney Cruise Facebook Group for lots more information about all aspects of your cruise https://www.facebook.com/groups/309675872918213

Friday 27th of October 2023

I am confused - do you have to buy the package before the cruise, or can you pose for photos, see if you like any of them, and then buy a 10-photo package?

You can buy the package up to 3 days before the cruise to get a discount. If you buy it on the cruise the price is higher. However way you buy it if you see the photos and you don't want a package any more, and you haven't downloaded any photos , you can go to Shutters on the ship and ask to cancel the package.

Tonya Moctezuma

Wednesday 27th of September 2023

Single mom, so I’m never in any pictures. So I will be buying the unlimited package, so I can have lots of photos of me and my kids.

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On this page you will find pictures of Disney Fantasy cruise ship. Cruisedeckplans.com also provides links to our own pages filled with Disney Fantasy public area venue pictures. On all our albums you can click on the picture for a larger image and slideshow. We thank the thousands of contributors for the photos.

Public Area Pictures

Click here for slide show of all areas.

Click on area below to view photo gallery for each area

• Animators Palate Deck 3 Deck (44 pics.)
• AquaDuck Deck 12 Deck (12 pics.)
• AquaLab Deck 12 Deck (20 pics.)
• Atrium Deck 3 Deck (42 pics.)
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Deck 5 Deck (6 pics.)
• Bon Voyage Bar Deck 3 Deck (8 pics.)
• Buena Vista Theater Deck 4 Deck (29 pics.)
• Cabanas Deck 11 Deck (37 pics.)
• Concierge Lounge Deck 12 Deck (15 pics.)
• Concierge Sun Deck Deck 13 Deck (28 pics.)
• Cove Cafe Deck 11 Deck (14 pics.)
• Currents Bar Deck 13 Deck (7 pics.)
• D Lounge Deck 4 Deck (18 pics.)
• Deck 12 Sun Deck Deck 12 Deck (8 pics.)
• Diamonds and Wishes Deck 3 Deck (2 pics.)
• Donalds Pool Deck 11 Deck (31 pics.)
• Edge Tween Club Deck 13 Deck (14 pics.)
• Enchanted Garden Deck 2 Deck (48 pics.)
• Eye Scream Deck 11 Deck (8 pics.)
• Fitness Center Deck 11 Deck (8 pics.)
• Flos Cafe Deck 11 Deck (18 pics.)
• Funnel Pool Deck 12 Deck (10 pics.)
• Goofys Sports Deck Deck 13 Deck (21 pics.)
• Its a Small World Nursery Deck 5 Deck (22 pics.)
• La Piazza Deck 4 Deck (19 pics.)
• Meridian Bar Deck 12 Deck (17 pics.)
• Mickeys Mainsail Deck 3 Deck (11 pics.)
• Mickeys Pool Slide Deck 11 Deck (20 pics.)
• Mini Golf Deck 13 Deck (16 pics.)
• Nemos Reef Deck 11 Deck (8 pics.)
• O Gills Pub Deck 4 Deck (19 pics.)
• Oceaneer Club Deck 5 Deck (58 pics.)
• Oceaneer Lab Deck 5 Deck (37 pics.)
• Ooh La La Deck 4 Deck (19 pics.)
• Outlook Deck 14 Deck (11 pics.)
• Palo Deck 12 Deck (30 pics.)
• Preludes Deck 3 Deck (8 pics.)
• Preludes Deck 4 Deck (8 pics.)
• Quiet Cove Pool Deck 11 Deck (27 pics.)
• Remy Deck 12 Deck (19 pics.)
• Royal Court Deck 3 Deck (50 pics.)
• Satellite Sun Deck Deck 13 Deck (27 pics.)
• Sea Treasure Deck 3 Deck (8 pics.)
• Senses Rainforest Deck 11 Deck (10 pics.)
• Senses Spa & Salon Deck 11 Deck (30 pics.)
• Shopping Arcade Deck 3 Deck (8 pics.)
• Shutters Deck 4 Deck (14 pics.)
• Skyline Lounge Deck 4 Deck (14 pics.)
• Sweet on You Deck 11 Deck (18 pics.)
• The Tube Deck 4 Deck (16 pics.)
• Vibe Teen Club Deck 5 Deck (16 pics.)
• Virtual Sports Simulators Deck 13 Deck (0 pics.)
• Vista Cafe Deck 4 Deck (9 pics.)
• Vista Gallery Deck 4 Deck (7 pics.)
• Walking Track Deck 13 Deck (0 pics.)
• Walking/Jogging Track Deck 4 Deck (19 pics.)
• Walt Disney Theater Deck 3 Deck (45 pics.)
• Walt Disney Theater Deck 4 Deck (45 pics.)
• Waves Bar Deck 12 Deck (0 pics.)
• Whozits & Whatzits Deck 11 Deck (2 pics.)

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Photos & Video: New Disney Wish Cruise Ship

Ahead of Disney Cruise Line’s grand reveal of the new Disney Wish ship, which begins sailing in Summer 2022, the company has shared new concept photos and behind the scenes video of the development of the fifth ship in the fleet. We’ll share that here, along with some quick commentary.

The design of the Disney Wish centers around the motif of “enchantment.” This is the architectural and thematic foundation of the ship’s design, weaving imagination, emotion, and adventure into the ship. This fairly nebulous term provides latitude for a wide range of stories to be represented on board. Judging by the video, those will include Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. It’s presumably similar to how the motifs for nighttime spectaculars in the parks provide a loose, all-encompassing framework for a variety of intellectual properties.

“Enchantment is about unlocking the wonder in everything we do and experience,” said Laura Cabo of Walt Disney Imagineering. “For the Disney Wish, we are creating a signature design language that exudes this emotional magic like only Disney can, by infusing every inch of this enchanted ship with more Disney stories and characters than ever before. The Disney Wish will be a place where families really do get to wish upon a star.”

Per Imagineering, enchantment is an ingredient that brings the worlds of Disney films to life. Translating this concept into a design theme provides a means for infusing Disney storytelling into the cruise experience, giving the Disney Wish a completely new look and feel.

Inspired by Disney fairytales, Walt Disney Imagineering has captured what they call the “essence of enchantment” through three design lenses, using:

• Fairytale castles, emulating the classic storybook charm at the core of many enchanted tales
• Forests and animals, bringing to life fascinating natural worlds and the animals that inhabit them
• Spirit of the sea, embodying the magic and mystery of the watery world below

The Disney Wish will continue the Disney Cruise Line tradition of incorporating an elegant, classical exterior design that pays tribute to the golden age of cruising, in the emblematic colors of Mickey Mouse.

A hallmark of Disney Cruise Line is the adornment of two character art pieces on the hull of each ship. For the Disney Wish, artwork on the bow will be an intricate scrollwork pattern reminiscent of the classic ocean liners of the 1930s, and will feature Captain Minnie Mouse for the first time.

The stern of the Disney Wish will display a custom sculpture of Rapunzel from Tangled . Suspended by her golden tresses, this artistic princess will be “decorating” the exterior of the ship with her trusty paintbrush and the help of her chameleon pal, Pascal.

To take it one step further into enchantment, Imagineers have added curvature to the deck edge along both sides of the Disney Wish, creating a sense of motion and fluidity both inside and out.

The Grand Hall will be a bright, airy, and elegant space that welcomes guests as they first step on board. The heart of the Disney Wish, this atrium is designed with Gothic, Baroque, and French Rococo influences imbued in the columns, carvings, trimmings, and adornments.

The Grand Hall will be Disney Cruise Line’s “Castle on the Seas,” with glittering trails of pixie dust on three-story columns, leading to the shimmering chandelier above. The chandelier is inspired by Cinderella’s transformation into a princess, which Disney calls “the manifestation of wishes come true — a swirling spiral of crystal gems punctuated with light, its crown jewel a wondrous wishing star.”

At the base of a grand staircase, beneath the glow of the wishing star, will stand Cinderella. This princess’ story is the epitome of magic transforming wishes into dreams and dreams into reality, and is a pillar of the Walt Disney Company’s historic legacy.

The beautiful bronze statue of Cinderella is one of many tributes to the fairytale in the Grand Hall’s design. Others include railings that glisten, stained glass in her signature colors, rich carpeting embellished with icons from the film, plus nods to her carriage and glass slipper in the metalwork and light fixtures.

The Grand Hall will be the gateway to everything on board the Disney Wish: fairytale worlds, heroic challenges, epicurean indulgences, thrilling adventures, galactic encounters, peaceful escapes, and much more.

The Disney Wish is the first of three new Disney Cruise Line ships to be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany through 2025. All three ships will be powered by liquefied natural gas and, at approximately 144,000 gross tons, will be slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

Here’s a behind the scenes video about designing the Dish Wish:

It’s great as a hype video, and certainly has me more excited for the Disney Wish. (Probably in large part because I’m beyond ready to cruise again, in general, honestly.)

It’s cool to see the Wish’s atrium rendered in Imagineering’s Dish, too. Behind the scenes stuff like that is always fun.

As for new details and info, there’s not a ton here, which makes sense given that the grand reveal is only a week away. I did notice there were several props from the live-action Beauty and the Beast that are also found at the new-ish Enchanted Rose Lounge in the Grand Floridian at Walt Disney World.

This makes me wonder whether Enchanted Rose is also a concept for the Wish. Even though it’s been open at Walt Disney World for over a year now, it’s even possible that Enchanted Rose was developed first for the Wish. It wouldn’t be the first time something like that has happened.

Ultimately, not a ton of commentary beyond that. Fans might poke fun at the motifs Disney likes to use for these all-encompassing projects, but that’s the nature of the beast. Star Wars, Marvel, Disney Animation, Pixar, etc. are all very disparate properties, yet they all need to be present aboard a new DCL ship. There’s simply no other option–that’s what guests expect. Also expected is that quintessential Disney storytelling, which is what leads to efforts to weave everything together like this. I’ll be very interested to see how that’s executed beyond the atrium!

Planning to set sail aboard one of the DCL ships? Read our comprehensive Disney Cruise Line Guide to prepare for your voyage, plus plan entertainment, activities & excursions, and learn what to expect from your Disney cruise! For personalized planning & recommendations, click here to get a cruise quote from a no-fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner . They can find you all of the current discounts, and help you plan the details of your cruise!

YOUR THOUGHTS

Does this have you more excited for the Disney Wish? Looking forward to the big reveal of the ship? Do you plan on booking a cruise aboard this ship, or are you awaiting more details? Excited by the range of IPs that will be featured on the Disney Wish, or would you prefer more ‘classic Disney’ properties and characters? Do you agree or disagree with our advice and assessment? Any questions? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

If you can’t take the vaccine, then don’t. You won’t be cruising either. Ya’ll would believe aliens landed on this planet before taking a vaccine. Stop being ignorant and take the vaccine.

My family and I have been on several Disney Cruises, and they were by far our favorite cruise’s. However if we are required to get a vaccine (That I might add has no long term testing for side effects and not something I am willing to give our children that is still considered experimental) we will no longer be sailing with Disney. We also gave up our season tickets to Disney World because of the reservation system they put in place, it was a struggle to use the passes we had paid a significant amounts of money for. Looks like a beautiful ship, I hope those who sail on her have a wonderful time. .

Sooo beautiful!!! We had always planned on cruising, but we wanted to wait until our youngest was 5. We were hoping to book a cruise last year, but, you know…Covid. Now that cruise lines will most likely require vaccination to board, we may not get the chance. 🙁 I understand why they would require them, I just wish that if they’re going to go that route, they would accept proof of antibodies as well. We’re not vaccinated but we are immune to Covid, having gotten it and recovered. We should not be required to get a vaccine for something we already have the antibodies for. So little is known about how long immunity lasts (both natural & from the vaccine) that I actually think an antibody test taken within a certain time before departure makes more sense!

We would really like to sail on the wish. We have no problem with vaccines, testing, distanced characters, and masks. I don’t even mind reduced entertainment (no fireworks, sail away party etc). We do have a problem with everything on the ship requiring a reservation or virtual queue (pool deck, kids club, trivia etc.)… While they’ve had some reserved activities in the past (spa, golf, drink tastings), if you didn’t get a reservation for those those, there was plenty to do on the ship every hour of the day. Now if you don’t get a reservation I guess you are just stuck in your room reading a book–while paying disney cruise prices for the privilege.

Imagine if they had the same concept for disney parks: if every ride was like Rise if Resistance and if you aren’t lucky enough ti get a reservation you won’t be riding anything. Hated that for ROTR, and I’d hate it even more being stuck on a cruise ship with nothing to do.

I hope that is not a long term plan as we won’t be back on a disney cruise until we can be sure we’ll get to partake in at least some activities and it won’t all be booked up by the platinum and concierge cruisers, or left to a same-day “virtual queue” lottery.

Vaccines prevent transmission. Please stop those lies. I am so tired of this crap peddled by people who are outing themselves as anti vaxxers essentially even those in government who clearly want this to continue. They work like any vaccine does by preventing transmission as well as severe illness. I had it. It was mild. Swine flu on the other hand was horrendous.

Very disturbing that the UK is requiring people to be vaccinated. That won’t go over well here in the US. We’ve been on about 8 cruises with Disney and they do it right! However, if they require the vaccine, we will not be going anymore. Sad that this is what the world is coming to. What’s go for one, might not be good for another.

This looks beautiful! I’d like to remind people that the vaccine does not prevent COVID. It’s supposed to help with not getting severe symptoms or hospital stays should you get COVID. They have no proof yet that it keeps you from spreading it, should you contract it. You could have it and be either asymptotic, or presymptomatic and spreading it, even to fully vaccinated people. Severe or mild, I don’t want it!

With regard to infection, and by extension transmission, from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p0329-COVID-19-Vaccines.html

I am so excited for cruising to return but very nervous we won’t ever experience it again the way it was before, with the freedom and fun it provided on board. And with allergies to the vaccine, that isn’t an option for some members of my family, so we may have to wait much longer. I have a fantasy cruise booked for next year but I’m fully expecting to have to cancel it. Regardless, the Wish looks really neat and I’m excited to see the rest of it! We are huge DCL fans!!!

I’m guessing they are starting out very conservative by requiring both vaccination and masking. They don’t want to be on the evening news as a ship with a COVID outbreak. Are they booking to full capacity?

On the subject of Disney Cruise Line – Tom, have you seen the updates to the UK Magic at Sea? They’re requiring all adults to be fullly vaccinated, but still ask all guests over age 11 wear masks and socially distance. As well as that, there’s no rotational dining – you have one dining table to yourself for the whole cruise.

I was on the fence before, but because of the UK vaccination system (12 weeks between shots, youngest adults – I’m 27 – only likely to get the first shot in July) I probably won’t be able to. But, even if I was vaccinated, no way I’m going without rotational dining. And it makes no sense to me to ask for masks and distancing when every adult has proof of vaccination. I don’t think this bodes well for the return of DCL elsewhere…

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/why-cruise-disney/experience-updates/

Thanks for the heads up. I saw some questions/uncertainty…maybe last weekend…but missed the latest development.

I wouldn’t be doing it in those circumstances, either.

Never been on a Disney cruise but I hope next year! It looks beautiful.

More worried about noro than I about anything else on a cruise…

I’m with you Tom, I can’t wait to cruise again. After several cancellations and rebooking with DCL, I sincerely hope the CDC lifts their death grip by 2022. We gave up on cruising in 2021 so we’re all in on WDW until then.

Booking on this as soon as we can ! Looks lovely abs magical

I don’t have vaccine hesitancy.. but I do have cruise hesitancy after the last year..

That said… it looks like it will be a gorgeous ship, very tempting.

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1st look at Disney Destiny heroes and villains-inspired cruise ship

Get your sea legs ready to set sail aboard the brand new Disney Destiny, Disney Cruise Line's new heroes and villains-inspired ship with themed venues and entertainment inspired by Disney, Pixar and Marvel characters.

"Good Morning America" got an early look at what to expect aboard the new vessel, which is set to make its maiden voyage in November 2025 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

From a first-of-its-kind Pride Lands dining experience inspired by the unforgettable music of "The Lion King" to an exclusive confectionary inspired by "The Incredibles," the Disney Destiny takes a page from an array of legends and legacies.

Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Cruise Lines, said in a press release that "guests aboard our new ship will be surrounded by extraordinary storytelling paired with the signature service and family-fun adventures that are hallmarks of a Disney Cruise vacation."

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Check out all the photos below to get a glimpse of even more magical features aboard the ship, like hero-worthy luxury staterooms, King T'Challa presiding over the Grand Hall and more.

Booking opens Sept. 12, 2024, with cruises to the Bahamas and the western Caribbean.

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Top 10 Best Pictures to Take on a Disney Cruise

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Before our most recent cruise on the Disney Dream, I searched for the top picture spots on a Disney Cruise. Strange enough, I couldn’t find one post that gave me what I wanted. Even as a Gold Castaway Club member , I’m always looking for new photography tips and photo ideas.

A Disney cruise is a magical vacation that will create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you are a first-time cruiser or a seasoned veteran, there are some pictures that you simply must take while on your cruise.

Between the ship, Disney’s private island, and all the Disney characters, the photo options are endless. But I narrowed it down to my list of the top 10 best pictures to take on a Disney Cruise. Here are my favorite ideas:

Outside The Ship

There are several pictures you will want to take with the beautiful Disney ship. Here are the can’t miss photo ops:

1. Leaning over your veranda looking out to see at sunrise

I would sleep in any room on a Disney Cruise. But having a verandah makes every cruise better.

I realize a cruise is for relaxing, but try to wake up early at least one morning to watch the sunrise. And if you have a verandah, make sure you snap a shot of yourself looking at it over the ocean.

If you don’t have a verandah, head up to the ship’s top deck. Bonus points if you take the picture wearing a spirit jersey with the ship’s name on the back like this one:

2. The Name on the Back of the Ship

The Disney cruise ships are some of the most beautiful afloat. Be sure to take a picture of the ship from all angles, including the bow, stern, and side.

When you dock at port, make sure to take a picture with the back of the ship in the background. Known as the aft, you will always find the name of your ship on the back with iconic Disney characters doing some touch-ups.

An especially beautiful place to capture the ship name is at Castaway Cay. You can find a Disney photographer stationed on the walkway to capture this iconic view. If the line is too long, you can just ask someone waiting to snap your picture for you.

3. Disney’s Private Island, Castaway Cay

Speaking of Disney’s Private Island, Castaway Cay is one of my favorite places in the entire world. Literally.

I especially love finding my favorite Disney characters in their best Islandwear.

Obviously, Castaway Cay boasts many more photo opps. Snag a shot on one of the water bikes with the ship in the background. Or with the airplane in the sand on the outskirts of the adult beach at Serenity Bay. And my favorite, the perfect swirl of strawberry ice cream with the beautiful blue ocean behind you.

4. Making a heart around the ship

I also like taking this picture on Castaway Cay, but it could be taken at any port. Hold your hands in the shape of a heart and make sure you can see the ship through it.

Inside the Ship

Sure, the sunsets and sunrises help lead to great lighting on a Disney Cruise. But you’ll also find magical photo opportunities inside the ship as well.

5. The Grand Staircase

The Midship where you enter the ship of every Disney Cruise is magnificent. Most notable is the Grand Staircase.

Each Disney Cruise vessel has a unique name. With the name comes a unique magical theme.

At the base of the staircase sits a special golden Disney statue that embodies the ship.

6. The Circle Windows

The large circle windows serve as the perfect spot to escape and stare out into the sea. They also become a beautiful backdrop during all times of day.

During themed Disney Cruises, these windows also get dressed up. During our Halloween on the High Seas cruise, we found different Jack-o-Lantern faces. Some windows even had sparkly spider web decals.

7. The Smokestacks

This may be one of my favorite places to capture Disney Cruise pictures. On the Disney Dream, these are located on Deck 12 just above the Pool Deck and next to the Family Zone.

These stacks make the perfect backdrop to show off your favorite food or Disney merchandise. (Think Mickey Ears or a Spirit Jersey with the ship’s name).

You’ll also find guests jumping for joy in front of them. And because this deck is exposed to the wind, it’s also a great spot to let your cover up fly!

8. Top Deck Ship’s Rail

Turn 180 degrees from the smokestacks and head over to the ship’s rail at sunset. Not only will you find beautiful sunset views over the ocean, you’ll want to take two sets of pictures:

• Using the beautiful light of the golden hour shining on your face
• Shooting straight into the light with yourselves (& ideally your Mickey ears) in the shadows.

More Disney Cruise Photo Must-Do’s

I know I said this is a top 10 list of Disney Cruise photo must-do’s, but there are more that I had to add. From characters and snacks to ports of call and pool pictures, here are a few more spots to add to your list:

9. Disney Characters

I almost didn’t add this to the list because it seemed like a given. What would a Disney Cruise be without Disney character photos?

No Disney cruise would be complete without a picture with Mickey and his friends. You can find them all over the ship, so be sure to snap a pic with them whenever you see them.

The Disney Cruise Line Navigator App offers a character greetings tab. Characters make appearances throughout the day all over the ship. Sometimes you’ll even get lucky enough to catch them just wandering around the different decks, especially if it’s a rainy day outside.

Some ships also have character encounters as part of your dinner dining, such as Tiana’s where I finally got to meet Louis!

10. Favorite Disney Drinks & Snacks

Perhaps you’re one of the many Disney fans who have bought the now iconic Disney t-shirt that reads, “I’m just here for the snacks”.

The food on Disney cruises is simply delicious. It’s no surprise that many of us travel to Disney Parks and sail on Disney Cruises for the unique food and drink you can only find there.

What better way to show your love for your favorites than to take a picture for other Disney fans to enjoy? Hold up your drink in front of the pool, take a bite out of that Premium Mickey ice cream bar in the restaurant, or show off the perfect soft serve twist on Castaway Cay.

Finally, be sure to take pictures of your favorite meals, so you can remember them later.

11. Port Canaveral

Another iconic cruise show is of the Mickey portal at Port Canaveral that leads you out of the terminal and onto the walkway of the ship. Our last cruise left from Miami, so we missed this opportunity.

12. The AquaDuck

The AquaDuck is not just any waterslide. Built by Donald’s nephews, this water coaster shoots guests above and around the pools on. You cannot bring a phone or camera onto the AquaDuck, but friends and family can capture you riding it through the clear chutes or getting off at the bottom.

On the upper pool deck with the pool behind you

13. Fireworks on Pirate Night

Every Disney Cruise I’ve been on featured a Pirate Night complete with fireworks at sea. (Did you know that Disney Cruise line is the only cruise line in the world allowed to shoot off fireworks?).

As such, you’ll definitely want to capture pictures of you and your fellow guests in the Disney pirate bandanas on deck. (They provide the bandanas for free in your stateroom before dinner.)

What’s the Best Camera to Take on a Cruise?

Chances are you’ll have your cell phone on you anyway, so I say just use your cell phone camera! Plus, you’re going to want to keep your phone close by to use the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App too.

I use the latest version of the iPhone. The triple camera lenses are incredible and allow me to edit photos in real-time as well.

Finally, the best part of a Disney cruise is spending time with your loved ones. Be sure to take plenty of pictures of your family and friends, so you can remember all the good times you had together.

These are just a few ideas for pictures to take on a Disney cruise. The possibilities are endless, so be sure to get creative and capture all the magic of your vacation.

For even more Disney Cruise info, check out my top tips:

• Disney Cruise Castaway Club Free Printable Lanyard Cards
• What to do before you depart for your Disney Cruise
• My 7 Top Cruise Tips
• Shop my “ Cruise Must-Haves ” from Amazon
• Disney Cruise Line Deals and Tips

Disney Bounding Captain Mickey

Finally, you’ll want to choose your outfits carefully for your Disney Cruise. In addition to bringing your favorite Disney tees and costumes, you may want to try Disney Bounding.

Disney Bounding is a great way to dress like your favorite Disney character without a costume, especially as an adult. This is where you wear ‘regular’ clothes that give a nod to what characters wear.

Save on Your Next Vacation

My friends at Get Away Today can not only save you money on your next Disney Cruise (or ANY vacation!), they offer their vacation planning services for free!

I’m proud to be an affiliate an you can save even more money when you use the code SAMICONE10 when booking .

Nashville Blogger, Media Personality, & Communications Professor. Sami Cone mentors others to live their dream life on less and pursue their passions through her blog and 30-minute TV show, "The Sami Cone Show". She authored the best-selling book, "Raising Uncommon Kids" and is known as the "Frugal Mom" on Nashville's top-rated talk show. She is proud to call Nashville home with her two teenaged children (a daughter & son) who are 19 months apart.

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