Over the years Disney Cruise Lines have built a reputation for creating 5-star experiences for families of all shapes and sizes. Mickey & Co. continue to build on that reputation with their latest ship, the Disney Wish!
I was lucky enough to sail on the Disney Wish for it’s inaugural voyage and I learned a lot during my time at sea. It wasn’t only the first time on a Disney cruise ship for my family and I - it was our first time on any cruise ship! Needless to say, we’ve been spoiled.
Here are some are some of the lessons I learned during my trip that will upgrade or enhance your cruise immediately:
1. Download the Disney Cruise Navigator App
You’ll hear this tip a lot before AND during the cruise, and for good reason! Before going on the cruise, you’ll have some paperwork to complete regarding your tickets, documents, and COVID protocols. You’ll be able to complete the check-in process which will save you time on embarkation day. You’ll also be able to begin to book out some of the more special experiences, like getting your time in at Senses Spa, or even having dinner with Queen Elsa!
2. You Don’t Have To Do All The Things
For Disney pros, it’s simple - plan early, plan often! Most of the time that kind of mentality will have you getting the most efficient trip to a theme park or resort. However, aboard the Disney Wish there is so much you can be doing at any given moment during your trip it can get overwhelming to those trying to do it all. It’s important to remember that you’re on a vacation. On this vacation, the cast of the Disney Wish goes to great lengths to have you at peak relaxation and fun. You’re only working against it by sweating how many minutes of fun you can cram in before moving your party onto the next activity.
Also, you’ll find a lot of the fun things on the ship like karaoke, character meetups, obstacle courses, and more will repeat more than once on their rotating schedule. If you miss taking pics with Chip and Dale on Day 1, they’ll be back on Day 2!
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3. Some Of The Most Fun Happens After Bedtime
We went on this cruise with a teen and two littles, so we tried really hard to keep the tiny ones close to their sleep schedule. Looking back, we would have been better off trying to find time during the day for nap/relaxing to reset those batteries. Our early bedtime routine resulted in us missing some of the after-dark fun like the Pirate Party and Fireworks show! Luckily, I sent a producer to it to get us footage but it was nothing like being there in person!
4. Bring Flip Flops or Water Shoes
I’ve lived in Florida for nearly half of my entire life, so this should have been a no-brainer for me. For some reason, I neglected to bring my flip-flops and my feet paid the ultimate price. When I forced myself to go barefoot by the pool, I was walking on what felt like hot coals, leaping from shadow to shadow trying not to blister my feet on a deck being baked by the Caribbean sun. When I used my sneakers on Castaway Cay day trips, I’d be regretting the sandy aftermath that I tracked back to my room in my Adidas. Flip flops, or water shoes would have solved this problem immediately.
5. WiFi Can Require Team Planning
This tip depends on how many people you’re cruising with in your party. It can also depend on how much internet they need, and when they need it.
If you’re looking to stay connected to the mainland via internet on the ship, you’ll be able to do it for a fee. You’ll be able to connect up to 2 devices simultaneously. This is a perfect setup if your only desire is to browse, have email working, or do some light social media. If you’re trying to download and watch HD movies during your trip it will be a frustrating effort for you (and by the way, WHY? You’re on a Disney Cruise?!?!). Because we had 2 adults and a teenager in my crew we decided to divvy up the time. No matter what, you can save time and money by getting all of your movies, eBooks, and podcasts for the trip downloaded before you leave for the port!
There are a lot of other ways to really enhance the time you spend at sea aboard the Disney Wish. I recommend heading to their website to read more about the experiences in store for you and your family!
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