Looking to take a Disney vacation, but feeling overwhelmed by the idea of walking 30,000+ steps in a day, standing in lines in the heat, being sticker shocked by the cost of food? Instead, a Disney Cruise vacation might be just what you need! All of the Disney magic, in one place – without the heat, the lines, or the sticker shock.

In fact, the beauty of a cruise vacation is that it’s essentially an all-inclusive resort, but it takes you to multiple destinations – without the need to move from hotel room to hotel room. And Disney has a fleet of gorgeous ships that can be your home for the duration of your vacation – the Magic, the Wonder, the Dream, the Fantasy, and the newest member of the fleet, the Wish! But, which of the ships is the best Disney cruise ship to sail on? Well, it depends.
On every ship you’ll find the following features:
- Adult pool and deck areas
- Family pools and water areas
- Fitness Center
- Bars, loungers, cafes, buffet restaurants, or food halls
- Clubs for infants, children, tweens, and teens
- Outdoor sports areas
- At least one upscale restaurant exclusively for adults
- A full-service spa and salon
- Live shows and movies indoors, as well as outdoor screens for movies, concerts and videos
- Lots of shopping options
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – a place for princess and pirate makeovers
While there are many similarities between the ships, there are also slight differences between each of them, and especially between the different generations of ships.
The Disney Magic
The oldest of the fleet, the Magic debuted in 1998. (Although, it has since gone through extensive renovations in 2013, 2015, and 2018.) Along with the Wonder, the Magic is the smallest of the entire fleet.
However, its size doesn’t keep it from being a workhorse – the Magic sails all routes from Mexico to Europe, and it is currently the only way to cruise the Atlantic Canada, Bermuda, and European itineraries.
Fun Disney touches to the ship include Goofy hanging off of the back of the ship, as well as being greeted by Mickey in the atrium.
Get to Know The Disney Magic
Unique to the Magic: a vertical waterslide called the AquaDuck.
Dining aboard the Magic
Adult: Palo
Counter Service: Daisy’s De-Lites, Duck-in Diner, Eye Scream Treats, Frozone Treats, Pinocchio’s Pizzeria
Rotational: Animator’s Palate, Lumiere’s, Rapunzel’s Royal Table
Entertainment Aboard the Magic
Disney Dreams, Tangled: The Musical, Twice Charmed
Nightlife on the Magic
Adult: After Hours
Dance Club: Fathoms
Live-Music Club: Keys, Promenade Lounge
Pool Bar: Signals (21+)
Pub: O’Gills Pub
Pools and Water Areas Aboard the Magic
Adult: Quiet Cove Pool
Family: Goofy’s Pool
Kid’s: AquaLab, Mickey’s Pool, Nephew’s Pool and Splash Zone
Water Rides: AquaDunk – a vertical waterslide, and Twist’n’Spout – a kids’ waterslide.
Recreation Aboard the Magic
Basketball, Foosball, Shuffleboard, Table Tennis
While there is much that the ship offers, a common complaint is that the inward facing design of the decks make it difficult to sit and watch the ocean as you sail.
The Disney Wonder
Nearly identical to the Magic, the Wonder launched in 1999. It has since undergone renovations in 2016, and 2019. This ship tends to sail from Alaska to the Caribbean, and is the only ship that sails the Pacific coast and Alaska itineraries.
You’ll find Donald Duck handing off the back of the boat, and will be greeted by Ariel in the atrium.
Get to Know The Disney Wonder
Unique to the Wonder: a concierge-only lounge with a 270 degree view of the sea.
Dining Aboard the Wonder
Adult: Palo
Counter Service: Daisy’s De-Lites, Eye Scream Treats, Pete’s Boiler Bites, Pinocchio’s Pizzeria
Rotational: Animator’s Palate, Tiana’s Place, Triton’s
Entertainment About the Wonder
Disney Dreams, Frozen: A Musical Spectacular, The Golden Mickeys
Nightlife Aboard the Wonder
Adult: After Hours
Dance Club: Azure
Live-Music Club: Cadillac Lounge, French Quarter Lounge
Pool Bars: Signals (21+)
Pub: Crown & Fin
Pools and Water Areas Aboard the Wonder
Adult: Quiet Cove Pool
Family: Goofy’s Pool
Kid’s Pool: AquaLab, Dory’s Reef, Mickey’s Pool and Splash Zone
Water Rides: Mickey’s Slide, Twist’n’Spout
Recreation Aboard the Wonder
Basketball, Foosball, Shuffleboard, Table tennis
The Disney Dream
The Dream was the first of the second generation of the Disney Cruise Line fleet. This new generation brought in larger ships, with higher capacity numbers, and more to do onboard. The Dream first set sail in 2011 – nearly 13 years after the first ship of the fleet. One fun upgrade to this generation were the virtual portholes that some Inside cabins had added in. Since there’s no window, these screens combine actual views from the outside with some animated Disney characters. Some people enjoy the virtual portholes more than an actual window!
The Dream underwent a renovation in 2015 and currently is going to be setting sail out of Port Canaveral for the remainder of 2022 with Caribbean three and four night itineraries. You’ll know you’re looking at The Dream when you see Mickey on the back, and Donald Duck in the atrium.
Get to Know The Disney Dream
Unique to the Dream – a water coaster called AquaDuck, a champagne bar called Pink, an ice cream shop called Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats, Meridian – a martini bar, Remy – an adult’s only French restaurant, Skyline – a cocktail bar with changing virtual cityscapes, a minigolf course, and Satellite Falls – an adults only area with a splash pool and sundeck. Lots of similarities to Fantasy.
Dining Aboard the Dream
Adult: Palo, Remy
Counter Service: Eye Scream Treats, Flo’s Cafe, Frozone Treats, Senses Juice Bar, Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats
Rotational: Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, Royal Court
Entertainment Aboard the Dream
Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s Believe, The Golden Mickeys
Nightlife Aboard the Dream
Adult: The District
Champagne Bar: Pink
Dance Club: Evolution
Live-Music Club: District Lounge
Martini Bar: Meridian
Pool Bars: Currents, WAves
Sports Bar: 687
Cocktail Bar: Skyline
Pools and Water Areas Aboard the Dream
Adult: Quiet Cove Pool, Satellite Falls
Family: Donald’s Pool
Kids: Mickey’s Pool, Nemo’s Reef
Teen: Vibe
Water Rides: AquaDuck – water coaster, Mickey’s Slide
Recreation Aboard the Dream
Basketball, Foosball, minigolf, shuffleboard, table tennis
Technology Aboard the Dream
Interactive Art
Midship Detective Agency – an interactive game
Virtual portholes in Inside Staterooms
The Disney Fantasy
Very similar to the Dream, the Fantasy launched in 2012. Also like its sister, the Fantasy sails the Caribbean, but typically sails the seven night itineraries. As of now, the Fantasy’s home is Port Canaveral, Florida.
You’ll know you’re looking at The Disney Fantasy when you see Dumbo on the back of the boat, and are greeted by a Minnie Mouse statue in the atrium.
Get to Know The Disney Fantasy
Unique to the Fantasy – a water coaster called AquaDuck, Sweet on You – an ice cream shop, Meridian – a martini bar, Remy – an upscale French restaurant that’s adult’s only, Skyline – a cocktail bar with changing virtual cityscapes, a champagne bar called Ooh La La, a minigolf course, and Satellite Falls – an adult’s only area with a splash pool and sundeck.
Dining Aboard the Fantasy
Adult: Palo, Remy
Counter Service: Eye Scream Treats, Flo’s Cafe, Frozone Treats, Senses Juice Bar, Sweet on You
Rotational: Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, Royal Court
Entertainment Aboard the Fantasy
Disney’s Aladdin, Disney’s Believe, Frozen: A Musical Spectacular
Nightlife Aboard the Fantasy
Adult: Europa
Champagne Bar: Ooh La La
Live-Music Club: La Piazza
Martini Bar: Meridian
Pool Bars: Currents, Waves
Pub: O’Gills Pub
Cocktail Bar: Skyline
Pools and Water Areas
Adult: Quiet Cove Pool, Satellite Falls
Family: Donald’s Pool
Kids: AquaLab, Mickey’s Pool, Nemo’s Reef
Teen: Vibe
Water Rides: AquaDuck, Mickey’s Slide
Recreation Aboard the Fantasy
Basketball, Foosball, Minigolf, shuffleboard, table tennis
Technology Aboard the Fantasy
Interactive Art
Midship Detective Agency – an interactive game
Virtual Portholes in Inside Staterooms
The Disney Wish
The first of the third generation of the fleet, Wish’s inaugural journey happened just the other month, July 2022, after much excitement. Because it’s the newest in the fleet, you’ll find many people that claim the Disney Wish is the best Disney cruise ship. You can decide for yourself if you feel the same. For its debut season, the Wish’s home port is Port Canaveral, Florida with shorter itineraries to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island).
The Wish is the most Disney themed of all of the ships. In addition to Rapunzel hanging off the back of the boat, and a Cinderella statue greeting you in the Grand Hall (Disney’s newest term for the Atrium), you’ll also find even more Disney theming throughout. For example, there’s a Star Wars themed bar, the women’s beauty salon is Tangled themed, and the barber shop is Hook themed.
Get to Know The Disney Wish
Unique to the Wish: A watercoaster called AquaMouse, two brand new adult-dining restaurants – Palo Steakhouse and Enchante, a Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge, a second movie theater, an outdoor spa, and an ice cream shop.
Dining Aboard the Wish
Adult: Palo Steakhouse, Enchante
Counter Service: Daisy’s Pizza Pies, Donal’s Cantina, Goofy’s Grill, Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue, Sweet Minnie’s Ice Cream
Rotational: Arendell: A Frozen Dining Adventure, 1923, Worlds of Marvel
Entertainment Aboard the Wish
Disney’s Aladdin, Seas the Adventure!, The Little Mermaid
Nightlife Aboard the Wish
Adult: Luna, Nightingale’s, Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge
Live-Music Club: The Bayou, Nightingale’s
Pool Bars: Currents
Pub: Keg & Compass
Cocktail Bar: The Rose
Pools and Water Areas Aboard the Wish
Adult: Quiet Cove Pool
Family: Mickey’s Pool
Kids: Daisy’s Pool, Donald’s Pool, Goofy’s Pool, Minnie’s Pool, Pluto’s Pool, Toy Story Splash Zone
Water Rides: AquaMouse, Slide-a-Saurus Rex
Recreation Aboard the Wish
The Hero Zone
Technology Aboard the Wish
Disney Uncharted Adventure – an interactive game
The Upcoming Ships – Will One of These Be the Best Disney Cruise Ship?
There are going to be two more ships debuting in this third generation of the fleet. They’re supposed to be setting sail in 2023, and 2024, respectively. Stay tuned to the blog for more information and updates on those!
So, is there a best Disney cruise ship? That’s for you to decide- but, no matter which ship you end up sailing, you’re guaranteed to have a great time infused with the well-loved magic of Disney! And if you’re ready to book but overwhelmed by everything there is to know? Learn more about hiring me to plan your trip for you – so that you can simplify the process and enjoy your most stress-free vacation yet! Or, you can research your own here!

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