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!