Our Very December 15-19 Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Wish
Sailing into Christmas Magic
Sailing with Disney Cruise Line right before Christmas made for one of the most magical vacations our family has ever taken. The Disney Wish was first introduced to the Disney Cruise Line fleet in June 2022, so it offers more modern, up-to-date features and experiences. While the Wish is a stunning ship year-round, the Christmas decorations truly take it to another level.
From the moment we stepped into the Grand Hall, we were wrapped in Christmas joy. Gold accents, lush garland, and a breathtaking Christmas tree instantly set the tone. It felt like Christmas morning—Disney style.
Two Stops, Two Disney Private Islands
Our cruise itinerary included two port stops, and we were incredibly lucky that both were Disney’s private islands. While Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point both offer gorgeous beaches, they felt completely different from one another.
Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
This was our first visit to Lookout Cay, and we loved how deeply Disney incorporated Bahamian culture into the experience. After learning about the history of the Junkanoo parade from two local cast members, we had the opportunity to create our own Junkanoo hats. Chatting with them was such a highlight—they were so proud of their country, and we loved hearing their stories.
The beach itself was beautiful, with pink-toned sand and plenty of waves. My only wish was that I had studied the map a bit more beforehand—there were several boardwalks, and it wasn’t always clear where each one led.
Castaway Cay
This was my third visit to Castaway Cay, and somehow I fall in love with it every single time. The first time I visited, I honestly thought the brochure photos had been edited—the water couldn’t really be that blue… except it absolutely is. Seeing it in person still takes my breath away.
The water is so clear that even standing knee-deep, I could see my feet perfectly. It truly feels like paradise.
Our First Balcony Stateroom
This cruise was also our first time booking a balcony stateroom. In the past, we’ve always chosen inside staterooms to save money, but wow—those balcony views were worth the upgrade. One morning, we even enjoyed breakfast outside, watching the ocean roll by.
Is a balcony a must-have? No.Was it a wonderful upgrade? Absolutely.
Beyond the balcony, we found the stateroom itself to be both beautiful and incredibly practical for a family. The split bathroom layout was especially helpful. One bathroom includes a sink and toilet, while the other has a sink and shower, allowing two people to get ready at the same time—something we truly appreciated in the mornings.
As a family who often takes baths, we also loved that the showers double as bathtubs, which is such a thoughtful feature for families with younger children. Another standout feature was the number of USB plugs in the room—something older Disney ships don’t always have.
There was plenty of hanging space in the closet, though there were no drawers for clothing. We used packing cubes and placed them on the closet shelves, which worked well, but I personally would have preferred drawers.
One thing we absolutely loved was that the bed was high enough to store all of our luggage underneath, keeping the room feeling open and organized. And speaking of the bed—it was by far one of the most comfortable beds we’ve ever slept on. I even saw someone in our cruise Facebook group asking for the make and model because it was the best bed they had ever experienced!w.
Dining on the Disney Wish
As always, we loved the food onboard. One tip we swear by: listen to your waitstaff. They know the menu inside and out and genuinely want you to have the best experience. They’ve never steered us wrong.
Worlds of Marvel
My kids are huge Marvel fans, so I expected this to be their favorite dining experience. While the on-screen show was fun, something went wrong during our night there—we didn’t see any characters come to our side of the dining room. Even our server seemed confused and mentioned there must have been some kind of malfunction. I was really hoping to see Spider-Man, so that was a little disappointing.
Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure
Hands down, Arendelle was our favorite meal of the cruise—and what a way to end our Very Merrytime sailing.
The dining room is beautifully themed, and we were lucky enough to be seated right next to the stage. The show was fantastic, and while I know not every character visits every table, we hit the jackpot—Anna, Kristoff, Elsa, and Oakenall stopped by to visit us.
The live music was incredible, with singers and string musicians creating such a warm, immersive atmosphere. Our favorite moment was Kristoff and Oaken singing “Let It Go.” And the animatronic Olaf? Easily one of the cutest parts of the entire show.
Walking the Wish Tour
Another highlight of our cruise was taking the Walking the Wish tour. A cast member guided us through the ship, pointing out the incredible level of detail woven into the décor and furnishings.
Since the Wish is the princess-themed ship, we learned how Cinderella’s slipper, gown, coach, and pumpkins are subtly incorporated into the carpets. We also learned why certain artwork was chosen and discovered that Arendelle is intentionally designed with an “Anna side” and an “Elsa side.”
There were so many thoughtful details I never would have noticed on my own. I highly recommend making time for ship tours on any Disney cruise.
AquaMouse & Onboard Extras
We decided to try the AquaMouse on our sea day, but unfortunately, it was very cold and windy. Our first attempt was shut down due to wind, and by the time we tried again, the temperature had dropped even more. My husband and I rode it once before retreating into warm clothes.
The kids, however? Totally unfazed. They loved it so much that the cold didn’t stop them at all.
One practical surprise I loved was the laundry room. There was one conveniently located on our floor (Deck 8), complete with multiple washers, dryers, irons, and ironing boards. Honestly, it might have been the nicest laundry room I’ve ever seen. Being able to iron clothes ourselves before dinner—without sending them out—was such a perk.
Why Merrytime Cruises Are Extra Special
While a Disney Cruise is a fabulous vacation any time of year, a Very Merrytime Cruise truly bumps it up a notch. Between characters in Christmas outfits, pirate attire, festive shows in the Grand Hall, and the magical tree-lighting ceremony, Disney does an incredible job of bringing the holiday spirit to life. We loved meeting characters, enjoying Christmas-themed entertainment, and seeing families—ours included—taking photos in matching Christmas pajamas.
Beyond the holiday magic, what really stood out was that there truly is something for everyone. From Broadway-style theater shows like Aladdin (our family’s favorite), to trivia, karaoke, movies, and so many onboard activities, every day offered endless choices. With so much to do, you have to be okay knowing you can’t do it all—but that’s part of the magic and a big reason we keep coming back. This Very Merrytime Cruise was such a special Christmas gift to our family, and one we will cherish forever.
