For info on booking, check in, and everything that happens before you get on the ship see my planing post here.
All in all it was a wonderful trip. I have never been on a cruise before and wasn’t sure I would like it or if my husband (who gets seasick) would get seasick. The seasickness was not a problem at all and the Disney Magic was in full swing. I was able to manage my sensory sensitivities onboard just fine (ear plugs were needed in the restaurants, pirate night and the trivia night). The food was great, and everything was truly delightful.
It was a four night Bahamas cruise to Nassau and Castaway Cay, April 15th-19th which was absolutely perfect weather- sunny and clear, warm but not roasting. Three nights would have been two short, four was perfect.
Embarkation Day
You board according to boarding group and should arrive 30-45 min, maybe even an hour early if you are driving because the line to get into the parking area, parking and getting your bags handed off takes that long.
We opted to get the Disney shuttle service which you can get to/from either any Disney hotel or to/from the Orlando airport (including the Hyatt Regency at the airport). We stayed at the Polynesian and the way it worked was 48 hours before departure we got an email with our departure time (9AM) from the hotel. We were instructed to leave our cruise-tagged bags outside the hotel room door by/at 7AM for pickup and they took those bags and we didn’t see them until we got into the room at around 2PM.
This mean you need to make sure anything you want or need- medications, papers, passports, swim suit, diaper bag, etc. you have in a carry on you can take with you).
Having told them ahead we were traveling with a wheelchair we had a bus with a wheelchair lift take us from the Polynesian hotel to the boarding area. It took about 50 minutes and was pretty easy. They had to pull into a different area to let me off after all the other passengers were let off, but it was fine.
Boarding the Ship
This was really pretty simple. You show your boarding group number (we didn’t even have to because they saw us come off the bus) and they show you what line to go in. You go to a kiosk where they check your passports (apparently you can go with other documents but it’s a risk we didn’t want to take in case of emergancy). Then they send you through security with your carry-on bags and they send everything through the metal detector.
You go upstairs to the big waiting room where there are usb plugs and accessible bathrooms where you can wait. This is a great time to log into the ap (which you should have already downloaded but if you haven’t do it then). When it connects with the ships wifi it will show you the schedule. You can start favoriting activities you are interested in, and when it is 15 min before any of them it will alert you. Though in the case of shows and some photo ops like the cargo bay Rey and Chewbacca meet you will want to arrive 30 min before.
When they call out your boarding group, then you go to the entrance, tell them you name, they announce your name and you go through. There are characters on the balcony to greet you and they pass out wands and swords to kids (and big kids).
After boarding we went right to lunch at Arrendale (the buffet, Marceline’s was open but we heard it was very crowded and loud and that a rotational dining restraunt would be open. This was a GREAT choice. Then we went touring the kid’s areas of the ship while they were open to adults. We got into our room at two in time to drop our things and relax and settle in a bit before muster.
Elevators and Navigating the Ship
The elevators are narrow and deep, but even a large wheelchair like mine or scooter can move all the way to one side and people can still get by you. Before and after dinner and shows be prepared to wait a bit (leave early for dinner/shows). There are two sets of elevators fore and aft. Aft carpets and elevators are blue and fore (front) ones are green. I remembered this by “green=go-go/forward”. Hopefully you booked a room near an elevator.
Our Deluxe Veranda ADA Room
Was bigger than a lot of hotel ADA rooms to be honest. You could maneuver the wheelchair all the way around the room easily. There was plenty of storage and everything was very comfortable. There is a curtain separating the bunk/couch beds from the main (queen) bed. The bunk bed comes down from the ceiling over the couch bed.
In the regular rooms the bathroom is split with a bath tub, but in the ADA room its one big bathroom with a fold-down seat in the shower. The veranda was totally worth it for being out in the breeze and watching the ocean.
We booked midship on deck 7 in room 7602 (starboard). I had asked ahead what side got better views for that cruise and it was starboard (right). My husband gets seasick and we had zero problems with that on the Wish. I write more about how we chose our room in this planning post.
Muster
Is mandatory and people who are late hold it up for everyone. It’s just a safety drill/presentation. There are instructions on your ap and a map on your door of where to go. Interestingly there were no special instructions for people in wheelchairs.
Character Meets
Are constant. They are happening all the time- just check your ap. For the Star Wars one in the Cargo Bay I recommend arriving 30 min early. They also have characters on Castaway Cay including Jack Sparrow, Mickey and all of Mickey’s Friends. If you got the photo package you get all your character photos included.
Photo OPs
There are also a few magic shot photos with backdrops you can take before dinner. The backdrops and magic shots change every day and there are two of them just outside of 1923. Those you can also get with the photo pass. At 1923 they also come around and take a photo of you at dinner that has cute framing. I heard that they take a photo of you as you arrive on the ship but we somehow missed that.
Stage Shows
I highly recommend the shows. They are Broadway quality, but the theatre is more high tech and integrated than a Broadway show so it’s pretty magical.
You want to arrive on level 2 about 35+ minutes before the shows (the main doors to the theatre are levels 3 and 4 and they open at 30 min before the show). Elevators get crowded around this time so err on the side of earlier. You enter through the accessible entrance on deck 2 and are directed to one of the many great wheelchair spots before they let everyone else in (30 min before the show) and you can find seats for your whole party. Go with your whole party because they discourage saving seats. They do reserve two spaces next to each wheelchair space, but people can take them and if you arrive early it won’t be an issue.
I suggest sitting towards the middle center if possible rather than right up front for the best view of the whole experience (it surrounds you) and the least chance of impeding the actors who move through the aisles. Also if you are in the center too close to the stage during Aladdin you will be drowning in the haze machine’s haze during the magic carpet part.
We saw both Little Mermaid and Aladdin (both amazing!) but missed the first show and I really wish we hadn’t missed it!
Movie Theaters (Wonderland Cinema and the Neverland Cinema)
We didn’t go- no time with so much going on! But there is accessible seating. I suggest arriving early if possible to make sure to get a seat for your companions next to the wheelchair space. They are on deck 4. There is a constant parade of Disney movies all day and late into the night. They are also likely to show brand new or even still in theaters movies. Just check the ap for showtimes.
Aquamouse
There is an elevator to the Aquamouse on deck 13. From there there is a small wheelchair lift. One of the times I came it was broken and they let me go straight up about 3 stairs scooting on my butt and that actually worked ok too. They stop the mouse for you to get in and out. I can transfer on my own so I don’t know what they do for people who need a transfer assist but I am guessing you can go up and ask.
We went both on the 2nd day and the final day and it changed from a winter scene to a tropical underwater scene in the cartoons that are played on the way up. Both times they let us just ride twice in a row without getting off which was really nice so we didn’t have to do the whole effort of getting off and on again.
Pools
There are lifts for the pools. I did not use the lifts, so I can’t speak to them, but they were there. If you need a less chaotic environment there is Chip and Dale’s pool. If you need to use a lift for the pool you need to mark it in your disability form.
From the Disney Cruise site: “Guest-operated pool lifts are available on all our ships. Those requesting to utilize the pool lifts are encouraged to submit a Special Services request using the Special Services Request form, which can be accessed through My Reservations.”
Once on board, Guests will need to visit Guest Services to arrange for a Crew Member to set up the lift in the desired pool. Be sure to plan far enough in advance, as there could be up to a 2-hour wait time for requesting and receiving a pool lift.”
DINING
When you first book you can sign up for early (5:15**) or late (8PM) dining times. We opted for the late one because of my sound sensitivity and the likelihood the there would be more small screaming children at the earlier dinners, which proved to be true. We just made sure to do late lunches and it worked out great.
There are three rotational restaurants on the Wish that you cycle through and two “fancy” restaurants: Pal and Enchante. We had a 4 night cruise, so we knew we would be repeating a restaurant on the pirate night so we decided to book Enchante (done by a 3 star Michellen chef). The main restaurants were a little tight but okay with the large power wheelchair (permobil m5). The ap will tell you the order in which you dine in these restaurants when you connect to the ship wifi.
Lunch on the first day:
We had heard that Marcellene’s (the main buffet place) was a little crowded and chaotic which is bad for me, but that they open another restaurant on rotation for lunch. So when we boarded we asked for that one and it was Arrendale. We had a nice quiet lunch with plenty of space and the menu was lovely and one of our best meals of the cruise.
1923
Was our first dinner and it was excellent. Really liked both 1923 and Arrendale for the food quality. If you feel like dressing a little 1920’s for this one you won’t be alone! I would have but my flapper dress is heavy (beads) for adding to luggage. This restaurant is 1920’s elegance. o dinner show, but lovely. The easier seats for the wheelchair were sadly away from the windows.
We came to 1923 for lunch for the rest of the trip except when we ate on the island at Castaway Cay
Worlds of Marvel
Food wise this was our least favorite, but for others it might be your favorite. If you are a more “simple food” kind of person it might hit the spot. There was an interactive Marvel show during dinner with an appearance by Spider Man (not Ant Man and the Wasp anymore) at the end. He went table to table.
Arrendale
Is designed to look like you are in Arrendale castle and for dinner it is meant to be the celebration of Kristof and Anna’s engagement. The food is Scandinavian and excellent. Some fun cocktails. They have a trio of singers throughout, a show with Anna, Elsa Kristof and a random host, as well as a drive-by with Olaf. There is much twirling of mapkins and fun “ice” effects on the ceiling. It was a great last dinner for us.
Enchante
A lightly themed Beauty and the Beast restaurant equal to our Michelin star restaurant experiences in Paris. We got the “chef’s table” and nearly exploded. Everything was amazing. If you don’t like adventurous and super fancy (many rounds of small portions done artistically with unique flavor profiles) don’t bother it’s not for you. If you know what to expect or want to find out, its honestly way less than you would normally pay for this and it was gorgeous. Great view, beautiful setting, lovely service- just fabulous.
We went during the third night for the earliest reservation at 6? 6:30? and had plenty of time to enjoy the meal before changing to pirate clothes and watching the pirate night show and fireworks. It was the perfect night to go because we didn’t miss any other the other dining experiences or shows this way.
*one thing is they do not allow people under 18, not even mature teens so our daughter couldn’t come (tough by that time she wouldn’t have wanted to she was having so much fun with her Vibe friends)
Palo Steakhouse
We did not go, but understand that it is excellent. Very popular for brunch.
*They also do not allow under 18 years olds.
Marceline Market
We went one day for breakfast there on debarkation day because our breakfast time came after our debarkation time. It was fine if somewhat hectic. We were there very early so we likely saw it at a less hectic moment.
Wishing Star Cafe and the Enchanted Sword Cafe
Almost identical, but one deck apart, these are great places to stop for your specialty coffee drink like a latte or mocha. Get a loyalty card on the first day. It only takes 6 drinks to get a free one.
Olaf’s Royal Picnic
Is a dining experience with the Olaf animatronic. I have heard mixed reviews as to whether it was worth the money, but we didn’t do it as our teen
Room Service
My daughter did this the night we went to Enchante. It was fine. It is advised to order 45 mins ahead. In random information, you can order Mickey bars like in the parks (vanilla ice cream with chocolate over them) from room service.
KIDS AND TEENS CLUBS
It’s a Small World Nursery
for children 6 months to 3 years
You need to reserve this ahead. If you have a kid in this age range this is your first stop once you get on the ship.
Disney Oceaneer Club for ages 3-10 who are toilet trained.
There was a Marvel Hero Academy, a Star Wars Cargo Bay, and Imagineering Lab, and a Fairytale Hall- all part of the same Kid Club. These are Disney imagineered interactive spaces- they are amazing. This age group really got the most fun spaces- my teen was jealous (though she ended up loving Vibe).
The Star Wars Cargo Bay was AWESOME. We saw it during the ship tour when we first boarded and they let all ages in and then we saw it again during the Rey and Chewbacka photo op. It reminded me of the Halcyon Starcruiser. It was perfectly detailed and awesome with various Star Wars world creatures hanging out in cages. The Marvel area was also pretty cool and there were many other sections. If you have younger kids I recommend finding a Youtube video where they go through these. It looked like a great environment.
Edge for ages 11-14
There were video games, card games, board games, karaoke, etc. They organize icebreakers., trivia, karaoke and contests and fun activities for that age group.
Vibe (for ages 14-17)
Basically the same equipment and activities as Edge, but tailored to a slightly older age group. 14 years olds can do either or both groups.
My daughter was 15 when we sailed and she was very skeptical that she would enjoy a teen club or that there would be enough for her to do “since it’s only for grown ups and little kids”. She LOVED it. We didn’t’ see much of her- she was always at Vibe and she made friends and had a blast. Video game competitions, board games, cards, and Karoke were some of her favorites.
1820 Club
If for guests 18-20 who are too old for the teen clubs and too young for cars. It doesn’t have its own space, but has meetups on the schedule that take place throughout the ship.
Hero Zone
Is a multi-use activity space that has activities for all ages, including a some points a large inflatable obstacle course. The different aged kid’s club go there for special activities or at certain times, but it is also open for things like a “parents again kids” obstacle course race and similar. There is ping pong and basketball hoops, etc.
SHOPS
Are not open during port calls, and are duty free.
Mickey’s Mainsail
is the shop that has most Disney merch stuff. They run out and do not restock as the voyage goes, so check it out early and get what you want (especially clothing in more common sizes) right away.
There are a series of luxury shops on deck 3. We found Enchanted Castle Jewels to be very dangerous to our wallets.
Inside Out: Joyful Sweets
Has lovely theming- worth seeing even if you don’t intend to buy anything. Beware though- everything is very tempting! There is candy, pastries and gelato. We ended up getting some very tasty gelato.
Shutters Photography Shop
does prints of your photos. There are also kiosks where you can browse through Disney art to buy that I believe you then pick up from Shutters.
Bibbidi Bobbidy Boutique
needs reservations the second you can make them (60 days out for most, more depending on your Disney ***Status or is you are in Concierge). This will dress up your child in princess gowns or prince or pirate outfits.
Princess Greet****
again a reservation must be made the second (and I mean the second) you can.
The Bars
I was most excited by this, since I was desperately missing the Galactic Starcruiser. It was perfectly in world and visually awesome. Sadly the drinks were on the sticky side. Cool smoke-bubble maker though. We did still buy a bunch of glasses (porg ceramic, and the others).
The Triton Lounge
Is a very small stage for small presentations, Karaoke, etc. I think it is also possible to order drinks there.
Luna
was a small theatre where you could order drinks and snack which hosts things like the Villain Trivia Game and other activities like silent disco. The stage and main area are on deck 4 but there is also a balcony on deck 5.
The Bayou
It beautifully decorated with leaves and flowers overhead and hosts Jazz performers. Of course they serve beignets.
The Keg and Compass
Is a laid back, classic pub based on Norse decor. It hosts a sports trivia game at some point.
Nightingale’s
Is bubble themed. This is where I found the best cocktails on the ship. They have a live pianist.
The most elegantly presented cocktails, and the best (AMAZING) view. The Rose Cocktail comes with a rose. We went on the Castaway Cay day and we could see the shore and the para-sailers. Elegant atmosphere. It is also the entrance to the Palo and Encante restaurants so you can get a pre-dinner cocktail while you wait to be called for your reservation (you can check in with the Rose staff).
The Cove Cafe
We missed this one. Near the pool.
Pirate Night
Before dinner we got a few pictures with the characters hanging around the lobby in their pirate gear.
The stage is on deck 11 and there is a roped-off area for disabled parties but based on what I had seen ahead on youtube videos you can’t see the Fireworks from there. Instead we got a fantastic spot for viewing both the fireworks and the show. It was at the back of the balcony on deck 12 looking over the pool on the right side (Starboard) if you are looking at the stage. We could see the action on the stage, but then when the fireworks start on the Starboard side you can see them really well without anything blocking them. If you go down to the pool level it’s harder to see the fireworks.
The show was very cheesy. Classic rock and pirates jumping everywhere and popping out of everywhere but it was a riot. We enjoyed it. Lots of people (most people) were at least somewhat dressed up.
Health and Beauty Treatment Locations:
Senses Spa
I booked a length of cruise spa access and a massage and facial (both were excellent). The facilities are good- outdoor hot tubs and loungers, cold room, sauna, etc. I didn’t really use the rest of the spa for the trip though because there was so much else to do. My husband went to use the hot tub once. The hot tubs on deck are very crowded so if you don’t like “people soup” and love hot tubs as a quiet retreat that might be something you are interested in. What the general consensus seems to be though is that few people end up using their rainforest spa pass.
There was space for me to maneuver in my chair and a bathroom I was able to use with the chair.
Hook’s Barbary
A “masculine” style barber with a very small whiskey bar.
Untangled Salon
A “feminine” style salon that does a truly shocking variety of beauty treatments.
Laundry
We did laundry twice while on the ship and the laundry rom is great. It even notifies you on your ap when your laundry is ready. You pay with your key to the world card or magic + band. I was able to reach the bottom ones fine from my wheelchair. It was a little tight maneuvering when people left ironing boards down, but fine. We brought our own extra sensitive detergent because I react to most things. It came in dissolvable sheets which are perfect for travel and come in a paper folder- super easy for packing.
NASSAU
We opted not to do Nassau (there was a travel advisory warning and most of it is not wheelchair accessible) and to do the spa morning that morning. If I had a folding wheelchair that could be transported on a bus without a lift I would have had more options, like the wildlife place, but as it was it looked like our only option with the wheelchair was the shopping area and that wasn’t appealing to me from what I’d heard- like Pier 49 in our home town of SF- all dirty and tourists and people pressuring you to buy stuff constantly.
CASTAWAY CAY
Was exactly what I would expect from a Disney private island. It was beautiful, clean, and family friendly with food stops, and shops, lovely beaches, activities (ray petting/feeding, snorkeling, bike-riding, 5k, nature trail, etc), characters, some water slides, and bars.
There are private hut/cabanas you can rent if you book on the second 60 days o so before your voyage but honestly why? There are plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas and you’ll want to walk around and explore the island anyway so they are unlikely to get much use unless you really want to book a massage in the cabana instead of in the Senses Spa onboard. We didn’t see the point.
Beach Wheelchairs
Were available basically near the first beach. There were a lot of them and they did not rent out, but if your voyage is very full I imagine they could. They require a suitably able/athletic person (or two) to push uphill on the beach. You basically park your chair somewhere (I picked a spot near where cast members were stationed) and take the beach chair onto the beach.
Cookie’s BBQ
Had a buffet with amazing bbq, soda drinks and soft serve nearby.
Pelican Plunge
Is a waterslide area by the kid beach. You have to be able to swim up to it to do it. There is a viewing area where you can watch whoever is sliding down (where photo is taken from).
Adult only beach
Pretty much as described. Has it’s own bar area, umbrellas, chairs, etc.
Summertime Freeze
Had frozen alcoholic drinks. Having our own larger water bottles was great for this- the cups they had only held half the drink they made, so you got the whole amount if you had a big water bottle.
Rentals:
You can rent Bikes (including with training wheels) and snorkeling gear.
Parasailing
Wheelchair users (even ambulatory ones) are not allowed. I checked ahead to see if I could do it and was told yes and booked it, but when they saw me pull up in a chair they said “only healthy people” and gave me a refund. My husband and daughter enjoyed it. My husband said it was fairly short- only 5 min up in the air. We went in Tahoe before I got sick and we were up for a good 15 minutes.
Sting Ray Adventure
Was really nice and very accessible (pretty much the only Castaway Cay experience that was). I transferred to a beach wheelchair to get down there, and from the beach wheelchair to a chair in the water for the ray encounter. They swim up on a little platform and you can touch and feed them. It all take place in water shallow enough to sit in a chair in. Those who are able can swim with the rays and snorkel (the snorkel equipment comes in the experience package.
My Wandering Wheels 