Disclosure :: This post is sponsored by our wonderful partners at Disney Cruise Line.
Welcome, Aboard!
When we first heard that Disney Cruise Line would be sending the Disney Wonder to sail out of New Orleans in early 2020, to say we were ecstatic is an understatement. Many have come to know The Walt Disney Company for setting a high standard for their unrivaled dedication to making family experiences purely magical in theme parks around the world. Their fleet of cruise vessels has been no exception to making the “Disney difference” stand out. The Disney Wonder first set sail on her maiden voyage in 1999 and has been a beloved ship of the fleet ever since. We were thrilled to have a hands-on look before this beautiful vessel transported its guests out of New Orleans for fun and relaxation with sailings to the Bahamas and Caribbean, including visits to Disney’s private island paradise, Castaway Cay.
Ambiance
Being greeted with smiles started as early as the parking lot, as we were welcomed with a friendly face at every turn. When first stepping on board, our breath was taken away while soaking in the regal ambiance and attention to every detail in design (complete with hidden Mickey everywhere!). With 11 passenger decks, we had a lot of exploring to do starting off with the lobby. Luckily, for guests on board there is a navigator app that can be used to help get around quickly. Throughout the ship, there are touches of elegant southern charm mixed in with classic Disney details to make guests feel right at home.
Quality
Imagine a floating palace that caters to your family, including staff to attend to all of your needs, 24-hour room service and delivery of Mickey Bars? Count us IN! From the quality of guest services to the food, the activities, childcare, staterooms and so much more…you may not want to ever leave! The Disney team really takes the time to get to know you and your family while on board. Your likes and dislikes are important to them so that they can make your trip that much more comfortable. For example, in addition to the informal Cabanas for daytime noshing, there are three main dining rooms that guests will rotate through to keep things fun: Tiana’s Place, Animator’s Palate and Triton’s. Each family is assigned the same server who travels with you each night and aims to make sure everyone is well taken care of. The food in both the Cabanas and main dining rooms is AMAZING…the selection is beyond expectation. From pleasing the pickiest of eaters to those with a more refined palate, they have you covered.
Need a little time to relax or enjoy a date night? We must tell you about the amazing childcare options on board from It’s a Small World Nursery (ages 6 months to 3) to the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab (ages 3 to 12). Haven’t had a date night out in a while? A cool thing we learned was if mom and dad wanted an adult only dinner, the kiddos can get served their meals IN the kids club! There are trained staff ready to take over duty, entertain and make memories with children while the adults get time to check out a mixology class, head to the Senses Spa for a massage or lounge at the Quiet Cove Pool for adults only.
Activities
Let’s just say that it might be impossible to experience boredom on the Disney Wonder with the expansive list of activities for the whole family including live broadway shows like “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular”, pool fun, Pirate night, trivia, karaoke and so much more! Plus, at every dinner rotation, there’s always entertainment while you eat. There are also activities available for adults only including a collection of bars and lounges, a nightclub for dancing and comedy shows. There are even monitored youth clubs for the tweens and teens on board, called Edge and Vibe where they can meet new friends, watch movies and play games. That only barely covers what you can do ON the ship but what about off of it? We can’t forget the amazing ports that the Disney Wonder visits including their own private island, Castaway Cay {pronounced “key”}. Guests can schedule excursions, participate in a 5K race, relax on the beach with fruity umbrella drinks plus there’s even Scuttle’s Cove that the kids can go to if the adults want time to explore the adult-only side of the island called Serenity Bay. It’s no exaggeration to say that there is literally something for EVERYONE of all ages on the Disney Wonder to enjoy, explore and create lasting memories! We are thrilled to welcome the Disney Wonder again in early 2021 so be sure to start planning soon!
