disney wonder mexico cruise review

Smooth sailing on a family Disney cruise: Review of Concierge level on the Disney Wonder

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Cruising with Disney , it seems, is even more fun the second time around -- especially with an upgrade to more spiffy quarters.

Almost a year ago, we had a successful sailing on the Disney Dream out of Florida, so we booked another Disney cruise to start 2020. This time we only needed a two-hour drive from home in Houston to hop aboard the ship in the Port of Galveston. No airplanes were involved on our journey across the sea to Mexico on the Disney Wonder, one of the two original ships in Disney's fleet. I can't overstate how fantastic it was to just drive to the port, board a ship and go. No TSA 3.4-ounce limits on liquids or the five-hour flight delays that had plagued our last few trips.

The Disney Wonder is noticeably smaller than the Disney Dream we sailed on previously. The Wonder has 875 cabins and room for up to 2,700 passengers, as opposed to the larger Dream's 1,250 staterooms and capacity for up to 4,000 guests. I was curious as to whether the smaller, older Disney ship would feel like a lesser experience.

For this cruise, we splurged on the Disney Concierge level in the hope of eliminating some of the disappointments of our first Disney cruise. To say I was excited for our trip is a dramatic understatement, and the experience largely lived up to my highest expectations.

FOR NO COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

Disney cruises are expensive and there aren't many ways to use points for booking, although you can certainly earn a ton of points by booking with the right credit card.

You can earn 3x points per dollar by putting the travel charge on your Chase Sapphire Reserve, which I did.

To use points on a Disney cruise, the easiest way is to make payments with a card that has fixed-value points you can use for travel . This includes the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (currently with a bonus of 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. (worth $750 in travel). Here are some additional tips for using points when booking a cruise .

Although deals and redemptions are scarce, you can purchase Disney gift cards at a discount and then use them toward your cruise. It won't cut the price in half, but you can save 5-10%, depending on available offers and how hard you work on stacking them.

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

If you have the Disney Visa , you can save on board with discounts on spa treatments, Castaway Cay packages and photo packages. You can also get a promotional 0% introductory APR for six months on select Disney vacation packages from the date of purchase charged to the card (then a variable APR of 19.24% to 28.24% applies), if you need a little breathing room to pay off all that shrimp and magic. However, in terms of earning or using points, the Disney Visa isn't actually the best card out there, even for a Disney cruise.

On our first Disney cruise, my family of four booked two connecting staterooms to meet our needs for sufficient sleeping quarters and living space. Two cabins aren't necessary for a family of four sailing on Disney, but they were necessary for my family's sanity. We don't sleep well crammed into one small area. On this cruise, my mom came to experience her first cruise while my husband took a different trip with his dad.

We wanted to try another approach to accommodations, so we booked a one-bedroom suite instead of two staterooms. To be clear, two staterooms on Disney are almost always going to be less expensive than a one-bedroom suite. We went this route, in part, to try out Concierge level.

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We've become fans of the website CruiseCompete. This site allows cruise shoppers to select the cruise that interests them and then travel agents "compete" for their business by submitting quotes via email. The base sailing price is typically the same from all sources, including Disney, but the perks and bonuses can and do vary. Our best offer was via Cruise Vacation Outlet. They offer a stateroom credit based on the cost of your cruise, which for us amounted to $750 in an onboard credit. The cruise was pricey -- very pricey -- but that's $750 we wouldn't have gotten if we'd booked directly with Disney.

Looking at prices for a similar four-night cruise from Galveston to Cozumel for next January, prices for a family of four start around $3,300 for an inside stateroom. A stateroom with a balcony starts at $3,800 and a Concierge-level stateroom starts at $5,700. A one-bedroom Concierge suite, like the one we booked, is pricing around $7,000 for the same itinerary next year -- which is about what we paid this year. These suites sleep four to five people, and are 614 square feet, including the balcony.

Related: Interesting way to save money on a Disney Cruise

Embarkation

We arrived in Galveston at 11 a.m. Both times I've cruised, I've been pretty confused about where to go, where to park, where to drop off the bags, etc. There are signs, but it is a little chaotic. Once we figured out where we were supposed to be, the magic began.

I dropped off the bags with Disney cruise tags that had been mailed to us after booking. (Our bags later appeared in the hall outside our stateroom a few hours after boarding.) I also dropped off my kids and Grandma so they didn't have to do the parking lot/shuttle shuffle with me. The nearest open parking lot in Galveston was not within reasonable walking distance of the ship, unlike when sailing Disney from Port Canaveral. After a quick trip back from the parking lot and paying $55 to park for four nights, we were all back together and ready to walk into the terminal. Note that not all parking lots at the Galveston Port Terminal accept guests sailing on Disney, so the official lot is probably your best bet.

Inside the terminal, guests are guided by cheerful employees wearing big white Mickey Mouse gloves. You go through a security check reminiscent of an airport, but with shorter lines and fewer restrictions.

Next up is the Disney Cruise Line check-in desk. This is where our Concierge perks kicked in. We were able to walk right up to a special section with no wait.

Related: What to pack for your first cruise

Our passports were checked again and we were given our "keys to the world." These keycards serve as room keys and ship IDs. They also provide kids club access and charging privileges on the ship. You don't have to wear them on a lanyard around your neck, but it's the easiest way to keep track of them. It wasn't until the end of the cruise that I realized our gold-colored cards meant Concierge level. This made them easy to spot by the crew as most of the keys are blue.

Once we were through all the formalities, we had a brief wait. The waiting areas aren't fancy, though Concierge guests do have their own area and can board first -- just after the Disney-selected "family of the day."

My family was the third to board the ship, at 11:45 a.m. This was hours earlier than we were able to board on our first Disney cruise . I think my mom was overwhelmed with excitement and about ready to cry, which was pretty awesome. She grew up near the water on the Gulf Coast, watching ships her whole life, but this was her first time to step foot on anything larger than a car ferry.

All families are greeted by name as they board a Disney cruise. We were immediately invited to have lunch in Tiana's restaurant, which was reserved for Concierge guests for this meal. However, we had other plans.

On our first Disney cruise, there was almost always a long line for the waterslide and the pools were crowded, so our goal was to enjoy those amenities first thing before the ship was full of more than 2,000 guests.

One quick stop for snacks in the Concierge lounge later, the girls changed into their swimsuits (kept in our carry-on bags) and away we went to start the fun.

Much more on the pools and slide later, but the plan worked. My two girls enjoyed the water features on this sailing for at least an hour and we didn't see another guest during that time.

Laugh if you want, but it was my turn to tear up when I saw our suite: Number 8048.

Regular Disney staterooms are more than fine (and we will probably opt for them when we are lucky enough to cruise with Disney), but the suite was special. Seeing it brought together months of anticipation about the voyage. Square footage is at a serious premium on a cruise ship, so to have two full rooms, two bathrooms and some extra nooks and crannies was really, really cool.

When you enter the suite, there is a bathroom with a toilet and shower immediately to your right.

On the left is a good-sized row of closets, drawers and shelves. This provides storage when the living portion becomes a bedroom.

Past the entry hallway, there is a dining table for four and wet bar with a minibar underneath stocked with soda and water. These are all included, so drink up. You can also refill it as much as you'd like from the large fridge in the Concierge lounge.

The couch was transformed into a bed each evening by the stateroom staff. They do their best to meet with you on the first day to find out what you prefer for sleeping arrangements.

The living room has its own balcony access and TV with Disney movies and shows on demand.

A sliding door separates the living area from the bedroom area. (The door was quite loud. Even in moderate seas, if you tried to shut it all the way, it banged in its tracks all night.)

The queen-size bed in the bedroom area was quite comfortable.There is room for luggage to be stored underneath. (Though that's not how I store luggage anymore .)

A twin-size bed is against the wall across from the TV and next to the queen bed.

Pro tip: You can ask your stateroom hosts to provide cartoon sheets for the twin-size beds.

Rounding out the bedroom is another door that opens onto the large veranda and a second TV.

Between the bedroom and the main bathroom area is a small, but extremely functional, desk area next to the main closet. We used this to store and charge all the electronics. It really helped keep the whole family's smaller items organized.

Finally, there is the master bathroom. The bath area off of the master bedroom features a full-size tub and vanity.

The shower and toilet occupy separate spaces in another section.

Bath amenities are provided in large bottles of the Disney's H2O+ line that you could move from the shower to the bathtub, as needed.

You can't talk about the stateroom without talking about the great stateroom hosts. They cleaned the room and put away the extra beds each morning. Then, while we were out to dinner and a show, they magically transformed it back into a clean, calm space for sleeping. Only once during the cruise did they accidentally try to work their magic while we were in the room -- and that was our fault because we changed dining times at the last minute so we could take a nap.

Overall, this space worked well for our party of four, but it is worth noting that on Deck 8 we heard a fair amount of noise at times, mostly from kids running on the outdoor Deck 9 area above. We were also able to hear when a young child in the room next to ours was crying, which thankfully was only a passing issue at times.

Ports of call

Our four-night itinerary on the Disney Wonder was:

• Galveston, Texas
• Cozumel, Mexico
• Return to Galveston

Our only true port of call was Cozumel, which I was excited to see. I love much of the beautiful Cancun/Playa del Carmen area but hadn't been to Cozumel.

Day 1: Galveston

We spent the first few hours on the ship playing in the pool, eventually enjoying the Concierge lunch in Tiana's, registering in the kid's clubs and exploring. Around 4 p.m. it was time for the fun to officially begin with the "Sail Away" party.

While my mom went to the front of the ship to watch us pull away from the dock, an important moment for her, the girls and I went to a singing, dancing, laughing character-fueled party on deck.

I highly recommend this show; it was a ton of pumped-up fun. We missed it on our first cruise, in part because we just hadn't fully settled into the ship yet.

Drinks are for sale everywhere on deck leading up to this party, if you want to raise a glass to the start of your vacation.

Day 2: At sea

If you follow our adventures, you may already know that my youngest daughter and I both are prone to motion sickness . We were both mostly unfazed by our first Disney cruise, but not this time.

On our first full day at sea, I felt like drunk death for the first half of the day despite being 100% sober. My youngest daughter didn't feel great either. The captain described the sea as moderate in his daily announcements, but when pool water doesn't stay in the pool because the waves are so big, I call it more than moderately yucky. The remedy was some time on deck and Dramamine.

With our sea legs a bit sturdier, it was time to meet some characters and take in a movie. On a Disney cruise, some characters (like the princesses) require advance free reservations, while others are available for walk-up meet-and-greets.

The classic princesses gather in the ship's main atrium while the Frozen princesses gather in a transformed Animator's Palate.

To see characters for whom you don't have reservations, you can beat the lines by having one adult stand near where the character's published appearance is (arrive 10-15 minutes early) and hold the place for the rest of the family to join.

Day 3: Cozumel

Using some of the $750 stateroom credit, I booked a port excursion through Disney that included three stops during our one port day in Mexico: Mayan ruins, Mayan chocolate and Playa Mia Beach Club. It was $55 for kids, $69 for adults and sounded great since it had a little bit of everything.

We met our group at 10:15 a.m. and left the ship with them by 10:30 a.m. The tour operator took the group on a 30-minute bus ride to the Mayan ruins.

There was plenty to see to entertain impatient children for an hour, but our tour guide did more talking in one or two spots than really guiding the group to explore the area. About halfway through our time, we peeled off from the main group so we could see more of the area, which was wise given our interests.

Next up was a 30- to 40-minute drive to the location of the chocolate and beach break. The chocolate was very good with many varieties available for tasting in the gift shop. My favorite part was a sample of homemade corn tortillas with mole sauce -- I wish there had been more opportunities like that on the tour.

Finally, after spending about $40 for chocolate bars to take home, we had 90 minutes at the Playa Mia Beach Club. Lunch was not included in our package, but it was close to 2 p.m. and we were hungry. By this point in the afternoon, the buffet looked less than great to me, so we ordered off the menu. The food was served in an area that could hold hundreds of people at one time and it wasn't great (the margarita was undrinkable and awful), but we survived.

The last hour of the excursion was spent in the pools and on the beach. We didn't fully explore the waterpark area, and the beach was less than glamorous.

I didn't love the way we spent our time on Cozumel. I didn't hate it either, but there probably are better beaches and much better food in the area. Our tour returned to the ship about 15 minutes before the all-aboard time, so almost as soon as we were back on the ship, we were pulling away from Cozumel.

Pirate Night is held aboard ship during the evening after spending the day in Mexico, making for a pretty full day. So full that we begged to change our dinner to the late dinner so we could work in a nap before the nighttime fun.

You want to go all-in on Pirate Night. Trust me, your kids will love it. The meals that evening are all pirate-themed, there are pirate games and then a big pirate show.

There's dancing, pirating, battling and eventually, a fireworks show. Full warning, though, this fun goes on way past normal bedtime, so plan ahead with naps.

Day 3: At sea

On the third day we spa-ed, saw another movie, did a tequila and margarita tasting and ate Mickey bars, lots of Mickey bars. We were legitimately on vacation.

The tequila and margarita tasting was in the Cadillac Bar and Lounge and wasn't quite what I had hoped for. It was much more tequila and much less margarita. Only go to this one if you are a fan of hard liquor, which I'm not.

Even if you are on a shorter cruise, be sure to devote a full day just to exploring the ship and enjoying movies and more. Other than the big-ish waves at first, I was thankful to have two sea days on this cruise; our first cruise had none.

You are paying a premium to cruise with Disney, so make the most out of what is included on the ship.

You don't actually have to get off the Disney ship at all to have a full family vacation. From basketball to pools and waterslides to shows to the spa to kids clubs and more -- there are tons and tons of amenities, most of which are included in your base sailing price.

Pools and slides

On the Disney Wonder, there are three main pool areas for guests. There's the adults-only pool, the main pool and a smaller kid-friendly pool nearest the waterslide and splash area. Children still in diapers are not permitted in the pools, but can go into the splash area with swim diapers.

Here's the thing: The pools are small and they aren't as useable as you might think. We headed straight for the pools as soon as we got onboard this time around to avoid the crowds we experienced on our first Disney cruise. That strategy worked great, and indeed that first hour was the only hour we spent in the pools on our cruise. I won't post the photo of what it looks like when 15 people are in one hot tub, but you can imagine it for yourself.

Not only did the pools and slide get much busier at times, but on our first full day at sea, the water essentially sloshed out of most of the pools because it was so choppy. As shown below, the waterslide was still open on that sea day, but the line stretched all the way down the stairs.

Only one person at a time can go down the slide and you must be 38 inches or taller. My 4-year-old was tall enough by several inches, but the solo-sliding requirement made her decide to stay in the splash zone.

The adult-pool area had lots of swimmers and hot-tubbers at some times but was generally less busy than the family areas.

There are four or five different kids clubs on the Disney Wonder, depending on how you count. The largest, busiest two clubs are the Disney Oceaneer Club and Lab -- designed for children ages 3-12.

The two clubs are on Deck 5 and are connected by a "secret" passageway. The clubs are free for kids in that age range, though they do need to be potty-trained and one-on-one care is not provided. These connected kids clubs have a slide, a video-game area, a Marvel-themed area, Andy's playroom area, craft areas, movies, games, activities and character visits.

Your child's exact location within the club is tracked with what looks like a Disney Magic Band, and you can check them in and out at will. The only time parents are allowed to actually hang out in this club is during designated open-house hours.

On our first cruise, my girls (then 3 and 9) had a blast in these clubs and begged to return together again and again. However, I made a strategic error this time.

The tween club, Edge, is for kids 11-14, but I made the mistake of discovering that 10-year-olds can go to Edge with parent approval. I gave that approval and then my 10-year-old never wanted to go back to the "little kid club." Ever. This created lots of heartache for my 4-year-old who felt left behind. As a result, kids club time for her was not nearly as easy a sell on this cruise.

My 10-year-old, however, never wanted to leave Edge; she enjoyed hanging with the "big kids." Note that Edge is a come-and-go space without a parental check-in process. We did have some issues with my daughter not being where I thought she would be courtesy of that newfound ship freedom.

Lesson learned: Perhaps you should hide the fact that 10-year-olds can visit Edge, especially if you have a younger child still in the main kids clubs.

For teens, there is also Vibe, for ages 14-17. Consider yourself warned: Once your kid gets a taste of the clubs for older children, they may want nothing to do with the more supervised clubs for the young ones.

There are two types of shows on the Disney Wonder, the nighttime Broadway-caliber shows and Disney movies. The nighttime shows are scheduled opposite your dining time. This means if you have early dinner, you go to the late show, and vice versa. Of course, you are free to mix this up by not going to your regular seating for dinner and instead ordering room service, going to a grab-and-go food station or the Cabanas buffet.

On our cruise, nighttime shows included "Golden Mickeys" and "Frozen" -- both of which are excellent.

The Walt Disney Theatre has open seating, so you should get there 15-20 minutes before shows start for better seats. But here's a problem for families: There's no way to enjoy meals in the regular dining rooms (which are very good), see the shows and get to bed at a reasonable hour.

Some pretty cool offerings, like Pirate Night, don't even start until 10 p.m. or later. This isn't a big deal the first day or two of the cruise, but by the end of the cruise, I saw full-scale meltdowns everywhere. I'd love to see more matinee showings of the nighttime shows so families can make the most of their cruise and still get kids to bed at reasonable times. This was offered once, with "Frozen," but typically those with early dinner times (like us) end up going to shows that don't start until 8:30 p.m.

One of my favorite things to do on a Disney cruise is see a movie. It feels luxurious to walk right in and enjoy a first-run movie. On this cruise they were showing movies such as "Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker," "Maleficent 2" and "Frozen 2." Those in Concierge level can pick up sodas in the lounge and free popcorn at the shop right outside the theater. Otherwise, a bucket of popcorn is about $3.50.

There are two movie theaters on the Disney Wonder and some of the showings are in 3-D.

The Senses Spa is located in the forward area of Deck 9 on the Disney Wonder, which means that parts of the spa -- like the salon area -- have some great unobstructed ocean views.

Although I've seen some discounts on the spa during port days in the past, I didn't notice any this time. However, we still had some of that stateroom credit to use, so we happily made a few spa appointments for the last full day of the cruise.

My 50-minute massage was, in short, exceptional. It's hard to judge a whole spa on one service, but it really was great.

The spa treatment room wasn't overly impressive, nor was the area where you change clothes and shower. In fact, there was a line for the two showers at one point. However, the treatment was good enough that I didn't care about the rest. A small warning: They will try to sell you products unless you make it clear you're not interested.

My mom and I also had shampoo/blow-dry appointments in the spa and we both enjoyed them.

If you want some relaxation without paying for full spa services, you can purchase access to the Rainforest area of the spa. During our cruise, it was $29 per day if you purchased access onboard. It is likely cheaper if you buy access online ahead of time. This will also protect you from a potential sell-out which wasn't an issue on this cruise, but can happen. You can also buy a multi-day pass if you want to make this a part of your daily cruising routine.

This tranquil room has heated stone loungers, aromatherapy steam and showers with different temperatures and pressures. But wait, there's more.

Since you're already at the spa, you can use the full-size showers in the spa dressing rooms to clean up instead of relying solely the smaller showers in your stateroom. Beware that there may be a wait for the changing-room showers as there are only two in the women's dressing area of the spa on the Disney Wonder. It is a solid option if you get claustrophobic and want a larger shower space.

Adult-only area

The spa isn't the only kid-free area on the Disney Wonder. You can also head to the Quiet Cove area located on Deck 9.

Here you'll find plenty of comfy lounge chairs, a main adult-only pool and two hot tubs.

There's also an adult coffee shop that transforms into a bar as the day goes on.

This is where you can get your cold brew fix each morning. If you plan to make multiple visits, pick up a frequent-sipper card that gives you a free specialty drink when you buy five on that particular cruise.

The beverages in this shop are sold for a fee, but the pastries in the display case are free.

Concierge lounge

I'm going to do a whole separate article on whether the Disney cruise Concierge level is worth it, so stay tuned for a deep dive into the service and access it conveys. But here's an overview of the lounge itself.

The Concierge lounge is open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. and serves meals and snacks at the following times:

• Continental breakfast (7 a.m.-10:15 a.m.)
• Lunch snacks (11:00 a.m.-1:45 p.m.)
• Afternoon offerings (2:45 p.m.-4:15 p.m.)
• Dinner snacks (5:00 p.m.-8:15 p.m.)
• Dessert (9:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.)

For breakfast in the lounge you will often find smoked salmon, diced fruit, muffins, pastries and these truly addictive Mickey-shaped cinnamon rolls. There's also a great coffee machine and sugar cubes shaped like Mickey's head.

At lunch you'll generally find wraps, small sandwiches and single-serve desserts.

In the evening, there are complimentary beverages from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. This is a big deal as alcohol is not routinely complimentary anywhere else on the ship. The bartender on our ship knew everyone's name by the second evening and was a true joy to see each night.

During the evening (and during the day on the first day of the cruise), you have your pick of wine, liquor and beer. Available brands include, Tito's, Bombay Sapphire, Crown Royal, 1800, Jack Daniel's, etc.

For evening snacks, there are small salads, cheese, bread and more.

Having complimentary wine in the evening in a private lounge is pretty great. You can get a glass to take to dinner or your stateroom too.

Second perhaps to the adult beverages, my favorite lounge offering was the stocked fridge -- which you can raid. This means you can have drinks on hand in your stateroom, to take on excursions and enjoy around the ship. There's bottled water, sparkling water, Coke products, juice and juice boxes. I didn't count how many drinks we consumed over the course of a four-night cruise, but a couple dozen is a fair estimate.

A cool event in the Concierge lounge was a special meet-and-greet with a surprise Disney character after the Cozumel port day. On our cruise, the special character was Stitch, but I believe it varies from cruise to cruise. There was a line to meet the character, but it was no more than five minutes while we were there.

In addition to the main indoor area, the Concierge lounge on the Disney Wonder has a private bathroom just outside the entrance, as well as an upper-deck outdoor area that overlooks the adult-pool area.

Food and beverage

Main restaurants.

The Disney Wonder has three main restaurants. These are included in your cruising price and your serving team rotates with you each night. For example, they remembered that my oldest daughter likes barbecue sauce with virtually everything and had it ready at subsequent meals.

The newest restaurant option on the Disney Wonder is Tiana's, a New Orleans-themed restaurant.

This restaurant is an absolute party. We enjoyed shrimp and grits, lobster salad, beignets and way too much fluffy bread.

But that's not even the best part. The best part is the live music, dancing and general merry-making that is the theme of this restaurant.

We missed the main meal in Animator's Palate as we dined at the adults-only Palo that night. We were able to enjoy Animator's Palate during Pirate Night, but it's not the same experience. Rumor has it that the restaurant transforms from black and white to color as the main meal goes on. We'll have to catch it next time.

We enjoyed Animator's Palate during the pirate-themed night with shrimp, crab cakes, noodles, jerk chicken with red beans and rice ... and the requisite kid meal: macaroni with chicken strips. Your kids can order whatever they want from the menu, but my 4-year-old happily stuck to a narrow list of options.

All the restaurants were good, but Triton's was probably my least favorite. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't as fun or themed as the others. If you want to skip one, this is it.

Still, we managed to eat our weight in seafood.

As you are ordering your courses, know that on a Disney cruise, included dessert is never more than a request away. In fact, the servers often insist you at least try it. And in that case, we all know calories don't count.

Quick service

There are a multitude of included quick-service dining options -- pizza, chicken fingers, burgers, hot dogs, chili bowls, ice cream, salads, gyros and more. Basically, no one will ever go hungry.

For lunch, we usually went to the Cabanas buffet which is open for three meals per day -- plus late into the night on Pirate Night. Cabanas has everything from chicken fingers to ham, stir-fry, seafood, salad, fruit, calamari and dozens of other selections.

Room service

I'm a sucker for room-service breakfast and thankfully it's included for all guests on a Disney cruise. The only catch is that the menu is continental. Donuts, muffins, beverages and cereal are no problem, but there's nothing hot (or particularly healthy) on the included menu.

However, a perk of Concierge level is that Concierge guests can order from the Triton's breakfast menu and have hot items delivered to the room. We ordered omelettes, Mickey waffles, bacon, sausage, yogurt parfaits, hashbrowns and more.

Note that although normal room service was always delivered during the time I selected on the door hanger the night before, our one special room-service order from Triton's took a long time to arrive. That may be a fluke, but budget at least an hour for delivery. Once it arrived, it was perfect.

Last, but far from least, ordering ice cream Mickey bars from room service is a must-do. There's no fee for this (other than an optional tip) -- so your kids may want to make this a part of your daily cruise routine. Our oldest daughter learned how to order the bars herself on our previous cruise ... and put those skills to use on this one. (Just be careful what you wear when eating a melting Mickey bar -- something in these bars is very hard to get out of clothes.)

There's no better meal on the Disney Wonder than Palo. This is an 18-an-up restaurant that requires reservations and costs an additional $40 per person. We couldn't get into Palo on our first cruise as Disney newbies because it was already booked by passengers who had access to advance reservations. First-time cruisers are at the bottom of the advance-booking food chain. But this time, Concierge-level access made it happen, and with the kids together in the kids club (at my insistence) my mom and I dined so well that we went into a legit food coma.

Our reservation was at sunset, a visual treat. People also dress up more here, which raised the ambience a notch or two over Pirate Night.

The service was out-of-this-world exceptional. And the food, well, I'll crave it forever.

Palo is an Italian-themed restaurant. On the menu you'll find everything from heirloom tomatoes and mozzarella to tableside antipasti to grilled lobster with pasta, to calamari to handmade gnocchi to scallops to the best meat on the ship (per the chef) -- the prime beef tenderloin.

Every bite was rich and succulent, but my favorites were the butternut squash agnolotti and chocolate souffle (both shown below). Once you pay your $40 fee, you can order away at no additional charge, which can be quite the bargain considering some items on the list. What a wonderful experience this was.

Finally, the ship has bars and an entire area devoted to adults, though kids can enter some of these spaces at times. Outside Tiana's restaurant is the French Quarter Lounge which has live music in the evenings. Kids were welcome here during our visit, though the area was never busy when we stopped by.

There's an English pub, Crown & Fin, that was lively during some football playoff games. There's typically a selection of complimentary bar food at the buffet in this pub.

Also in the "After Hours" portion of the ship is the previously mentioned Cadillac Lounge, where we did the tequila tasting. There is some fun live piano and jazz here in the (kid-free) evenings.

Overall impression

There's a lot to take in on a four-night Disney cruise. Nothing is perfect, but our sailing was pretty darn awesome. It was admittedly very expensive, even by Disney standards. However, it was worth it. We had no worries, my mom got to come with us and it has even piqued the interest of my dad and extended family now taking their first cruises . As for me, it makes me think even bigger when it comes to cruising. Alaska is now on my radar, though likely not in Disney Concierge level as that would probably cost as much as a small car.

The Disney Wonder is a perfectly sized ship. It was large enough to keep us entertained for multiple days, but small enough that my 10-year-old could navigate it pretty well by the second day. The elevators were laughably small (we logged many flights of stairs), but otherwise it didn't feel small in any way.

I wouldn't hesitate to return to the Disney Wonder for this or a longer sailing. The only thing that may get in my way is the temptation of booking a sailing on the all-new Disney Wish when it enters the fleet.

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Disney Wonder Deck Plans & Reviews

Disney Wonder

Activities & entertainment

• ConnectATSea *
• Its a Small World Nursery
• Disneys Oceaneer Club
• Disneys Oceaneer Lab
• Edge _ Tweens Club
• Vibe _ Teens Club
• Mickeys Splash Zone
• Senses Spa and Salon *
• Senses Rainforest Room *
• Senses Treatment Salons *
• Spa Villas *
• Chill Spa *
• Wide World of Sports Deck
• Sports Court
• Character Events
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes
• Arts and Crafts Classes
• Deck Parties
• Scavenger Hunts
• Dance Parties
• Extensive Kids Programs
• Pin Trading
• Sing_Alongs
• Video Game Competitions
• Adults_Only Events
• After Hours _ Adult_Only Area
• Whirlpools (4)
• Twist n Spout
• Guest Services
• Port Adventures *
• Port Shopping Desk *
• Onboard Sales Desk *
• Shutters Portrait Studio *
• Vista Gallery *
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique *
• Retail Shops *
• Concierge Lounge _ Suite Guests
• Medical Center
• Promenade Lounge
• Walt Disney Theatre
• Buena Vista Theatre
• Disney Movies Onboard
• Funnel Vision
• Nightly Live Music
• Stage Shows
• Tianas Place - Rotational Main
• Tritons - Rotational Main
• Animators Palate - Rotational Main
• Cabanas - Buffet
• Crown and Fin Pub - Pub *
• Cadillac Lounge - Cocktail Bar
• Preludes Bar - Theater Snacks *
• Eye Scream - Ice Cream
• Sulleys Sips - Smoothies *
• Petes Boiler Bites - Fast Food
• Signals Bar - Pool Bar *
• Beverage Station - Soft Drinks
• Daisys De_Lites - Light Fare
• Pinocchios Pizzeria - Pizza
• Cove Cafe - Coffee Bar *
• Palo - Italian *
• French Quarter Lounge - New Orleans-Themed Bar *
• Room Service

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• Very Good 7
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Disney Wonder Mexican Riviera Review

​I just returned from my first ever Disney cruise and I can honestly say that it’ll be hard to go back to regular vacationing after this trip.  The cruise we chose was a 7 night / 8 day adventure out of San Diego down to the Mexican Riviera, and it was perfect. Following is a topline overview of our trip and some general thoughts.

SAN DIEGO PORT

We boarded the Disney Wonder as it was docked at the Cruise Ship Terminal at the Port of San Diego.  It was really easy to spot the ship from Harbor Blvd.  We pre-purchased parking at the Wyndham San Diego Bayside which is right across the street from the entrance.  It was about $14/day for valet parking (which I highly recommend).  Upon entering the terminal, you need to show your passport and Disney Boarding Pass (which should be mailed to your house as a little booklet prior to departure or you can print it out from your online reservation).  The boarding pass needs to include the names of each member of your party along with a designated barcode.  (I actually didn’t know that we needed that booklet as our boarding pass but luckily we had ours, so definitely make sure to bring some sort of boarding pass with you.)

After going through security at the terminal, guests get in line to check in (even if you did online in advance).  When you check in, you receive your “key to the world” card.  Each member of your party gets their own card which you use aboard the ship as your room key and payment for incidentals while on the ship. A helpful tip is to bring a park lanyard with you to keep your key to the world card in.  That was a game changer for us.  After we checked in, we got in line at the “Supervisor” station at the end of the check-in area to see if we could get a day-of “upgrade”.  We had read online that sometimes Disney will discount unsold rooms on the day of your cruise.  We got super lucky because there was one last verandah room available when we asked and we got it for only an extra $550, for the entire duration of the cruise (that comes out to about $68 per day). Can you believe that?!  It was totally unexpected and really started our trip off on an awesome note.  (One thing to mention, when you upgrade your room day-of, you’ll need to go to your old cabin to pick up your bags when you board the ship.  They will not be automatically delivered to your room.  You will also need to call to have any excursion tickets re-printed for you and brought to your new room.)

​Once we were done with this, we were sent to a waiting area until our number was called.  After check-in, each guest is given a boarding number.  Once that number appears on the screens in the waiting area, you are welcome to board the cruise ship.  We only had to wait about 15 minutes.  (Our online check-in time was 1pm, we got to the cruise ship terminal at noon, and were on board around 1/1:15pm, in case that helps give you a reference of how early to arrive.)

FIRST NIGHT We were able to get into our room at 1:30pm which was great because each of us was carrying 2 bottles of wine and it was starting to get a bit heavy.  After we put our things down we went and took care of some things we weren’t able to do in advance (such as Palo dining and the Spa).  There is also a mandatory emergency drill before the official festivities begin.  After the emergency check-in, there is a big welcome party on the main deck featuring Mickey and Friends.

We decided to forgo our rotational dining that first night in favor of Palo’s and I would highly recommend this to everyone who is interested in Palo’s for dinner.  It started the trip off on the perfect note.  Our server told us that it’s usually easiest to get into Palo’s the first night because most people are tired from their travels that day.  We had a 7:30pm dining time and did not leave until close to 10pm.  There were hardly any other guests in the restaurant during our entire dining experience and the wait staff really pampered us.  (I think we had no less than 6 courses).

DAYS AT SEA We had 3 days at sea: our first day and our last two days.  Days at Sea are perfect for exploring the ship and taking advantage of all of the onboard activities.  You won’t find out the schedule until you board the ship but there are things happening every half an hour all day long and for all ages including live entertainment, trivia contests, kids programming, character meet & greets, and more.  There was actually so much to do that there are several things we did not get to take advantage of.

The first night at sea was also the “formal” attire night and I was shocked to see how many people took that really seriously.  I had read on a number of blogs that most guests ignore the dress code recommendations and are pretty casual for most of the experience.  This was not the case for our week at sea.  We actually went back to our cabin to change into “fancier” clothing because I felt so undressed.  Ladies were wearing floor-length gowns and little black dresses, and gentlemen were wearing sports jackets and fancy shoes. The first night is also the night of the first Broadway-style live entertainment stage show.  There was a red carpet and everything, which further amplified the formal vibe of the evening.

PORTS OF CALL We had three ports of call back-to-back-to-back.  This was actually a bit exhausting and I have lots of recommendations coming out of this experience.  Our three ports of call were: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta.

We booked an excursion through the Disney Cruise Line for each of our Ports, even though we had already been to two of the three locations.  We decided to go this route because of Disney’s excursion policy.  If the cruise ship needs to be diverted for any reason, Disney will take full responsibility for issuing either a refund or rebooking you on a different excursion pending the circumstances around the need for a change.  Additionally, Disney takes care of EVERYTHING if you book through them.  There are designated meeting areas around the ship and cast members will literally walk you off the boat and onto the transportation you need to get to the excursion.  This made exploring each port 100% stress free.

I very much am a do-it-yourself traveler.  I usually loath big group tours and prefer to find hole-in-the-wall local spots and the best deals possible, but I will say that I see a ton of value in doing the Disney excursions and would go this route again because each one is carefully curated to give you the feeling that you are experiences something very special in each city.

The excursions we chose were:

CABO SAN LUCAS / HARBOR CRUISE & SCENIC STOP ($51/adult, $34/child) As a general rule we tried to pick the less expensive of the excursion options and this one fell into that category.  My dad had never been to Cabo before and my mom felt it was important for him to see the famous “Lovers Beach” and the arch (Los Arcos).  The description seemed to indicate that this would be a catamaran adventure but it wasn’t.  It was more like a giant 3 story boat that fit at least 100 people.  The boat tour lasted about an hour and included non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.

Once we got back from the boat cruise, we all piled onto shuttle buses and went to a glass factory where we watched artisans blow glass.  This felt like a unique experience because the glass factory was pretty tucked away outside of town.

Then we all got back on the buses and made one more stop at a resort that was at the top of a hill.  There we each got 1 free beer and were able to take pictures of the view.  I think we were there for 20 minutes max.

If I am honest, I would NOT recommend this excursion and here’s why:  Cabo is a relatively safe port and everything is very very close.  As the cruise ship comes into the port to dock, the ship passes Lover’s Beach and Los Arcos, so if you wake up early enough or you stay on the deck when the ship departs you will be able to see those on your own.  Additionally, you can get really great deals on smaller boat tours at the port itself.  The tours cater to tourists and are very easy to book once you arrive on-site.  I will say what we got as part of this excursion did feel like a good value for $51/person but I didn’t think it was the best use of our time there. Cabo has some beautiful beaches and resort pools and the downtown area is pretty cute.  So there is a lot to do close to the ship without having to spend any money.

MAZATLAN / OLD MAZATLAN WALKING TOUR ($26/adult, $23/child) This excursion was amazing.  Worth every penny.  We got off the ship and were immediately met by our tour guide, Alma.  She helped us all get into taxis that dropped us off in Old Mazatlan.  From there she proceeded to guide us on a walking tour that lasted about 5 hours.  The city itself is gorgeous and Alma knew all of the history and was clearly very proud of her city. We saw the old Opera house and the town square.  We went to a small shop where the owner makes Carnival masks out of leather (we’d never seen anything like that before).  We walked down to the coast where we saw the famous cliff diving that Mazatlan is known for. The tour concluded with a stop at a local restaurant for margaritas and chips and salsa.  Locals performed a traditional flamenco routine and it was really lovely.

The walking tour really allowed us to fall in love with the city and now this is a place I would want to come back and visit because of course you can’t see everything in just 5 hours.

PUERTO VALLARTA / HISTORIC TOWNS & TEQUILA-MAKING ($65/adult, $31/child) This was my favorite of all of the excursions.  When we got to Puerto Vallarta we all got on buses and drove about an hour into Puerto Vallarta.  The tour was primarily by bus with our guide telling us all about the culture of Puerto Vallarta and the various landmarks we were passing. We did stop in the center of old town and had some gelato that Puerto Vallarta is known for.  It was super refreshing and the town square was very colorful and open.  Then we all got back on the bus and went on to the next area which was the Tequila factory where we took a tour and learned how tequila is made followed by an intense tasting featuring flavored tequilas.  The tasting lasted about 30 minutes and everyone could have as big or small a pour as they wanted (which spelled trouble for some of us).  After we finished at the tequila factory, we all went to a local restaurant where we had a traditional fajita lunch.  It was incredible and a great way to finish off our day.

The reason why I loved this excursion so much is that it felt like we did a lot that day because each stop was long enough for us to really soak it in.  It was fun to learn about tequila too.

​Each day we had to be back on the ship by 4:45pm or the ship would leave without you.  At first I thought that that would be too early to be back on the ship but it really wasn’t.  I was so wiped out after every excursion that I actually wanted to get back on the ship as quickly as possible.  The timing is also nice in that it allows each family enough time to freshen up (or possibly nap) before the dinner rotations begin. I appreciated that a lot. PIRATE NIGHT Pirate Night is a longstanding Disney Cruise Line tradition and is definitely a spectacle to behold.  Ours was on our 3rd to last night.  Everyone receives a red pirate bandana in their cabin when they return to their rooms to get ready for dinner.  It’s a good idea to bring some of your own pirate-themed attire as well though because EVERYONE is really into this.  The festivities begin when you got to dinner.  All of the servers are dressed in pirate gear and the music on the ship is pirate-themed.  We had the later dining rotation and actually had to hurry and finish early so our servers could go to the deck and prepare for the night.  Up on the deck is just one big party.  There is a DJ and lights and cast members dancing and it’s a whole lot of fun.  There is a stage show involving all of the Disney costume characters on board the ship and Mickey even flies down from the captain’s window!  Around 9:30, Disney lights up the sky with a special fireworks show and was pretty cool to think that we’re experiencing fireworks at sea.

​The night of our Pirate party we bolted from the main deck as soon as the fireworks were done because Disney surprised us all and had a special premiere screening of Avengers: Endgame that night at 11pm.  Given that it was premiere night for the film, I was paranoid about not getting a seat in the theater.  It was such a special surprise that Disney didn’t even tell the guests until day-of.  I had heard that Disney will often premiere the latest Disney release aboard the cruise ships and this definitely proved to be true.  (So pay attention to what’s releasing when you book your trip).

I could go on-and-on about this trip but I think I’ll save the rest of the details for future blog posts.  Hopefully you’ll find this introductory post helpful as you begin planning your upcoming Disney Cruise Line vacation!

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Disney Wonder Trip Report: Cabo San Lucas

My family just got back from our first Disney cruise in three years! We sailed on the Disney Wonder on a 4-night cruise out of San Diego, stopping in Cabo San Lucas before turning back around. I’ve already covered planning and logistics that went into the cruise, as well as all of the fun we had while on the ship . Today I want to bring you along for our time in port at Cabo! I’ll talk about how Disney Port Adventures work, the specific one we went on, and all of my other random thoughts and suggestions.

Preparation

When we entered our room on embarkation day, we already had an envelope clipped into our fish. It contained a waiver that each adult in our party had to sign. And in our Navigator app, we had information about when and where to meet for our Port Adventure as soon as we boarded. Our Port Adventure was the Coastal Cruise and Beach Break, and it cost $89 per adult and $59 per child.

There wasn’t much more work to do other than trying to speed our morning along by packing our day bag the night before, and setting out our swimsuits and clothes so that we could quickly go eat some breakfast before our assigned gathering time – 8:35 am.

Port Morning

We woke up around 7:30 am, after our late night watching Frozen. We quickly realized that we were not yet in port (thanks, engine noises), and it looked like we still had quite a way to go. We got dressed in our swimsuits and cover-ups, grabbed our waiver and day bag, and made our way up to breakfast at Cabanas.

Breakfast was already quite busy by the time we made it up to Deck 9, but we managed to grab a table by the window on the port side. If you’re on a cruise heading to Cabo from San Diego, this port side is where you’ll want to be in the morning. The views of the coastline became increasingly picturesque as we finished up our meal and got closer to docking for the day. We were originally intended to be anchored by 8 am, but our arrival was slightly delayed, with the ship coming to a complete stop a little after 8:30 am.

Our Port Adventure was told to gather in D Lounge at 8:45 am, but also “to be there around 10 minutes before the gathering time”. Um, okay. 8:35 it was. We joined the moderate line, and once we got to the front we had our waivers collected, our passports checked (for adults), and were reminded to make sure that we had the room keys available for every member of our sailing party.

Two different Port Adventures were gathering in the D Lounge, so we were given a character sticker according to which Port Adventure was ours (hey there, fellow Minnie sticker folks), and instructed to take a seat and wait to be cleared to disembark. We were also warned that we could not bring any food to shore that wasn’t in its original packaging.

In the D Lounge, Wonderful World of Mickey cartoons were playing to keep the kids – and adults – entertained, and there were towels available for anyone that needed them on their Port Adventure. We picked up four so that we could use them on our Beach Break.

Around 9 am, the ship was cleared by the local authorities, and so we were escorted down to Deck 1 to begin the tendering process.

Cabo is one example of a port where the water depth is insufficient for large cruise ships to pull directly into port. Instead, they have to anchor away from shore, and smaller tender boats pull up and ferry passengers to shore and back to the ship. Disney does not own its own tender boats, and therefore contracts with local companies to provide this service. This means that these locals will likely accept gratuities since they are an additional service.

Passengers participating in Disney’s offered Port Adventures are given first priority in the tendering process. This makes a big difference on port days like ours, when the first tender didn’t leave the ship until around 9:15, and the last tender departing shore and heading back to the Wonder was leaving at 3 pm. That’s a short amount of time, and I heard that non-Port Adventure folks didn’t get the chance to catch a tender until close to 10:30 am. This will have an impact on the amount of time you can explore on your own, or when you’d be able to meet up for a third party shore excursion.

Our port day had many large waves, so the tenders were difficult to enter and exit as the bobbed up and down significantly. It also made the trip from ship to shore (or back) much more uncomfortable for folks like me that struggle with sea sickness.

Coastal Cruise

The first part of our Port Adventure was a short cruise out to Los Arcos on a catamaran. On this particular day, we had a triple-deck catamaran. We had unlimited beverages (the Disney description only promised one beverage), and the trip had an audio track that described the landscape, the sea, the history of the area, and the local wildlife. This part of the Port Adventure was even better than we expected. Sitting on the top deck of the catamaran offered stunning views, and easy access to more beverages. The seating was incredibly comfortable, even though we were frequently out of our chairs and looking around. The larger boat also helped cut down on the wave motion that was very obviously rocking all of the many smaller watercraft swarming the same area.

I think the pictures from this part of the Adventure tell more about it than my words ever could, so I’ll stop my typing and show those instead.

Beach Break

After our cruise got back to the dock, we were escorted to a charter bus that would take us to our Beach Break. We were supposed to have a “narrated trip” through downtown … but there’s not much to narrate. I guess they could have told us all about Senor Frog’s if they wanted to. Nonetheless, it was a quick ride over to our beach stop for the day.

We walked down a rather steep and narrow road and arrived at our beach spot. This was part of a resort, and was essentially a miniature day pass. We were allotted one beach chair per person, and one table/umbrella for every two beach chairs. We had a roped off section of the beach where all of these chairs were located, and local vendors weren’t allowed in that area. We were also given one lunch ticket and two drink tickets per person, which were redeemable when placing orders with our waiters.

There was good and bad for this part of the trip. The description when booking promised 2.5 hours on the beach, and we only got 2 hours, including lunch. This meant that my family lost a good 15 minutes to sunscreening all of our pale selves too. Ha! 2 hours quite simply wasn’t enough time. Additionally, lunch and drink orders could only be placed through the waiters serving our roped-off area, which was slightly removed from the water. There were only two waiters for almost 50 people, and they just couldn’t keep up with demand. Unfortunately, that meant you had to hover around your chairs for them to become miraculously free if you wanted any chance at food. And that took away from time playing in the waves.

It was really quite fun to play in the ocean with the Wonder immediately in the background. And it made for great pictures too! But also keep in mind that when waves are high (like they were this day), waves are strong on the shoreline too. There were multiple instances of fellow passengers in our group that had to get assistance from the lifeguard on duty to get back up and out of the water as the strong waves kept pushing them over and pulling them out. Know your own limits, and keep an eye on your kids if you have them.

After our short two hours had passed, we were shepherded back to our bus and to the dock. We got in line for a tender back to the ship. Our passports were checked before we were allowed to board the tender, and we were offered cool hand towels and water. This is also where we dropped off the towels we had borrowed. Once our tender made it back to the ship, our room keys were scanned and we went back through security.

Back on the Ship

Our Port Adventure got us back to the dock around 1:30, and we were back to the ship by 2:00 pm. Since the hours in port were so short, lots of passengers aimed to take the latest possible tender back to the ship. That tender left the dock at 3 pm and returned to the ship at 3:15 pm. We were promised that tenders would be running every 10 minutes, but in actuality it was more like every 5 minutes. Each tender held up to 50 people. So between 2:00 and 3:15 pm, that was 750 people that we “beat” back to the ship.

Exploring the ship during a port day is a really fun thing to do. In hindsight, we should have used some of this time to let the kids use the slide and the pool. It was just too cold and windy the next day. Instead, we realized our exhausted children needed baths and rest. We did those things and then got an early start on meeting characters for Pirate night.

Tempted to Book Your Own Cruise?

I highly recommend it! I’m a Disney World fan, and you all know that I  love  all of the planning. But a Disney cruise is so much more relaxing, and the service is absolutely next-level. I have some options for you if you want more information or want to explore booking your own cruise!

• Read anything and everything that  Erin Foster  writes – she’s the queen of all things DCL and author of the  Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line
• Follow me on Instagram ( @raisingminniemes ) as I post detailed information and tips from our cruise daily over the next few weeks
• Reach out to the  TouringPlans Travel Agency  and get yourself a quote! They can find you a good deal.

This brings us to the end of my Disney Wonder trip report! What questions do you have? Are you preparing for an upcoming Disney cruise? Let me know in the comments!

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Becky Gandillon

Becky Gandillon was trained in biomedical engineering, but is now a full-time data and analytics nerd. She loves problem solving and travelling. She and her husband, Jeff, live in St. Louis with their two daughters and they have Disney family movie night every Saturday. You can follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-gandillon/ or instagram @raisingminniemes

8 thoughts on “ Disney Wonder Trip Report: Cabo San Lucas ”

Thank you for the post! Do you think this excursion could be done with a stroller?

It would be difficult, but possibly doable. It would be hard to even get a stroller into the tender boats. You have to climb down into and up out of them several times. Then you’d have to be able to quickly maneuver the stroller on the pier and onto the boat, then back onto the pier and into a bus, and then down some steep streets and onto a beach. I think it would be a lot of hassle.

Thank you for your post! I have an upcoming cruise on the 16th of Jan on the exact same cruise. We have scheduled the beach excursion but there are 7 of us for $500 for us to go, would you say it’s worth it or just get off on our own and explore? I have 3 teenagers and 2 toddlers.

Have you been to Cabo before? It can be overwhelming, especially with a lot of kids in tow. It all depends on your comfort level with navigating new cities by yourself and with your family. If you’d rather have it handled for you, pay the money. Otherwise you can try to get a water taxi to a public beach.

Thanks for this series! My wife and I live on the west coast and have been considering whether to try this itinerary. It is a lot easier and less expensive for us to get to than the ones out of Florida. It’s been difficult to think of a Disney cruise without Castaway Cay, but we may give it a go now.

Thanks also for the story about your beach day. We also had a less than magical beach day on a Disney cruise when our kids were small. The excursion package put us in vans and took us to a beach on the opposite side of St. Maarten. They dropped us off and said they’d be back in two hours. The waves at the beach were too high for the kids to play in and it rained. We were glad when the the time to return arrived, but no vans appeared to take us back. After several anxious minutes, one van arrived. We all looked at each other and said, “Nope. I’m not taking the chance that another will show up.” So we wedged too many adults into all the seats and put kids and some adults on laps. I’m sure we looked like a clown car unloading at the port but it proved to be the best memory of the day. Not just because of that, we really enjoy staying on the ship on port days. So much more fun with fewer people to contend with.

So sorry to hear about the bad beach-day experience. No beach days for us on our next cruise! But I’m very grateful for your note, because situations like yours are the main reason I wrote up this series!

Rating scale of 10 to 5, starting with 10? Interesting choice.

Right?! I needed a survey that I could fill out about their survey techniques.

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Disney Wonder

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Find a Cruise on Disney Wonder

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The 2,713-passenger Disney Wonder debuted in 1999. It was most recently updated in 2019; the refurbishment rolled out new family-oriented amenities and entertainment offerings, like Tiana's Place with live music and southern cuisine inspired by the Disney movie, "The Princess and the Frog." 

The ship offers plenty of onboard activities, with 10 designated family areas, five youth clubs and seven adults-only spaces. While younger passengers play at age-appropriate clubs, grown-ups can relax at the adults-only Quiet Cove Pool. When hunger strikes, Wonder offers six dining options, including one adults-only specialty restaurant.

Like the majority of the ship, staterooms are designed with families in mind. Interior cabins can accommodate up to four passengers, while larger suites can sleep up to seven. All cabins come equipped with flat-screen TVs, seating areas and classic Disney designs. Recent cruisers noted the expensive cost of a trip on the Disney Wonder, but most felt the quality of service was top-notch. 

Disney Wonder departs from a range of ports throughout Australia and New Zealand, as well as  Vancouver , for sailings around the South Pacific, Mexico and Alaska. 

U.S. News Insider Tip : The Disney Wonder features Disney Cruise Line's only Princess and the Frog-inspired rotational dining room. Tiana's Place is themed after a jazz supper club, with a live band, Creole dishes and dancing. – Megan duBois, Contributor

Pros & Cons

Many kid-friendly activities onboard

Some onboard activities cost extra

• Expert Rating » 4.0
• Traveler Rating » 4.4
• Health Rating » 4.5

Disney Wonder ranks # 5 out of 5 Disney Cruise Line Cruise Ships based on an analysis of expert and user ratings, as well as health ratings.

• # 5 in Best Disney Cruise Line
• # 6 in Best Cruises to Mexico
• # 9 in Best Cruises to Alaska
• # 9 in Best Cruises to the Pacific
• # 11 in Best Cruises for Families

Disney Wonder offers a wide range of accomodation options. Browse cabins to find the stateroom that suits your needs.

Disney Wonder contains 11 decks. Find out which features are available on each Disney Wonder deck.

Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 755 guests have reviewed Disney Wonder , giving it a rating of 4.4 on a scale of 1-5.

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Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Disney Wonder Deck Plans & Reviews

Disney Wonder

Activities & entertainment

• ConnectATSea *
• Its a Small World Nursery
• Disneys Oceaneer Club
• Disneys Oceaneer Lab
• Edge _ Tweens Club
• Vibe _ Teens Club
• Mickeys Splash Zone
• Senses Spa and Salon *
• Senses Rainforest Room *
• Senses Treatment Salons *
• Spa Villas *
• Chill Spa *
• Wide World of Sports Deck
• Sports Court
• Character Events
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes
• Arts and Crafts Classes
• Deck Parties
• Scavenger Hunts
• Dance Parties
• Extensive Kids Programs
• Pin Trading
• Sing_Alongs
• Video Game Competitions
• Adults_Only Events
• After Hours _ Adult_Only Area
• Whirlpools (4)
• Twist n Spout
• Guest Services
• Port Adventures *
• Port Shopping Desk *
• Onboard Sales Desk *
• Shutters Portrait Studio *
• Vista Gallery *
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique *
• Retail Shops *
• Concierge Lounge _ Suite Guests
• Medical Center
• Promenade Lounge
• Walt Disney Theatre
• Buena Vista Theatre
• Disney Movies Onboard
• Funnel Vision
• Nightly Live Music
• Stage Shows
• Tianas Place - Rotational Main
• Tritons - Rotational Main
• Animators Palate - Rotational Main
• Cabanas - Buffet
• Crown and Fin Pub - Pub *
• Cadillac Lounge - Cocktail Bar
• Preludes Bar - Theater Snacks *
• Eye Scream - Ice Cream
• Sulleys Sips - Smoothies *
• Petes Boiler Bites - Fast Food
• Signals Bar - Pool Bar *
• Beverage Station - Soft Drinks
• Daisys De_Lites - Light Fare
• Pinocchios Pizzeria - Pizza
• Cove Cafe - Coffee Bar *
• Palo - Italian *
• French Quarter Lounge - New Orleans-Themed Bar *
• Room Service

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• Excellent 70
• Very Good 7
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• Spanish ( 1 )

Review of the Disney Wonder

We are definitely “cruise people.” My husband and I went on our first cruise together shortly before we adopted our son, Zack. Six years later, we have sailed four times with our kids and three of those have been Disney Cruises. Here's our review of the Disney Wonder. 

The Disney Wonder was our first Disney Cruise and we have sailed on this ship twice. On our first Disney Wonder Cruise, we sailed to the Bahamas and on our second, to the Western Caribbean. We really love the ship but I think it has an even more special place in our cruise memories because it was our first Disney Cruise. 

Table of Contents

A little bit about the Disney Wonder

The Disney Wonder  has been in service since 1999 and was re-imagined in 2016. We sailed in early 2017 and in early 2020, just before the world shut down. 

The Wonder is one of Disney’s smaller ships with room for 2400 passengers in 857 staterooms. We’ve sailed to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean on the Disney Wonder. We haven’t done a Disney Cruise to Alaska yet, but if you are interested in doing that, the Wonder will probably be your ship. 

The Disney Wonder is one of Disney Cruise Line's smaller ships. To date, I've sailed on the Wonder and the Dream, one of Disney Cruise Line's larger ships, and I like the intimacy of the Disney Wonder. It feels much easier to learn your way around a smaller ship, and of course, it's not as much walking to get to places on board. 

I was also afraid a Disney Cruise would be “too Disney” but I didn’t find that to be the case at all. Don’t get me wrong, I love Disney and I think everyone knows that. My kids are the perfect age to be in love and in awe of all the Disney magic and characters, but I think I kind of envisioned Mickey Mouse everything and characters popping up around every corner.

That was so not the case.

While the décor was very Disney, it was also very subtle and elegant. You can tell some real work and creativity went into the theming.

Also, while there was plenty of opportunity to interact with the characters, it was typically at scheduled character meets. I think I’d had images in my head of trying to enjoy an umbrella drink from my spot next to the adults-only pool (oh yes, they have one of those) and having Goofy plop down next to me. Other than a random encounter with Captain Hook in the hallway (which was kind of cool) the only time I saw characters was at scheduled meets (both on board and on Castaway Cay) and during shows.

It was the perfect blend of Disney magic and an elegant cruise on an elegant ship.

If you sailed on the Disney Wonder before it was re-imagined, it’s absolutely worth another look. The re-imagined Disney Wonder is more than just updated paint…there is a spectacular new show, Frozen, the Musical, a wonderful themed restaurant, Tiana’s Place, a very authentic English pub in the adult’s only area and more.

There is so much I can tell you about the Disney Wonder but for brevity’s sake, I’ll keep my review of the Disney Wonder to four sections: food, entertainment, staterooms, and the on-board activities (there are lots.) Of course, your mileage may vary depending on the route. We were on a three-night cruise from Port Canaveral Florida to Castaway Cay. The Disney Wonder goes all over the world so contact your travel agent or Disney Cruise Line directly with your booking questions.

1. The Food on the Disney Wonder

The Disney Wonder has three main dining rooms: Triton’s, the Animator’s Palette, and Tiana’s Place, which I mentioned above. There is also Cabana’s, which is a buffet restaurant on Deck 9. Food in any of these locations (plus soda!) is included in the cost of your cruise.

There are also a few other quick service food options that are included in the cost of your cruise.

Room service is included in the price of your cruise (yes, really!) and for cruises that stop at Castaway Cay, the food on the island is included.

If you want a detailed description of all the food on the Disney Wonder plus more pictures, I recommend you read my full dining guide to the ship.

Not included is concessions at the shows and Palo, Disney's signature dining on board. It's not included by I highly recommend it. Palo is adult's only. Reservations required and an elevated dress code applies.*

When you sail on a Disney Cruise, you will rotate among the restaurants on board. Your dining assignments will be on your Key to the World card (AKA your room key.)

This is awesome because you’ll get to experience all the restaurants and their unique theming and dining options. But do you know what’s really awesome? You have the same servers throughout your cruise and they travel from dining room to dining room with you. I loved that part and loved the level of personalization they provided to our dining experience.

Tiana's Place

Tiana’s Place has a creole inspired menu and, of course, The Princess and the Frog inspired décor. There is musical entertainment – think Dixieland Jazz – and Tiana herself will visit your table. She will pose for all the pictures you want but she does not sign autographs in the dining room. If you want Tiana’s autograph, you must book the meet and greet with the princesses. This meet and greet is free but you need reservations. 

Shrimp and grits appetizer (no pictures because I was busy INHALING IT) and the beignets. I had a bite of my husband’s food and kids’ food and everything was amazing.

Triton’s is Little Mermaid inspired, both in menu and “under the sea” décor. You can’t miss the iconic statue of Ariel outside, and this is where most of the character meet and greets will take place. If you do a pre-dinner character meet on the night you eat at Triton’s you can go directly into dinner. I was normally not a fan of the pre-dinner character meets because they seemed to be the most popular with everyone else but if you go to dinner a little early on your Triton’s night, the timing should work out.

The Bosch Pear Salad (so weird because I don’t love pears, ordinarily) and the lobster and shrimp appetizer.

The Animator’s Palette

This is my favorite restaurant (outside of Palo) on the Disney Wonder, although I say this with some trepidation because it is so hard to play favorites when everything is amazing.

The Animator’s Pallete menu has an Asian flair, although everyone’s palate will be pleased here…see what I did there?

My picks: Grilled ginger teriyaki beef tenderloin with Wasabi mashed potatoes. I don’t quite have words for how yummy this was, so you’ll just have to trust me.

Still want more options? No problem!

On the pool deck you will find a Pinocchio's Pizzeria, Pete's Boiler Bites (burgers, hotdogs, chicken sandwiches), and Daisy's DeLites, a sandwich and salad counter featuring some lighter options.

And, Eye Scream Treats, which is a 24 hour soft serve ice cream station. All the ice cream, people. That is one of the best parts about cruising, right?

You definitely will not go hungry on the Disney Wonder!

2. The Entertainment on the Disney Wonder

You can do as much or as little as you want on board the Disney Wonder. If you want to be on the go all the time, you can definitely find things to do. If you want to relax with an umbrella drink and gaze out at the horizon, well, you can do that, too.

The three and four night sailings of the Disney Wonder currently have three Broadway quality shows: Frozen, a Musical Spectacular, The Golden Mickeys, and Disney Dreams. We didn’t see Disney Dreams but if the other two were any indication, it’s out-of-this world good.

The Walt Disney Theater has a capacity of 977 people, and, while there are no bad seats, I recommend getting there at least 30-minutes early. If you breeze in five minutes before show time, you might not find a seat.

You can purchase snacks, such as popcorn and candy, on your way in to the theater which are NOT included in your cruise price. However, you are welcome to bring candy from home or stop at the beverage station and bring in your free soda.

The self serve fountain soda on the Disney Wonder is free, by the way, but they're only located on Deck 9, so I recommend bringing your own refillable cup or bottle .

There is also bar service available, as in someone will bring you a drink to you seat, if you get there early enough. Alcohol is not included in your cruise package, by the way.

If you want to see a first-run Disney movie instead of (or in addition to!) a live show, you can do that at the Buena Vista Theater on Deck 5. Shows and show times will be in your Navigator, which is your daily rundown of all the happenings on board.

The Navigator will be delivered to your stateroom daily, but you can find all the info on your Disney Cruise Line app, which you should download before you go. Movies and show times are also posted in front of the theater.

If you want to watch a movie in a more casual setting, check out the jumbotron on Deck 9. There’s usually a Disney movie playing, and you can watch from your deck chair or while you splash in the pool.

In addition to shows and movies, there are various trivia contests, bingo, as well as classes and seminars, some that come with an additional fee, such as the Mixology class or tequila tasting. Your Navigator will have all the info on what’s being offered, and I found the hardest part to be accepting that I could not do everything the ship had to offer. 

Best reason ever to take another Disney Cruise, though! The Disney Wonder was my first and I've since sailed on two more and I'm booked for two more in 2022.

3.The Staterooms on the Disney Wonder

My advice to would-be cruisers is to always get the most space you can afford, especially if you are traveling with children. Although you probably don’t spend a ton of time in your room, it is important to be comfortable when you are.

If you’ve never cruised before, you might be surprised to find that staterooms are a lot smaller than your average hotel room. The space is used efficiently but it is still not a lot of room to move around in.

We stayed in an ocean view stateroom with a verandah that came with a double bed and a deep sofa that converted into a bed with another bunk bed atop of that could be folded up against the ceiling. This gave us plenty of room for moving around when the kids were not in bed.

Our stateroom steward came every evening while we were at dinner to convert the couch into a bed and put it up every morning. It is standard for your stateroom stewards to clean your room twice a day. You'll get a full cleaning in the morning and a turndown service and tidy up in the evening. 

The staterooms on the Disney Wonder are a fun combo of Art Deco style and nautical. The one thing I really liked is that the toilet and shower were separate. There are two tiny bathrooms off the entrance of the stateroom, one with a toilet and sink and one with a sink and shower. For a family of four who is not used to living in such close quarters, this helped make getting ready a little easier.

The “double bathroom”  is a hallmark of Disney on deluxe staterooms (Category 10, deluxe inside and higher.)

There's a privacy curtain that divides the “living area” from the sleeping area. We really liked having the verandah, not only because it was cool to have our own little nook to view the ocean, but because it extended our space and gave us a little bit more breathing room. That said, our stateroom was only 268 square feet and that includes the verandah space.

If you’re interested in a concierge suite, those are available in limited number. You'll receive more room and more amenities on board and before you get on board.

Your mileage always varies depending on the particular cruise but in general, the price jump between an inside stateroom to an ocean view with verandah isn't too shocking but the jump up to concierge can be a lot.

Some of the amenities in concierge include: whirlpool bathtub, a wet bar with sodas, access to a DVD library, and extra concierge service that will attend to your every need, to include making reservations for shipboard and shore activities. There are also extra in-room dining options at this level and priority tendering and boarding, and excursion booking. Additionally, there is a wonderful private  lounge with very attentive staff.

And of course the towel animals are pretty awesome, too!

4. On-Board Activities 

There are endless options for your small humans on a Disney Cruise (and for you, too!)

Kid's Clubs

The It’s a Small World Nursery is for kiddos ages six months through three years. Since our kids are older, I don’t have firsthand experience with this service but you can check out the specifics  here . With it's very low ratios for precious cargo, this is the only club with an hourly fee and the only club that requires reservations.

For ages three (must be potty trained) to 12, there’s the Oceaneer Lab and the Oceaneer Club. The Oceaneer Lab offers fun through imaginative themed activities and games. Kids can take part in self-guided or group activities. The Oceaneer Club was simply amazing. When our kids weren’t in kids club, they were begging to go to kids club. When we picked them up, the first question out of their mouth was “when can we come back?”

We got a chance to go to the Oceaneer Club’s open house on our last day of sailing and it was easy to see why they liked it so much. Regardless of whatever your kid situation is, I’d recommend you take the time to check out any open house offerings. When people find out that you’ve been on a Disney Cruise, you will be asked questions. Besides, seeing the Oceaneer Club in person will make you wish you were a kid. It’s just really neat.

If you’re the type that suffers mom guilt for “dumping” your kids while you go have fun, you will feel good about letting your littles enjoy the kid’s activities on a  Disney cruise .

One of the COOLEST things about the Oceaneer Club is that it moves to Castaway Cay when the ship stops at at Castaway Cay . They have an awesome sand play area, playground, and splash pad.

If you have tweens (11-14) check out  Edge and for the 14 and up, there’s Vibe. We were seriously impressed the Oceaneer Club. I completely understand why my kids loved it so much. If you want an up-to-date run down of the youth activities on all of the DCL ships, go here .

Character Meet and Greets

You can find information on Character meet and greets in your Navigator (hard copy delivered to your room daily or on your Disney Cruise Line App.) If you couldn’t catch Donald (who can be somewhat elusive!) in the Disney Parks, you WILL be able to find him on-board and the line will not be near as long.

If you’d like to meet the Princesses or Elsa and Anna, you’ll have to reserve a spot before you sail or with Guest Services once on board. All meet and greets are free, but the Princesses and the Frozen characters are done separately in an out-of-the way location and because they’re the most popular, ahead-of-time signups are the way it’s done.

Pools and Water Slides

There are three pools on deck. The pools are absolutely amazing. One pool has a great slide and the one is adults-only. There's a really fun slide and a splash pad for younger kids.  

If you're traveling without kids (or even if you aren't – hello kids club) you need to check out the adults-only area. It's a whole different mood and so tranquil. The attention to the adults-only areas was what surprised me most about the Disney Wonder and Disney Cruises in general.

You might also like:

Cruise Packing Tips

14 Things that are awesome about a Disney Cruise

Why you should use a Disney Vacation Planner

10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

My Epic Disney Cruise Fails

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Hi Jill, lets be honest here. All that food looks great, but since I’m simple, that mac and cheese looks AMAZING, am I right? 🙂

I just returned from my Disney Wonder cruise to Alaska on 8/12/19. It is still awesome. If people are planning a cruise and are on Facebook I highly recommend they join. I didn’t even consider it until I happened across a page dedicated to my specific cruise. I learned about all sorts of groups cruisers create themselves. I learned about Pixie Dust, Ornament exchange and more. Decorating your door with magnets is HUGE!!!! Make sure you get STRONG magnets. Your average magnet tape will not work. There are many blogs you can find too. Due your research. As for waiters- it is awesome to have the same two waiters throughout the trip. Sunil, our head waiter, learned that I LOVE Southern Indian food (spicy). I had Lamb Korma one night, Chicken Biryani another, Chicken Vindaloo. And Chicken Tikka Masala. The chef made them extra spicy and included Jasmine rice and freshly made Naan. If only my stomach could have eaten more. If we had access to microwaves I would have taken the rest and keep in fridge only to warm it up for lunch the next day. My only negative comment about the cruise is directed towards the food. Their coffee, which is plentiful and free (espresso and cappuccino are under $2.50 each) is weak, weak, weak. A nice french roast would be preferred. I ran for Starbucks located at the restaurant Annabel’s in Ketchikan for a iced quad shot and milk! I also would have liked to have been able to get more access to berries. Each morning I made myself a greek yogurt, dried cranberry, almond shavings, granola cereal (minus raisin) dish adding mandarine orange slices and strawberry topping (offered next to pancake/waffle/french toast station). Blueberries, real strawberries, raspberries, etc. would have been nice. It was melons a plenty which I do not like. Oh well. Can’t win them all. My keto diet got blown to heck anyway. Did you mention the soft serve?? Many adults take Disney only cruises for the shear fact that service is top notch. The care and attention is amazing. I’m thinking Panama Canal next or Caribbean. Doesn’t matter-they’ll both be great. I have taken a luxury Med. Cruise on Costa Cruises. It too was amazing. Best of all-port activities were included. Although maybe times have changed and no port activities are included with any cruise line (they can be spendy)? My med cruise was taken in 89.

I’m so happy you had a great time (and I hear you on the coffee.) We are revisiting the Wonder in a few months so I’m excited to provide some new updates soon.

And, we are food twinsies. I’m going to tell them to spice my food up, too.

Save money, experience more.

Disney Wonder- Disney Cruise Line Sailing to Alaska, Mexico, Caribbean

The Disney Wonder is a great choice if you're looking to explore Alaska or go south and enjoy the Caribbean! The Disney Wonder features broadway style entertainment, a Princess Tiana inspired restaurant, spacious staterooms and more.

Keep reading to learn more about the Disney Wonder including the layout of the staterooms, pricing, fine dining plus a Frozen live show.

Disney Cruise Savings! Up to $300 Onboard Credit When You Book! Contact our travel sponsor, Get Away Today, and save big on your Disney Cruise. They'll give you up to a $300 onboard cruise credit when you book your trip with them in addition to the discounts they can secure. Request a quote for all the best options for your travel period – Request a FREE quote >

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Disney Wonder Ship Overview

The Disney Wonder is one of the original Disney Cruise Line ships. Launched in 1999, the ship accommodates up to 2,400 passengers and was the second that Disney Cruise Line constructed. The ship was recently renovated in 2019 to keep the interior spaces up to the Disney Cruise Line standard. The ship is designed in a romantic art nouveau style and is the perfect size to ensure that you are always discovering a new space but not too big to be overwhelming. The ship calls back to an era of romantic transatlantic ship crossings

Disney moves the Disney Wonder ship throughout the world to a number of different itineraries. Sailings range from the Caribbean to Alaska to an upcoming tour of Australia. The ship spaces have been reimagined to be ready for all weather.

The ship is built to support multi-generational family vacations. As you'll read in our full review on the Disney Cruise Line Alaska Cruise , there are activities for all groups. We had members ranging from 20-80+ years old onboard and each found something unique to do. The ships provide the market leading kids clubs with the best in class entertainment and there's something for the entire family.

Though the Disney Wonder is in the smallest class of Disney Cruise ships, we never felt claustrophobic or had a lack of activities to participate in. With grandparents who have mobility concerns onboard with us, I actually don't know that we would have wanted to have a bigger ship. Walking from end to end of the Disney Wonder still takes 5-10 minutes.

On the ship we took full advantage of the amenities including the gym, spa, pool, and theaters. See our thoughts on each below.

Sample Disney Wonder Itinerary & Price

5-Night Cruise from Vancouver

• Dawes Glacier, Alaska
• Ketchikan, Alaska

Two guests including all fees, stateroom options:

• Inside- $3273
• Oceanview- $ 4,143
• Verandah- $ 6,083
• Concierge- $ 13,243

Disney Wonder Standard Inside Stateroom

• Sleeps: 3 to 4
• Size: 184 sq. ft.
• Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa and upper-berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)
• View: no exterior view

Deluxe Inside Stateroom

• Size: 214 sq. ft.
• Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa, upper berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)
• View: no exterior view in most, some offering obstructed view

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom

• Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa and upper berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)
• View: One large porthole window or 2 small porthole windows (in Category 9D staterooms)

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

• Size: 268 sq. ft., including verandah
• View: private verandah

Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

• Size: 304 sq. ft., including verandah
• Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa, wall pull-down bed and upper berth pull-down bed

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah design features include:

• A sitting area with a couch, TV and desk
• A heavy privacy curtain to separate the sitting and sleeping areas
• A “split bath”: a bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower and tub and a half bathroom with a vanity, sink and toilet (in all but accessible staterooms)
• Elevated wooden bed frames for under-bed storage of suitcases and other large items
• Attractive yet functional cabinetry in the living area

Verandah Airy and private, this sanctuary is where you can watch the sun rise, bask in ocean breezes and enjoy your morning coffee or an evening nightcap.

Your private balcony comes equipped with:

• Patio furniture
• Deck lighting
• Plexiglass or solid whitewall railings (in Category 4E staterooms)
• Childproof locks

Concierge Suites Disney Wonder

The Disney Wonder also offers a variety of concierge suites including:

Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Veranda

Concierge 2-Bedroom Suite with Verandah

Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah

Upgraded Amenities While all Disney Cruise Line staterooms boast luxury amenities and world-class service, Guests of Concierge Suites enjoy an expanded range of offerings:

• Down Duvets: Enjoy a superlative night’s sleep with the softness of genuine feather duvets, featured in Concierge main bedrooms.
• Guests of our Concierge Suites may choose from pillow options including hypoallergenic, feather and therapeutic memory foam.
• Personal Robe and Slippers: These plush comforts are yours to use for the duration of your cruise.
• Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet Service (up to 100mb). Usage fees apply after 100mb.
• Plexiglas or solid whitewall railings

Shipboard Services During your cruise, the benefits of signature Concierge service begin with priority check-in and boarding at a dedicated check-in station. The onboard Concierge team will meet you at a private welcome reception—exclusive to Concierge Guests—and will be available to attend to your needs, questions and special requests. Enjoy assistance with:

• Reservations (Port Adventures, Palo dining, spa treatments and nursery stays)
• In-suite dining from our concierge in-suite dining menu.
• Dining reservation confirmations and changes
• Priority tendering in ports of call
• Updates to your personal itinerary
• Special occasions and celebration planning

Exclusively for Concierge Guests As a Concierge Guest, you’ll enjoy exclusive access to dedicated areas on the ship, including the Concierge Lounge. Located amid the Concierge Suites on Deck 10, this stylish, modern retreat allows Guests to relax in quiet comfort, sip a cocktail (during select hours), access the Internet (fees may apply), watch news on a large-screen TV, and enjoy complimentary food and nonalcoholic beverages offered throughout the day.

From the Lounge, Concierge Guests can access a sun deck via a private entrance. Soak up the sun at this VIP onboard oasis and savor tranquil breezes in cushioned lounge chairs.

Disney Wonder Entertainment

There is a variety of entertainment on the Disney Dream from breathtaking Broadway quality musicals to fireworks to characters around every corner. The shows take place in the Walt Disney Theatre.

Fireworks on the Disney Wonder

Guests can experience Disney fireworks on most itineraries with a special show of color light and song at sea. During the Alaska sailings there are not fireworks to avoid disturbing the peace and quiet for the wildlife.

Shows Onboard the Disney Wonder

The shows onboard the Disney Wonder are:

• “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular” is a retelling of the story of the Frozen film with impressive production quality and musical talent.
• “The Golden Mickeys” is a medley show that captures the Disney films of past and present. The story weaves together musical acts with a cute story.
• “Disney Dreams – An Enchanted Classic” is another medley show that features songs from classic Disney films interwoven with the story of a young girl getting help to believe in magic by Peter Pan and Tinker Bell.

Shows are performed twice nightly so that if you have a late dinner seating you'll watch the first show and if you have an early dinner seating, you'll watch the second show.

Character Meet and Greets

You will see have ample opportunities for character meet and greets on the ship including Mickey, Minnie, Cinderella, Captain Hook and more at designated areas. There are characters everywhere. Character meet and greets are also now back completely to the Disney Cruise Line.

Disney Movie Showings

Experience the newest Disney movies in the Buena Vista Theatre which is modeled after Hollywood's Golden Age in the style of a luxurious movie palace.

Throughout all sailings you'll find a mix of the latest Disney releases and classic Disney films both inside the Buena Vista theater and up on the funnel vision (this is the large screen on the main funnel as seen in the photo below). During our Alaskan sailing some of the films screened were Alaskan themed – Brother Bear and Togo.

Disney Wonder Recreation

There is a wide variety of recreation on the Disney Wonder for all ages. Plus options for kids to enjoy so parents can go enjoy the adult exclusive options!

Youth Clubs

• Disney’s Oceaneer Club & Disney's Oceaneer Lab- children can learn and play in larger-than-life spaces fueled by Disney storytelling.
• Edge —Tween focuses featuring plenty of available video games, music and movies.
• Vibe- This youth club is geared for teens and is open until 2AM with karaoke and dance parties.

The Disney Wonder features a variety of pools including:

• Goofy’s Pool- the main pool on the Disney Wonder featuring a large family pool and two whirlpool spas
• AquaLab and Dory's Reef- this child focused pool area includes the double-looping Twist ‘n’ Spout slide
• Quiet Cove Pool- adult exclusive pool

The water slide into the AquaLab pool is quite tame, but still fun for kids. I of course still tested out the slide for the sake of this ship review, but didn't feel the need to repeat it. This is one area where the newer ships have a far more notable amenities with the themed AquaDuck water coasters .

Adult Exclusive Spaces

Adult exclusive spaces on the Disney Wonder include:

• Senses Spa & Salon
• Cadillac Lounge- enjoy cocktails in this adult only bar
• Crown & Fin Pub
• Azure – drinks and dancing

Plus you can enjoy a variety of lounges around the Disney Wonder including the French Quarter Lounge inspired by Princess & the Frog. These lounges are geared for adults but children are welcome too.

Disney Wonder Weight Room and Fitness Center

The Disney Wonder has a fitness center at the front of the ship with a variety of cardio machines, weights, and free weights. The gym trainer also offers personal workout sessions (additional fee) and group classes. These offerings vary based on sailings.

Working out while the Disney Wonder was moving was fine on every day except for one. Generally I would start my workout with time on the treadmill and then move to weights. The one day I had trouble was when we were in slightly more rough open water and I switched to using one of the bikes instead. Other than this, I had no issues while working out at sea.

The gym is adjacent to the spa and shares locker rooms. During my sailing I actually ended up showering in the locker room showers every day because it was about double the size of the shower in the staterooms.

Disney Wonder Dining

• Cabanas- fresh food food on the boardwalk for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Pete's Boiler Bites- tacos, burgers, hot dogs
• Eye Scream- icecream and smoothies
• Daisy's de-Lites- salads, sandwiches and wraps
• Pinocchio's Pizza- pizza

Plus your room includes convenient, 24- hour dining.

Adult exclusive dining experiences include:

• Palo- Northern Italian delicacies with a modern twist with live music and ocean views

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About Lindsay Brookshier

Lindsay is a college English instructor and has years of writing experience through various nonprofits, charities, newspapers, and online magazines. As the content director of Mickey Visit, she oversees article content and leads our fantastic team of writers to meet guest vacation needs. You can still find her writing weekly content to help make your Disney Parks trip fantastic here on Mickey Visit and Disney Dose- you can also view her recently featured posts on Disney Parks travel on Visit Anaheim, Nerd Wallet and SFGate. Lindsay comes from a dedicated Disney family and enjoys taking her son to the Disney parks as often as possible.

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North America: Mexican Riviera Cruise

7-night disney wonder cruise.

From $1,610 per person* Additional government taxes, fees and port expenses per person: $181

Disney Cruise Line

Depart from San Diego to enjoy an exciting 7-night cruise to the Mexican Riviera stopping at Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. What happens on days at sea? Disney Cruise Line offers fun-filled onboard activities for every member of the family, including karaoke, game shows and bingo.

Included Extras

  executive member benefit.

Executive Members receive an annual 2% Reward, up to $1,000, on qualified Costco Travel purchases

  Digital Costco Shop Card

Member Exclusive: Digital Costco Shop Card, courtesy of Costco Travel, with every Disney Cruise Line sailing†

Sailing Itinerary

Note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change. Please verify ports and times directly with the cruise line.

Port of Call Port of Call (Arrival, Departure)

California's second largest city and the United States' seventh largest, San Diego boasts a citywide population of nearly 1.3 million residents and more than 2.8 million residents countywide. Within its borders of 4,200 sq. miles, San Diego County encompasses 18 incorporated cities and numerous other charming neighborhoods and communities, including downtown's historic Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Coronado, La Jolla, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Escondido, La Mesa, Hillcrest, Barrio Logan, Chula Vista and more. Known for it's near-idyllic climate, 70 miles of pristine beaches and dazzling array of world-class family attractions, including the World-Famous San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California, San Diego offers a wide variety of things to see and do, appealing to guests from around the world. In San Diego's East County, the terrain varies from gentle foothills to mile-high mountains and the historic mining town, Julian, down to the 600,000-acre Anza Borrego Desert State Park, offering nature-conscious visitors endless opportunities to hike, camp, fish, observe wildlife and much more. In San Diego's North County, the land produces quantities of flowers as well as quality grapes that become excellent wines, which are served at some of the most elegant restaurants and resorts in the region. Along the west, 70 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline not only supports year-round outdoor recreation, such as surfing, boating, sailing and swimming, but also important scientific research at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. To the south, it's a whole different country, Mexico, featuring its own cultural offerings in various towns along the border and coastline, including Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada. San Diego's arts and culture and culinary arts are making a name for themselves, both nationally and internationally. Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the U.S., features 15 museums, numerous art galleries, beautiful gardens, the Tony Award-winning The Globe Theatres and the World-Famous San Diego Zoo. The region is also a breeding ground for the hottest, new talents of culinary arts, who prepare award-winning meals in many of the region's 6,400 eating establishments. San Diego County also features 92 golf courses and a variety of exciting participatory and spectator sports, beachfront resorts and luxury spas, gaming, a dynamic downtown district, annual special events and unique holiday offerings, multicultural festivals and celebrations, colorful neighborhoods and communities, a rich military history, accessibility for travelers with disabilities and much more. The most difficult decision to make regarding a vacation to San Diego is determining what to do and see among the region's vast and diverse variety of offerings. San Diego County offers a vacation experience for everyone.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, in Jalisco state. It is known for its beaches, water sports and nightlife scene. Its cobblestone center is home to the ornate Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe church, boutique shops and a range of restaurants and bars. El Malecón is a beachside promenade with contemporary sculptures, as well as bars, lounges and nightclubs.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas, where the sea, sun and desert join to cast an air of mystery and romance over all who visit. Cabo was once a tranquil fishing village and, in times long ago, a hangout for pirates. Although no longer the fishing village of old, and not many of the old pirates are seen around town any more, the magic of Cabo remains. Cabo is still small and charming by any standards, with a population of under 30,000. We do have 4 stop lights now. And with the number of activities available to the visitor, you could easily imagine you are in a giant amusement park. Cabo has come of age. Located at the southernmost tip of the magnificent Baja peninsula, Cabo has been blessed with what many describe as the perfect climate. Average year-round temperature is 78 degrees, it is a little cooler in the winter and a bit warmer in the summer. For years Cabo was the remote playground reserved solely for private yacht owners. They flocked here to be near "Marlin Alley", as the waters around Cabo have often been described. The name is well deserved, as Cabo San Lucas is the undisputed billfish capital of the world. But Cabo is far from remote these days, and the attraction of this magical spot is no longer limited to marlin fishing. Cabo can be, many different things to people. Cabo San Lucas has become known as a perfect vacation spot for the entire family. Cabo can be as quiet, romantic and relaxing as any secret hideaway. It can also be as lively as anyone can possibly imagine. If your wish is to enjoy a quiet candlelight dinner, "muy romantico", beside the shimmering sea for just the two of you, we have some of the most romantic dining spots on the face of the earth. If golf, water sports, boating, fishing, ATV's, horseback riding and numerous other activities are what you seek, they're all here, waiting for you. If "party till you drop" is the mood of the evening, Cabo has got it for you, big time!

Hey, there's more to this town than it just being the finish line for the annual Newport-Ensenada Race! The City of Ensenada has completed a total renovation of Primera, the main street downtown. Enjoy a stroll down the cobblestone sidewalk complete with outdoor cafes, interesting shops, strolling musicians and street vendors. The malecon (harbor boardwalk) renovation was completed last year and provides a beautifully landscaped walk along the harbor front to the Ventana Del Mar Plaza with its huge Mexican flag. From there, you can look across the rio at the new small craft harbor nestled in the middle of the new cruise ship docks. It will be interesting to watch the progress on this new endeavor. The story is that in order to expand the cargo port on the north side of the harbor, the developers had to relocate the passenger ships' dock and provide some type of recreational asset for the city. It looks to be a good solution. Ensenada is also a swell place to take possession of your new boat (more on that later), get a new bottom job for your old boat or set as your destination for an extended coastal cruise, a fun weekend road trip or the start of some long distance cruising! The people of Ensenada are trying hard to improve their city, both for turistas, a big part of their income and for themselves and their families. We have seen improvements which are good, and yet some loss of the "Mexico-ness" in some of the tourist areas. We have met a lot of the residents and business people and want to thank them for their hospitality. As visitors, it is our obligation to live up to the Bienvenidos and the Mi Casa es Su Casa that have been extended to us.

Onboard the Disney Wonder

Disney Wonder

Costco Member Reviews

• Year Built: 1999
• Year Refurbished: 2016

Double Occupancy Capacity: 1754

Disney Wonder pays homage to the timeless style of the past while embracing the contemporary. Experience Disney's traditions of extraordinary family entertainment and superb service while you ride the waves.

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

Onboard Activities

Activities & services (included in cruise).

Goofy's Pool

• Disco/Nightclub
• Game Arcade
• Theater/Show Lounge
• Fitness Center
• Sauna/Steam Room
• Pool - Adults Only
• Pool - Children's
• Pool - Outdoor
• Sports Facilities
• Water Park Arena
• Water Slide
• Whirlpool/Jacuzzi
• Bars/Lounges
• Children's Outdoor Play Area
• Organized Age Specific Activities
• Teen Center or Disco
• Teen Programs
• Business Center
• Concierge Desk
• Duty-Free Shops/Boutiques
• Safe Deposit Boxes

Activities & Services (available for an extra fee)

• Beauty Salon
• Full-Service Spa
• Internet Center
• Babysitting
• Dry Cleaning/ Laundry Service
• Infirmary/Medical Center
• Self-Service Laundromat

Main Dining

Rotational Dining:  The Disney Cruise Line method for making sure each guest experiences each themed dining environment onboard. Every evening you dine with the same tablemates and have the same servers as you "rotate" to one of the three main restaurants: Animator's Palate, Tiana's Place, and Triton's. You will be given your schedule when you board, so you'll know exactly when you'll enjoy the unique atmosphere of each restaurant.

Animator's Palate:  Inspired by the magic of Disney animation, this spacious yet stylized restaurant is filled with everything you'd expect to find inside an actual animator's studio. Character sketches, maquettes, light boxes, paint brushes, computer work stations and other tools of the animation trade delightfully decorate the venue; and scenes and characters from popular Disney films adorn the walls—creating a one-of-a-kind experience.

Tiana's Place:  Guests of Tiana's Place, the restaurant inspired by Princess Tiana in the Disney animated feature, "The Princess and the Frog," will be treated to a celebration of New Orleans dining and entertainment. Live music will be performed on the main stage, with rhythmic, toe-tapping notes of jazz, swing and blues setting the tone for the French Quarter supper club atmosphere. Chefs will cook up Tiana's recipes, drawing inspiration from the flavors and ingredients of the Louisiana bayou. Tiana's personal touch will be evident in the menu, the entertainment and throughout every detail in the restaurant. From Tiana's family photos to water lily-shaped candleholders to her framed culinary awards—all will help tell the timeless tale of Tiana's journey from waitress to frog to princess to proud restaurant owner.

Triton's:  This grand ballroom recalls a transatlantic ocean liner with a dazzling Art Deco theme. It brims with ornate chandeliers, stained glass walls and a mural with an "under the sea" theme. Enjoy a 4-course dinner with a distinct French-inspired twist.

Specialty Dining

Royal Court Royal Tea:  Lady Chamomile, Chef Brule and some popular Disney princesses welcome you to a dining celebration in your honor. Enjoy a whimsical teatime in an idyllic storybook setting adorned with sparkling chandeliers and fanciful icons. The Royal Tea Hostess and Royal Pastry Chef are pleased to make your acquaintance and encourage you to join in the fun as they sing, dance and regale you with stories. Feel like royalty - and delight in a very special meet-and-greet with some favorite Disney princesses!

Palo:  Experience elegant dining in an intimate atmosphere exclusively for adults. Engage every one of your senses with the sweeping ocean view, unsurpassed service and inspired Northern Italian specialties. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Pete's Boiler Bites

Casual Dining

Beach Blanket Buffet:  Delight in this tasty, tempting buffet for a casual breakfast and lunch. Choose to enjoy your meal in the lively indoor area or the open air of the dazzling deck.

Pinocchio's Pizzeria:  Savor the flavor of real Italian pizza: traditional cheese, pepperoni and a scrumptious special every day — along with tasty tropical drinks for the entire family.

Daisy’s de-Lites:  Indulge those between-meal cravings at this poolside eatery serving flavorful food items that are both well-balanced and delicious. Choose from salads, sandwiches, wraps and fruit—health-conscious treats sure to satisfy the pickiest of palates.

Pete's Boiler Bites:  Sink your paws into a scrumptious selection of tasty treats at this breezy eatery. Featuring classic American fare like burgers, hot dogs and tacos, Pete's Boiler Bites is a great place to enjoy a quick meal for lunch, dinner or anytime in between.

Eye Scream Treats:  Named after the friendly, one-eyed monster Mike Wazowski from the Disney·Pixar animated feature Monsters, Inc., this breezy eatery offers such a scary selection of soft-serve ice cream and spook-tacular toppings, you won’t believe your eye!

Room Service:  Complimentary 24-hour dining in the comfort of your stateroom.

Disclaimer regarding ship dining

Inside Stateroom

Ocean view stateroom, balcony stateroom, suite stateroom.

Enjoy more space than you'd find on most other cruise ships in a room with custom-designed furnishings and charming nautical appointments.

Standard Inside Stateroom (Category: 11C)

• Category 11A: Decks 6 and 7
• Category 11B: Decks 5 and 6
• Category 11C: Deck 2
• Sleeps: 3 to 4
• Size: 184 sq. ft.
• Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa and upper-berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)
• View: no exterior view
• Custom Premium Plush Euro-top mattress
• Frette® 300-thread-count, 100%-cotton linens
• Premium bath towels
• 28" LCD flat-screen TV with remote control
• Full-length mirror
• Ample closet space
• Refrigerator
• In-room safe
• Phone with voicemail messaging
• Individual climate control
• Porthole mirror
• Signature spa, bath, and shower products
• Wi-Fi (additional fee)
• A sitting area with a couch, TV, and desk
• A heavy privacy curtain to separate the sitting and sleeping areas
• A full bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower, and tub
• Elevated wooden bed frames for under-bed storage of suitcases and other large items
• Attractive yet functional cabinetry in the living area

All this plus unparalleled Disney service at any and all hours is bound to make your stay a true pleasure.

Standard Inside Stateroom (Category: 11B)

Standard inside stateroom (category: 11a), deluxe inside stateroom (category: 10c).

• Category 10A: Decks 5, 6 and 7
• Category 10B: Deck 2
• Category 10C: Decks 1 and 2
• Size: 214 sq. ft.
• Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa, upper berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)
• View: no exterior view (in all but the following: staterooms 5020, 5022, 5024, 5520, 5522, 5524, 6006 and 6506, which feature obstructed views)
• A "split bath": a bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower and tub and a half bathroom with a vanity, sink, and toilet (in all but accessible staterooms)

Deluxe Inside Stateroom (Category: 10B)

Deluxe inside stateroom (category: 10a), inside stateroom with restrictions (category: igt).

Category: IGT This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Enjoy a view of the ocean in this stunning stateroom. Well-designed interiors provide ample living space and a split bath.

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom (Category: 09D)

• Category 9A: Decks 5, 6 and 7
• Category 9B: Deck 2
• Category 9C: Deck 2
• Category 9D: Deck 1
• Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa and upper berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)
• View: One large porthole window or 2 small porthole windows (in Category 9D staterooms)

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom (Category: 09C)

Deluxe oceanview stateroom (category: 09b), deluxe oceanview stateroom (category: 09a), oceanview stateroom with restrictions (category: ogt).

Category: OGT This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Tasteful décor, an expansive view, plush bedding and a private balcony make this stateroom your home-away-from-home.

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Navigator's Verandah (Category: 07A)

• Category 5A: Deck 7
• Category 5B: Decks 6 and 7
• Category 5C: Decks 5 and 6
• Category 6A: Decks 5, 6 and 7
• Category 7A: Decks 5, 6, and 7; enclosed verandah with limited views
• Size: 268 sq. ft., including verandah
• View: private verandah
• Patio furniture
• Deck lighting
• Plexiglas® or solid whitewall railings (in Category 6A staterooms)
• Childproof locks

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (Category: 06A)

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (Category: 05C)

Deluxe oceanview stateroom with verandah (category: 05b), deluxe oceanview stateroom with verandah (category: 05a), deluxe family oceanview stateroom with verandah (category: 04e).

• Size: 304 sq. ft., including verandah
• Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa, wall pull-down bed and upper berth pull-down bed
• Plexiglas® or solid whitewall railings (in Category 4E staterooms)

Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (Category: 04B)

Deluxe family oceanview stateroom with verandah (category: 04a), verandah stateroom with restrictions (category: vgt).

Category: VGT This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Opulent suites feature a tasteful design, upgraded amenities, a private balcony, a whirlpool tub, a rain shower and a vanity mirror with a built-in TV.

Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (Category: 03A)

• Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa, upper berth pull-down bed and wall pull-down bed
• Premium Frette® bath towels
• 24" LCD flat-screen TV, with remote control
• Digital clock with 2 USB charging ports
• Elemis® Body Exotics bath, shower, and spa products
• Down Duvets: Enjoy a superlative night's sleep with the softness of genuine feather duvets, featured in Concierge main bedrooms.
• Guests of our Concierge Suites may choose from pillow options including hypoallergenic, feather, and therapeutic memory foam.
• Personal Robe and Slippers: These plush comforts are yours to use for the duration of your cruise.
• Complimentary 24-Hour Wi-Fi Internet Service: Enjoy Basic Surf Wi-Fi for each Guest in the stateroom at no extra charge. (Usage fees apply after the 24-hour package expires.)
• A "split bath": a bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower and round tub and a half bathroom with a vanity, sink, and toilet
• Plexiglas® or solid whitewall railings
• Port Adventures
• Reservations for Palo, spa treatments, or nursery stays
• Dining room seating requests
• Special occasions and celebrations
• Any other special requests, from pre-arrival to post-cruise
• Reservations (Port Adventures, Palo dining, spa treatments, and nursery stays)
• Dining reservation confirmations and changes
• Priority tendering in ports of call
• Updates to your personal itinerary
• Special occasions and celebration planning

From the Lounge, Concierge Guests can access a sun deck via a private entrance. Soak up the sun at this VIP onboard oasis and savor tranquil breezes in cushioned lounge chairs.

Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah (Category: 02B)

• A separate bedroom
• 1.5 bathrooms, including a main with a whirlpool tub
• Living room
• Wet bar stocked with water and sodas
• Walk-in closet
• Media library access
• Size: 614 sq. ft., including verandah
• Room Configuration: 1 bedroom with queen bed; double sleeper sofa in living room; wall pull-down single bed in living room (in staterooms 8032, 8034, 8532 and 8534) or bedroom (in staterooms 8022, 8046, 8048, 8078, 8080, 8086, 8522, 8548 and 8582) in all but staterooms 8100, 8102, 8600 and 8602
• View: private verandah with floor-to-ceiling windows
• High-definition LCD flat-screen TV
• Couch, desk and chair
• Dining table
• Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet Service: Enjoy the Basic Surf Wi-Fi package for each Guest in the suite for the length of the voyage at no extra charge.
• In-suite dining from our concierge in-suite dining menu. 

Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah (Category: 02A)

Concierge 2-bedroom suite with verandah (category: 01b).

• 2 separate bedrooms
• 2.5 bathrooms, including a main with a whirlpool tub
• 2 walk-in closets
• Size: 945 sq. ft., including verandah
• Room Configuration: 2 bedrooms: main with queen bed, second with two twin beds and upper berth pull-down bed; double sleeper sofa in living room
• View: private verandah with floor-to-ceiling windows in main living space
• 2 high-definition LCD flat-screen TVs (1 in the living room, 1 in the main bedroom)
• Guests of our Concierge Suites may choose from pillow options including hypoallergenic, feather, and therapeutic memory foam..
• Plexiglas® or solid whitewall railings and dividers
• In-suite dining from our concierge in-suite dining menu

Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah (Category: 01A)

• Open dining salon
• Pantry and wet bar stocked with water and sodas
• Size: 1,029 sq. ft., including verandah
• Room Configuration: 2 bedrooms: main with king bed, second with 2 single beds and 2 pull-down upper berths; wall pull-down bed in living room
• Frette® 1000-thread-count, 100% cotton linens
• 4 high-definition LCD flat-screen TVs (located in main bedroom, second bedroom, living room and media room)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet Service: Enjoy the Premium Surf Wi-Fi package for each Guest in the suite for the length of the voyage at no extra charge.
• Plexiglas® railings and dividers

• Ship Name: Disney Wonder
• Year Entered Present Fleet: 1999
• Ship Class: Magic
• Maximum Capacity: 2,713
• Number of Passenger Decks: 11
• Number of Crew: 950
• Officers' Nationality: International
• Ocean-View without Balcony: 237
• Ocean-View with Balcony: 362
• Total Inside Staterooms: 256
• Tonnage (GRT): 84,000
• Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 1,754
• Country of Registry: The Bahamas
• Total Staterooms: 875
• Suites with Balcony: 22
• Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: International

Available Dates & Prices

Departure date, departure date - 03/21/2025, departure date - 04/25/2025, terms & conditions.

*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.

†This cruise includes a Digital Costco Shop Card that will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your cruise. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. To receive your Digital Costco Shop Card, bookings must be made directly through Costco Travel. Bookings made through Disney Cruise Line or the Disney onboard cruise consultant must be transferred to Costco Travel's reservation system to qualify for the Digital Costco Shop Card. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.

Ship Registry: The Bahamas

As to Disney's artwork, properties and logos: ©Disney

Digital Costco Shop Card

This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.

Ship Rating

An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.

A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.

A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.

A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.

Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.

Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.

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I've traveled on all 5 Disney cruise ships. I have 2 clear favorites, and there's only one I'm not in a hurry to book again.

• My family and I have been on nine Disney cruises and all five ships.
• We love the fleet's two smallest ships, Disney Wonder and Disney Magic.
• Although we had a great experience on board Disney Wish , it was my least favorite ship to travel on.

I've been on nine Disney cruises with my husband and two teenage sons. We've sailed on other cruise lines including Carnival, Celebrity, MSC, and Royal Caribbean , but Disney Cruise Line is always our top pick.

Stellar service, subtle theming, top-notch kids' and teen programs, and a dreamy private island in the Bahamas are some of the reasons we keep returning.

So far, we've been on all five Disney Cruise Line ships — Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish. We'll soon have more ships to explore, with Disney Treasure planning to set sail in December and Disney Destiny set to embark on its maiden voyage in 2025 .

Out of the five ships we've been on, two stand out as favorites, and there's only one I'm not in a hurry to travel on again.

My favorite ships are Disney Wonder and Disney Magic

Disney Wonder and Disney Magic are my favorite ships in the Disney Cruise Line.

They have nearly identical deck layouts and are the fleet's two smallest ships. Some may see this as a negative, but I prefer the smaller, more intimate size and the ease of getting around the ships.

Disney Wonder also has my favorite Disney Cruise Line restaurant, Tiana's Place. It offers a delicious, Cajun-inspired menu and a fun "The Princess and the Frog" theme. There's even a lively floor show with jazz music.

I love Disney Magic , too, but I thought it was more dated and in need of an update than Disney Wonder.

I also didn't love the Magic's Rapunzel-themed restaurant nearly as much as I love Tiana's Place.

The food at Rapunzel's Royal Table was just so-so, but the entertainment and theming more than made up for it. The in-person appearance of Rapunzel and Flynn, capped by a lantern processional to the tune of "I See the Light," was glorious.

Although Disney Wish was great, it was my least favorite ship to travel on

Although I had a great experience on board Disney Wish, it was my least favorite ship to travel on.

The Wish is unarguably beautiful — everything is sparkling new, and the atrium is decked out with a life-size Cinderella sculpture — but I thought the layout was a little clunky.

I may have felt this way because many of Disney's ships are laid out very similarly, and after nine cruises, we're pros at finding our way around.

Disney Wonder and Disney Magic have nearly identical deck layouts, as do Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Disney Wish, however, is laid out much differently.

Unlike the other Disney cruise ships we've been on, Disney Wish doesn't have a specific area for adults-only lounges.

Instead, the adults-only bars and lounges, which are off-limits to kids after 7 p.m., are scattered throughout the ship. This means the Wish doesn't have that true kid-free haven that the other ships have.

I also found that many parts of the ship, from the dining rooms to the pools, felt crowded

For all that criticism, my family and I enjoyed sailing on Disney Wish . But now that we've crossed it off our list, we won't be in any hurry to jump on board again unless the route is one we can't pass up.

Correction: June 7, 2024 — An earlier version of this story mislabeled a photo of Disney Wish as Disney Wonder.

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