Disney Cruise Line

Disney Wonder

Fodor’s Expert Review

Ship Overview

Disney Cruise Line
Cruise StyleMainstream
Ship SizeMidsize

Disney Cruise Line’s second ship Disney Wonder was introduced in 1999 in the wake of her successful sister ship Disney Magic. Distinguished by its sophisticated design, it was constructed with families in mind, combining a sleek ocean liner style with splashes of fun. Disney Wonder sails a series of Alaska cruises through the summer from Vancouver, British Columbia, and then heads to Galveston for a season of Caribbean itineraries.Read More

Reminiscent of classic ocean liners, Disney vessels have two funnels (the forward one is nonfunctional) and high-tech interiors behind their art deco and art nouveau styling. Whimsical design accents cleverly incorporate images of Mickey Mouse and his friends without overpowering the warm and elegant decor. Artwork showcases the creativity of Disney artists and animators. The atmosphere is never stuffy.

More than 15,000 square feet—nearly an entire deck—are devoted to children’s activity centers, outdoor activity areas, and swimming pools. Theaters cater to family entertainment with large-scale production shows, movies, dances, lively game shows, and even 3-D movies.

Adults-only hideaways include an avenue of theme bars and lounges tucked into the area just forward of the lobby atrium; the Promenade Lounge, near the aft elevator lobby; and Cove Café, a quiet spot adjacent to the adult pool to relax with coffee or a cocktail, surf the Internet, or read.

With the launch of Disney Cruise Line in 1998, families were offered yet another reason to take a cruise. The magic of a Walt Disney resort vacation plus the romance of a sea voyage are a tempting combination, especially for adults who discovered Disney movies and the Mickey Mouse Club as children. Mixed with traditional shipboard activities, who can resist scheduled opportunities for the young and young-at-heart to interact with their favorite Disney characters?

Although Disney Cruise Line voyages stuck to tried-and-true Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries in their formative years, and sailed exclusively from Port Canaveral, Florida, where a terminal was designed especially for Disney ships, the line has branched out to other regions, including Alaska and Europe.

  • 11 passenger decks
  • specialty restaurant, 3 dining rooms, buffet, ice cream parlor, pizzeria
  • Wi-Fi, safe, refrigerator, DVD (some)
  • 2 pools, children’s pool
  • fitness classes, gym, hot tubs, sauna, spa
  • 6 bars, dance club, 2 showrooms, video game room
  • children’s programs
  • dry cleaning, laundry facilities, laundry service
  • Internet terminal
  • no kids under 12 weeks, no-smoking cabins

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Pros
Cons
There are plenty of connecting cabins that fit up to seven
Soft drinks at meals and beverage stations are complimentary
For adults, each ship has a piano bar/jazz club
Only the splash play areas are available for youngsters who wear swim diapers
Although a Disney cruise isn’t all Disney all the time, it can get tiring if you aren’t really into the atmosphere
There’s no library onboard

What to expect on board

Staterooms & Cabins

Layout
Suites
Amenities
Accessibility

Designed for families, Disney ships have some of the roomiest, most functional staterooms at sea. Natural woods, imported tiles, and a nautical flavor add to the decor, which even includes the touch of Disney-inspired artwork on the walls. Most cabins can accommodate at least three people and have a seating area and unique bath-and-a-half arrangement. Three-quarters of all accommodations are outside cabins, and 44% of those include private balconies with kid-proof door handles and higher-than-usual railings for safety. All cabins have adequate closet and drawer/shelf storage, as well as bathroom shelves.

Suites are truly expansive, with master bedrooms separated from the living areas for privacy. All suites have walk-in closets, a dining table and chairs, a wet bar, a DVD player, and a large balcony.

Though not luxurious, Disney cabins are comfortably furnished. Each has a flat-screen TV, a small refrigerator, a personal safe, and a hair dryer; bathrobes are provided for use during the cruise in the top-category staterooms. All suites have concierge service.

Sixteen cabins are wheelchair accessible.

Food & Drink

Food

In a novel approach to dining, passengers (and their waiters) rotate through the three main dining rooms in assigned seatings. Tiana’s Place (Disney Wonder), Carioca’s (Disney Magic), and Animator’s Palate are casual, while Triton’s (Disney Wonder) and Lumière’s (Disney Magic) are a bit fancier. Palo is a beautifully appointed Northern Italian restaurant for adults only that requires reservations for brunch, dinner, or tea and carries an extra charge. Breakfast and lunch are open seating in dining rooms. Disney characters make an appearance at a character breakfast on seven-night cruises. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are also offered in the casual pool-deck buffet, while poolside pizzerias, snack bars, grills, and ice cream bars serve everything from pizza, burgers, and hot dogs to fresh fruit, wraps, and frozen treats during the day. Specialty coffees are available in the adults-only Cove Café for an extra charge. Room service is available around the clock.

Entertainment

After the energetic production shows, deck parties, and activities designed for the entire family, adults can slip off to bars and lounges reserved for them after dark, including a sports bar or nightclub where the entertainment staff offers activities such as karaoke or themed dance parties. For quiet conversation and a drink under the stars, there’s a cozy bar alongside the adult pool.

Spa & Fitness

Spas feature a complete menu of facials and massages. The Tropical Rainforest is a soothing coed thermal suite with heated tile lounges and is complimentary for the day if you book a spa treatment; it’s available on a daily or cruise-long basis for a fee. SpaVillas, indoor–outdoor treatment suites, each have a veranda with a hot tub and an open-air shower.

Key cruising tips

QUICK FACTS

SHIP STATS
Entered Service
1999
Number of Cabins
877
Passenger Capacity
1,754(2,400 max)
Crew Members
950
Passengers to Crew Ratio
1.85
Gross Tons
83000
Width
106 feet
Length
964 feet
CRUISE LINE INFO
407/566–3500 or 888/325–2500

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