We sailed on a three-night cruise to nowhere from Brisbane, and from the moment we boarded, the magic began — though I won’t spoil all the surprise-and-delight moments! Each Disney Cruise Line ship has a signature movie, and for Disney Wonder, it’s The Princess and the Frog. I highly recommend watching it beforehand, as several venues onboard are themed accordingly.
Our oceanview cabin on Deck 2 had plenty of room for three. The beds are fixed doubles, and the sofa bed was very comfortable — even for an adult. The lounge and bedroom areas can be separated by a thick curtain, ideal for families with young children who need to go to bed earlier. The split bathroom layout — one with a toilet and basin, the other with a shower and basin — is perfect for families as well.
Sailaway is a major Disney moment, complete with a deck party and the sounding of the ship’s horn to the tune of When You Wish Upon a Star. Other exciting events on deck include Marvel Heroes Unite, featuring all your Marvel favourites, and uniquely, Disney is the only cruise line to offer fireworks at sea.
Dining is on another level, with two of the three main restaurants offering fabulous entertainment. Guests are automatically allocated a different venue each night, and I highly recommend sailing for at least three nights to experience them all. Triton’s is inspired by The Little Mermaid, Tiana’s Place transports you into the world of The Princess and the Frog, and Animator’s Palate takes you on a journey through Disney animation history.
Adults aren’t forgotten either. Palo, the adults-only restaurant (with a surcharge), offers an elegant dining experience. There are also three adults-only bars in the evenings — Crown & Fin Pub, Cadillac Lounge, and Azure Lounge — and a peaceful adults-only pool and bar area on the outdoor decks. Midday happy hour sangrias added to the sense of serenity!
Casual dining is available at Cabanas (breakfast and lunch only), and in the evenings, Pinocchio’s Pizzeria is the place to be. Both are on Deck 9, which is also home to the pools, waterslides, and much of the onboard fun. Deck 9 also houses the 24-hour beverage station with post-mix soft drinks, tea, coffee, and hot chocolate — all included.
This deck is also where you’ll find Funnel Vision, an outdoor movie screen that plays Disney classics and new releases. There's also a dedicated cinema onboard, with films showing day and night. The in-cabin TV offers the full Disney catalogue, including sports content.
By joining a Facebook group for your sailing date, you can participate in a group gift exchange. You nominate your favourite Disney character or film, and fellow guests leave small gifts in “fish extenders” — pocketed hangers hung on the fish-shaped hook outside each cabin. It’s a lot of fun if you choose to join. Even if you don’t, spontaneous gifting, known as “Pixie Dusting”, is also encouraged and enjoyed by many.
Kids are treated to an incredible onboard adventure. The kids’ club is the largest I’ve ever seen, and the crew were genuinely engaged and enthusiastic. There’s even an indoor slide, and surprise character visits are a regular delight during the day.
Tweens and teens are also well catered for, with age-appropriate spaces and activities. Even babies are looked after in the It’s a Small World nursery — early bookings are recommended for this popular service.
Character meet-and-greet sessions are scheduled daily. As long as you arrive within your ten-minute time slot, you’ll get a chance to meet and take photos with your favourite characters. Whether you arrive early or just on time, you’ll usually wait about the same amount of time. The characters are warm and interactive, and the crew are great at snapping plenty of pictures, so you’re bound to capture a magical moment.
Shopping onboard is a bit of a sport when the boutiques first open, with collectors eager to snap up exclusive Disney Cruise Line merchandise. Things settle down after day one, and it’s easy to browse at your own pace after that.
There was so much to see and do on Disney Wonder — but also quiet spaces to relax and reflect. It was a truly magical experience, and almost impossible to sum up in words. But I think my then 12-year-old said it best when he told me, “I can’t quite describe it, but it made my soul feel brighter.” For me, that was priceless.
