During Spring Break of 2025 we embarked on the Disney Wish for a 4-night Bahamas cruise. The Disney Cruise line has been one of our favorite family vacations because it provides exciting opportunities for our daughter to be independent and make new friends through the many kids’ club activities while also offering plenty of entertainment and dining options to enjoy as a family. While she chose activities offered around the ship through the pre-teen VIBE club, we found ourselves with many pockets of time to enjoy the child-free aspects of a Disney Cruise Line vacation. 

Enjoy a Judgment-Free Vacation

There are various levels of being “Disney Adults” and I’ve found most adults are “not fanatical but still happy to be immersed in the themed activities.” As veterans of Pirate Night on other Disney Caribbean cruises, it would be a waste to not unpack our gear. As we explored the ship as a couple, both dressed as Smee wearing hats that I crocheted, the only time I felt judged was when we ran into our 12-year old daughter and her group of pre-teen friends on a Vibe quest. It’s also completely acceptable (and not nerdy) to make conversation with strangers about the merits of spin-offs in the Star Wars Universe at the Hyperion Star Wars Lounge.

Pack your patience.

We traveled on a very full Spring Break sailing and were lucky to have beautiful weather the entire trip. The pool deck often felt very crowded, especially on the day at sea. Families who wanted seating near the pool chose their seats as soon as crew members set them out. I did notice that towels left to reserve spots without guests nearby for more that 30 minutes were taken by crew members, so the “no reserving” chairs was enforced before pools were open. 

Spend time in the kids’ clubs (when most of the kids aren’t there).

The Oceaneer Club on the Disney Wish takes over nearly ½ of the 3rd deck and has multiple themed sections that are divided into unique themed areas. Scheduled open houses give families a chance to visit the Star Wars, Fairy Tale, Marvel and Animators themed areas together or for adults to see the areas without kids. These times provide families a chance to get the kids comfortable with the area before drop-off and allow kids to share their favorite parts with their grown-ups. Character meet and greets, Including Star Wars and Marvel favorites, are also found in these themed areas throughout the cruise.

Edge Club on deck 5 (for pre-teens ages 10-13) and Vibe on deck 13 (for teens age 13-17) also have open houses throughout the cruise. 

Use the activity navigator to create your own lounge hopping schedule.

Unlike the earlier generation Disney Cruise Line ships, the adults-only lounges are spaced throughout the ship, giving them less of an “after hours night club” vibe. Even after four nights we didn’t have a drink at all of them (in retrospect, mornings we were thankful they closed at midnight instead of later). Some are 21+ only in the evenings (like the Hyperion Star Wars themed lounge). Two of our favorite lounges had subtle Disney princess movie theme; the Beauty and the Beast inspired Rose Lounge (just outside of the Palo and Enchanté adult-only restaurants), and Nightingales piano lounge, with Cinderella-themed cocktails. Compared to other Disney Cruises, many of the late night adults-only events (80s-themed dance party, silent disco) weren’t well attended.

Book a date night at Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement

I chose the “Potager” vegetarian courses, while Alex opted for the “Passion” experience, a VERY non-plant-based meal. When we were seated the maitre d’ asked us if we had any time constraints; three hours later we were finished with our dinner. (The meal would have lasted even longer if we had accepted the offer of the cheese service and not taken our dessert flight as a takeaway gift.) The experience, while not inexpensive, was worth the cost and was memorable for both the food and the chance to enjoy a space that was created to feel like a true escape from the more energetic aspects of a Disney Cruise Line vacation.

Attend the Senses Spa tour & spa credit giveaway & consider booking the Rainforest Room

On the first and second day of the cruise the Senses Spa (available to guests ages 18+) staff hosted a raffle giveaway for spa gift certificates. Even if you don’t win, they do give coupons for heavily discounted “manager’s specials” if you are able to book a treatment on embarkment day. Tours of the Senses Spa are also available on embarkment day. During this time, you can see the Rainforest Room and decide if it’s worth adding to your trip. 

I chose to book the full-trip access to the Rainforest Room before we sailed. Available by the day or as full trip add-on, it includes a dry sauna, steam room, cold room, and relaxation chairs indoors. The outdoor area connected to the Rainforest Room was a hidden secret on the Wish, with hot tubs and lounge areas that went almost completely unused while public spaces were crowded with sun-seekers.

Good Coffee Will Cost Ya’ (But Its’ Worth It)

While “free” regular and decaf coffee is available on Deck 12 and with meals, specialty coffee drinks are only available at an extra cost. Cove Cafe on deck 13, near the Quiet Cove, is a bit of a hike from most staterooms. The Wishing Star Cafe, Enchanted Sword Cafe are closer to the atrium and staterooms on the lower decks. Cafes offer a punch card that gets you one free coffee for every five you get.

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