It’s time for us Brits to dig out our Mickey ears, as we’re about to get an extra dose of Disney magic next summer.

For the first time ever, the Disney Wish cruise ship will be sailing from the UK. Departing from Southampton, the first of Disney Cruise Line’s Wish class ships will be heading on a host of sun-soaked itineraries in Europe for summer 2027, it has been confirmed. 

The ship’s European debut will offer three‑ to 10‑night itineraries sailing out of the UK, Spain or Italy that visit new destinations including Zadar, Croatia; Trieste near Venice, Italy; and Hellesylt in Norway.

As someone who recently sailed on the Disney Wish with my partner and our two-year-old, I was overly excited when I heard the news given that I’ve already been thinking about planning another trip. Here’s my round-up to the best highlights on the Disney Wish – and why I’ll be first in that virtual queue when bookings open later this month.

The entertainment

Grown-ups, the Wish absolutely lets your inner child run wild (while, in our case, your toddler also literally runs wild). This isn’t a cruise where there’s a show, a couple of games and then you’re sort of twiddling your thumbs by the pool, but the type with a jam-packed programme of shows, trivia quizzes, deck parties, live music and two cinemas showing all the latest Disney releases as well as some beloved classics. If you prefer to flop down by a pool there’s plenty of space for that – and the onboard spa also often called out to us.

The top deck of the ship has a few different pools, a feature that I really like as it means you’re not fighting huge crowds around one area. However because I can’t sit still for more than two minutes, I headed straight to the AquaMouse water slide where you get propelled along plenty of twists and turns with a few surprises at the start. I won’t spoil too much, but I can see why they call it Disney’s first attraction at sea – it definitely felt like it could easily fit in at a theme park!

The deck parties are also a must on your itinerary. On embarkation day, Mickey Mouse and friends make an appearance on the top deck for a ‘Sail Away’ party that is well worth going to. There’s fun music, dancing and a big countdown before the ship’s horn sounds – and yes, it does play a Disney tune!

Meanwhile one night is always pirates themed. You can dress up, meet characters like Captain Hook, and enjoy fun parties with Mickey and friends as well as some impressive fireworks at sea (Disney Cruise Line is the only cruise firm able to offer the latter).

Head to the theatre and you’ll be treated to a brilliant show whether it’s the cute ‘Seas the Day’ show, or the West End worthy productions of the Little Mermaid and Aladdin.

The Kids’ Club

For families, there needs to be a special shout-out for the phenomenal kids’ club, dubbed the Oceaneer Club. Included in the cruise, it has zones inspired by Marvel, Star Wars and the Disney Princesses. We didn’t see our friends’ kids all week; they absolutely loved it there! 

The Oceaneer Club has entertainment for kids aged 3 and up, so our toddler was a little too young but there were open house hours where he could run around, including ‘Toddler Time’ which was a great space where we could let him get some energy out. 

A top tip for other parents; the Small World Nursery takes babies and toddlers under 3. You need to book and it’s an extra $10 an hour, but it does give you that breathing space if you want to head to the spa or an adults-only bar!

Meeting characters

One hugely underrated perk of a Disney cruise is how easy it is to meet the characters. As well as the shows, there’s ample opportunity to meet your favourites throughout the day, and queues tend to be about 10-15 minutes maximum. Characters wander around the ship, and you can also attend dance parties where they will have a little boogie with the kids which was a really fun interaction. For princesses, it’s worth trying to book in for A Royal Gathering; this is free but gets booked up quickly, as it gives you a chance to have meet and greets with the likes of Cinderella, Belle, Moana and Rapunzel. 

The food 

Disney cruises are all-inclusive, and despite my best efforts, I don’t think I managed to eat at every single spot included. As well as the Marceline Market eatery with a traditional buffet, you can tuck into pizzas, tacos and barbecue food at the Festival of Foods street food-inspired area, or make use of the self-serve ice cream machines. 

For evening meals Disney operates a ‘rotational dining’ policy which means you don’t need to fight for reservations; you’ll get a table at each of the three restaurants. There’s a Frozen-themed restaurant with a live show and plenty of character interaction, the classy 1923 that feels a bit fancier with tributes to iconic Disney films, and the Worlds of Marvel restaurant where diners get pulled into an interactive superhero adventure. 

Those are all included but you can also find some extra options at an added cost. Brunch at the Palo Steakhouse was a really special moment for us. You need to book, but this adults-only eatery really felt like a fancy restaurant, and the food was absolutely divine. Pastries, pizzas, brunch classics like Eggs Royale and desserts are all on the menu. A word of warning; it’s all-you-can-eat and those portions are generous, I genuinely felt like I might never be able to eat another bite again. (Turned out this was untrue, the moment I saw the Inside Out inspired sweet shop, I created an ice cream bowl that I think I’m still on a sugar high from). 

For an evening tipple, there are a few options too. The Bayou lounge has live music, beautiful cocktails and a laidback feel, and there’s an adults-only bar called Nightingale’s, but it was the themed bars that I kept going back to from the Star Wars inspired Hyperspace Lounge where you feel like you’re travelling through space, to the pirates themed Keg and Compass pub where you can get a decent pint. 

My verdict

I’ve been so impressed with the Disney Wish; it really does have something for everyone. It’s an elegant ship with plenty of adults-only areas for those who want a bit of peace and quiet, but there’s heaps of space for families too. The general atmosphere is brilliant, and it’s definitely one I’ll want to book again. Oh and selfishly, there was an extra dose of Disney magic for us; with all of the excitement and fun in the day, our two-year-old actually managed to sleep through the night! 

Book the holiday

The Disney Wish will sail in summer 2027 on 3, 4 and 5-night European sailings. Bookings open on February 23, 2026. For more information head to disneycruiseline.com.