Disney enters the era of villains with the new Disney Destiny. Here are 6 cool things you can only find on this new boat

What if you didn’t just wait in line to take a photo with Disney’s heroes and villains or watch them perform on stage; you Become part of their story…or more accurately, them become part of your story?

The Disney Destiny section is everything you may already know and love about a Disney cruise, including dining turns, calls to Disney island destinations in the Bahamas, and photo opportunities with traditional characters like Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, and all their friends.

However, after having the opportunity to attend the three-night Disney Destiny press preview cruise, I’d say it’s also somewhat of a different story.

The experience on board is not only immersive, but interactive, in a way that almost recalls the short-lived but still unique and outstanding Star Wars Star Cruiser experience, where you lived through the story. It’s just on a more scalable and less intense level.

Here are my first impressions of Disney’s newest fleet ship, the Disney Destiny, and what you’ll find only on this ship that’s not replicated on any of Disney Cruise Line’s other six ships.

Villains are (mostly) responsible

From planned park expansions to the products on board, Disney is in the age of villains, and I’m here for it.

Disney Wish is the first of three newest cruise ships set to debut in 2022, and Cinderella is certainly the belle of the ball, with everything from the glass slipper in the atrium to the decorative accents to much of the artwork; this is a lovely ship built for a princess.

But unlike all other Disney ships that are more princess, Mickey, or Minnie, the Disney Destiny is cute in a different way.

This is a ship that the villains can comfortably call home in a variety of spaces and interactions, and I’d say that’s one of the things that makes this ship extremely unique.

Reward your inbox with the TPG daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers and get breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts

By signing up you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our terms of use and acknowledge our data practices Privacy Policy. You can cancel your subscription at any time.

You can see Maleficent cast a fiery spell, Cruella criticize your fashion choices, watch Dr. Fascilli perform parlor magic, watch Loki seize a ship for himself, and more. For me and my older kids, this was just the kind of slightly edgier Disney entertainment that made the most sense to us as not-so-young kids.

Pride Lands Feast of the Lion King

Like other Disney cruise ships, Disney Destiny has three restaurants, and you’ll rotate meals with your service team. It’s the same part, but Pride Lands Feast of the Lion King is a brand new restaurant offering a dinner show only found on Disney Destiny.

Not only is it brand new; It’s outstanding.

Don’t get me wrong, a Frozen-themed dinner show taking up the physical space on the Disney Wish might be a lot of fun for the kids, but the princesses already have plenty of real estate on the ship. It’s exciting to experience something that might fit the same trail but feels completely different.

This new show delivers a new flavor of Disney Cruise Line with heart, emotion, and authenticity. This experience goes far beyond a cartoon rendition of “Hakuna Matata” and, instead, may become a core memory of your voyage.

3 unique themed bars and lounges

I love a good themed bar, and Disney Destiny has three unique themed bars that you won’t find anywhere else.

Deville Piano Lounge

With a beautiful piano, catchy tunes and unique drinks, this is a must-visit. To get the full experience, try to schedule a time when Cruella is likely to come. Speaking of getting the full experience, order a “Perfectly Wretched” cocktail, complete with lipstick, perfume and other accessories.

barrels and cannon

This Pirates of the Caribbean-themed bar is a great place to grab a beer or a pre-dinner pretzel while watching the game on TV, especially if you’re like us for dinner and feeling a little peckish during happy hour.

sanctuary

Even if you’re not familiar with the lore of Doctor Strange, this space is the perfect combination of cool and cozy.

But if you like Doctor Strange…that’s even better, because this space really brings his temple to life. Here you can sip on “floating”, smoky sparkling drinks, or opt for a “Mirror Dimension” cocktail with vodka, lychee, fresh lemon juice, pink peppercorns and more in a glass that lights up with your touch.

New Hercules Broadway-style show

Disney Cruise Line goes all out with a Broadway-style nighttime show.

These are typically the types of shows you’d pay over $100 per person to see on Broadway or in London’s West End, but you don’t have to, you can blip into the Walt Disney Theater on various nights of the cruise, sit in any available seat, and enjoy a high level of entertainment before or after dinner at no additional cost.

Some ships have a show that you can only enjoy on that ship, and for Disney Destiny, the current show is “Hercules.”

But don’t think this is just the animated movie version of reality. Yes, you’ll find iconic songs from the cartoon (and more), but it goes “even further” thanks to the combination of gospel and pop music with impressive puppetry and technology.

It’s modern, fresh, fast-paced, and 75 minutes of pure fun.

Marvel theme hall, etc.

If you have anyone in your group who loves Marvel, this is the ship for them.

While all three of Disney’s newer Wish-class ships feature a Marvel-themed Super Hero Academy space in the Marvel World restaurant and kids’ club, this is the first ship to truly dive deep into Marvel. The first is the Wakanda-themed lobby that you enter as soon as you step onto the ship. Or more accurately, if you count Spider-Man swinging from the stern, the Marvel Universe on this ship actually begins before you even step foot on board.

1 of 2

Summer Hull/Points Specialist

You’ll discover an immersive Marvel Universe in Disney Destiny that extends to many characters, shows, artwork, and even the aforementioned Sanctum Lounge, which is straight out of the world of Doctor Strange.

If your vacation budget is similar to Tony Stark’s, you can book the Tony Stark-themed two-story Tower Suite, which sleeps up to eight guests in its three impressive bedrooms.

Just like it’s not just kids who love Marvel movies and series, not all Disney Destiny Marvel-themed products are suitable for kids. In fact, one of the nightly shows called “With Great Power” is only for adults 18 and over and features a recurring (recorded) R-rated Deadpool.

Ideal sailing from one of America’s easiest ports

The Disney Destiny isn’t the first or only Disney cruise ship to sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, but it is the first to be permanently stationed there. What this means is that if you’re sailing on the Destiny, at least for the foreseeable future, you know you’re sailing from what I would call one of the absolute easiest to navigate major ports in the country.

If you haven’t been to Port Everglades, I think it’s one of the most convenient ports because it’s only two miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Additionally, there are several nice hotels near the port, including the Pier 66 Hotel, which I just stayed at and loved.

But you can also choose to use a Hilton, Marriott, or other major hotel and stay nearby.

Best of all, many of Destiny’s sailings in the coming years will be four- and five-night sailings, which I think will be a sweet spot for many families. In my opinion, three nights is just too short to get the full experience on board, and of course it’s better to stay more than less, but five nights is a good compromise for budget and schedule.

Summer Hull/Points Specialist

Additionally, many of Destiny’s itineraries will include two Disney Island destinations in the Bahamas, essentially making it the perfect itinerary for relaxing fun in the “Disney Bubble.”

bottom line

I’ve been lucky enough to sail on all seven Disney ships, and I really didn’t think Disney Destiny would overturn my previous favorite (Disney Treasures), but somewhere along the way, the Villains won me over, and I can’t wait for my family to get back on board one day for more mischievous fun with Loki and friends.