Disney's 'Wish' vs. the 'Treasure': Which Cruise Ship Is Best for Your Magical Travel Needs

Disney Cruise Line is exploring a whole new world with its newest ship, the Disney Treasure — but does it hold a candle (or maybe a magic lamp) to the Disney Wish?

I was one of the lucky passengers able to embark on a media preview of the Treasure — a three-night jaunt down to the cruise line's private island Castaway Cay and back — ahead of its official first guest sailing on Dec. 21. And by chance, just six weeks earlier, I had taken a four-night trip on the Wish, the Treasure's predecessor and sister ship, which had its maiden voyage in June 2022.

Two and a half years later, the Treasure — the sixth ship in the DCL fleet, and second in its Wish class — has many of the same offerings, but the vibe couldn't be more unique. While the Wish is like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the Treasure is more akin to Through the Looking-Glass.

But which ship is right for your travel tastes? Whether you're a parent, a child-free couple, a Disney Parks enthusiast, a Disney movies buff or a solo adventurer, read on to decide for yourself which of DCL's two newest ships will best make all your dreams come true.

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Related: I Got a Sneak Peek of the Disney Treasure — and Yes, Haunted Mansion Parlor Lives Up to the Hype

For Parents and Kids

When you first step into the Grand Hall on any DCL ship, you're greeted by characters and a stunning central statue — on the Wish, this is Cinderella, while on the Treasure, Aladdin and Jasmine are the centerpiece, taking flight on their magic carpet.

It's difficult to say which ship is definitively better for families, because children and parents both have different types of Disney content that make their hearts sing — not to mention the kids-only Disney's Oceaneer Club and It's a Small World Nursery are available on both, plus little ones love Scuttle's Cove on Castaway Cay.

The stage shows on both ships also run the gamut in terms of Disney eras. On the Wish, you've got The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, while Beauty and the Beast and The Tale of Moana (a gorgeous new show you cannot miss) grace theTreasure. But the Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure restaurant gives the Wish a very slight edge here, if only for the universally beloved nature of the Frozen films.

Plus, there is something about the vibe of that ship that embodies innocence, dreaming, and the beauty of new beginnings.

WINNER: Disney Wish

For Child-free Couples

Both the Wish and the Treasure offer adults-only pool areas of about the same size on the ship and kid-free zones on their private islands, Castaway Cay and the recently unveiled Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Two adults-only dining experiences are also available exclusively on these two ships: Enchanté and Palo Steakhouse, which can be booked for a separate charge.

But the vibes aboard the ships themselves felt more different than I anticipated, which was apparent to me from the moment I took in the Grand Hall statues. Despite Aladdin being a stage show on the Wish and not the Treasure, the Treasure felt more embracing of the spirit of adventure and the whole "Disney Adult" lifestyle, while being aboard the Wish was all about the beauty of what could be.

One of the most enjoyable parts of our Treasure itinerary was the brand-new, hilarious Choose Wisely! An Indiana Jones Comedy Adventure, which would also make the perfect date night and is a little edgier than your usual kids-focused fare from Disney.

WINNER: Disney Treasure

Related: We Tried It: I Went on a Disney Cruise Without Any Kids — and It Was Magical!

For Solo Travelers

For me, the appeal of a solo adventure comes down to the type of other travelers around me — and fortunately, Disney (and cruising) has fans of all ages.

Each ship offers a wide variety of activities like game shows, trivia competitions and crafting sessions, where you can get acquainted with other guests, or quieter parts of the ships and private islands where you can take some time alone.

A tip for solo travelers: be smart about the timing of your activities to avoid the crowds. Get to the private island first, and grab a hammock or get to snorkeling while everyone else is still on the ship. Or check out the AquaMouse water coaster while other guests are grabbing lunch, or right before it closes in the evening. There's nothing quite like sliding under the stars.

WINNER: TIE

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For Disney Movie Buffs

One of the most stunning parts of both the Wish and the Treasure is 1923 restaurant, named after the year the Walt Disney Company was founded and featuring original artwork from some of the most iconic Disney animated films, from Robin Hood to Raya and the Last Dragon.

Both ships' piano lounges — the Cinderella-inspired Nightingale's on the Wish and the Aristocats-inspired Scat Cat Lounge on the Treasure — also keep the spirit of their respective films alive in everything from the décor to the drinks, while showing films continuously in their two onboard movie theaters (and down by the pool on the huge Funnel Vision screen).

Even the sweets shops and coffee stands perfectly encapsulate the vibe of the films they are themed after, from Inside Out to Zootopia, Mulan, Moana, Pinocchio and The Sword in the Stone, and you've got the Worlds of Marvel restaurant on both ships (with unique interactive adventures!).

While the Wish may embrace some of Disney's older films, the ships are evened out in my opinion by the gorgeous new Plaza de Coco restaurant on the Treasure, which brings the world of Coco alive with probably my favorite menu of any of the included dinner experiences on both ships.

WINNER: TIE

Related: The Coolest Thing About Disney’s New Island Destination Is Something You Won’t Find on Castaway Cay

For Disney Parks Enthusiasts

For me, this category came down to the lounge/bar theming. While the Wish has some fun nods to the parks, they are often about telling the story of the intellectual property and embracing the fairytale — particularly the Princess and the Frog-themed The Bayou and the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge.

The Treasure, on the other hand, really leans into the Disney parks when it comes to the theming of their bars and lounges. For example, the Periscope Pub pays homage to the iconic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage attraction at Magic Kingdom, which closed in 1994 but lives on in this nostalgic space. For Jungle Cruise fans, Skipper Society features elements of the classic Adventureland ride (as well as vibes of the nearby Enchanted Tiki Room).

But the real winner is the Haunted Mansion Parlor that fully immerses honorary happy haunts in the atmosphere of the Haunted Mansion ride. There guests can enjoy an array of craft cocktails and other spooky beverages while taking in multiple light-and-sound shows straight from the attraction.

WINNER: Disney Treasure

Of course, there are always travelers who prefer to keep to dry land, or maybe just want to celebrate the holidays at Disney Parks before or after their cruise — in which case, they can check out some of the seasonal offerings like Jollywood Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios through Dec. 21, or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom through Dec. 20.

For more information about the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, as well as updates about next year's already-announced new ships, Disney Destiny and Disney Adventure, visit disneycruise.disney.go.com.

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