Disney Showcases Wagyu on Its First New Cruise Ship in Ten Years

Let’s be honest: A Disney Cruise Line journey isn't solely about the cuisine. However, if you find yourself exploring the Bahamas aboard the brand-new Disney Wish, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the food.

If you're new to Disney's ocean adventures, Captain Minnie is in charge here. While this ship lacks the usual casino or ice-skating rink found on typical cruise ships, it offers first-run films in a Peter Pan-themed cinema and a waterslide featuring animated Mickey Mouse clips. Kids can join Resistance missions with Chewbacca in a gritty, porg-filled Star Wars cargo area, hone skills alongside Black Panther in a Marvel academy, and even train for creative roles at Walt Disney Imagineering. (Don't worry — adults can join in during open house hours, even sliding in through the fun entry.) It's a Disney experience through and through, yet more subtle than expected, with thoughtful touches like the Avengers-themed charger plates and dinner amuse-bouche. The carpets aboard Disney Wish feature a hidden Cinderella insignia, and the horn plays a charming seven-note rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star.”

As the fifth ship in a fleet of seven — with two more on the horizon — the Disney Wish stands out as Disney’s finest vessel, and notably its first in a decade. From beignets at the Princess and the Frog Bayou bar to soy cappuccinos adorned with Jiminy Cricket’s likeness, every dining option is an experience in itself. It’s Disney, so there’s no shortage of kid-friendly fare — chicken fingers, Mickey waffles, and colorful gelato at an Inside Out ice cream shop — but the cuisine goes beyond the usual mediocre offerings. The highlight was foie gras and squab pigeon layered in puff pastry at the upscale French restaurant, closely followed by the superb miso congee available at Marceline Market's breakfast buffet. One day, you might enjoy kjottkake, or Danish meatballs with egg noodles and lingonberry chutney, while a fully articulated Olaf wheels by with a trolley of dishes; the next, you'll savor Snake River Farms’ American wagyu tenderloin at a cult-favorite Italian restaurant renowned for its exquisite pasta and soufflés.

Not every dining venue requires a nod to Mickey Mouse before you can enjoy your meal, as there are two adults-only restaurants that dial down the Disney theming in favor of exceptional service and warmth from their staff. Palo, a name that resonates with Disney Cruise Line fans like memories of a special meal at the French Laundry, has transformed its traditional Italian offering into a steakhouse on this ship, serving cowboy rib-eye, Angus porterhouse, and even Japanese A5 wagyu (with a modest $45 surcharge). The prix-fixe dinner menu at Palo ($45) is a worthwhile investment, as is the hugely popular brunch that fills up quickly. Then there’s Enchanté, undeniably the premier dining experience on board. With its elegant décor featuring marble tables, gold accents, and swirling blue carpets reminiscent of the ocean outside, chef Arnaud Lallemant’s menu includes wild halibut in vermouth sauce and a 12-hour stewed tomato, prepared four ways, which could easily compete with offerings from L’Assiette Champenoise — if only that three-Michelin-star haven provided seatings between showings of The Little Mermaid. From Maine lobster with caviar to a chocolate mousse adorned with silver leaf, Enchanté’s tasting menus whisk you away from the inflatable Incredibles obstacle course next door to an extraordinary culinary realm.

However, the typical dining experience on the Disney Wish happens within its themed dining halls. Disney Cruise Line pioneered “rotational dining” when it debuted in 1998, allowing guests and their assigned waitstaff to move through three different restaurant concepts each night instead of a single grand ballroom filled with families munching on average steaks. With Disney, restaurants are more than just places to eat; each venue serves as a vibrant setting for storytelling. While the interiors reflect beloved movies, the menus celebrate the real-world cuisines that inspired the filmmakers.

Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure was an absolute standout. In this Nordic-themed experience, guests join Queen Anna and Kristoff's engagement party, hosted by Oaken, the beloved character from the films, making his first live appearance. Upon entering, guests walk through a beautifully detailed hallway and are seated in wooden chairs with colorful designs around the stage, where storytellers present creative acoustic renditions of popular Frozen songs, guaranteed to be a fresh take that won't remind you of 2011 road trips in the family minivan. The koldtbord platter was a highlight, along with scallops cooked in a shrimp-tarragon bisque and served in a towering puff pastry. (I’ll admit, I took a bite and promptly ordered seconds.) And the desserts included a Norwegian pancake roulade and a creative twist on the classic Kvæfjordkake butter cake, topped with baked meringue and, of course, a sugar snowflake.

Disney has introduced several Avengers-themed dining experiences, but Worlds of Marvel is their first genuine sit-down restaurant, and my expectations were low, especially since the only on-screen food in the series was a post-battle round of shawarma. However, Worlds of Marvel was full of surprises. I certainly didn’t expect that the first thing at a Marvel-themed dinner would be a video featuring Paul Rudd acknowledging the “Thanus” fan theory while bread baskets and beer orders circulated, along with Brie Larson and Anthony Mackie reprising their roles as Captain Marvel and Captain America. Worlds of Marvel treats us to our first taste of Sokovian cuisine — the Eastern European homeland of Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff) — along with flavors from Wakanda. To create a flavor profile that pays homage to both Africa and the fictional, vibranium-rich region of Black Panther, the culinary team used berbere seasoning for their pork chops, rounding out a diverse menu that includes pork bao buns, vegan udon, and lamb shawarma salad, all served alongside sizzling clips from Marvel Cinematic Universe films and TV shows — available on Disney+ — playing on large screens.

However, if there’s one standout feature of Disney Cruise Line’s latest ship, it’s the Hyperspace Lounge. This cozy, Star Wars-themed bar invites guests to enjoy beverages like the Baby Yoda-inspired non-alcoholic Temple Twist (complete with “frog egg” popping pearls) while watching screens display intergalactic ship traffic amid occasional jumps into hyperspace. If you’ve heard about two things, the second is probably the $5,000 Kaiburr Crystal cocktail, which quickly became a talking point that PR quickly deflected inquiries about, even though the cocktail is showcased during interviews. What’s included in Disney’s four-digit drink? Shots of 23-year Pappy, Taylor’s Kingsman Edition Very Old Tawny Port, and Watenshi gin, alongside a yuzu-kumquat cognac cocktail with Grand Marnier Quintessence, all served in a Camtono safe. Plus, the purchase grants the drinker an exclusive invitation to visit Skywalker Ranch in Marin County.

You can certainly discover more budget-friendly delights around the ship. Disney's mixologists are embracing their foam-and-smoke phase, featuring domed drinks and a bubble-explosion martini. Everything I sampled was expertly balanced, from an Old Fashioned paired with a chocolate-covered orange at the Rose, the ship’s upscale cocktail lounge, to sipping a passionfruit drink with cucumber-rose gin from a glass bird at Nightingale’s piano bar; I would have tried even more if our voyage—filled with invited journalists, travel agents, and influencers—hadn’t literally drained multiple bars dry.

The bars and lounges are conveniently located midship and often open to public walkways, making it easier than ever to grab a drink during a family vacation. (Kids are welcome in all of them, including the Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge, until it turns into an adults-only space at night.) The Cove Café, featuring a Moana theme on this ship, boasts a siphon, Chemex, and hand-pour V60 brewing methods, but even more options are available at the bars near the main atrium, making it a breeze to enjoy a pick-me-up with Vietnamese, Thai, or Turkish coffee.

Incorporating a wealth of adult beverages, such as coffee and cocktails, into the ship’s busiest areas highlights Disney Cruise Line's commitment to offering just as much for adults as for children. Thankfully, indulging in food and drink while enjoying the Disney+ library has never been so delightful.

Carlye Wisel is a theme park journalist and expert who shares insights about topics like the invention of Butterbeer and Disney’s secret food lab on her podcast, Very Amusing With Carlye Wisel.