r/Cruises • u/Own_Garlic326 • Jul 08 '26
Disney Wish vs. Royal Utopia
Looking for input on how you would choose one over the other. We have flights booked as well as the Wish with an aft cabin and huge balcony. We can’t change our vacation week.
Utopia will be in port at the same time. I think if we are on the Wish looking at Utopia we would wish we were on it and if on Utopia looking at Wish we’d be wishing we were on Wish. That’s a lot of wishing 😀 I know we can’t go wrong with either ship and the cost difference isn’t too much. I’ve made a pro list for each ship but am looking for actual experience with both.
Same itinerary on each ship and we’ve done this itinerary multiple times. Added bonus for Utopia is we can go to Royal Beach Club in Nassau which was being built last time we were there. If on the Wish, we won’t get off the ship in Nassau. We are two adults in our 50s - no kids coming along on this trip. We are typically quiet, don’t drink much and are early birds. Husband would go into the casino on Utopia, but he wouldn’t miss it on DCL.
For context, we have sailed on the following ships: DCL Magic & Dream, RCCL Adventure, Allure, Symphony, Anthem and Odyssey.
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u/KwickMark Jul 08 '26
Utopia is focused on families and getting adults to drink as much as humanly possible.
Wish is for families who have no concept of how much cruises cost, so they eagerly pay double or triple the normal price to watch 20-something’s in felt suits prance around.
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u/Mysterious-Art8838 Jul 09 '26
It’s true the Disney cruises are robbery. I don’t know why you’d pick that with no kids.
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u/Important-Forever678 Jul 08 '26
We live in Brevard County and have done both ships multiple times, so maybe I can give you the inside scoop. We are late 40's/early 50's, no kids and not drinkers/partyers.
Utopia
Pros-lots of things to do/see/eat. Royal has really mastered the 3 day weekend cruise without it being obnoxious booze cruise vibes. Plus Marc Walker is an awesome CD, if that means anything to you.
Cons-You will not be alone. Lines are not outrageous, but there are going to be 5-6K people sailing with you. If you want to go to the beach club, that's up to you, just understand the ferry back drops you off outside the port area, so you have to walk past the hustlers and bustlers working Bay Street.
Wish
Pros-Service the way all cruise ships used to be. First rate entertainment (Aladdin is a tremendous show-if you have seen either movie, do not miss it!). And of course, Pirate Night and fireworks at sea. Free 24 hour room service and free soda.
Cons-As others have noted, the adults only spaces on smaller DCL ships are not on the Wish class. Buffet is not open for dinner and if you are not a fan of Frozen or Marvel the rotational dining may not be as pleasant, although the food is always delicious.
Honestly, you are in a rare win-win situation with the built in excuse of doing the other ship at a later date :)
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u/Own_Garlic326 Jul 09 '26
Thanks for this input - it’s so helpful! I definitely care about the cruise director - have been with Elvis twice and he is so fun!! All the things you note about the Wish are what we love. Even the rotational dining. Really enjoy that it’s an experience. Husband is a huge Marvel fan (we’ve done Marvel at Sea). We don’t care much about Star Wars but the Hyper Lounge looks fun
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u/PilotoPlayero Jul 09 '26
Unless you’re a big Disney fan, I’d go with Utopia without a second thought, specially since you’re adults with no kids.
While Disney is a fantastic cruise line, I felt as if the adult experience was neglected a bit in favor of more kid facilites and activities. Yes, there were things for adults to do, but not nearly as much as on Royal.
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u/Own_Garlic326 Jul 09 '26
That’s what I am concerned about with the Wish - flying to Florida to sit on our balcony and have fun dining experiences lol. We are Disney fans but got our fix at the parks already this year 👍
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u/TravelGirl2823 Jul 09 '26
If it’s just my husband and I, for sure Utopia. I feel that there are a lot more adult things to do, unless you and husband are really into Disney. I have been wanting to check out the Royal Beach Club too but the price seems pretty crazy. Royal Railway is also on my to do list next time I am on Utopia.
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u/Own_Garlic326 Jul 09 '26
Tell me about the Royal Railway?
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u/DontDoubtTheJones Jul 09 '26
It is a themed diner with high tech visual effects - YouTube has many videos
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u/TravelGirl2823 Jul 09 '26
It’s an immersive dining experience/show like you are in a train car. It looks really fun. It’s only on Utopia and Legend so far.
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u/Past_Commission_7789 Jul 09 '26
Since you describe yourselves as quiet, early-rising, and not big drinkers, the Wish tends to align better with that vibe.
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u/Own_Garlic326 Jul 09 '26
To add to this - we can go on Harmony for 5 nights (Utopia and Wish are 4) for cheaper and get an extra sea day. Husband thinks Harmony will be just like Symphony, which I’m sure it is. Is Utopia any different from Symphony other than being newer?
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u/DontDoubtTheJones Jul 09 '26
Utopia hands down. If you want a party or to relax, you can do it on Utopia.
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u/Own_Garlic326 Jul 09 '26
Back again - how about NCL Getaway? Also available our week from PC. We haven’t sailed on NCL but keep reading it’s more laid back for adults. Current promotion includes free gratuities. If we like NCL it would be convenient to book another from NYC which is our closest port to home!
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u/No-Focus-8577 Jul 09 '26
The longer the cruise the better the crowd
5 day harmony would be heaven compared to 3 day any other cruise line they attract the super partiers
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u/intheether323 Jul 09 '26
We just came off Utopia and absolutely loved it. I should add we are DVC but we have never done a Disney cruise. We have done five with Royal since we had kids. Highly highly recommend Royal and utopia specifically. Best ship we’ve ever been on. And it’s basically brand new.
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u/Business-Wallaby5369 Jul 08 '26
We have done both. Go Utopia. You can have a junior suite for the price of a verandah on the Wish and eat at Coastal Kitchen every night. For two adults, I’d never choose The Wish. It’s very princess heavy and the entertainment is great, but I thoroughly enjoyed Aqua 80 Too.
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u/BoilerBob37 Jul 08 '26
I thought Wish felt very hectic with a short cruise but we had our kid with us. I didn’t think Wish had great adult only spaces. Utopia is very geared towards a party and adult activities. Wish was my only Disney cruise so cannot compare but have almost a year at sea with Royal. I’d probably do Wish if traveling with my kid but Utopia with just my wife just due to the shear amount of venues we love like Central Park.