Review: Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Destiny

Boarding Disney Destiny — the seventh ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet and the third in its Wish class (following Disney Wish and Disney Treasure) — I was very excited to see what was in store, particularly in regards to the just-launched ship’s “heroes vs. villains” motif.

Little did I know when I first embarked that I would be interacting so closely with the animated likes of Disney villains such as Cruella de Vil and Dr. Facilier in the flesh.

Indeed, the fiendish “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” fashionista and the card-manipulating “The Princess and the Frog” antagonist, respectively, intimately commiserated with our crowd and personally recruited me on a devious mission. These types of micro-shows and meet-and-greets are where the Destiny product most shines, along with grander productions such as the vessel’s new “Hercules” stage show.

Susan Egan, the Broadway legend who voiced Megara in the original “Hercules” film, christened the ship as its godmother under a spectacular drone and projection mapping show at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before we set sail on our magical pre-inaugural voyage.

Updated Features of Destiny 

AquaMouse makes its valiant return on Destiny, with another new show on the water coaster attraction showcasing Mickey and Minnie and a cavalcade of villainous cameos crashing classic “Silly Symphony” scenes. I loved the experience so much I rode it three times in a row to take in all the easter eggs.

Further reflecting the good vs. evil theme is an updated Grand Hall atrium and statues taking inspiration from “Black Panther” and its fictional land of Wakanda. (Cruisers will also find Spider-Man at the stern of the ship.) In this space, the Norse god Loki from “Thor” bookends voyages with his signature mischief, and resident storytellers Zayah and Gamble — characters created exclusively for the ship — first wax poetic, encouraging guests to craft their own narrative while onboard.

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Adult guests will not want to miss their hilarious performance, creatively retelling Marvel stories for passengers 18 and older in Saga, the ship’s double-decker cabaret lounge and game show room, while other characters (including Deadpool) also make appearances. 

The Zayah and Gamble duo continues to pop up throughout the sailing, including to host an improv-style songwriting session to appease Cruella’s broken ego in De Vil’s piano bar, during which a standing-room-only audience is invited to offer their own lyrical suggestions. 

Entirely New Offerings

The “Hercules” headlining production is exclusive to Destiny, staged in the Walt Disney Theater and perfectly pairing vocalists and polished musical numbers with dynamic set pieces and monstrous puppetry to tell the timeless tale. Hades first emerging as a gliding specter is just one of many special effects and theatrical techniques that leave audiences mesmerized, and it goes without saying (or singing) that the Muses captivate with their gospel truth.

There are several all-new venues on Destiny, ranging from De Vil’s to Cask & Cannon and The Sanctum. The “Pirates of the Caribbean”-inspired Cask & Cannon serves as a pub, while the “Dr. Strange”-themed Sanctum offers cocktails and mocktails along with all-ages activities such as trivia challenges and musical performances. 

The unique spaces pay homage to their intellectual properties with theme park-level details and cinematic-grade props. The swashbuckling fish and chips washed down with a wide selection of draft beers is a particularly hearty dish worthy of extra doubloons. And clients might be further inclined to order levitating beverages from the sorcery-inspired spot.

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A pair of atrium-adjacent coffee shops on Destiny showcase Megara from “Hercules” and Merida from “Brave,” while the Edna A La Mode Sweets shop scoops up ice cream, gelato and other confections themed to “The Incredibles.” 

Dr. Facilier's Parlor, meanwhile, brings the voodoo doctor to life — be sure to tell clients that the venue is so tucked out of the way in a speakeasy studio that it’s missing from deck plans. There, they will find him performing illusory encounters complete with card tricks for no more than a dozen patrons at a time.

Less devilish and more family friendly is the Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King rotational restaurant. A new live dinner show remounts the classic film’s core story, music (the Broadway cast recorded backing vocals) and bold flavors of Africa and beyond (the shrimp curry is a favorite), and fans of the franchise will love all its elements. However, clients may find less interactivity compared to Wish’s Arendelle and Treasure’s Plaza de Coco. 

Overall, the ship’s balance of big and small experiences is an exceptional template to behold, and I truly hope it continues across the future expanded fleet. According to Jennifer Bascom, creative director for Disney Live Entertainment Disney Signature Experiences, the company really “turned up the dial for guest engagement” — and it shows.

Returning Haunts

Destiny’s Haunted Mansion Parlor is nearly identical to its ghostly counterpart on Treasure, and it remains an outstanding recreation of the famed theme park ride, enhanced with oceanic touches. That said, the drink lineup has been swapped out completely; every creative libation is a fresh concoction for this ship, such as the ingredients of the Chilling Challenge, which invites patrons to unlock a secret menu item by solving a riddle off a tablet.

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Heroes and superheroes also make their return to Disney’s Oceaneer Club youth venues, where kids can meet and take lessons in bravery from Black Panther’s King T’Challa, the Star Wars franchise’s Rey and Chewbacca, Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” and more characters. Refreshed from former kids’ facilities, though, is a colorful entryway featuring character mannequins from “Wreck-It Ralph.”

To help guests navigate their way around the ship, villains and heroes alike are posted in stairwells and elevator lobbies (one other tip: Mickey heads always point toward the bow in cabin corridors). 

While a variety of stateroom categories are available onboard, one special standout is the two-story Concierge Destiny Tower Suite, nestled within the forward funnel. The Marvel-inspired penthouse takes its refined aesthetic cues from Tony Stark (keep an eye out for his Iron Man helmet on display in the dining room).

And throughout the experience, longstanding Disney Cruise Line differentiators continue to please. Split bathrooms make it easier for families to get ready for the day, and “pirate night” concludes with its fireworks crescendo. Worlds of Marvel and 1923 round out the available rotational dining, and the adults-only Palo Steakhouse and Enchante are also still along for the ride as specialty alternatives. Other options include the Senses Spa, multiple pools, retail shops and more.

Although Bascom quipped that “villains are not huggable” during a media panel, guests may come to question that sentiment onboard Destiny as they get to know them a bit more — or simply strive to defeat them. In either case, the onboard theme acts as a great preview of what visitors might find at the highly anticipated Villains Land on the horizon for the Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World Resort.

What’s more, a fourth Wish-class vessel (adding to an eventual fleet of 13 ships by 2031) is on the schedule for a 2027 launch, to share even more stories with clients on Disney Cruise Line well into the future.