Inside the incredible new Disney Wish cruise ship

SIPPING on a smoking cocktail, I glance out from the window at the blackest sky I’ve seen, and it is covered with sparkling stars.

This isn’t any ordinary star-lit sky. I’m in outer space and it isn’t long until my tranquil view is suddenly interrupted by two Star Wars spaceships soaring across the window, firing shots at each other.

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The swanky Star Wars-themed Hyperspace Lounge is one of the many out-of-this-world experiences passengers can indulge in on Disney’s new cruise ship, the Disney Wish.

And you don’t need to travel to a galaxy far far away to experience it.

In fact, I’m soaking it all up as we sail around the balmy Caribbean.

This 1,119ft floating theme park is the largest in the Disney fleet with three and four-night itineraries to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, from Port Canaveral, Florida.

While the ship is a treasure trove for Mickey, Marvel and princess-lovers, if you are a Jedi buff you’ll be in your element with so many galactic delights at every corner of this grand vessel.

In the Oceaneer Club — accessed via a slide — children can crash-land in the epic Star Wars-themed Cargo Bay.

Here, they’ll learn how to care for exotic creatures on the planet of the Batuu, such as the ­adorable sea-dwelling Porgs.

Eagle-eyed fans may spot some Porg poo (yes, really!) that was specially created for the cruise ship by Lucasfilm.

Or if they prefer to get involved in battle action, kids can train with superheroes like Black Panther and Spider-Man at the Marvel Super Hero Academy before taking on virtual villains.

Adult cruisers have not been forgotten and smoking cocktails, like The Chancellor, are just one reason to swing by the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge.

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The focal point is the window to the galaxy, which lets you watch as the bar jumps through hyperspace to different planets.

I’m amazed as the bartender whips out a blacklight torch to shine on my Berken’s Flow drink to reveal a hidden motif, but that’s not the most exciting thing on the menu.

If I win the lottery, I’ll be coming back to try their extremely theatrical £4,200 ­Kaiburr Crystal, which is billed as one of the most expensive drinks in the galaxy.

Its ingredients are a bit of a mystery, but supposedly it comes served in a camtono — what most Star Wars fans would know as a galatic safe-like container — and is a muddle of cognac, yuzu and kumquat.

If you’ve got that kind of cash, there’s plenty of other fun ways to spend your money on board.

For the first time, the front funnel has been turned into the impressive two-storey, eight- person Wish Tower suite, with subtle decor nods to Moana.

It has its own private lift, chandeliers and incredible views of the ocean as well as VIP access to the sun deck with two whirlpools and a wading pool.

If it’s swim and sun time you’re after though, no passenger will be short of choice as the Disney Wish has more pools and deck space than any other Disney ship, including the new Toy Story Splash Zone.

It is also the only one to have a Disney attraction at sea — the 760ft-long AquaMouse, a water-coaster that blasts riders out into a water tunnel suspended above the upper deck.

Plus there’s an adults-only infinity pool — a great spot for watching the sun set.

You’ll have your pick of brilliant food options, too. The restaurants here bring Disney’s popular movies to life, and our first night is spent at the Frozen-themed Arendelle restaurant where we meet the characters themselves as they celebrate Anna and Kristoff’s engagement.

I tuck into Nordic-style ­cuisine including scallops, which are interestingly served in a pie.

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Movie restaurants

I’m able to ask snow queen Elsa who the best man is going to be (“Sven the reindeer,” she replies) and I get a snap with the warm hug- loving Olaf the snowman.

There is also the sci-fi-themed Worlds Of Marvel restaurant — helpfully, our friendly server Hernan moves with us as we rotate restaurant venues.

This is a big perk of the ship — guests can keep the same waiter, even when they are ­dining at a different restaurant.

I indulge in delicious pork bao buns as screens show superhero clips shot exclusively for the Wish cruise.

There is something quite surreal about Ant-Man, played by Paul Rudd, referring to the ship’s towel animals with Evangeline Lilly’s The Wasp, before embarking on a fun-filled adventure around the liner.

Adults looking for a romantic evening can check out the child-free dining options that are tastefully themed on Beauty And The Beast.

The opulent Enchante restaurant has a French menu designed by three Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Lallement, while the brooding Palo offers steakhouse cuisine.

And those after an adults-only tipple can head to The Rose, a stylish bar with spectacular ocean views and flowery ­cocktails and spritzers.

The fun doesn’t end when you’ve finished dinner either — far from it.

The Wish’s 1,274-seat theatre has shows that wouldn’t be out of place in the West End.

These include The Little Mermaid, which features costumes made from recycled ocean plastic.

They also have fan-favourite Aladdin and their own production, Seas The Adventure.

If you’re less of a show-goer, then deck parties, an outdoor cinema, quizzes and the ship’s epic fireworks display could keep anyone entertained for weeks on end.

Disney is the only major cruise line currently offering fireworks at sea, with shells made of special biodegradable materials that are safe for fish.
Our cruise includes a day at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, and while we love our snorkelling and beach barbecue, we can’t wait to get back on board to continue the adventure.

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