10 First Impressions of the Disney Destiny

I just returned from a preview cruise of the brand-new Disney Destiny, and I have some
thoughts. Here are my first impressions—10 of them!

1. 1. The Grand Hall – The Grand Hall is very cool. The chandelier looks like a giant
   crystal, and it changes colors based on what’s happening in this bright space
   with touches of gold throughout. The built-in lighting on the staircase also
   changes, and it transforms the entire area. The concept art absolutely did
   not do it justice. T’Challa and the Panther make a fitting addition to the statue
   lineup on the Disney ships. If you are a Marvel fan, it will blow you away. If you
   aren’t, you’ll still be amazed by the detail and craftsmanship that went into it.
2. Entertainment – There are some unique entertainment options on the Disney
   Destiny, and I like the direction Disney is going with these. Dr. Facilier’s Parlor is
   a short experience (with a very long line) that’s kind of a pop-up, secretive
   activity, very unique for Disney. I don’t want to post spoilers, but we enjoyed it!
   The Wish introduced two unique characters onboard who roam the Grand Hall,
   take charge of some entertainment, and have some super guest interactions.
   The Treasure continued that, and the Destiny has its own two characters, Zayah
   and Gamble. They are not to be missed! If you see them on the schedule, go.
   They’re involved in a fun, interactive Cruella show at De Vil’s and run their own
   comedy show for adults one evening. Several of the villains and heroes onboard
   also go beyond just meet and greets, hosting scheduled activities with the
   guests. I’m a fan!
3. Pride Lands – I fully expected Pride Lands to be my favorite Main Dining Room
   onboard, and it’s great! The performers are amazing, and while I did wish it had
   more to entertain the kids, the songs we know and love are there, with a few new
   additions. The food had some misses, but we all found something we enjoyed.
4. Hercules – Hercules had big shoes to fill after Moana on the Treasure, which is a
   smashing success. I’m happy to say that Hercules is a great show! The puppetry
   is incredible. The story is familiar, yet still entertaining. The performers are
   excellent, as you would expect, with Hercules and the Muses being standouts.
5. Staterooms – The staterooms on the Destiny resemble those on the Treasure
   more than those on the Wish, in that the wood is light, not dark, which I greatly
   prefer. It makes the space so much brighter!
6. Adult Lounges – While the lounges onboard the Treasure remain my favorite,
   the lounges on the Destiny are lovely. De Vil’s is a highlight! That space remains
   too small, but the black, white, and red are striking. The dark colors of Sanctum
   work as well.
7. Saga – I’m a fan of the two-story entertainment venues on the ship, and Saga is
   well themed. The rich wood and rich colors make it feel very upscale.
8. Artwork – I love the original artwork on the ships, and the Destiny has some
   showstoppers. The Treasure has a gorgeous painting of the ship sailing out
   to sea to join the existing ships, and the Destiny has its own version. The
   hallways are full of fun surprises, and I found myself stopping on the stairs
   several times to take a closer look at something. The Black Panther painting
   is striking, the Star Wars artwork is excellent, and there are some great villain
   paintings as well.
9. Coffee Bars – Café Megara and Café Merida are not just throwaway coffee
   bars, though Disney probably could have gotten away with that. They are well-
   themed spaces with some fun offerings. There are pastries on the counter that
   look like movie replicas, and the plaid carpet by Merida is the cutest touch.
10. Theme – The Heroes and Villains theme? It works! I’m not a huge villain fan;
    thankfully for me, the hero elements far outweigh the villains. Hero Minnie has
    definitely taken over as my favorite Minnie!
    

Do you have any questions about the Disney Destiny?

Tammy Whiting is our expert author for the Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line. A blogger, Space Force wife, and mother of two, Tammy has been involved in the travel industry for over 15 years. Though she certainly enjoys vacations of all kinds, her favorite adventures around the globe have been on cruise ships, and she has been on over 50 Disney Cruises. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok.