Disney Wish coming true with UK sail

All ears on deck, with the news the Disney cruise ship is coming to Southampton for the first time, and JULIE DELAHAYE can't wait to get back on board with her family

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ANIMATED AquaMouse water slide

It's time for us Brits to dig out our Mickey ears, as we're about to get an extra dose of Disney magic next summer.

For the first time ever, the Disney Wish cruise ship will be sailing from the UK.

Departing from Southampton, the first of Disney Cruise Line's Wish class ships will be heading on a host of sun-soaked itineraries in Europe for summer 2027, the cruise firm just confirmed.

I recently sailed on the Disney Wish with my partner and our two-year-old, so I was overly excited when I heard the news. Here's my roundup of the highlights - and why I'll be first in that virtual queue when bookings open later this month.

Grownups, the Wish lets your inner child run wild (while, in our case, your toddler also literally runs wild).

This isn't a cruise where there's a couple of games and then you're twiddling your thumbs by the pool, but the type with a jam-packed programme of shows, trivia quizzes, deck parties, live music and two cinemas showing all the latest Disney releases as well as beloved classics. If you prefer to flop down by a pool there's plenty of space for that - and the onboard spa often called out to us.

The top deck has a few different pools, a feature I really like as it means you're not fighting huge crowds around one area.

However because I can't sit still for more than two minutes, I headed straight to the AquaMouse water slide where you get propelled along twists and turns with a few surprises at the start. I can see why they call it Disney's first attraction at sea - it felt like it could easily fit in at a theme park.

The deck parties are also a must. On embarkation day, Mickey Mouse and friends make an appearance on the top deck for a Sail Away party.