frozen

The tiny island is home to just six permanent residents, and has more sheep than people, while its only entry and exit point takes you soaring 250m above the Atlantic Ocean

Far removed from the rest of civilisation, this tiny island has been frozen in time, with nothing but fragments of a life that once thrived and a handful of people who still call it home.

Off the coast of West Cork in Ireland sits Dursey, a charming island steeped in history but offering little else. Ever since the stunning landscape acquired a new form of transport, visitors have been able to travel across from the mainland in a distinctive way and discover a place that appears to have ceased to exist.

This tranquil island is home to approximately six permanent residents, with around 15 houses that are deemed habitable and up to seven farmers.

Their livestock stays on the island, and the owners who traditionally inherited the land continue to spend a few nights on the island but never remain. This means there are likely more sheep inhabiting Dursey than there are people.

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It’s understood that when people who live in Dursey have children, they have no option but to have a primary home on the mainland, to enable schooling and access to other facilities.

Unique attraction

Dursey is home to a rare form of transport in Ireland, and the country’s one and only cable car. It carries travellers 250m above the Atlantic Ocean, across to the island, surrounded by nothing but verdant green hills.

Starting from Ballaghboy, Cork, on Ireland’s mainland, the aerial voyage transports you to Dursey in a mere seven and a half minutes.

Throughout the journey travellers can absorb the breathtaking coastal views as the minuscule speck of land gradually grows larger before them.

Built in 1969 as a reliable and secure link between the island and Cork’s mainland, as the surrounding waters are considered far too hazardous for regular boat crossings.

The stretch of water is known as the Dursey Sound and has proved erratic over the decades, with rapid tidal surges. Beyond this, submerged rocks encircling the landmass also render it a perilous voyage and generally unsafe for travellers.

After experiencing the cable car journey, one visitor posted on TripAdvisor: “For us this was the most beautiful part of Ireland.

“We took our mountain bikes over in the cable car, and luckily for us, the weather was glorious. We saw almost all of the island and spent ages staring at the views. We just haven’t seen anything to top it despite travelling the whole way round Ireland.”

Another expressed their admiration for the island, posting: “I absolutely loved Dursey Island. It’s a stunning place, delightfully remote and serene. It is the last place in Europe that the sun sets, a cool fact for you!”.

Historic ruins

Its rugged terrain is also home to numerous equally weathered historical ruins, dating back as far as the 17th century. The most notable of these historic structures is O’Sullivan Beare Castle, which was almost completely razed during the Nine Years’ War in 1602.

Very little of it survives today, and the devastation inflicted by English forces also resulted in a massacre of local residents. One visitor claimed: “Dunboy Castle was very cool, though some information on the site would have been helpful – similar to the plaques found elsewhere. The ruins are overgrown, and you almost stumble into them. “.

Another attraction is the 19th-century Napoleonic-era signal tower. It stands quietly on the island’s highest point, originally built with the purpose of warning against French invasion.

Yet it has remained in ruins since the mid-19th century, abandoned and forgotten by history.

Commonly known as the Church of Kilmichael, it comprises the monastic church and graveyard lying in ruins on the quiet island. It’s believed that the church was established by monks from Skellig Michael but was likewise destroyed in the infamous siege of 1602 by Sir George Carew’s army.

Kyiv, Ukraine – Hennady Kolesnik never expected the full-scale Russian invasion to last this long.

“These are the worst and longest years of my life,” the 71-year-old retired welder told Al Jazeera four years after the aggression that began on February 24, 2022.

In the first days of the war, he and many Ukrainians were afraid Kyiv would be lost, as well as the third of their France-sized nation that lies on the left, eastern bank of the Dnipro River.

Tens of thousands of Russian troops, including elite airborne units and motor rifle brigades, occupied north of the Kyiv region, while the Kremlin’s supporters triumphantly touted that the capital would be seized “within three days”.

Months later, “we were ecstatic about what we’d regained” after Russian forces withdrew from around Kyiv and were ousted from northern Ukraine, said Kolesnik, a grey-haired, pallid-faced and emaciated pensioner, clutching a cane.

He is recovering from a case of pneumonia that he feared he would not survive amid days-long power outages and disruptions of central heating caused by Russian drones and missiles during a cold spell, when temperatures plunged to as low as -23 degrees Celsius (-9.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

“But we’re still standing, and that’s the most important thing in a fight,” Kolesnik, who used to dabble in boxing, said with a smile.

His wife, Marina, 70, agreed: “Nobody expected us to last that long, and we’re still here.”

However, Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive failed to cut Moscow’s “land bridge” from western Russia to annexed Crimea, and Russian troops keep inching forward.

But their advance is glacial amid staggering losses. Last year, they occupied less than 5,000 square kilometres (1,930 sq miles), or about 0.8 percent of Ukraine’s total area, according to Ukrainian officials and Western analysts.

Overall, Russia controls about 19 percent of Ukraine’s territory.

“The front line froze like during World War I,” Nikolay Mitrokhin of Germany’s Bremen University told Al Jazeera. “So far, Russia doesn’t have enough forces or new technologies for a decisive and successful advance, but it can still squander thousands of [its soldiers’] lives.”

This month, Russian forces encountered a dual communication problem that reversed their progress.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX company shut down smuggled Starlink satellite internet terminals used by Russian soldiers, while Moscow’s efforts to block the Telegram messaging app further disrupted coordination.

Ukrainian forces counterattacked, regaining about 200 sq km (77 sq miles) in the eastern Zaporizhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

But in other front-line areas, the pressure is mounting.

Russian drones with attached optic fibre immune to jamming began reaching a heavily-fortified town in the southeastern Donetsk region.

“It has gotten a lot noisier. There are more outages; some locals are panicking,” Sviatoslav, a serviceman stationed in Kramatorsk, told Al Jazeera. He withheld his last name in accordance with wartime protocol.

Moscow insists Kyiv surrender Kramatorsk and the rest of Donetsk – about 1,000 sq km (386 sq miles).

What could affect Ukraine’s stance is further Russian strikes on energy infrastructure.

“Ukraine keeps the front line well, but the functionality of its energy system is hanging by a thread, which may affect a lot,” Mitrokhin said.

Eighty-eight percent of Ukrainians think Russia’s strikes are designed to “force them to capitulate”, according to a survey by the Kyiv International Sociology Institute (KMIS) conducted in late January.

Nevertheless, two-thirds of those polled said Ukraine’s armed forces should fight for “as long as it takes”.

“People en masse are more ready to keep resisting [the invasion] than to capitulate,” Svetlana Chunikhina, vice president of the Association of Political Psychologists, a Kyiv-based group, told Al Jazeera.

And even though there is a spike in depression, anxiety, and chronic stress among Ukrainians, there are no “abrupt jumps” in these conditions, she said.

“People adapt – including through depression – to the war’s horrible circumstances; people keep functioning,” she said.

Ukrainians still hope for a better future, she said.

Only one in five polled Ukrainians hopes the war will end this year, but two in three are sure that in 10 years, Ukraine will be a “thriving” member of the European Union.

“This is the literal realisation of the philosophic principle: ‘get ready for the worst, hope for the best,’” Chunikhina said.

However, brain fog and cynicism are on the rise, she said.

“For the Ukrainian public whose fight against the Russian aggression is largely fuelled by moral virtues – including high ones, such as altruism, patriotism, responsibility to future generations – cynicism could be really destructive,” she said.

News brings little relief.

United States President Donald Trump has so far failed to deliver on his pre-election pledge to end the war “in 24 hours”.

Meanwhile, Russian public figures who support the Kremlin still try to present the invasion as a step to “protect” Russian-speaking Ukrainians.

Moscow-based analyst Sergey Markov claims that the war began on February 23, 2014, when pro-Russian protesters began rallying in Crimea, urging the Kremlin to annex the Ukrainian peninsula.

“It was a peaceful uprising of the Russian people for freedom, peace and true democracy,” he wrote on Telegram on Monday.

The largest and most powerful helicopter has been in service since 1977

The Mil Mi-26 (codename: Halo) is a Russian-built helicopter and currently holds the title of the world’s largest. Having taken its maiden flight in 1977, the Mi-26 was initially built to transport heavy cargo to isolated locations inaccessible by conventional aircraft.

This huge helicopter boasts rear-loading doors and can carry up to 20 tonnes. Aviation specialists at Key Aero have named it the “undisputed king of military heavy lift helicopters”.

It measures 40 metres in length, making it “taller than a giraffe”, and is also the world’s most powerful helicopter.

“Two 11,400bhp engines allow it to carry loads weighing up to 20 tonnes. In 1982, the aircraft set the world record for the heaviest mass lifted to 2,000 metres by carrying a load of 56,768 kilograms, a record that still stands today.”

Aviation experts said it is “so big it can operate as a mobile hospital”. Perhaps the Mi-26’s most extraordinary cargo was a 20-ton, frozen woolly mammoth, reports the Express.

Back in 1999, the helicopter airlifted the preserved remains of a 23,000-year-old frozen Woolly Mammoth retrieved from Siberia’s frozen Taimyr Peninsula.

Fair Lifts notes: “The Mi-26 is often the first choice for missions that involve transporting heavy machinery, including armoured vehicles, generators, and even small aircraft.

“Its eight-blade main rotor and twin-turbine engines deliver a unique blend of raw power and flight stability, enabling it to operate in some of the world’s harshest environments, from Siberian tundras to Middle Eastern deserts.”

The helicopter continues to serve actively today, mainly deployed by the Russian Aerospace Forces, but it’s also used across other nations, including China and India.

The largest aircraft in the world is the Antonov An-225 Mriya, a remarkable plane built by the Soviet Union, capable of transporting “52 mature elephants “.

The gothic village of Haworth in West Yorkshire is home to the Brontë Parsonage Museum where Emily, Charlotte and Anne Brontë penned their classic novels including Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre.

A charming gothic British village, brimming with independent shops and a cosy atmosphere, is ‘well worth a visit’. This ‘mysterious’ spot was once home to the Brontë sisters, including Emily, the author of the classic novel Wuthering Heights.

Emily, Charlotte and Anne Brontë are among Britain’s most revered literary siblings. As the new film adaptation of Wuthering Heights premieres in UK cinemas tonight (February 13), the village of Haworth in West Yorkshire makes for an ideal weekend getaway.

With its unique brooding character, Haworth overlooks the moors where the new film was shot, transporting visitors back in time with its cobbled streets and historic alleyways. Some of these cobbled lanes even lead to an ancient church and cemetery where novelists Emily and Charlotte Brontë are laid to rest.

Anne Brontë, the youngest sibling, is also buried at St Michael & All Angels Church cemetery in Haworth. The three sisters wrote seven novels here, including Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

The village’s main street boasts ‘absolutely wonderful’ establishments, including shops with a mystical witchy vibe, a ‘heavenly’ sweet shop, and numerous unique gift and book stores to explore, reports the Express.

Food and shopping

The ‘magical’ establishments dotted throughout Haworth offer a gothic atmosphere, whilst the village is surrounded by stunning moorland and countryside, near to where the latest Wuthering Heights film was shot.

Spooks of Haworth functions as a ‘spiritual emporium’ in the village, selling crystals and gifts whilst offering tarot card readings. It first opened its doors in 1983 in Haworth, the heart of Brontë Country.

One visitor described the establishment as ‘magical, mysterious, and totally wonderful’ located in a ‘beautiful gothic village, well worth a visit’.

Another ‘fabulous little shop’ is The Cabinet Of Curiosities in the village, which one recent guest called a ‘little piece of heaven’, reviewing this treasure trove as ‘so interesting’.

“Every detail in the shop was very well presented, down to wrapping. It was like an adult sweet shop, of smelly stuff and other treasures”, they wrote.

The Haworth Artisan Market also features prominently amongst the village’s attractions on TripAdvisor. Despite only running one Sunday each month, it draws significant numbers of visitors and residents.

To capture the Wuthering Heights atmosphere, there are several must-see locations in the area:

Haworth Moors

Exploring the Haworth Moors, the setting for Wuthering Heights, can be done on foot or alternatively, aboard the historic Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. This heritage railway offers a journey on vintage steam locomotives.

One can even indulge in afternoon tea on board, as one reviewer who embarked on this rail journey three months ago with an all-day rover ticket attested. They described it as a ‘very enjoyable day and highly recommended’.

The same reviewer of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway shared: “Just had the traditional afternoon tea experience, absolutely blown away. Fantastic food, excellent service, in short a really brilliant day, when I felt I got full value for my money.

“There is a nice selection of sandwiches, meringues/ macaroons and large scones with cream and jam.”

Holdsworth House – an ideal place to stay

This stunning four-star hotel is a “Jacobean manor built in 1633, set just outside Halifax in West Yorkshire”.

Situated a mere 20-minute drive from Haworth, the Holdsworth House website describes it as a “historic, quietly grand house” that provides a “calm, atmospheric base for visiting the Brontë Parsonage, Haworth itself and the wider landscape of Brontë country that shaped Wuthering Heights”.

Low Row, Richmondshire

Stone-built houses and sweeping countryside vistas served as the backdrop for the new film. The area is surrounded by countryside, offering the ideal setting for ramblers seeking a scenic route through the Dales, with the cosy Punch Bowl Inn waiting at the end – where you can savour a pint or a cup of Yorkshire Tea.

Top Withens, West Yorkshire

Devotees of the novel and films will want to include this location on their route, as the derelict farmhouse is believed to have inspired Wuthering Heights. Beginning from St Michael’s Church in Haworth, this walk leads you through Penistone Hill Country Park before reaching the Brontë waterfall and bridge – an ideal spot for photographs.

Swaledale

As one of the principal dales featured on screen, Swaledale’s limestone valley, stone barns and open moorland serve as the setting for numerous key exterior scenes. Today, it’s a sanctuary for slow travellers, providing tranquil riverside walks, historic mining remnants and picture-postcard villages such as Reeth (which acted as a production base and is anticipated to appear in or around multiple scenes).

Arkengarthdale

Also identified as a significant filming location, Arkengarthdale delivers rugged valley vistas and remote moorland backdrops that feature in various exterior sequences. Its quiet lanes, high moors and sense of remoteness make it perfect for visitors wanting to experience the raw, windswept landscapes that characterise Wuthering Heights.

Brontë Parsonage Museum Furthermore, on the edge of the countryside leading towards the moorland lies the Brontë Parsonage Museum – an absolute must for enthusiasts of the Brontë sisters’ literature, as this was the family home throughout the 1800s.

According to the museum’s website: “We have the largest collection of Brontë items in the world, offering fascinating insight into the life and times of Yorkshire’s famous literary family.”

Yorkshire’s historic towns

Byway’s has also developed a Historic Towns in Yorkshire trip, making it straightforward for visitors to discover these landscapes for themselves, journeying by rail through cities and market towns such as York and Skipton, with connections to the Yorkshire Dales and the broader Brontë Country.

Built around picturesque train routes and leisurely travel, the four-day programme offers a convenient entry point for devotees eager to discover the moors and locations associated with Wuthering Heights. Prices begin at £468 per person for an unforgettable four-day adventure.

This picturesque fishing village has been hailed as one of the prettiest in Cornwall, offering unspoilt coastal views and traditional coastal village charm without the touristy crowds

Cornwall boasts a hidden treasure which genuinely appears untouched by the passage of time.

Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and brimming with quintessential Cornish character, this South Cornwall fishing village ranks amongst the region’s most remarkable destinations.

Dubbed by Secrets of Cornwall as “a great secret frozen in time”, this small harbour village sits magnificently at the base of a steep, imposing valley that opens onto the magnificent Veryan Bay.

Regarded as the jewel in the crown of Cornwall’s Roseland Peninsula, this seaside village offers classically Cornish vistas, yet remarkably remains free from the typical tourist hordes.

The late Sir John Betjeman – Poet Laureate and famously the champion who rescued St Pancras Station from demolition during the 1960s – once lauded this small hamlet as “one of the least spoiled and most impressive of Cornish fishing villages”, and it’s fair to say Portloe has thoroughly justified such praise.

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Timeless Cornish treasure

The village takes its name from the Cornish ‘Porth Logh’, meaning ‘cove pool’ – an apt description reflecting its scenic setting within a cove encircled by striking hillsides.

This naturally protected location secured its position as a thriving pilchard fishing harbour throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.

In fact, until the 20th century, more than 50 fishing vessels worked from the village’s sheltered cove harbour, a figure that has since plummeted to just two.

These remaining active boats continue their trade, catching lobster and crab which is subsequently sold to the village’s two establishments – The Lugger and The Ship Inn.

Regarded as amongst Cornwall’s most charming villages, Portloe represents a genuine hidden treasure, untouched by time’s march and contemporary development, reports Cornwall Live.

The precipitous valleys surrounding the village have ensured Portloe’s immunity from urban expansion throughout the years, leaving the settlement and its structures virtually unchanged since their original construction during the 17th and 18th centuries.

As with much of Cornwall, Portloe’s history is intertwined with smuggling, with French brandy serving as the primary illicit cargo trafficked through the village in an attempt by residents to bolster the hamlet’s declining fishing industry.

Famous connections

Portloe offers a genuine retreat from Cornwall’s renowned summer throngs, providing merely a picturesque historic harbour and a modest beach which reveals a small expanse of sand at low tide – its picture-perfect settings undisturbed by tourist bustle.

The village’s pristine charm has also made it a sought-after filming location through the years, notably featuring in Forever England (1935) starring John Mills, Treasure Island (1949), The Camomile Lawn (1991), and more recently in Richard Curtis’ rom-com smash hit About Time (2013), the BBC’s Wild West television series, and Irish Jam (2006).

What to see and do in the picturesque coastal village

Visitors shouldn’t miss Portloe’s two most celebrated establishments – The Lugger hotel and The Ship Inn.

Positioned right at the crown of the harbour slipway, The Lugger offers diners the chance to savour freshly caught lobster, crab and fish whilst enjoying unrivalled vistas of the Cornish coastline.

Steeped in Portloe’s history, The Lugger was formerly a notorious smuggler’s hideout, with its innkeeper even meeting his fate at the gallows during the 18th century for trafficking French brandy.

For those preferring a valley-facing outlook and a more traditional pub ambience, the much-loved Ship Inn beckons – originally a 17th century fisherman’s dwelling that remains adorned with nautical memorabilia. Offering delectable dishes, The Ship Inn has built its reputation on fresh seafood whilst also catering to fans of more conventional pub classics.

One Tripadvisor review of this stunning village reads: “One of those hidden treasures that we love. Tucked away and not easy to find, but so well worth the trip. There is no beach to speak of, this is still very much a fishing village. One hotel, one pub, lots of fancy pants second homes and a handful of old fishing boats plying their trade. A great place to start a section of the coast path also. Or just sit and be, and let the day drift by.”

Another delighted visitor remarked about Portloe: “Lovely, timeless location, where they still winch small fishing boats up on the beach. The only other place I know of like this is Cadgwith Cove on the Lizard peninsula. Simple and unspoiled – thankfully not inundated with tourists like Polperro. There are beautiful clifftop walks to enjoy, or you can just sit and listen to the waves lapping on the shore.”

There’s precious little else to occupy yourself with in this picturesque Cornish fishing village beyond eating, drinking and soaking up the spectacular coastal vistas – and quite honestly, we can’t imagine a more perfect way to while away your holiday hours.

Disney Cruise Line has confirmed the Disney Wish will sail from Southampton for the first time in summer 2027 with European itineraries – and I’ve been onboard to review the incredible ship

Mickey Mouse fans across Britain, it’s time to dust off those iconic ears – because we’re about to welcome an unprecedented wave of Disney enchantment next summer.

In a historic first, the Disney Wish cruise liner will set sail from British shores. Launching from Southampton, the flagship vessel of Disney Cruise Line’s Wish class fleet is confirmed to embark on a series of sun-drenched European voyages throughout summer 2027.

This maiden European adventure will feature sailings ranging from three to 10 nights, departing from the UK, Spain or Italy, with exciting new ports of call including Zadar in Croatia, Trieste close to Venice in Italy, and Hellesylt in Norway.

Having recently experienced the Disney Wish firsthand with my other half and our two year old, I was absolutely thrilled when this announcement dropped – especially since I’ve already been daydreaming about our next voyage. Here’s my guide to the standout features aboard the Disney Wish, and exactly why I’ll be at the front of that virtual queue when bookings launch later this month.

The entertainment

Adults, prepare to unleash your inner child aboard the Wish (whilst, in our experience, your little one also literally unleashes theirs). This isn’t your typical cruise offering a single show, a handful of activities, and then leaving you lounging aimlessly poolside.

Instead, expect an action-packed schedule brimming with spectacular performances, trivia contests, deck celebrations, live musical acts, and two cinemas screening the freshest Disney releases alongside timeless favourites. For those preferring a more relaxed approach, there’s ample poolside real estate – and the onboard spa continuously tempted us throughout our stay.

The ship’s top deck boasts several pools, a feature I particularly appreciate as it prevents overcrowding in one spot. However, being someone who can’t sit idle for more than a couple of minutes, I made a beeline for the AquaMouse water slide.

With its twists, turns and initial surprises, it’s easy to see why it’s dubbed Disney’s first sea attraction – it wouldn’t feel out of place in a theme park!

Deck parties are another must-add to your schedule. On the day of embarkation, Mickey Mouse and his pals host a ‘Sail Away’ party on the top deck that’s well worth attending. Expect lively music, dancing and a grand countdown before the ship’s horn blares out a Disney melody!

One evening is always dedicated to a pirate theme. Dress up, meet characters like Captain Hook, and join in the fun with Mickey and friends at parties featuring spectacular fireworks at sea (Disney Cruise Line is the only cruise company permitted to offer this).

A visit to the theatre promises a fantastic show, whether it’s the charming ‘Seas the Day’ performance, or West End-calibre productions of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin.

The Kids’ Club

Families must give a big cheer for the exceptional kids’ club, known as the Oceaneer Club. Included in the cruise package, it boasts zones inspired by Marvel, Star Wars and the Disney Princesses.

We barely saw our friends’ children all week; they were utterly smitten with the place!

The Oceaneer Club caters to children aged 3 and above, so our toddler was a tad too young but there were open house hours where he could scamper about, including ‘Toddler Time’ which provided a fantastic space for him to burn off some energy.

A handy hint for other parents; the Small World Nursery accommodates babies and toddlers under 3. You’ll need to book and it’s an additional $10 per hour, but it does afford you that much-needed breather if you fancy a trip to the spa or an adults-only bar!

Character encounters

An often overlooked benefit of a Disney cruise is the ease of meeting the characters. Besides the shows, there are plenty of chances to meet your favourites throughout the day, with queues typically lasting around 10-15 minutes.

Characters roam the ship, and you can also join dance parties where they’ll have a little jig with the kids – a truly delightful interaction. For princess fans, it’s worth trying to secure a spot for A Royal Gathering; this is free but fills up fast, offering you the opportunity for meet and greets with the likes of Cinderella, Belle, Moana and Rapunzel.

The food

Disney cruises operate on an all-inclusive basis, and even with my most valiant attempts, I’m fairly certain I didn’t manage to sample every single dining venue on offer. Beyond the Marceline Market eatery featuring a conventional buffet spread, passengers can indulge in pizzas, tacos and barbecue fare at the Festival of Foods street food-inspired zone, or help themselves to the self-serve ice cream stations.

For dinner service, Disney has a ‘rotational dining’ system which eliminates the scramble for bookings; you’re guaranteed a table at each of the ship’s three restaurants. There’s a Frozen-themed venue complete with live entertainment and abundant character meet-and-greets, the sophisticated 1923 which exudes elegance whilst paying homage to legendary Disney pictures, and the Worlds of Marvel restaurant where guests become immersed in an interactive superhero escapade.

Whilst these are all covered in your fare, additional premium options are available for an extra charge. Brunch at the Palo Steakhouse proved to be a genuinely memorable experience for our party.

Reservations are required, but this adults-only establishment truly embodied fine dining, with the cuisine being utterly exquisite. Pastries, pizzas, brunch staples such as Eggs Royale and puddings all feature on the bill of fare.

A cautionary note; it’s unlimited dining and those servings are substantial – I genuinely believed I might never manage another morsel. (This proved incorrect the instant I spotted the Inside Out inspired confectionery shop, where I constructed an ice cream creation that I suspect has left me on a sugar rush ever since).

For those partial to an evening drink, there’s a variety of options. The Bayou lounge offers live music, exquisite cocktails and a relaxed vibe, while Nightingale’s is an adults-only bar.

However, it was the themed bars that kept drawing me back – from the Star Wars-inspired Hyperspace Lounge, where you feel as though you’re journeying through space, to the pirate-themed Keg and Compass pub, where you can enjoy a proper pint.

My verdict

I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the Disney Wish; it truly caters to everyone. It’s a sophisticated ship with ample adults-only areas for those seeking tranquillity, but there’s also plenty of room for families.

The overall atmosphere is fantastic, and it’s definitely one I’ll be keen to book again. Plus, on a personal note, the extra sprinkle of Disney magic worked wonders for us; amidst all the excitement and fun during the day, our two year old actually managed to sleep through the night!

Want to book it for yourself? The Disney Wish will embark on 3, 4 and 5-night European sailings in summer 2027. Bookings open on February 23, 2026. For more details, visit disneycruiseline.com.