My sister and I don't love cruises, but we just booked our second Disney vacation at sea. These 8 things convinced us to go back.

We grew up visiting Disney World with our parents but had never traveled on a cruise ship before. And when we finally got the chance, things didn't go as planned.

My sister and I originally planned to be on board for one of the first Disney Wish sailings in June 2022. But soon after I booked the trip, Disney delayed its early voyages because the ship's construction wasn't complete.

I rescheduled our vacation for a date in July, but then my sister got sick with COVID-19 and we were denied boarding at the port.

So when we finally set sail on September 2, 2022, we were feeling excited, nervous, and a little exhausted.

We ended up having a great vacation and raved about the ship to our family and friends when we returned home. But my sister and I agreed that we likely wouldn't return anytime soon.

The trip was extremely expensive — we paid $2,700 to stay in the cheapest room — and we ultimately just preferred visiting Disney World.

We'll be vacationing again on the Disney Wish, the newest and biggest ship in the company's cruise fleet, and traveling to and from the same destinations: Port Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida, to the Bahamas.

When Disney delayed our original vacation, the company shared in an email that all impacted travelers would receive a 50% off discount on a future cruise.

Of course, there were limitations.

First, the discount could only be used by the specific travelers whose names were on the original reservations — meaning my sister and I would receive the discount, but if my parents joined us, they'd have to pay full price. Second, we had to set sail on a cruise before December 2023.

For a long time, my sister and I didn't think we'd be able to take advantage of the deal. We couldn't find a time that worked for both of us, and even with the discount, cruises to luxury destinations like Europe were out of our budget.

But a few weeks ago, we decided to take one last look at the cruises departing before the discount cutoff date.

We found one leaving in September, exactly one year after our first cruise, and decided to go for it. Our total — which includes our room, onboard activities, most food, soft drinks, prepaid gratuities, and a vacation protection plan — came out to $1,800.96 for both of us.

During our first trip, my sister and I quickly realized that the Disney Wish is the epitome of a luxury Disney vacation.

The boat literally sparkles inside and out, and regal decor is everywhere — from the main lobby to the elevators and bathrooms. It's also massive with countless activities, pools, movie theaters, and more.

But even more important than the aesthetic was the customer service we experienced. From the stateroom managers to our waiters, every Disney employee we met was kind and helpful, and they truly made a difference in our vacation.

Ahead of Halloween each year, Disney hosts a celebratory event called Halloween on the High Seas across its cruise ships.

I'm a Halloween fanatic and have always wanted to attend Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom. However, it's difficult to get tickets to the popular event, so this cruise seemed like the next best thing.

Characters will be wearing Halloween costumes, the ship will be decked out in spooky decor, and there will even be trick-or-treating for travelers of all ages. My sister and I, both in our mid-20s, are particularly excited about the latter.

Neither of us had traveled to an island prior to our first cruise, so we didn't know what to expect from Castaway Cay.

But when we stepped off the ship, we were immediately in awe. The island was stunning with white sandy beaches and crystal-clear water. There was wildlife that we'd never seen back home, and the weather was incredible.

We spent the entire day exploring the island and going on excursions (my sister booked us bike rides and reserved snorkeling gear).

We're eager to return, but will probably do a little more lounging and relaxing this time around.

There are a lot of dining options on board the Disney Wish, most of which are included in your fare. And during our trip, we loved a lot of the food we tried.

During the day, we'd spend a lot of time at character-themed bars like The Bayou, a spot that serves drinks and beignets inspired by "The Princess and The Frog." Not only was the ambiance magical but the food and drinks were also delicious.

The same goes for the rotational dining restaurants on board. We enjoyed the interactive elements — like a Marvel show at one spot and "Frozen" sing-alongs in another — but loved our meals more.

Even the quick-service spots offered food that we still think about. The chicken tenders available near the pool? Truly some of the best I've ever had.

After our 2022 cruise, my sister and I agreed that three days was just a bit too short to experience everything the Disney Wish had to offer.

But when we looked at other Disney cruise itineraries — many of which run more than six days — we couldn't imagine spending that much time at sea.

So with four days, we think we'll have just enough time on board.

My sister and I really did our first Disney cruise to the fullest, trying to experience every activity the ship had to offer.

Still, there were things we missed. We never made it to the silent disco, any bingo games, or even the pool. Sure, we walked past the latter, but only on our way to other activities.

At the end of our trip, we also discovered the two movie theaters on board. They were decorated with neon Disney decor, concession stands sat outside, and newly-released movies played all day.

We didn't get to watch a full movie during our last trip, but we plan to make it a late-night activity this time around.

It's widely recommended that cruise travelers arrive in their departure city at least one day before their cruise sets sail.

Because most shuttles bring travelers to Port Canaveral from Orlando, Florida, that's where we decided to stay during our last trip. And while we waited, we visited Disney Springs — a free-to-enter shopping and dining center on Disney World property.

I love the area almost as much as I love Disney World itself, so I'm excited to return. Shopping, restaurants, and Gideon's cookies before my cruise? Sign me up.