Disney acquires a partially completed ship to add to the Disney Cruise Line fleet

Nov 16, 2022 in "The Walt Disney Company"

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Disney Cruise Line Announces Acquisition of Ship

Posted: Wednesday November 16, 2022 4:19pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has today announced the acquisition of a partially completed ship to expand the Disney Cruise Line fleet and to travel to new global destinations from 2025.

Disney Cruise Line Announces Acquisition of Ship

Disney will work with the Meyer Werft shipbuilding company to complete the cruise ship previously known as the Global Dream in Wismar, Germany. The ship will be renamed with certain features reimagined by Walt Disney Imagineers and is expected to set sail in 2025.

“Our cruise ships give us the unique opportunity to bring Disney magic to fans no matter where they are, and the addition of this ship will make a Disney Cruise Line vacation accessible to more families than ever before,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

The new ship, to be based outside the United States, will feature innovative Disney experiences and the exterior will be adorned in the iconic, Mickey Mouse-inspired colors of the fleet, complete with signature red funnels.

The 208,000-gross-ton ship is expected to be among the first in the cruise industry to be fueled by green methanol, one of the lowest emission fuels available. Disney Cruise Line expects the passenger capacity to be approximately 6,000 with around 2,300 crew members. In comparison, the new Disney Wish can carry 4000 passengers.

Construction will be completed at the former MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany, under the management of Meyer Werft, the Papenburg-based company that built the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish. The ship’s previous owner filed for bankruptcy before completing the vessel, enabling Disney Cruise Line to secure it at a favorable price and within the capital expenditure guidance The Walt Disney Company provided on its recent earnings call. The project also secures employment for hundreds of former MV Werften employees and will provide opportunities for numerous maritime industry suppliers in the region.

More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date.

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Disney Analyst8 days ago

Lee ViningSep 21, 2025

A cattle boat. Max passengers.

nickysSep 12, 2025

That’s good to hear people have found an alternative, which is almost certainly cheaper too! And I’m sure the RC flash sale is “pure coincidence”. 😉

NotCalledBobSep 12, 2025

I'm in a group for people sailing on the Adventure in the first few months and a lot of people have rebooked to sail on the Royal Caribbean ship Ovation of the seas, which is based in Singapore during the the months the Adventure has cancelled. It's not quite the same, but at least they still have a plan if their flights aren't changeable. RC also announced a Singapore sailings flash sale, I don't know whether that's a coincidence or not!

nickysSep 11, 2025

I feel sorry for everyone who will lose out here. Flights may not be refundable, and I’m not sure that the lack of a cruise will be enough reason for travel insurance to pay out. So I guess they end up with a longer stay in Singapore, with no cruise. Or cancel and lose money. And then have to pay for flights again if they want to rebook.

MisterPenguinSep 11, 2025

Bring a sleeping bag!

NotCalledBobSep 11, 2025

It sounds like you are sailing just after us. Fingers crossed they've given themselves enough of a buffer now to sort any issues. I booked flights to Japan yesterday for the second half of next year to visit TDL, so I have no scope to move the trip to Singapore now next year, it's full!

TheebagSep 11, 2025

Thank you for the rumor. Considering the length of the delay I was more thinking along major technical issues. We had the same thought, we booked three days ago a sailing during the second half of April …

NotCalledBobSep 11, 2025

The rumor is that the interiors are very delayed. We are now sailing less than a month after the maiden. Hopefully not too many teething problems. 😬

Grantwil93Sep 11, 2025

Wonder what happened 🤔

DCBakerSep 11, 2025

The maiden voyage of the Disney Adventure has been delayed to March 10, 2026: Disney Cruise Line’s (DCL) first Asia cruise, Disney Adventure, will not be bringing its magic to Singapore’s shores by December as originally planned. The ship’s maiden voyage will be postponed from Dec 15 to March 10, 2026, due to shipbuilding delays. An official statement from DCL stated that voyages scheduled from Dec 15 to March 12, 2026, will be impacted. Mr Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences – a segment of the company that handles family travel and leisure experiences – said in the statement: “As we work on the final touches to bring the Disney Adventure to our guests, we’ve encountered unexpected delays in the shipbuilding process. “To ensure the experience we deliver reflects our commitment to excellence, we’ve made the decision to adjust our timeline. We know this may be disappointing to our guests, and we’re working directly with them to offer flexible rebooking options and uphold the trust they place in us.” Those who have booked the Dec 15 sailing will automatically be placed on the new maiden sailing on March 10, and will receive a 50 per cent refund. If they are unable to make it for the new date, they will be offered a full refund and a 50 per cent discount for a future sailing on a date of their choice, valid for cruises departing on or before March 31, 2027. Requests for these refunds must be made by Sept 21. All other passengers will be offered a full refund. They can also rebook a sailing of their choice at 50 per cent discount during the same validity period. More at the link below: https://www.straitstimes.com/life/travel/disney-adventure-postpones-maiden-cruise-to-march-2026-due-to-shipbuilding-delays

DCBakerSep 02, 2025

Video of the Disney Adventure departing Meyer Wismar shipyard:

Grantwil93Sep 02, 2025

Im curious if people who "collect" Disney castles will feel compelled to include this one. Either way, I do think this looks cool, if only for its uniqueness among the fleet.

Grantwil93Sep 02, 2025

Is it weird that I like how this one looks? I find it not offensive at all. Just different, as is every class of ship Disney has(in their own way). Im excited to see what the finished product ends up as. The prospect of them having to "put lipstick on a pig," as others have said, has intrigued me since they first bought it.