Disney Cruise Line has announced it is introducing a new class of ships from 2029, with three vessels currently planned as part of an expansion that will take its fleet to 13 ships by 2030.
Unveiled during the Disney Experiences Showcase, Horizons: A Carousel of Progress, at D23, the new ships will sit between Disney’s classic vessels and its newer Wish-class ships in size. In other words, they will be larger than Disney Wonder but smaller than Disney Wish.
They are pitched as being in the “sweet spot” and are intended to give more flexibility for the cruise line to visit new destinations and reach new markets.
“[It] gives us some amazing opportunities to visit new places and reach brand new audiences we haven’t before,” Claire Weiss said. Disney has not yet released technical specifications, itineraries or pricing for the new vessels.
The expansion will follow Disney Believe, the fourth Wish-class ship, which is scheduled to enter service in late 2027.
Believe's Grand Hall will be themed around Moana, centred on a bronze statue of Moana alongside Pua and Heihei, with Polynesian-inspired finishes. Other onboard venues and entertainment will draw on Disney Animation titles including Encanto, Frozen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Little Mermaid.
Disney Believe’s exterior will feature Woody and Buzz Lightyear on the stern appearing to create the ship’s name in Toy Story-style lettering, while the bow will carry a hand-painted filigree depicting Tinker Bell alongside characters and silhouettes from Peter Pan, including Peter, Wendy and Captain Hook.
A fifth Wish-class vessel, to be operated by Oriental Land Company, is also scheduled to enter service in 2029 from Japan.
Meyer Werft Shipyard, Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Live Entertainment are continuing design and construction work on the expanding fleet.
