Disney Cruise Line will introduce its newest ship, the Disney Believe, with a maiden voyage departing Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades on December 18, 2027. The Disney Believe is the fourth vessel in the Wish-class series, following Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny.
Construction Progress and Leadership
The Disney Believe is currently under construction at the Meyer Werft Shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The ship’s build involves assembling large sections, known as gigablocks, each weighing over 31,000 tons. The first gigablock, which includes the midship area and the Grand Hall, has been completed and floated out. The ship recently held its traditional keel laying ceremony,
featuring a specially minted coin depicting Tinker Bell, a design that will also adorn the ship’s bow.
Trent Hitchcock, a Disney Cruise Line veteran with nearly two decades of experience, has been appointed as the opening cruise director for the Disney Believe. Hitchcock is responsible for overseeing entertainment, youth activities, and recreation aboard the vessel when it begins service.
Entertainment and Stage Shows
The Disney Believe will showcase the world’s first stage adaptation of Disney’s “Encanto” musical, featuring songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, as the centerpiece performance in its Walt Disney Theatre. Additional productions will include “Tangled: The Musical” and “Disney Seas the Adventure.” The
ship will also feature new themed lounges such as Wishing Well, inspired by “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” and Sea Notes, a piano lounge paying tribute to “The Little Mermaid.”
Dining Experiences and Venues
The ship’s ten new restaurants will provide diverse themed dining options for families and guests. Notable venues include Oaken’s Table: A Frozen Family Feast, a new Frozen-inspired family dining experience, Big Hero Sips and Café Kakamora, themed to “Big Hero 6” and “Moana” respectively, and Skygazers, a pub designed like a magical observatory. Inside Out: Joyful Sweets will offer confectionary treats, enhancing the onboard culinary offerings.
Design and Thematic Elements
The Disney Believe
continues the Wish-class tradition of integrating Disney storytelling into its design. Its Grand Hall is themed to Disney Animation’s “Moana,” featuring a bronze statue of Moana alongside her companions Pua and Heihei. The ship’s exterior will display sculptures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear on the stern, depicted writing the ship’s name with crayons in the Toy Story block-style font. The bow will be adorned with hand-painted filigree of Tinker Bell, flanked by silhouettes from “Peter Pan.”
Traveler Opportunities
Guests will have the opportunity to sail on the Disney Believe starting December 18, 2027, from Fort Lauderdale. The ship will offer four- and
five-night itineraries to destinations including the Bahamas, the Western Caribbean, Disney’s private island Castaway Cay, and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. The new ship adds exclusive entertainment and themed dining experiences aimed at immersive family vacations on the high seas.
