Disney Cruise Line will launch its fourth Wish-class ship, the Disney Believe, on December 18, 2027, departing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Public bookings open on October 19, 2026, following earlier pre-sale windows for loyalty members and Disney Vacation Club members.
First-Ever ‘Encanto’ Musical Debuts Aboard Disney Believe
Disney Believe will host the inaugural stage adaptation of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award-winning film ‘Encanto.’ The production features authentic Colombian cultural elements and musical numbers by Lin-Manuel Miranda, including hits such as “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure.” This musical marks the first time the ‘Encanto’ story has been presented aboard a cruise
ship.
Entertainment and New Venues on Disney Believe
The ship’s entertainment lineup includes reimagined and returning productions like “Tangled: The Musical” with updated set design exclusive to Disney Believe and the original “Disney Seas the Adventure” show featuring Disney and Pixar characters. A new two-story entertainment hub named Gazelle, inspired by the “Zootopia” films, offers family programming by day and adults-only events at night.
Dining Experiences Themed to Disney Films
Disney Believe introduces Oaken’s Table: A Frozen Family Feast, a Frozen-themed dining venue featuring characters Oaken, Anna, and Kristoff set in a lively sommerhus courtyard. The family-focused experience includes new musical renditions of Frozen songs by Oaken’s cousins. Other new dining venues include
Sea Notes, a piano lounge inspired by Ariel’s grotto from “The Little Mermaid,” Big Hero Sips and Café Kakamora themed cafés, and the Skygazers pub designed as an astronomer’s laboratory and observatory.
Ship Features and Accommodation Details
The Grand Hall centers on a “Moana” theme, with a statue of Moana and her companions Pua and Heihei, oceanic decor, and fiber optic constellation lighting in the ceiling. Story Sea-kers characters Percival, a stargazer, and Professor Philomena, a plant specialist, appear throughout the ship to enhance storytelling. Accommodations include over 450 connecting stateroom doors, with 70% featuring verandahs. Premium options consist of four royal suites and the
nearly 2,000-square-foot Believe Tower Suite, designed for up to eight guests. Children’s spaces include Disney’s Oceaneer Club and It’s a Small World Nursery, while teen venues The Edge, Vibe, and The Hideaway provide age-appropriate activities. Adult-only areas feature the Quiet Cove infinity pool and specialty dining.
Itinerary and Booking Details
Disney Believe will operate 29 inaugural-season sailings from December 18, 2027, through May 2028, offering four- and five-night cruises from south Florida to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Ports of call include Disney’s private islands Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Early booking access opens between October 12 and 15,
2026, segmented by loyalty tiers including Pearl Castaway Club, Platinum, Gold, Silver members, and select Disney Vacation Club participants.
Design and Cultural Inspiration
The ship’s design and entertainment fuse Disney storytelling with cultural authenticity. The ‘Encanto’ musical incorporates Colombian cultural motifs, while the Grand Hall’s design draws inspiration from Pacific Island influences seen in “Moana.” Story Sea-kers characters sustain a narrative tradition begun on Disney Treasure. Oaken’s Table presents a Frozen side story distinct from Frozen 3, focusing on family reunion and featuring punk-style musical adaptations.
Booking Impact and Guest Experience
Guests who book Disney Believe cruises starting October 19, 2026, will experience new entertainment such as the “Encanto”
musical, the Moana-themed Grand Hall, Gazelle entertainment hub, and Frozen-themed dining. The ship’s itinerary provides access to Disney’s private islands with varied cruise lengths to accommodate different travel plans. Accommodations and entertainment are tailored to families, teens, and adults, enhancing onboard experience through immersive storytelling and themed environments.
