Disney Cruise Line has disclosed plans for its upcoming ship, Disney Believe, scheduled for launch in late 2027, and introduced a new class of vessels set to enter service starting in 2029, expanding its fleet to 13 ships.
Construction and Timeline for Disney Believe
The Disney Believe is underway at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, where steel cutting began on August 8, 2025. This ship will be the fourth in the Wish class and is positioned to carry roughly 4,000 passengers.
Thematic Design and Character Features
The ship’s design centers on a theme of “promise and possibilities,” highlighting magic, adventure, and self-belief. The bow showcases hand-painted artwork of Tinker Bell,
surrounded by silhouettes of characters from Peter Pan, including Peter Pan, Wendy, John, Michael, Captain Hook, and Smee.
Inside, the Grand Hall prominently features a bronze statue of Moana, complemented by characters Pua and Heihei and Polynesian and wave-inspired design elements aligned with the character’s story. Additional onboard elements will incorporate properties like Frozen, The Little Mermaid, and Encanto, though details remain under wraps.
Styling and Character Sculptures
The ship’s stern sculpture depicts Woody and Buzz Lightyear using oversized yellow crayons to complete the ship’s name, continuing Disney’s tradition of integrating character sculptures on vessel sterns. Unlike the fleet’s typical script font, Disney Believe
will use large, angled block lettering inspired by Toy Story, distinguishing its appearance from other ships.
New Ship Class Launching in 2029
Disney Cruise Line announced that the three vessels arriving from 2029 will form a new ship class distinct from the Wish class. These ships will be larger than classic vessels like Disney Wonder but smaller than more recent builds such as Disney Wish.
The new class is intended to provide greater itinerary flexibility and access to destinations unsuitable for larger ships. Claire Weiss, Portfolio Executive Creative Director of Walt Disney Imagineering, stated these ships will be positioned “right in the middle of our classic
ships and our newer ones,” offering opportunities to expand to new markets and audiences.
The company has not yet announced the names, capacities, homeports, specific attractions, or itineraries for these ships.
Fleet Expansion and Official Statements
The fleet will grow to 13 ships with the inclusion of Disney Believe and the three new vessels coming in 2029. Weiss described Disney Believe as celebrating “belief in magic, family, the power of nature, and belief in yourself,” linking all onboard stories through the core Disney theme of believing in something fantastical.
A full reveal of Disney Believe is scheduled for an October 7, 2026 livestream event.
