Disney Cruise Line confirmed that its new vessel, Disney Believe, will enter service by late 2027 as the fourth ship in the Wish class. The cruise operator also announced a brand-new class of ships scheduled to join its fleet starting in 2029.
Disney Believe’s Design and Themes
Disney Believe centers on the theme of “promise and possibilities,” featuring prominent characters such as Tinker Bell, Moana, and figures from Toy Story. The ship’s bow artwork includes a hand-painted filigree with Tinker Bell surrounded by silhouettes of Peter Pan, Wendy, John, Michael, Captain Hook, and Smee. The Grand Hall is themed after Moana, including a bronze statue
of her with Pua and Heihei and Polynesian design elements. At the stern, Woody and Buzz Lightyear appear as oversized yellow crayon sculptures finishing the ship’s name, which is displayed in large, angled block letters inspired by Toy Story rather than the fleet’s usual script font.
New Class Ship Characteristics
The ships that will follow Disney Believe, entering service starting in 2029, comprise an entirely new class positioned between Disney’s smaller classic vessels and its larger, newer ships. These new vessels will weigh about 100,000 gross tons, carry approximately 3,000 guests each, and be around 20 percent larger than the Disney Magic class ships.
This size placement aims to enable access to ports not suitable for the larger Wish-class ships, expanding itinerary flexibility.
Technological and Environmental Features
The forthcoming new-class ships will be equipped with advanced technologies to improve energy efficiency, including streamlined hulls, next-generation power and propulsion systems, energy-efficient onboard systems, battery capabilities, and shore power connections. They will be capable of operating on alternative fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil and renewable methanol, with adaptability for future fuel innovations. These features support Disney Cruise Line’s environmental sustainability goals.
Fleet Expansion Strategy and Official Statements
Disney Cruise Line plans to grow its fleet from the original four ships to thirteen vessels with the
introductions of Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, Disney Destiny, Disney Adventure, Disney Believe, and the three new-class ships starting in 2029. Claire Weiss, Portfolio Executive Creative Director of Walt Disney Imagineering, stated, “This ship celebrates belief in magic, family, the power of nature, and belief in yourself. And all the stories we tell onboard will be tied together by the core Disney notion of believing in something fantastical.” Weiss added the new ships will be “right in the middle of our classic ships and our newer ones. That gives us some amazing opportunities to visit new places and reach brand new
audiences we haven’t before.”
Disney Believe’s steel cutting began on August 8, 2025, with the ship’s name officially confirmed in March 2026. A fuller vessel reveal is scheduled for a livestream on October 7, 2026. Both Disney Believe and the new-class ships are being constructed at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
