New Disney Cruise Line Lighthouse Point in The Bahamas to open summer 2024

Mar 09, 2023 in "Disney Wish"

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Disney Cruise Line Lighthouse Point concept art

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Posted: Thursday March 9, 2023 11:36am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney Cruise Line has today announced that its new island destination at Lighthouse Point, located on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas, will welcome guests in summer 2024.

Disney says that it has worked close collaboration with local artists and advisors, to be a "unique celebration of Bahamian culture brought to life with the quality and service of a Disney vacation." It is also designed to provide a hassle-free experience for families, including complimentary beach essentials (towels, chairs and umbrellas and lunch) and convenient tram transportation.

Disney is also considering the environmental impact of Lighthouse Point. At least 90 percent of the destination's electricity needs will be met by an onsite solar array, the pier was designed to avoid the need for dredging and elevated walkways will help limit impact on the landscape.

White sandy beaches and turquoise waters will greet guests at the expansive family beach on the east side of the island, which will be centrally located near market-style dining, recreation and other amenities.

Disney Cruise Line Lighthouse Point concept art

A Bahamian art and culture pavilion featuring special programs and local artists will provide visitors to Lighthouse Point opportunities to learn and celebrate the traditions and natural beauty of The Bahamas.

Disney Cruise Line Lighthouse Point concept art

A brightly-colored, interactive family water play area will include two slides, water drums, fountains and more, along with a dedicated space for toddlers.

Disney Cruise Line Lighthouse Point concept art

North of the family area will be an adult-exclusive beach — complete with a dedicated dining area for convenient access to food and drinks throughout the day, plus six private cabanas available by reservation.

Disney Cruise Line Lighthouse Point concept art

Children ages 3 to 12 will splash and play at a themed kids’ club under the care of Disney Cruise Line counselors. It will include a splash pad inspired by favorite undersea creatures from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Little Mermaid,” plenty of shade and a dedicated dining area.

Disney Cruise Line Lighthouse Point concept art

Set away from the activity of the main family area, a peaceful beach along the southwestern shore will be lined with 20 premium family cabanas available to rent, including four double cabanas that accommodate larger groups and offer massage services.

Disney Cruise Line Lighthouse Point concept art

Additional recreational activities will be available for kids and kids-at-heart, including a covered gaming pavilion; a volleyball court and gaga ball pit; watercraft and bicycle rentals; nature trails for hiking and biking; and more. And a collection of new Port Adventures developed in partnership with local tour operators will take guests beyond Lighthouse Point to explore the rich culture and breathtaking beauty of Eleuthera.

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HauntedPirate1 hour ago

The "premium shopping" square footage is higher on the Triton-class ships (unless they are changing it on the Treasure and Destiny) than on the original four ships. On the Magic it's a walk-by area on Deck 4. On the Wish it takes up significant space on the starboard side of Deck 3. Go look at the respective deck plans and you can see for yourself.

Master Yoda2 days ago

I used the ever-loving crap out of the one on the Magic. I started walking an hour a day about 5 weeks ago and the last thing I wanted to do was break that newly formed habit.

Surfin' Tuna2 days ago

It explains why "little" things such as the walking deck seemed okay to omit. People, who cruise a lot, really love that space to get out, see the ocean, and walk off a little of the endless food.

DisneyHead1232 days ago

She actually made that comment in the Disney+ documentary about the Wish. I think it was meant to show her journey and struggles as a point of interest, but yeah, in hindsight that seems like not the best thing to highlight. I hate to say it because I am still a pixie duster for the most part, but I can see why people accuse Disney of being out of touch with their consumer base. In reality, I’m sure she was surrounded by people who do have tons of experience working on cruise ships. That’s kind of a given if you want the thing to do so much as float, right? But people love cruising and it’s a real lifestyle for many - highlighting that the designer seemingly had no interest in cruising seems like not the best take.

Master Yoda3 days ago

I did not see the first fly until I sat down with food. It was a constant battle for the next 10 minutes to avoid investing "extra protein". This puts a fair dampener on the day when eating is one of only three things on your itinerary. I have used simple chemical fly traps with good success when flies are an issue. I have no idea if there is a scaled-up version that Disney could employ.

nickys3 days ago

I think the woman in charge of the design of the new class of ships has admitted she had never been on a cruise ship. You would think that would be a pre-requisite before being appointed to head up the design team. 🤷‍♀️

DisneyHead1234 days ago

Ok, I’m either mixing up cruise ship reviews or read something incorrect then. Wonder why they changed the layout if the motivation wasn’t increased spending at the shops? The old setup sounds like it was very well liked.

peter114354 days ago

Yes. That is a common and legitimate complaint regarding the adult areas. The other ships all have a centralized area with bars/lounges/clubs. With some other bars spread around the ship. On the Triton class ships these areas are spread around the ship with no centralized adult area. This complaint doesn’t apply to shopping though.

DisneyHead1234 days ago

I only know of this stuff via YouTube videos, but I thought what people really liked about the earlier ships was a “neighborhood” type setup with restaurants, bars, shops, etc. As in you went to the bars / lounges and it was like going to a Pleasure Island type district, everything was grouped together. Whereas now I’ve seen complaints that you’re in The Bayou and there are kids running around the perimeter and people rushing by shopping (I think it was The Bayou, I could be misremembering.)

peter114354 days ago

Retail spaces on the Wish are generally in the same locations as the other ships. With the exception of moving one store to deck 5 all other shopping is the same as the rest of the fleet. There’s definitely some layout oddities on the Wish (there are on the other four ships too you’re just used to those) but I wouldn’t say shopping locations has anything to do with them.

Surfin' Tuna4 days ago

Is it possible the master shipbuilder has a new account?

DisneyHead1234 days ago

Just my theory, but I think that “A lot of theming” vs. “A little theming” is probably the wrong metric. I said in an earlier comment - a place like Port Orleans can have a ton of theming but still come off as quite subtle because all of the theming is so harmonious. Whereas one random Frozen picture in rooms on the Wish stand out a fair bit, because a Frozen picture doesn’t seem to have a lot in common with the rest of those rooms. My thought is that the right metric is probably “harmonious vs discordant”. I’m not entirely opposed to discordant elements. In pop culture slang, they can make things “pop”. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s entirely possible for things to be too harmonious, so that our eyes just sweep over them without a second thought. Contradiction makes us think. But too many discordant elements become a cluttered mess. There’s a kind of yin yang balance to be found there, I think. I haven’t seen the Wish in person but my understanding of the complaints are that the layout is a bit too discordant because there was a desire to mix retail spaces with themed spaces in the hope of promoting shopping. I agree with you that the extra theming on the Wish is cool, but I also agree with people complaining that being in a lounge that feels like it’s in a mall food court is an ambiance killer.

Two Ears4 days ago

I haven no idea what this post even means. Disney wish is a better ship cos it has more magical disney experiences and immersion like the parks. This is what we want more of. I dont want subtle. Its boring.

HauntedPirate4 days ago

I can confirm the flies were an issue at Serenity BBQ. I saw quite a few people who brought fly fans and I was constantly moving something around to keep the flies off of our food. But I didn’t see a single fly where the food was being served, so it seems as if they’ve improved things there. For the record, @Master Yoda and I were in the same cruise.