Disney Cruise Line's recently acquired mega-ship will be based in Singapore

Mar 29, 2023 in "The Walt Disney Company"

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Disney Cruise Line Announces Acquisition of Ship

Posted: Wednesday March 29, 2023 9:08am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has today announced that the Disney Cruise Line is heading to Southeast Asia for the first time, under a collaboration to homeport their brand-new ship exclusively in Singapore.

Under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board agreed to collaborate to homeport a brand-new Disney cruise ship exclusively in Singapore for at least five years beginning in 2025. More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date.

Disney says that Singapore’s strategic location, world-class air connectivity and port infrastructure make it a thriving cruise hub in Southeast Asia, a diverse region that is home to over 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The addition of a Disney Cruise Line ship in Singapore has the potential to add millions of local and foreign cruise passengers across the five-year period, including fly-cruise passengers who arrive in Singapore by air. It is also expected to bring about significant spillover benefits for the wider economy. These include greater demand for port and ship-related services, as well as on-ground spending in Singapore for the lifestyle and hospitality sectors.

Disney Cruise Line Announces Acquisition of Ship

“This is a very exciting year for The Walt Disney Company — 2023 marks our 100th anniversary,” D’Amaro said. “As part of this, Disney Cruise Line is currently undergoing an ambitious expansion with new ships and new destinations around the world. We are incredibly excited to make Singapore the home port to our seventh-launched ship, which will sail from here year-round starting in 2025.”

“We look forward to welcoming the magic of Disney Cruise Line to Singapore in 2025,” said Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board (STB). “This is an important milestone for STB and reflects Disney Cruise Line’s strong confidence in Singapore and Southeast Asia. The new Disney cruise ship will be an attraction itself and is expected to boost the tourism sector in Singapore for many years to come.”

The new ship, based in Southeast Asia, will feature innovative Disney experiences and the exterior will be adorned in the iconic, Mickey Mouse-inspired colors of the fleet, complete with signature red funnels.

The 208,000-gross-ton ship is expected to be among the first in the cruise industry to be fueled by green methanol, one of the lowest emission fuels available. Disney Cruise Line expects the passenger capacity to be approximately 6,000 with around 2,300 crew members. In comparison, the new Disney Wish can carry 4000 passengers.

Construction will be completed at the former MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany, under the management of Meyer Werft, the Papenburg-based company that built the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish. The ship’s previous owner filed for bankruptcy before completing the vessel, enabling Disney Cruise Line to secure it at a favorable price and within the capital expenditure guidance The Walt Disney Company provided on its recent earnings call. The project also secures employment for hundreds of former MV Werften employees and will provide opportunities for numerous maritime industry suppliers in the region.

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peter1143529 days ago

Yes

C33Mom30 days ago

I wonder if they will also use it for meet and greets and other activities that are currently held in the atriums on the existing ships.

Disone30 days ago

It's definitely going to be used as a performance venue. I believe specifically for The avengers show. So that's why there is not anything in the middle because that's where the audience is going to be, facing the stage.

peter1143530 days ago

Correct. The plan is to use the space as performance viewing.

Andrew C30 days ago

Fair point. Although RCL also has the boardwalk, and several other areas through the middle. I guess we will see how it pans out...

jme30 days ago

This isn't much different than Royal Caribbean's "Central Park" district, except they have real trees. I like the interior open space, but I think the "trees" and overall lack of seating make this one a swing and a miss. Even if they filled it with artificial plants, putting something in the center instead of just the edges, would bring the area to life so much more. Perhaps they have planned event use of this space though, so I'll reserve judgement just yet

Grantwil9330 days ago

I think there are probably tons of limiting factors here, considering these spaces were already built. They are stuck with what looks to be heavy rethemes rather than layout changes

Andrew C30 days ago

Pretty, but that seems like a lot of wasted space in the middle garden part. Not being utilized for much.

DCBaker30 days ago

Deadpool is coming to the Disney Adventure: The Disney Adventure will bring many firsts to the Disney Cruise Line fleet when it sets sail in 2025 – the first ship to be based in Singapore, the first ship to have its own castle at sea and the first ship to welcome aboard the Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool! Making his grand Disney Cruise Line debut, Deadpool will be among a legendary line-up of Marvel Super Heroes and Villains who take the stage in Avengers Assemble! This epic entertainment experience will feature jaw-dropping stunts and unbelievable special effects during an action-packed battle of good vs. evil. During the show, guests will witness first-hand the unbelievable powers of Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Thor, Black Panther, The Scarlet Witch, Ms. Marvel, Loki, Red Skull, Taskmaster and more. Avengers Assemble! is one of the signature shows coming to the Garden Stage onboard the Disney Adventure. Complete with three-deck-high LED screens, special effects and innovative theatrical tools, the cutting-edge Garden Stage will delight guests of all ages throughout each day of their voyage. https://disneyparksblog.com/dcl/deadpool-heading-to-the-high-seas-for-the-first-time-on-disney-cruise-line/

Grantwil9330 days ago

KeithVHJul 05, 2024

Getting on at 'Diego isn't any better🤪. And Galveston can be right up there with them.

C33MomJul 04, 2024

Embarkation keeps getting better as we work our way up the loyalty tier list (though having to remember the exact date you can check in and race through it is annoying, I think by Gold level it’s lower stakes now that they stagger check-in time). Disembarking has been very unpleasant (more than an hour from attempting to get off the ship to clearing customs) at least 2 of our 6 cruises and run of the mill inefficient (say 30-60m) another 3 times, with only once off the ship and straight to immigration line without waiting more than 20m for the Disney portion. I know that some of it is out of Disney’s control, but we getting off Wish and Fantasy in Port Canaveral means waiting to get off the ship, then they queue us again in the terminal before we can get our bags, then there’s often several switchbacks to get to the immigration desk. Port Everglades/Miami has been middle outcomes, and the Wonder at San Diego was awful getting off the ship and then queuing the whole way through the terminal. I have done dozens of non-Disney cruises in Florida and did not experience the same issue more than 2x all the other times combined. I know some of it is luck and disembarkation habits— I think if you’re willing to wake early and get off a DCL ship before the first breakfast concludes it goes a lot smoother.