There are some exciting updates to Disney Cruise Line. Today, Disney announced the acquisition of a partially-built cruise ship that will be incorporated into the DCL fleet. Plus, there are some updates to sailings in 2023 with changes to Marvel Day at Sea-themed sailings and holiday voyages in the fall and winter. And, there’s a first-ever expedition cruise to the Adriatic chartered by Adventures by Disney in 2024. Here’s a look at what’s new from Disney Cruise Line.
Disney Cruise Line Acquires New Ship!
While Disney unveiled its newest Wish-class ship, the Disney Treasure, at this year’s D23 Expo, there’s another ship joining the DCL fleet. Disney made the surprise announcement today that it has acquired a partially-completed cruise ship and will work with the Meyer Werft shipbuilding company (Who built the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish) to finish the ship. The ship will be given a new Disney name with certain features reimagined under the direction of Walt Disney Imagineering. If this seems a bit odd to you, that’s because all of Disney’s other ships have been purpose-built by the company from scratch. This new ship is being positioned for international travelers and not planned to visit US ports.
The new ship is also expected to be among the first in the cruise industry to utilize green methanol, one of the lowest-emission fuels available. At this time, DCL expects the passenger capacity to be approximately 6,000 with around 2,300 crew members.
We are very curious to see what this ship means for the future of Disney’s Wish-series (also known as Triton-class) ships. Disney had previously promised three ships in that class — first the Disney Wish, then the Disney Treasure in 2024, and a third one expected in 2025. We’ll be curious to see if this unexpected ship takes the place of the third ship in the lineup or if it’s a surprise extra. More information about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date. Any guesses on what you think this ship will be named? There’s time for Disney to think on it… it won’t set sail until 2025.
Marvel Day at Sea 2023
When Marvel Day at Sea is reprised aboard Disney Dream in 2023, there will be even more characters than ever before on the ship. From January through March, departing from Miami, Florida, Captain America Sam Wilson, Mighty Thor, Shang-Chi, Ms. Marvel, Ant-Man, the Wasp and others will join the crew along with returning favorites such as Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Thor, Loki and Black Widow.
Also updated will be the themed day’s multiverse-set, time-bending nighttime performance of “Heroes Unite” on deck, complete with all sorts of special effects, stunts, pyrotechnics and never-before-seen-at-sea villains.
Since it was Agatha all along, “Strange Academy: A Spellbinding Spectacular” will be similarly enhanced on stage with Doctor Strange and Sorcerer Supreme Wong encountering Agatha Harkness.
And kids will have the updated opportunity to interactively train along with Captain America Steve Rogers, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Kate Bishop. And, of course, coming back will also be a guest costume bash, Mickey and Minnie’s Super Hero Celebration and the adult-only Ravagers Dance Party.
The next batch of Marvel Day at Sea sailings are scheduled for departures Jan. 7, Jan. 21, Feb. 4, Feb. 18 and March 4 to the Western Caribbean ports of Georgetown, Grand Cayman and Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay. Or on Jan. 16, Jan. 30, Feb. 13 and Feb. 27, the Western Caribbean itinerary instead showcases Cozumel, Mexico and Castaway Cay.
Holiday Voyages 2023
Halloween on the High Seas (mid-September to October) and Very Merrytime Cruises (early November to December) will return later in 2023 aboard ships departing from both U.S. coasts.
“We are excited to provide families with experiences that create lasting memories,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Cruise Line. “With offerings for the entire family, specially curated activities for both Halloween and the holidays and a brand-new home port in South Florida, our guests will have more ways than ever to experience the magic of Disney at sea.”
On four, five and six-night fall cruises, Disney Dream will newly sail from New York City to Bermuda; and on one four-night variety, the ship will visit Saint John, Canada. Then beginning on Nov. 20, Dream will depart from Port Everglades, Florida on four- and five-night voyages to the Western Caribbean and Bahamas.
From California starting in mid-October, Disney Magic will leave from San Diego on two- to seven-night sailings to Baja and the Mexican Riviera and combinations of Santa Catalina Island, Calif., Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico. A weeklong route will combine Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.
Meanwhile, Disney Wish and Disney Fantasy will be based in Port Canaveral heading to the Bahamas and Caribbean. Wish will embark on three- and four-night voyages to the Bahamas, encompassing Nassau and Castaway Cay. And Fantasy will offer seven-night sailings to both the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Adventures By Disney to the Adriatic 2024
Adding to its lineup of exciting expedition cruises, Adventures by Disney will travel for the first time on the Adriatic Sea. Departures on June 25 and July 2 will each be eight-days and seven-nights in length, navigating from Venice, Italy to destinations in Croatia and Montenegro. The voyage will be chartered aboard Ponant Cruise Line’s Le Bougainville.
The itinerary will be serviced by up to six Adventure Guides who will lead guests in narrative-driven activities onboard and ashore featuring the following:
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- Stopping at Korcula to taste Mali Ston oysters or Hvar to kayak along the Pakleni Islands
- Trying tasty local food like Dalmatian Prosciutto and fine Croatian wine, as well as exploring the region’s unique architecture and culture
- Biking in and through vineyards plus lavender fields of the UNESCO Stari Grad Plain
- Discovering scenic Boka Bay in Montenegro via catamaran or traversing the cobble-stone streets of Old Town Kotor
- Meandering medieval Croatian towns and exploring the famed Predjama Castle in Slovenia
- Checking out the underground labyrinth at Slovenia’s Postojna Cave along with its mythical “dragons”
- Learning about the Croatian tradition of pressing olive oil
What’s more will be onboard karaoke nights, game and trivia evenings, a talent show and screenings of Disney movies, as well as Junior Adventurers (12 years and younger) activities like a “Pirates of the Adriatic” swim party, pizza party, Dalmatian Dash scavenger hunt and navigation lessons, plus adult-only cocktail workshops and fitness classes.
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Let’s Hear From You
What do you think about Disney’s surprise cruise ship acquisition? Do you think that Disney will still build a third Wish-class ship, or do you think that the newly acquired ship will serve that purpose? Are you looking forward to any of the new cruise options and destinations headed to the Disney Cruise Line in the next few years? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
More Disney Cruise Line Reading
If you’re looking for more fun Disney Cruise Line news, be sure to check out the articles below.
We were on the Disney Wish for its inaugural sailing and again after it settled into its routine. We have a lot of thoughts about Disney’s newest ship. Take a look below.
At D23 Expo 2022, DCL announced its next upcoming ship the Disney Treasure. Learn more about DCL updates in the article below.
https://www.micechat.com/332132-d23-expo-disney-cruise-lines-newest-ship-revealed-new-destinations-and-lighthouse-point-update/