Disney Cruise Line has officially unveiled Disney Believe, the newest addition to its expanding fleet, during a special presentation held on October 7, 2026. Scheduled to embark on its maiden voyage on December 18, 2027, the ship will operate from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, offering four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
Currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, Disney Believe will become the fourth vessel in the Wish class, joining Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny. The ship's overarching theme, Promise and Possibility, draws inspiration from Disney characters who demonstrate courage, determination and confidence in their dreams. This concept will influence the ship's architecture, interiors, entertainment and onboard experiences, creating a distinctive identity within the Disney Cruise Line fleet.
One of the defining features of Disney Believe will be its Grand Hall, inspired by the animated film Moana. Designed as the architectural and social centerpiece of the vessel, this expansive space will combine references to the ocean, Pacific Island cultures and the natural world. A bronze statue of Moana, accompanied by Pua and Heihei, will welcome guests as they enter the ship. The surrounding architecture will incorporate ocean-inspired carpeting with bioluminescent details, decorative elements referencing the film and an elaborate chandelier designed to evoke the movement of the sea. Among its distinctive details will be a representation of the Heart of Te Fiti concealed within the chandelier. The ship's external decorations will continue the storytelling concept, with Tinker Bell appearing on the bow, while Woody and Buzz Lightyear will decorate the stern, introducing a playful interpretation of Disney Cruise Line's traditional stern artwork.
Entertainment will represent one of Disney Believe's most significant areas of innovation. The ship will introduce Disney Encanto, the first theatrical adaptation of the successful Walt Disney Animation Studios film. Presented exclusively aboard Disney Believe at the Walt Disney Theatre, the Broadway-style production will follow Mirabel Madrigal and her extraordinary family through a story centered on identity, courage and the importance of family relationships. The production will combine elaborate costumes, colorful scenery and choreography inspired by Colombian culture, while its musical repertoire will include celebrated compositions by Lin-Manuel Miranda, including We Don't Talk About Bruno and Surface Pressure. Alongside this new production, passengers will find a reimagined version of Tangled: The Musical, previously presented aboard Disney Magic. The show will feature redesigned scenery and special effects specifically developed for Disney Believe. The theatrical program will also include Disney Seas the Adventure, a production familiar to guests sailing aboard other Wish-class vessels.
Entertainment will extend beyond the theater with the introduction of Gazelle, a multifunctional venue inspired by Zootopia. During the day, the space will host interactive activities, games and family entertainment, while in the evening it will transform into a venue for adults, featuring musical performances, silent discos and other activities. Disney Believe will also introduce a new interactive family show starring Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, inviting passengers to participate in solving a mystery. Additional activities will include Pirate's Rockin' Parlay Party, featuring live music and fireworks at sea, alongside the Hero Zone recreational facility and the interactive Disney Uncharted Adventure experience.
Dining will remain central to the Disney Cruise Line experience, with Disney Believe introducing a new restaurant inspired by the Frozen universe. Oaken's Table: A Frozen Family Feast will offer an immersive dining experience set within a Scandinavian-style summerhouse courtyard surrounded by a forest. The concept will introduce an original chapter of the Frozen story, with Oaken and his family welcoming guests to a celebratory meal accompanied by live musical entertainment. The experience will include reimagined versions of songs from the films and appearances by familiar characters, including Anna and Kristoff. The new restaurant will join two established dining concepts from the Wish class. 1923, named after the year The Walt Disney Company was founded, will celebrate the history of Disney animation through a collection of more than 1,000 drawings, props and animation-related objects from the Walt Disney Archives. Worlds of Marvel will return with Marvel Celebration of Heroes: Groot Remix, combining dining with entertainment featuring Rocket and Groot.
Passengers will also discover several informal dining options across the ship. Among the most notable additions will be Pluto's Pita Platters, a Mediterranean-inspired quick-service venue offering kebabs, pita bread and accompanying dishes. It will form part of Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods, the open-air dining area located on the upper decks. Two new cafés will also debut: Big Hero Sips, inspired by the fictional city of San Fransokyo from Big Hero 6, and Café Kakamora, drawing inspiration from the world of Moana. For desserts, Inside Out: Joyful Sweets will feature an updated concept inspired by Inside Out 2, incorporating characters such as Anxiety and Envy alongside Joy and Sadness. The venue will offer approximately 20 flavors of gelato and ice cream, together with specialty desserts.
Disney Believe will introduce several distinctive venues aimed primarily at adult passengers, expanding the range of bars and lounges available aboard Wish-class ships. One of the most notable additions will be Sea Notes, an elegant piano lounge inspired by Ariel's grotto from The Little Mermaid. The venue will combine contemporary decorative elements with references to the underwater world of the animated film. A pearlescent piano will serve as its centerpiece, accompanied by live music and a selection of cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. Another new space, Wishing Well, will take inspiration from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Designed to evoke a fairytale setting, the lounge will feature architectural and decorative elements inspired by the film's castle, courtyard and the Seven Dwarfs' cottage. Live musical performances and a varied beverage menu will complete the experience. Skygazers will offer a different atmosphere, drawing inspiration from an astronomical observatory. Decorated with celestial maps, astronomical instruments and bookshelves, the pub will provide a setting for drinks, light refreshments and sports broadcasts.
The ship will also welcome the return of Haunted Mansion Parlor, an immersive bar inspired by the celebrated Disney theme park attraction, featuring an exclusive selection of cocktails and mocktails. For guests seeking premium dining experiences, Disney Believe will retain the established combination of Palo Steakhouse, Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement and The Rose, all inspired by the world of Beauty and the Beast. Additional adult-focused facilities will include Quiet Cove, with its infinity pool, whirlpool spas and relaxation spaces, alongside Senses Spa, Senses Fitness, Untangled Salon and Hook's Barbery.
Disney Believe will continue the Wish class tradition of offering extensive recreational facilities for families. The upper decks will include seven swimming pools distributed across tiered areas, alongside spacious sun decks and a large outdoor screen. The AquaMouse water attraction will return, combining a water ride with animated storytelling featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Younger passengers will find a dedicated Toy Story-inspired recreational district, complete with water features, a children's pool and a family waterslide. The ship will also provide a broad range of supervised facilities for children and teenagers. Disney's Oceaneer Club will offer themed environments inspired by Marvel, Star Wars, Disney princesses and Walt Disney Imagineering. Exclusive to Disney Believe, its entrance will feature a Monsters, Inc. theme, including references to the film's famous 2319 emergency code. For younger children, It's a Small World Nursery will provide dedicated childcare facilities, while Edge and Vibe will offer separate recreational environments for preteens and teenagers.
The accommodations aboard Disney Believe will combine family-oriented functionality with decorative themes inspired by Disney and Pixar films. Standard staterooms will feature artwork referencing stories such as Moana, Coco and The Lion King. Most accommodations will offer the split-bathroom configuration familiar to Disney Cruise Line passengers, designed to provide additional convenience for families traveling together. According to the company, approximately 70 percent of the staterooms will include private verandahs, while more than 450 connecting doors will make it possible to accommodate larger family groups. The concierge category will feature additional services and exclusive facilities, including a lounge inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Premium accommodations will incorporate decorative references to Peter Pan and Toy Story. The ship will also offer four Royal Suites inspired by The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, with distinctive furnishings, materials and architectural details reflecting the respective stories. The most exclusive accommodation will be the Believe Tower Suite, located within the ship's forward funnel. Inspired by the Magic Kingdom theme park, this two-level suite will measure approximately 2,000 square feet and accommodate up to eight guests. Featuring two main bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, the suite will offer views across the upper decks and the surrounding sea. Its interiors will incorporate references to different Magic Kingdom themed lands, including decorative elements inspired by Cinderella Castle.
Disney Cruise Line has also confirmed an important appointment for Disney Believe's inaugural season. Trent Hitchcock will serve as the ship's inaugural Cruise Director, overseeing entertainment, recreational activities and guest programming. Hitchcock brings nearly two decades of experience with Disney Cruise Line, including approximately ten years as Cruise Director. He previously participated in the inaugural team aboard Disney Destiny and has worked on almost every vessel in the company's fleet. His responsibilities aboard Disney Believe will include coordinating a team of more than 200 crew members involved in entertainment, youth activities and recreation.
As of October 8, 2026, Disney Cruise Line has not publicly confirmed the identity of the ship's inaugural captain. Disney Believe is scheduled to begin its inaugural season on December 18, 2027, departing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. The ship will operate four- and five-night itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Depending on the selected itinerary, cruises will include calls at one or both of Disney Cruise Line's private island destinations: Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. General reservations for Disney Believe will open on October 19, 2026. The vessel's construction is progressing at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, where the first major hull section was floated out in September 2026. The traditional keel-laying ceremony followed in early October, marking another significant milestone in the ship's construction.
Disney Believe will play an important role in Disney Cruise Line's broader fleet expansion program, which is expected to bring the company to 13 vessels by the end of 2030. With Disney Believe, Disney Cruise Line continues to develop its strategy of assigning a distinctive narrative identity to each vessel within the Wish class. Although the new ship will share many architectural and operational features with Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny, its entertainment program, dining concepts and themed environments will provide several exclusive experiences. The introduction of Disney Encanto, the original Frozen dining concept and new venues inspired by Snow White, The Little Mermaid and Zootopia demonstrates how the company is continuing to expand its storytelling approach to cruise ship design. At the same time, the combination of family-focused facilities, dedicated adult spaces and increasingly elaborate premium accommodations reinforces Disney Cruise Line's positioning in the family cruise market.
With its December 2027 debut, Disney Believe will become another significant milestone in the expansion of the Disney Cruise Line fleet, bringing new entertainment concepts and onboard experiences to the Caribbean cruise market.
Gabriele Bassi
