The Disney Destiny, the newest addition to the Disney Cruise Line fleet, is set to embark on its maiden voyage later this month. This 221-foot tall and 1,119-foot long vessel will depart from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It marks a significant expansion for the Walt Disney Company's experiences division, which includes its theme parks, resorts, and cruise line.
The ship, designed with a heroes and villains theme, is capable of carrying 4,000 passengers and 1,555 crew members. Its inaugural season will feature four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean, including stops at Disney's private island destinations, Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Key Takeaways
- The Disney Destiny is the seventh ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet.
- It features a unique heroes and villains theme across its dining and entertainment.
- The ship will offer four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean.
- Disney's experiences division is undergoing its largest expansion in history.
- The cruise line uses rotational dining with consistent waitstaff for personalized service.
A New Era for Disney Cruises
The launch of the Disney Destiny arrives during a period of rapid growth for Disney's experiences segment. Before the Disney Wish debuted in mid-2022, the company had not launched a new ship in a decade. Since then, the Disney Treasure joined the fleet last year, and plans are in place for a total of 13 vessels by 2031.
Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney experiences, highlighted the company's commitment to innovation. He stated that Disney is undergoing its largest expansion in history. D'Amaro believes the Destiny will continue to push the boundaries of what a cruise experience can offer.
Destiny by the Numbers
- Height: 221 feet
- Length: 1,119 feet
- Passenger Capacity: 4,000
- Crew Capacity: 1,555
- Fleet Size by 2031: 13 ships
The experiences division reported record revenue and profit in fiscal 2024. Revenue increased by 5% to $34.15 billion for the full year. Operating income also rose by 4% to $9.27 billion. For the current fiscal year, Disney anticipates an 8% growth in operating income for this segment.
Thematic Immersion Aboard the Destiny
The Disney Destiny stands out with its heroes and villains theme, integrating beloved characters and stories throughout the ship. The Grand Hall, a central gathering space, features Black Panther. Guests will also encounter iconic Disney villains such as Cruella de Vil, Maleficent, Dr. Facilier, Captain Jack Sparrow, and Loki.
This immersive storytelling extends to dining and entertainment. Disney has long used its intellectual property as the foundation for its theme parks, and this strategy now heavily influences its cruise line offerings.
"We're continuing to take intellectual property or franchises, not just from the big screen, but from our theme parks as well," Josh D'Amaro explained. "We did that with 'Haunted Mansion' on our last ship, and 'Haunted Mansion' will be back on the Destiny this time, as well. But, you'll also see a 'Pirates of the Caribbean' lounge, for example, which is just gorgeous."
Dining and Entertainment Experiences
The Disney Destiny offers a variety of themed dining experiences. The company utilizes a unique rotational dining system. Passengers rotate through different themed restaurants each night, but their serving staff follows them. This ensures guests have the same servers throughout their trip, allowing for personalized service and familiar interactions.
Featured Dining Venues:
- Pride Lands: Inspired by The Lion King, this restaurant offers authentic African flavors. Live musicians retell Simba's journey from cub to king.
- Worlds of Marvel: Families can test their superhero knowledge while enjoying a menu that nods to locations like Wakanda and Sokovia. Rocket and Groot from "Guardians of the Galaxy" appear in an onscreen story during the meal.
- 1923: Named for the year the Walt Disney Company was founded, this dining hall celebrates Disney's animation legacy. It displays over 1,000 drawings and props from films like "Hercules" and "Big Hero 6." The menu draws inspiration from California's diverse culinary influences.
For quick bites, guests can visit Cafe Megara and Cafe Merida. Edna Á La Mode Sweets offers gelato, ice cream, cookies, and candies, themed after Edna Mode from "The Incredibles."
Activities for Every Age Group
Disney cruises are known for being family-friendly, and the Destiny provides dedicated spaces for all ages. The It's a Small World nursery offers babysitting services for children aged 6 months to 3 years.
Older children can explore Disney's Oceaneer Club, which features immersive areas themed to Marvel superheroes, Disney princesses, Star Wars, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Tweens have Edge, a space for games and making friends, while Vibe caters to teenagers aged 14 to 17 with movies, music, and social hangouts.
Disney's Competitive Edge
Despite having a smaller fleet of currently seven ships compared to major lines like Carnival (over 100 vessels) and Royal Caribbean (nearly 70), Disney has established itself as a leader in family cruising. While base prices might be slightly higher, the all-inclusive nature of many Disney experiences often makes the overall cost comparable to upgrading on other cruise lines.
For example, a four-night cruise on the Destiny for two adults starts around $2,300, and for a family of four, it's about $4,000. Five-night cruises begin at $2,900 for two adults and $4,700 for a family of four. Prices can vary based on room selection and special holiday sailings.
The Walt Disney Theatre will host a Broadway-style production of "Hercules," featuring innovative puppetry and advanced effects. Guests can also enjoy live performances of "Frozen, a Musical Spectacular" and "Disney Seas the Adventure." Nighttime entertainment includes the Pirates Rockin' Parlay Party, a spectacular event with a live rock band and fireworks.
An "Incredibles" themed sports area and complimentary movie screenings at Wonderland and Never Land Cinemas round out the family offerings. The Destiny also includes a Toy Story-themed area with a splash pool, wading pool, and family waterslide, along with an adapted AquaMouse water coaster called "Sing a Silly Song."
Exclusive Adult Retreats and Themed Lounges
Adults seeking relaxation will find several dedicated spaces. Quiet Cove offers an infinity pool, a poolside bar, and a cafe, secluded from the family activities. Senses Spa provides various treatments, while Senses Fitness offers exercise and wellness facilities.
The ship also features unique adult lounges. De Vil's piano lounge offers trendy cocktails in a lavish setting. The Sanctum is a lounge inspired by Doctor Strange from the Marvel universe. Additionally, the Destiny introduces Cask & Cannon, an eclectic pub inspired by the "Pirates of the Caribbean" attraction, marking its first appearance on a Disney ship in this capacity.
Expansion Beyond the Seas
The Disney Destiny's launch is part of a broader expansion for Disney Experiences. The Disney Adventure will debut in March 2026, serving Singapore. More ships are planned through 2031. D'Amaro emphasized the cruise line's importance to the company's experiences segment and overall brand. He noted that the segment sees double-digit returns, high occupancy, and strong future bookings.
Beyond the cruise line, Disney is also undertaking major projects at its theme parks globally. Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, is experiencing its largest expansion ever at Magic Kingdom, with new lands themed to villains and "Cars." Hollywood Studios will gain a "Monsters Inc." land, and Animal Kingdom will add "Encanto" and "Indiana Jones" attractions.
On the West Coast, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, will expand Avengers Campus with two new rides, plus an "Avatar" area and its first "Coco" attraction. Internationally, Disney plans to break ground on its seventh theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, with new attractions also coming to Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney.
D'Amaro concluded by stating that every Disney destination worldwide is undergoing significant transformation, adding new capacity, stories, and ports. This reflects a comprehensive strategy to turbocharge the Disney experiences segment.
