Disney Cruise Line fans have plenty to look forward to! During the Disney Experiences Showcase at D23, Disney revealed exciting new details about the upcoming Disney Believe, along with a first look at an entirely new class of Disney Cruise Line ships arriving later this decade.
From Moana taking center stage aboard the Disney Believe to a new generation of ships designed to explore even more destinations around the world, here’s everything Disney Cruise Line just announced.
New Disney Believe Details Revealed
The Disney Believe is officially scheduled to set sail in late 2027, joining the Disney Cruise Line fleet as the fourth ship in the Wish class. While we already knew the ship would celebrate the power of believing, Disney just revealed several new details that give us our best look yet at the ship’s personality and design.
And there are some fan-favorite characters involved!
Moana Will Take Center Stage in the Grand Hall
One of the biggest announcements is that Moana will be the featured character in the Disney Believe’s Grand Hall.
A bronze-cast statue of Moana, joined by Pua and Heihei, will serve as a focal point of the space, with Moana looking toward new horizons.
The surrounding Grand Hall design will also draw inspiration from the South Pacific setting of Moana, incorporating Polynesian-inspired finishes and details that honor the cultural traditions of the region.
The choice feels especially fitting for a ship named the Disney Believe, with Moana’s story centered around courage, discovering who you are and believing you can venture beyond the familiar.
Tinker Bell Is Heading to the Bow
Every Disney Cruise Line ship carries its own special character artwork on its bow, and the Disney Believe will be getting a little extra pixie dust.
Tinker Bell will be the featured character on the bow of the Disney Believe.
Her connection to faith, trust and pixie dust makes her a natural fit for a ship built around the idea of believing in magic.
Woody and Buzz Lightyear Will Take Over the Stern
Disney also revealed the characters that will appear on the stern of the Disney Believe: Woody and Buzz Lightyear!
The Toy Story duo will be featured in a playful scene involving oversized crayons as they work together to write the Disney Believe’s name across the stern.
There’s even a fun twist to the ship’s name. Instead of the traditional script typically seen on Disney Cruise Line ships, the Disney Believe’s name will feature block-style lettering inspired by the iconic Toy Story logo.
It’s a playful new take on one of Disney Cruise Line’s most beloved traditions.
The Disney Believe Sets Sail in Late 2027
We also now have a better idea of when guests will finally be able to experience the Disney Believe for themselves.
Disney confirmed that the ship is expected to begin sailing in late 2027.
The Disney Believe will be the fourth ship in Disney’s Wish class, following the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny. Disney has previously shared that stories and characters from films including Encanto, Frozen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Moana and The Little Mermaid will help shape experiences aboard the ship.
And while we now know much more about the ship’s exterior and Grand Hall, there are still plenty of restaurants, entertainment experiences and onboard spaces waiting to be revealed.
An Entirely New Class of Disney Cruise Ships Is Coming
The Disney Believe wasn’t the only major cruise announcement.
Disney Cruise Line also gave fans a first look at an entirely new class of ships, with the first scheduled to debut in 2029.
Rather than continuing to make its ships increasingly larger, Disney is taking a different approach with this new generation.
The upcoming vessels will be larger than the original Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, but smaller than Disney’s newer Wish-class ships.
The new ships are expected to accommodate approximately 3,000 guests, compared with approximately 4,000 aboard the Wish-class vessels.
Why Is Disney Building Smaller Ships?
The smaller size is about much more than creating a different onboard atmosphere.
Disney says the new ships are being designed to help Disney Cruise Line reach new destinations and new audiences around the world.
By operating ships smaller than the Wish class, Disney could gain access to destinations and ports that aren’t able to accommodate its larger vessels. That opens the door to an even wider variety of itineraries as Disney Cruise Line continues its global expansion.
Three ships are planned as part of this new class, with deliveries expected in 2029, 2030 and 2031.
Names, homeports, itineraries and most onboard details have not yet been announced — meaning there is still a lot more Disney Cruise Line news to come.
A Huge New Era for Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line’s fleet is changing quickly, and these latest announcements show just how ambitious its plans have become.
In the next several years, guests will see the arrival of the Disney Believe, followed by a completely new generation of ships designed to bring Disney cruising to even more places around the world.
And for Disney fans, that means more ships, more destinations and even more ways to experience Disney at sea.
Whether you’re already dreaming about stepping into the Moana-inspired Grand Hall aboard the Disney Believe or wondering where Disney’s new smaller ships could take you beginning in 2029, one thing is certain: there is a lot more Disney Cruise Line magic on the horizon.
Ready to start planning your next Disney Cruise Line vacation? Academy Travel’s Disney vacation specialists can help you navigate ships, itineraries, staterooms and more to find the Disney cruise that’s right for your family.
