Disney Cruise Line is moving faster than anyone expected. The company announced during a recent Walt Disney Company earnings call that two newly ordered ships — originally slated to arrive in 2029 and 2030 respectively — will now both be delivered in 2029. A third sister ship in the same class has also been pulled forward from 2031 to 2030, meaning Disney could welcome three newbuilds in a single calendar year.
The ships in question are a new, smaller class ordered from German shipbuilder Meyer Werft in mid-2024. Estimated at around 105,000 gross tonnes and roughly 3,000-passenger capacity, they're considerably more compact than Disney's recent Wish-class giants. That smaller footprint isn't just about intimacy — it may allow Disney to call on ports that can't handle its larger vessels, potentially unlocking fresh itinerary options for families.
Alongside those three ships, Disney is also preparing to launch an entirely separate operation in Japan. A Wish-class vessel — ordered from Meyer Werft in 2024 and set for delivery in late 2028 — is expected to begin sailing in early 2029. Disney Cruise Line Japan will be run as a partnership between the Walt Disney Company and Oriental Land Co., the operator of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, with NYK Group serving as ship manager. The ship will be tailored for Japanese travelers, with customized dining, entertainment, and service standards.
Meanwhile, the Disney Believe — the fourth ship in the Wish class at 140,000 gross tonnes — remains on schedule for a late 2027 delivery. Disney has said more details about the Believe, including its itineraries and onboard features, will be shared later this year. The Wish class set a high bar when it debuted in 2022, introducing attractions like the AquaMouse water ride and immersive Star Wars dining, and observers expect the Believe to push those innovations further.
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Taken together, the revised timeline will transform Disney Cruise Line from a niche boutique operator into a mid-major global brand within just a few years. The company reported $22.7 billion in revenue and $2.8 billion in net income for its fiscal third quarter, with parks and cruise revenues up ten percent — financial footing that appears to be fueling this unusually bold buildout. This report is based on coverage by Cruisemummy.
