Tonight, during the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event it was announced Disney Cruise Line will expand even more with four new ships coming between 2027 and 2031.
Five ships are currently in the fleet, with four others already in the works. These new, four additional ships will bring the fleet to a total of 13, giving you 13 different opportunities to experience everything that Disney Cruise Line is known for.
“Disney Cruise Line is consistently the top-rated cruise line for families because it offers something for everyone. Expanding our fleet gives more people, in more parts of the world, the opportunity to experience a vacation at sea like only Disney can provide,” Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, said at Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase.
The ship names, designs, and itineraries are still in development. However, the four new Disney Cruise ships will be constructed at the Meyer Werft shipyard.
“Disney Cruise Line is a shining example of the diversity and breadth of experiences that make up the Disney Experiences portfolio – bringing together our signature Disney service, storytelling and innovation,” Thomas Mazloum — president, New Experiences Portfolio and Disney Signature Experiences — said. “Our growing fleet will further strengthen Disney Cruise Line’s position as a leader in family cruising.”
Disney Cruise Line has produced strong returns on capital investment, thanks to high quality experiences, generating strong guest satisfaction ratings and consistent demand: occupancy reached 97% across its five ships in Q2 2024.
As stated during the event, these four ships will bring the fleet to 13. At this time, there are no immediate plans to retire the Disney Magic and/or Disney Wonder – Disney Cruise Line is continuing to invest in the existing fleet to deliver incredible family vacation experiences for years to come.
I might as well just set up a direct deposit
For Real.
haha me too
Amazing news and welcome news to be sure! I wonder where they will home port all these ships?
Australia, Europe, West coast, China maybe?
Europe?
So crazy!
You’re going to have to consider that they’ll be eventually replacing the Magic/Wonder as DCL has re-registered the same names (Magic/Wonder) for NEW builds so that won’t be fully 13, and also there are rumors that they’re going to add a 4th Wish Class ship to compliment the Wish/Treasure/Destiny, possibly to be deployed for the OLC Japanese market. So the numbers are a little hazy if with non US based ships and retirement of current ships. Seven years is a long time and Disney has a nasty habit of changing plans all the time. So make of it what you will.
They included the one that is going to Japan in there 9 ships. They announce the 4 new ships atop of that one. So yes the fleet will two to 13 Disney announced. Now you may be correct that they might retire the magic/wonder so that will bring to 11 but who knows if they decide to expand again.
BartmanLA, Your post has some factual errors. (The OLC ship is not a rumor, it is a fact and is already counted as the 4th Wish Class, bringing the total to 9 ships). One of your ‘facts’ in particular has me curious, where did you gather that “DCL has re-registered the same names (Magic/Wonder) for NEW builds”. I was unable to find a news article supporting that fact. Could you please provide me with a link?
https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/press/press_detail/meyer_werft_to_build_disney_wish_class_cruise_ship_for_oriental_land_company_to_operate_in_japan.jsp
I haven’t read anything about the Magic and Wonder names being re-registered. That would have been a major news item on cruising websites, particularly this one.
That was my nice way of saying the guy was full of $h!t.
LOL. And you succeeded!
Do you think these will all be Wish class? It seems like folks might get tired of the design by the 5th ship.
Wish class or Wish-OLC for sure, Global Dream is too big for Disney, and 2027 it’s OLC Wish finished, so they continue build for 4 more years.
The OLC’s Wish Class ship is being delivered late 2028, and sailing in early 2029.
https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-cruise-line-tokyo-ship/
https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/shipbuilding-equipment/its-official-disney-cruise-line-build-four-new-ships
I was tired of the design with the first ship.
PLEASE no!!!! Let someone who has been on a cruise before design these!!!!
I can see it both ways. 8 of the same recent design is more cost effective. But with 4 Wish, it might give them a chance to do 4 of a new class, which would give more variety, and inspire the excitement that only a new class can inspire. — And who knows, it might even have a running track that goes all the way around! hahaha.
Popular Cruising was looking at the schedule and the facility being used for the new builds reflect smaller vessels. It looks like they’ll land somewhere between the Magic and Dream classes.
Disney Cruise Line will built a new ship and the new Disney Cruise Line Terminal in Galveston soon however!
That would be nice. Finally, a regular terminal location that is a direct flight from TUL.
Are they going to let someone who’s been on a cruise before (and not talking about the still-building transatlantic with the Wish – like actual cruises) design these???
I’d love to see DCL introduce a design that is better suited to cold climates. Covered pools, more scenic indoor lounges, etc. Would really be beneficial for routes like Alaska, NYC, Canada.
That is a great idea.
Please dear God not anymore Wish Class ships. Please. Please. PLEASE.
New ship are great! How about new destinations to go along with increasing the fleet.
Increasing the fleet is great; how about new destinations!
https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/press/press_detail/meyer_werft_to_build_disney_wish_class_cruise_ship_for_oriental_land_company_to_operate_in_japan.jsp
I hope the new ships recreate the “magic” and “wonder” of the first two ships with the same true ocean cruise experience instead of feeling like you’re in a boxed in hotel that happens to be on the water as the newest ships feel. I agree with comments above, Disney please listen to those who have been on a cruise when designing the next series of ships. It’s about the whole ocean/Disney experience.
My hope is that they retire the Wish class and introduce a new class. They introduced new elements while abandoning others that actually worked. There’s a lack of flow, lack of an adult district that’s isolated from younger cruisers and over-theming which limits the appeal for casual cruisers.
Meyer Werft just confirmed it will build the ships: https://www.facebook.com/meyerwerft
My gut feeling is that these ships are going to be slightly larger (only slightly) than the Wish-Class, mainly from a few rumours I heard a while back… Project Neptune anyone? 160,000 Gross Tons as a base size is what I would deem perfect for a cruise ship, especially with the success of the Wish with the “General Guests” (not us Disney nerds), it is highly likely the themed approach will make a return, however, I hope for a new layout and arrangement as that is my only gripe with the Wish!
I hope they go back to the Magic class I have sailed on the Magic once and I liked the design or hopefully do a Dream Class ship the Dream was the first ship I ever sailed on so hopefully they have another dream and magic class and hopefully no more wish class .