The Disney Cruise Line today announced the newest addition to its fleet will be the Disney Destiny. Along with revealing details about this new ship that will be a sister ship to the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, the Disney Cruise Line also announced that it had reached a construction milestone today with a keel laying ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The keel laying ceremony involves placing a coin, or coins, in the keel of the ship for good luck. This is a tradition that dates back to the days of sailing ships when a coin was put under the mast of a ship being built. This was for good luck, and also in case the mast were to ever need repairs. As time has moved on, the tradition moved to placing the coin under the keel during the keel laying ceremony as a way to bless the ship and ensure safe travels.
The Disney Destiny promises to be a ship of legends that will have a theme of “Heroes & Villains.” The ship will draw on the legacy of so many beloved Disney stories, character, and even theme park attractions as it forges a cruise vacation where guests will be empowered to embrace their own calling. This will help create memories that will last a lifetime in a way that only Disney can with its deep roster of magical stories.
A video was released that brings to life the theme of the ship as Minnie Mouse looks for the coin for the keel laying ceremony of the Disney Destiny. This video, that is much like an animated comic book, has Minnie Mouse encounter characters from The Lion King, 101 Dalmations, and Hercules. The climax has her facing off against Hades with the aid of Hercules. Finally having recovered the coin, Minnie reminds everyone that “there’s a hero in all of us!” This is followed by the name reveal for the Disney Destiny.
“The Disney Destiny will celebrate our most legendary Disney stories and characters, bringing them to life in new and exciting ways exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Cruise Line. “As we continue to expand our fleet, the Disney Destiny will further strengthen our position as a leader in family cruising as we offer even more ways for families to experience Disney magic and world-class service at sea.”
While working on this ship, the Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering were inspired by how in every great Disney story there is always “dynamic duality.” This is where opposing forces of light and dark are the drivers for characters that help them rise to their purpose. This was the inspiration for the Disney Destiny. When guests board this new ship, they will encounter both heroes and villains around the ship. This will include those from The Lion King, Hercules, and One Hundred and One Dalmatians from the Walt Disney Animation Studios. There will be spaces, experiences, and entertainment found throughout the voyage that bring these stories and more to life.
Brand-new filigree artwork that will be found on the bow of the Disney Destiny was also unveiled today. This will both “embody and embolden the theme” of this ship, Disney said. It also continues a classic and popular Disney Cruise Line tradition on its ships. In this case, the illustration shows Minnie Mouse as she strikes a valiant pose as she wears a heroic ensemble (looking very much like a super hero!) that has her cape waving majestically in the sea breeze. This is all done as she “boldly leads guests toward their vacation destinies.”
The Disney Destiny is expected to be delivered to the Disney Cruise Line and join the fleet in 2025. This will find it joining the growing fleet of the Disney Cruise Line that includes the Disney Wish and the Disney Treasure along with the Disney Adventure that will find its homeport in Singapore. The Disney Cruise Line is also expanding with its new island destination Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point in The Bahamas.
What do you think of what you are seeing of the Disney Destiny? Are you excited to see her in person? What are you most excited about with this ship? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
