Disney Cruise Line may be one of the most expensive mainstream cruise brands, but for many families, nothing else comes close. These ships don’t just add a few Disney characters and call it a day. They’re packed with huge Broadway-style shows, themed restaurants, water coasters and details most guests never even notice on their first cruise.
And the fleet is changing fast.
The newest ships are bigger, bolder and far more ambitious than the originals. One even has seven themed “lands” and Disney’s first roller coaster at sea. But many experienced cruisers still swear the older ships are the best.
So which Disney cruise ship is the newest? Which is the biggest? And which one is actually worth booking? Let’s take a closer look…
Disney Ships – Newest to Oldest
Here’s a quick list of the Disney ships ranked from newest to oldest, including those that have been ordered from shipbuilders.
| Ship name | Class | Launch | Guest capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBC | TBC | 2030 | TBC – 3,000 rumoured |
| TBC | TBC | 2029 | TBC – 3,000 rumoured |
| TBC | TBC | 2029 | TBC – 3,000 rumoured |
| TBC | Wish | 2029 | 4,000 |
| Disney Believe | Wish | Late 2027 | 4,000 |
| Disney Adventure | Global | 2026 | 6,700 |
| Disney Destiny | Wish | 2025 | 4,000 |
| Disney Treasure | Wish | 2024 | 4,000 |
| Disney Wish | Wish | 2022 | 4,000 |
| Disney Fantasy | Dream | 2012 | 4,000 |
| Disney Dream | Dream | 2011 | 4,000 |
| Disney Wonder | Magic | 1999 | 2,700 |
| Disney Magic | Magic | 1998 | 2,700 |
I know – that’s a lot of TBC but once we know more I’ll update it!
I’ve cruised on all but two of the Disney Cruise ships, including one of the newest ships, Disney Destiny and the oldest ship, Disney Magic and had a great time on each! That said, there’s something a little bit special about new Disney cruise ships.
Suggested read: Old vs New Cruise Ships – Does Age Really Matter?
The Newest Disney Cruise Ships Being Built
There are currently five Disney cruise ships being built for the cruise line, and while we don’t know a huge amount of detail, it’s certainly exciting as each ship will no doubt bring new and exciting features.
1. Three ships (Names unknown)
- Class: TBC
- Size (gross tonnage): TBC
- Passenger capacity: TBC but rumoured to be around 3,000
- Launch: 2029-2030
- Godmother: TBC
- Character featured on the bow: TBC
- Character(s) features in the Atrium: TBC
- Character(s) featured on the aft: TBC
Disney first announced these three ships at the D23 fan event in August 2024, but we now know a little more about what to expect.
They’ll form an entirely new class of Disney cruise ship, with the first due to debut in 2029. Interestingly, Disney isn’t going bigger this time. Instead, the new ships will sit somewhere between its classic and newer vessels in terms of size – so they’ll be bigger than Disney Wonder, but smaller than Disney Wish.
That should give Disney a lot more flexibility when it comes to where the ships can sail. The cruise line has specifically said that their size will open up opportunities to visit new places and reach new audiences around the world.
We still don’t know what the ships will be called or exactly what they’ll look like, so there’s plenty more to be revealed.
Originally the three ships were set to launch between 2029 and 2031, but in an update in August 2026, it was revealed that one had moved forward, with two ships now expected in 2029 and the third in 2030.
2. Disney Believe
- Class: Wish
- Size (gross tonnage): 144,000
- Passenger capacity: 4,000
- Launch: Late 2027
- Godmother: TBC
- Character featured on the bow: Tinker Bell
- Character(s) featured in the Grand Hall: Moana, Pua and Heihei
- Character(s) featured on the aft: Woody and Buzz Lightyear
Disney Believe will be the fourth Wish-class ship, following Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny, and she’s now due to set sail in late 2027.
We finally know quite a bit more about her too.
The Grand Hall will be inspired by Moana and the spirit of exploration, with a bronze statue of Moana alongside Pua and Heihei as its centrepiece. Disney says the space will also take inspiration from the South Pacific setting of the films.
On the outside of the ship, Woody and Buzz Lightyear will appear on the stern, where they’ll be shown writing the ship’s name in yellow crayons. Tinker Bell will feature on the bow alongside silhouettes of Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook and other Peter Pan characters.
And that’s not all that’s coming. Disney has said that new venues and entertainment onboard will be shaped by stories including Encanto, Frozen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Moana and The Little Mermaid.
The overall theme of Disney Believe is, unsurprisingly, belief – including belief in magic, family, nature and yourself.
Construction commenced on Disney Believe in August 2025 at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, and I was lucky enough to be present at the steel cutting ceremony, which was an incredible experience!
3. Unnamed Japan Wish-Class Ship
- Class: Wish
- Size (gross tonnage): 144,000
- Passenger capacity: 4,000
- Launch: 2029
- Godmother: TBC
- Character featured on the bow: TBC
- Character(s) featured in the Grand Hall: TBC
- Character(s) featured on the aft: TBC
There’s another Wish-class ship coming in 2029, and this one is a little different as she’s being built for the Japanese market and will be operated by the same company that manages Tokyo Disney Resort on land.
So expect a similar-sized ship to Disney Wish and her sisters, but with dining venues and facilities tailored to the Japanese market.
Disney’s Newest Ships Sailing Right Now
1. Disney Adventure
- Class: Global*
- Size (gross tonnage): 208,000
- Passenger capacity: 6,700
- Launch: March 2026
- Godparent: Robert Downey Jr.
- Character featured on the bow: Captain Mickey
- Character(s) featured on the aft: Captain Mickey & Captain Minnie
Disney Adventure is now sailing from Singapore and has officially become the largest ship in Disney Cruise Line’s history.
The story behind the ship is almost as interesting as the ship itself. In late 2022, Disney acquired an unfinished mega-ship called Global Dream after its original owner, Dream Cruises, went out of business. Rather than start from scratch, Disney transformed the enormous vessel into something entirely new.
At over 200,000 gross tons and carrying up to 6,700 guests, Disney Adventure marks a huge leap in scale for the cruise line. Ships of this size are usually associated with Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, so it’s fascinating to see how Disney has approached the mega-ship concept.
The result feels less like a traditional cruise ship and more like a floating theme park.
Instead of focusing on port-heavy itineraries, Disney Adventure operates short sailings from Singapore with no ports of call. The ship itself is the destination. Onboard, guests can explore seven themed lands: Disney Imagination Garden, Disney Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, Marvel Landing, Toy Story Place, Town Square and Wayfinder Bay.
With a roller coaster at sea, Broadway-style productions, fireworks, more than 20 dining venues and entertainment woven throughout the ship, this isn’t just a bigger Disney cruise. It’s a very different one.
Read more about Disney Adventure here.
2. Disney Destiny
- Class: Wish
- Size (gross tonnage): 144,000
- Passenger capacity: 4,000
- Launch: November 2025
- Godmother: Susan Egan, an American actress and singer best-known for voicing the character Megara in Hercules and the role of Belle in the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast
- Character featured on the bow: Minnie Mouse in superhero costume
- Character(s) features in the Atrium: Black Panther
- Character(s) featured on the aft: Spiderman
Disney Destiny leans heavily into a “Heroes and Villains” theme, giving the ship a darker and more dramatic feel than her sister ships.
The Grand Hall takes inspiration from Wakanda and the Marvel universe, while venues throughout the ship celebrate iconic Disney villains and legendary heroes alike. Highlights include the Cruella-inspired De Vil’s Piano Lounge and Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, a brand-new rotational dining experience themed around The Lion King.
Read more about the Destiny here.
I also have a ship tour video for you…
3. Disney Treasure
- Class: Wish
- Size (gross tonnage): 144,000
- Passenger capacity: 4,000
- Launch: December 2024
- Godmother: The collective group of all Disney employees, Cast Members, Crew Members, and Imagineers worldwide
- Character featured on the bow: Voyager Minnie
- Character(s) features in the Atrium: Aladdin, Princess Jasmine and the Magic Carpet
- Character(s) featured on the aft: Peter Pan & Hook
Disney Treasure is themed around ‘adventure’. The Grand Hall is inspired by palatial themes from across Asia, with references to Agrabah from the Aladdin movie series.
There’s exciting new dining and bar venues themed around Coco and the Jungle Cruise ride, a brand-new AquaMouse adventure and loads more.
Disney Treasure launched in 2025, the same year in which Disney opened Lighthouse Point, its second private island destination in the Bahamas.
Read more about Disney Treasure here or you can take a look at my video tour of the ship here…
4. Disney Wish
- Class: Wish
- Size (gross tonnage): 144,000
- Passenger capacity: 4,000
- Launch: June 2022
- Godmother: All Make-A-Wish children
- Character featured on the bow: Captain Minnie
- Character(s) features in the Atrium: Cinderella, Lucifer, Jaq and Gus
- Character(s) featured on the aft: Rapunzel and Pascal
The first of the Wish-class ships, Disney Wish launched for the cruise line in June 2022. While accommodating the same number of guests as the Dream-class ships, she is around 10% bigger, with more space and more features.
It has a host of amazing things to see and do, including the Hyperspace Lounge themed around Star Wars, and the interactive dining experiences at Worlds of Marvel and Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure.
Don’t miss the AquaMouse too – Disney considers it to be their first true ‘attraction’ at sea, as a waterslide with its own soundtrack, video clips, water effects and more.
5. Disney Fantasy
- Class: Dream
- Size (gross tonnage): 129,960
- Passenger capacity: 4,000
- Launch: March 2012
- Godmother: Mariah Carey
- Character featured on the bow: Sorcerer Mickey
- Character(s) features in the Atrium: Mademoiselle Minnie
- Character(s) featured on the aft: Dumbo and Timothy Q. Mouse
The second Dream-class ship to launch, Disney Fantasy, is almost identical to Disney Dream. The main differences are the addition of the Aqua Lab splash zone and play area, the Muppets Mystery game, and a different experience at the Animator’s Palate restaurant, called Animation Magic – where guests can design their own characters and see them animated on the screens.
The ship did launch with a couple of other exclusive features, including the Satellite Sun Deck and the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique which offers princess transformations for younger guests, but those have since been added to the Dream.
6. Disney Dream
- Class: Dream
- Size (gross tonnage): 129,960
- Passenger capacity: 4,000
- Launch: January 2011
- Godmother: Jennifer Hudson
- Character featured on the bow: Captain Mickey
- Character(s) features in the Atrium: Admiral Donald
- Character(s) featured on the aft: Sorcerer Mickey
Disney Dream launched a new class of ship for the cruise line, and with it came a wealth of exciting features. The ship is over 50% bigger than the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic, and it shows, with the sheer variety of things to see and do on board.
Expect themed live shows at night, two theatres (one for live Disney theatre shows and the other for screening first-run and classic movies), interactive dining venues and the AquaDuck, a thrilling water slide that loops around the top deck.
7. Disney Wonder
- Class: Magic
- Size (gross tonnage): 84,130
- Passenger capacity: 2,700
- Launch: August 1999
- Godmother: Tinker Bell
- Character featured on the bow: Steamboat Willie
- Character(s) features in the Atrium: Ariel
- Character(s) featured on the aft: Donald, Huey, Dewey and Louie
Disney Wonder is the sister ship of Disney Magic, and overall she’s very similar, sharing many of the most popular features including the Marvel Super Hero Academy and the Wide World of Sports Deck.
The live show is themed around Frozen, rather than Tangled, and the Wonder is missing the AquaDunk waterslide, although it does still have the Twist ‘n’ Spout slide that also appears on Magic.
8. Disney Magic
- Class: Magic
- Size (gross tonnage): 84,130
- Passenger capacity: 2,700
- Launch: July 1998
- Godmother: Patricia Disney
- Character featured on the bow: Sorcerer Mickey
- Character(s) features in the Atrium: Helmsman Mickey
- Character(s) featured on the aft: Goofy
Disney Magic is the oldest Disney cruise ship, though she has been updated with refurbishments, the latest in 2023. So while she is a little more dated than the more recent ships, she isn’t tired and she still retains all of that magic (get it?) that made her so special when she first launched as the first Disney cruise ship.
Highlights of the ship include Tangled: The Musical in the ship’s theatre, the AquaDunk waterslide (not to be confused with the AquaDuck on later ships), the varied dining venues including Animator’s Palate, and the Frozen deck party.
Read more: Disney Magic Review
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To Conclude
Disney Cruise Line has changed dramatically since Disney Magic first launched in 1998. What started as two relatively modest family cruise ships has evolved into one of the most ambitious cruise fleets in the world, complete with water coasters, immersive restaurants, themed “lands” and now even a roller coaster at sea.
And the biggest changes may still be ahead.
With five more ships on the way, including an entirely new class launching from 2029, Disney Cruise Line looks set to keep pushing the boundaries of what a family cruise can be.
The hardest part now? Deciding which ship to try first.
