Disney and Oriental Land Co., Ltd. (OLC) have unveiled plans to launch a Disney-branded cruise business in Japan. The venture, expected to set sail by early 2029, will offer year-round Disney cruise vacations, marking a new chapter in the over 40-year relationship between the two companies. We can’t wait to share this exciting journey with you.
OLC, the owner and operator of Tokyo Disney Resort, will build and operate the new Disney cruise ship. The ship will be registered and based in Japan, providing Japanese Disney fans with magical voyages filled with incredible entertainment, world-class dining, and exceptional guest service, which are Disney cruises’ hallmarks.
Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, expressed his excitement about the expansion, stating, “Disney Cruise Line has ambitious plans to bring family vacations and Disney storytelling to more guests around the world than ever before. We are thrilled to continue the success of this expansion as we collaborate with Oriental Land Co. to introduce another distinctly Disney vacation experience to families and fans in Japan.”
Yumiko Takano, representative director, chairperson, and CEO of Oriental Land, echoed this sentiment: “I am sincerely proud that Disney and Oriental Land will be able to work together to create a world-class cruise business in Japan. Oriental Land will use its know-how from the theme park business to continue pushing boundaries and providing family entertainment cruise experiences filled with inspiration and surprise.”
The new Disney cruise ship, a sister ship to the popular Disney Wish, will be a unique marvel. It will be constructed at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and will feature imaginative designs created by Walt Disney Imagineering. The ship will have many guest-favourite venues and experiences from Disney Wish, with select modifications specially designed with Japanese guests in mind. The ship is expected to be approximately 140,000 gross tons, powered by liquefied natural gas, and will have about 1,250 staterooms.
More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries, and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date. The Disney Cruise Line fleet currently sails to world-class destinations in The Bahamas, the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, the South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, year-round cruises from Singapore are planned to begin in 2025.
This new venture is a testament to our commitment to bringing the magic of Disney to the seas of Japan. We are dedicated to offering a unique and enchanting experience for Disney fans and families alike.