Disney Destiny cruise ship is getting ready to set sail

Disney its fleet is expanding again.

Near the end of this month, the Disney Destiny cruise ship will make its maiden voyage from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, officially becoming the seventh ship in the company’s lineup.

Destiny, which is 221 feet high and 1,119 feet long, can carry 4,000 passengers and 1,555 crew. During its inaugural season, the ship will offer four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean, including visits to Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, one or both of the company’s island destinations.

Like Disney’s other cruise ships, the new ship features themed dining, specially crafted lounges and world-class live entertainment. Disney’s portfolio of intellectual property has been a staple of its theme parks since the first location opened its doors, and that’s reflected in its cruise line.

The theme of heroes and villains is present in The Destiny. Black Panther is the main character in Destiny’s Grand Hall, a key gathering space on the ship, but guests also include Cruella de Vil, Maleficent, Dr. Facilier will also be able to interact with iconic Disney villains and anti-heroes such as Captain Jack Sparrow and Loki.

Destiny departs at a time of rapid growth for The Walt Disney Company’s experiences division, which includes theme parks, resorts and a cruise line. The company, which had not launched a new ship in a decade before Disney Wish’s mid-2022 debut, added Disney Treasure last year and plans to launch 13 ships by 2031.

“We’re experiencing the largest expansion in our history,” Josh D’Amaro, president of Disney experiences, told CNBC. “I think Destiny will be another example of how we continue to push the boundaries of what a cruise experience can be.”

In fiscal 2024, the experiences division achieved record revenue and profits; For the full year, revenue increased 5% to $34.15 billion, and operating income increased 4% to $9.27 billion. Disney has projected that by the third fiscal quarter of 2025, its experiences segment will see 8% growth in operating revenue in the current fiscal year. The company announced its earnings on Thursday.

The experiences segment was Disney’s second-highest revenue generator last year, behind its entertainment division, which generated $41.19 billion in fiscal 2024. However, the entertainment segment’s operating profit was lower at just $3.92 billion.

Despite its relatively small number of ships, Disney has become a leader in family cruises. Its fleet of just seven ships is dwarfed by the largest cruise lines: Carnival, with more than 100 ships; Royal Caribbean with about 70 people; and more than 30 Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Disney is considered slightly pricier than Carnival and Royal Caribbean in terms of base pricing, but prices can be similar if guests choose to upgrade to larger cabins or add food packages or experiences to their itineraries on major cruise lines.

Disney’s Destiny offers four-night cruises Prices start at approximately $2,300 for two adult guests. and about $4,000 for a family of four. Five-night cruises start at $2,900 for two adults or $4,700 for a family of four. These prices may increase if travelers choose premium rooms or book cruises tied to Halloween or Christmas, or if they book select seven-night cruises on Destiny.

Like other cruise ships in space, Disney Destiny features upscale restaurants, pools, spas, and playrooms for kids, but the company is also adding storytelling to the mix.

Additionally, Disney also welcomes customers who use “rotational dining” on cruise ships. Passengers do not eat in a large dining hall; It is planned for them to eat at different themed restaurants in advance. Disney also rotates restaurant staff to follow each group of passengers to their scheduled restaurant. As a result, guests have the same servers, busboys, and restaurant managers throughout their journey, and waiters get to know the guests and their preferences.

Themed dining halls in Destiny include the Pride Lands, the banquet of the Lion King. This feast invites guests to dine on a menu of authentic African delicacies while live musicians take the stage to retell Simba’s story from cub to king.

At Worlds of Marvel, families will listen to hit songs and test their superhero knowledge while eating their meals. The story on the screen during the meal will feature Rocket and Groot from the TV series “Guardians of the Galaxy”. The menu includes references to places in the universe, such as Wakanda and the fictional Eastern European nation of Sokovia, as well as New York, the Avengers’ home base.

Named after the founding year of the Walt Disney Company, the 1923 dining hall celebrates the legacy of Disney animation. This environment features more than 1,000 drawings, props and other tools from the animation industry, including artwork for “Hercules,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Big Hero 6” and “Wreck-It Ralph.” The menu at 1923 is inspired by a fusion of cultural flavors found throughout California, including Asian, European and South American influences.

Guests looking for quick meals and snacks will also have a variety of dining options, including Cafe Megara and Cafe Merida, as well as Edna Á La Mode Sweets, a confectionery of ice cream, sundaes, cookies, candies and other special treats based on super clothing designer Edna Mode from the movie “The Incredibles.”

But Disney’s cruise ship isn’t the only part of the company is experiencing an expanding business experience. Disney has construction plans for theme parks and resorts around the world.