BURBANK, California, March 18, 2026 – Disney Cruise Line has announced that its next ship will be named Disney Believe, marking the latest addition to the company’s expanding fleet and continuing its storytelling-led approach to cruise experiences.
The announcement was made during The Walt Disney Company’s Annual Shareholders Meeting, where Chief Executive Officer Josh D’Amaro introduced the new vessel on his first day in the role and outlined the cruise line’s continued growth plans.
Fourth Wish-class ship set for 2027 debut
Disney Believe will be the fourth ship in Disney Cruise Line’s Wish class, a series of vessels that build on the design and guest experience first introduced with Disney Wish. The new ship is expected to enter service in late 2027.
The Wish-class ships are defined by a distinctive design motif, with each vessel built around a central narrative theme that shapes its aesthetic, storytelling elements and onboard environments. This concept has become a key feature of the class, allowing each ship to maintain a unique identity while sharing a common design framework.
The addition of Disney Believe reflects the cruise line’s ongoing investment in newbuild capacity as it expands its global fleet.
Theme centred on promise and possibilities
According to the announcement, Disney Believe will be inspired by the concept of “promise and possibilities”, aligning with Disney Cruise Line’s emphasis on storytelling across its ships.
The vessel will draw creative inspiration from several Disney stories and characters, including those from Encanto, Frozen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Moana and The Little Mermaid. These narratives are expected to influence onboard spaces and experiences, continuing Disney’s approach of integrating its film and character portfolio into the cruise environment.
Disney Cruise Line has consistently positioned its ships as extensions of its broader entertainment brand, with storytelling embedded across guest experiences, and Disney Believe is set to continue this model.
Expansion plans continue across global markets
The introduction of Disney Believe forms part of a broader expansion strategy for Disney Cruise Line. The company confirmed that it is on track to grow its fleet to 13 ships by 2031.
Recent developments highlighted in the announcement include the maiden voyage of Disney Adventure, which sailed from Singapore on March 10, and plans to introduce Disney cruise vacations to Japan in 2029 through an agreement with Oriental Land Co., Ltd.
These milestones underline the cruise line’s increasing international footprint as it continues to build capacity and diversify its operations.
Continued focus on brand-led cruise experiences
Since its launch, Disney Cruise Line has differentiated itself through its focus on family entertainment and narrative-driven design. Each ship in the fleet is built around a central story, expressed through themed spaces and experiences designed to appeal to multi-generational audiences.
Disney Believe will extend this approach, reinforcing the brand’s positioning within the cruise sector. Further details on the ship’s onboard features, itineraries and guest experiences are expected to be released closer to its debut.
Source: Official announcement by Disney Cruise Line on 18 March, 2026
