Disney Cruise Line is getting ready to welcome another ship to its growing fleet, and the latest announcement gives us a much better idea of what guests can expect aboard the Disney Believe, arriving in December 2027.
The newest addition to Disney's Wish class will bring together familiar Disney Cruise Line experiences with several brand-new offerings, including the world's first stage adaptation of Encanto, an immersive Frozen-themed dining experience, new lounges inspired by Disney classics, and a signature Grand Hall themed to Moana.
The Disney Believe will be the fourth ship in the Wish class, joining the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny. Its maiden voyage is scheduled for December 18, 2027, departing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
With four and five-night itineraries to the Bahamas and Caribbean, including visits to Disney's Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, there's plenty to explore before guests even step aboard.
Here's a closer look at everything Disney has revealed about its newest cruise ship.
A Moana-Inspired Grand Hall Welcomes Guests Aboard
Every Wish-class ship has its own signature Grand Hall, and the Disney Believe is drawing inspiration from the world of Moana.
The central gathering space will celebrate the relationship between the ocean and sky, with design elements influenced by the Pacific Islands setting of the film. An ocean-coloured carpet featuring bioluminescent details will help set the scene, while a chandelier inspired by the movement of the sea will serve as a focal point.
Disney has also hidden a special detail in the design: the heart of Te Fiti will be incorporated into the chandelier.
A statue of Moana, accompanied by Pua and Heihei, will greet guests as they enter the space.
The Grand Hall has become one of the defining features of Disney's newer ships, so it'll be interesting to see how the Disney Believe's ocean-inspired design compares with the distinctive spaces aboard its sister ships.
Encanto Is Getting Its Own Broadway-Style Show
One of the biggest announcements is the arrival of Encanto, a new stage production exclusive to the Disney Believe.
The show will adapt the Academy Award-winning animated film for the Walt Disney Theatre, following Mirabel as she attempts to save her family and their magical home.
Disney says the production will celebrate Colombian culture through colourful costumes, creative scenic design, and traditional dance styles. Fans can also expect familiar songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda's soundtrack, including "We Don't Talk About Bruno" and "Surface Pressure." As I can’t wait to see another stage show featuring his music.
The show will join two other theatrical productions. Tangled: The Musical, previously performed aboard the Disney Magic, will arrive with a reimagined set design and special effects created exclusively for the Disney Believe. Meanwhile, Disney Seas the Adventure, featuring Disney and Pixar characters and familiar songs, will round out the lineup.
For guests who enjoy Disney's Broadway-style productions, the Disney Believe is already offering a compelling reason to look forward to its inaugural season.
Zootopia Takes Centre Stage at Gazelle
The Disney Believe will also introduce Gazelle, an entertainment space inspired by the bustling metropolis from Disney Animation's Zootopia films.
During the day, families can enjoy trivia, games, and character encounters. Once evening arrives, the venue will transition to adult-exclusive entertainment, including silent discos and variety acts.
But there's another particularly interesting addition.
For the first time aboard Disney Cruise Line, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde will star in a new family show that invites guests to help them solve a case.
It's an opportunity to bring the interactive storytelling of Zootopia aboard the ship, giving families something to participate in rather than simply watch.
Gazelle will be one of several spaces aboard the Disney Believe designed to change its atmosphere throughout the day, providing different experiences for families and adults.
Family Entertainment Throughout the Ship
Beyond the new Encanto and Zootopia experiences, Disney is bringing back several familiar activities for guests of all ages.
Pirate's Rockin' Parlay Party will deliver a nighttime celebration featuring a live rock band and Disney Cruise Line's signature fireworks at sea.
Hero Zone will return as a futuristic sports arena where families can take part in games, free-play sports, and friendly competitions.
Guests can also explore Disney Uncharted Adventure, an interactive experience that uses mobile devices to unlock quests throughout the ship.
For a quieter activity, the Wonderland and Never Land Cinemas will offer complimentary screenings of classic and first-run films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and other studios.
With stage shows, interactive adventures, sports, movies, and nighttime entertainment, Disney is continuing its approach of providing plenty to do even when the ship is at sea.
Oaken's Table Brings a New Frozen Dining Experience
Dining is another area where the Disney Believe will introduce something new.
The headline addition is Oaken's Table: A Frozen Family Feast, a restaurant that expands the Frozen universe with an entirely new setting and story.
The experience will take place in a sommerhus-inspired courtyard deep within a forest. Oaken and his family will welcome guests for a meal, with appearances from Anna and Kristoff.
Music will play an important role in the experience, with Oaken's cousins performing their own reimagined versions of familiar songs from the Frozen films.
Disney has increasingly used its rotational dining restaurants to tell stories throughout a meal, and Oaken's Table appears to continue that tradition.
The big question still to come is what the menu will look like and how this new experience will compare with the other themed restaurants across the fleet.
Returning Restaurants Include 1923 and Worlds of Marvel
The Disney Believe will also feature two familiar dining experiences from the Wish-class ships.
1923 celebrates Disney animation history, with more than 1,000 drawings, props, and other animation materials from the Walt Disney Archives. Guests will find references to films including Lilo & Stitch, Alice in Wonderland, Toy Story, and Peter Pan.
Worlds of Marvel will return with Marvel Celebration of Heroes: Groot Remix, featuring Rocket and Groot alongside a soundtrack-inspired dining experience.
After dinner, guests can visit Inside Out: Joyful Sweets, where larger-than-life sculptures inspired by Inside Out 2 will provide the backdrop for a shop filled with gelato, ice cream, and signature sweets.
The menu will feature nearly 20 flavours of gelato and ice cream, daily handcrafted gelato specials, and a colourful selection of treats available for purchase.
Two New Coffee Shops Join the Lineup
The Disney Believe will introduce two new cafés for guests looking to grab a coffee, tea, or specialty beverage.
Big Hero Sips will draw inspiration from San Fransokyo in Big Hero 6, creating a warm and inviting coffee shop themed to the futuristic city.
Meanwhile, Café Kakamora takes its name from the coconut-armoured characters from Moana. The café will incorporate design influences from Motunui, the island featured in the film.
On the upper decks, the Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods will provide a range of quick and casual dining options, including barbecue, cantina bowls, salads, pizza, burgers, and soft-serve ice cream.
The Disney Believe will also introduce Pluto's Pita Platters, an exclusive addition to the food court offering Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as kebabs and pitas with a variety of garnishes and dips.
New Lounges Inspired by Disney Classics
Adults will have several new spaces to explore aboard the Disney Believe, with lounges drawing inspiration from some of Disney's most recognizable animated films.
Sea Notes: A Little Mermaid Piano Lounge
Inspired by Ariel's grotto, Sea Notes will feature contemporary design, ocean-inspired details, and a pearlescent piano as its centrepiece.
Guests can enjoy live music alongside a menu of cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.
Wishing Well: A Snow White-Inspired Retreat
Wishing Well will take inspiration from Disney's 1937 animated classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
The lounge will feature a castle courtyard beneath white blossoms and red apples, furnishings inspired by Snow White's gown, and stage details referencing the Seven Dwarfs' cottage. A stained-glass artwork and a display inspired by the Queen's potions will add to the castle-like atmosphere.
The venue will host activities and live musical performances while serving cocktails, mocktails, spirits, and coffee.
Skygazers: A Pub for the Stars
For something a little different, Skygazers will be an observatory-themed pub filled with astronomical instruments, celestial maps, towering bookshelves, and references to classic Disney stories.
Guests will be able to enjoy craft beer, specialty cocktails, and light bites while watching live sports broadcasts or simply taking in the atmosphere.
The Haunted Mansion Parlor Returns
Fans of Disney's spookier side will be pleased to see the Haunted Mansion Parlor returning to the Disney Believe.
The immersive bar, inspired by the beloved Disney Parks attraction, will feature a new menu of craft cocktails and mocktails developed exclusively for the ship.
The Disney Believe will also feature Palo Steakhouse, Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement, and The Rose, continuing the premium dining and lounge experiences available to adults aboard the Wish-class fleet.
Other adult-exclusive spaces will include Quiet Cove, with its infinity pool and whirlpool spas, along with Senses Spa, Sense Fitness, Untangled Salon, and Hook's Barbery.
Seven Pools, AquaMouse and More on the Upper Decks
Families looking to spend time in the sun will find plenty of familiar Disney Cruise Line favourites.
The family area themed to Mickey and Friends will feature seven pools spread across tiered decks, along with lounge chairs and a large screen showing Disney films, live sports, and other entertainment.
The ship's signature water attraction, AquaMouse, will also return.
The 760-foot-long water ride takes guests through an animated Mickey Mouse adventure. On the Disney Believe, Mickey and Minnie will embark on new "Port Adventures," including the snowy mountain adventure Swiss Meltdown and the villain-inspired Sing a Silly Song.
Younger guests will have their own water play area inspired by Toy Story, featuring a splash zone, wading pool, family waterslide, and smoothie bar.
It's a familiar combination of family-friendly water attractions and relaxation spaces, with the Disney Believe continuing the upper-deck design approach of its sister ships.
Dedicated Spaces for Kids, Tweens and Teens
Disney Cruise Line's youth clubs will once again provide dedicated spaces for younger cruisers, with activities supervised by Disney-trained counsellors.
Children ages 3 to 10 will be able to explore Disney's Oceaneer Club, which features five themed areas:
Marvel Super Hero Academy
Fairytale Hall
Star Wars: Cargo Bay
Walt Disney Imagineering Lab
Mickey and Minnie's Captain's Deck
The Disney Believe will give the entrance to Oceaneer Club a Monsters, Inc. theme, complete with the iconic "Caution: 2319" warning and a figure of Mike Wazowski alongside his laugh canister.
For the youngest guests, It's a Small World Nursery will offer babysitting services for children ages six months to three years.
Tweens ages 11 to 13 will have Edge, a New York City loft-inspired hangout, while teens ages 14 to 17 can spend time at Vibe, designed with the feel of a Parisian loft.
Older kids will also have access to The Hideaway, a space featuring a dance floor and DJ booth.
The Disney Believe Tower Suite Is a Two-Storey Luxury Experience
The Disney Believe's accommodations will feature artwork inspired by films including Moana, Coco, and The Lion King.
Around 70% of the ship's staterooms will include verandahs, while more than 450 connecting doors will help families travelling together stay close.
The ship will also feature Royal Reef Suites inspired by The Little Mermaid and Royal Rose Suites inspired by Beauty and the Beast.
But the most eye-catching accommodation is the Believe Tower Suite, a nearly 2,000-square-foot, two-storey suite located inside the ship's forward funnel.
The suite will sleep up to eight guests and include two main bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the upper decks and ocean.
Its design will take inspiration from Magic Kingdom, with individual rooms modelled after different themed lands. The living room will feature fireworks- and balloon-inspired light fixtures, along with artwork depicting Cinderella Castle.
It's an unusual way to bring some of the atmosphere of Disney's theme parks to sea, although this exclusive suite is clearly aimed at guests looking for a premium accommodation experience.
Concierge guests will also have access to a lounge inspired by Alice in Wonderland, a private sun deck, and additional themed accommodations.
When Does the Disney Believe Set Sail?
The Disney Believe's maiden voyage is scheduled for December 18, 2027, departing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The ship will initially offer four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean, visiting Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on select itineraries.
According to Disney Cruise Line, general bookings will open on October 19, 2026, following earlier booking windows for eligible guests.
With the Disney Believe joining the fleet, Disney Cruise Line continues its broader expansion plans, which are expected to bring the fleet to 13 ships by late 2030.
Is the Disney Believe Worth Getting Excited About?
There's a lot to like about what Disney has revealed so far.
The Encanto stage musical is arguably the biggest headline, giving one of Disney's most popular recent animated films its own ship-exclusive production. Oaken's Table also sounds like a promising addition for Frozen fans, while the new Zootopia entertainment space and themed lounges offer even more variety throughout the sailing.
At the same time, the return of AquaMouse, Worlds of Marvel, 1923, and other familiar experiences means Disney is keeping much of the formula that has made its Wish-class ships popular.
For guests who have already sailed on the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, or Disney Destiny, the biggest question will be whether the new entertainment, dining, and design details give them enough reason to book another cruise. Personally, I say absolutely.
For families who haven't sailed on a Wish-class ship before, the Disney Believe looks set to offer the familiar Disney combination of immersive storytelling, Broadway-style entertainment, character encounters, and family activities.
With its maiden voyage still ahead, there's time for Disney to reveal more details. For now, the Disney Believe is shaping up to be another major addition to the Disney Cruise Line fleet, and we'll be watching for more announcements as its launch approaches.
