The Disney Destiny, Disney Cruise Line’s newest and most innovative ship, embarked on its maiden voyage Thursday from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This marks another major milestone in The Walt Disney Company’s ambitious global expansion of its cruise business.
Building on the successful launches of the Disney Wish in 2022 and Disney Treasure in 2024, the Disney Destiny reinforces Disney Cruise Line’s role as a key growth driver for the company. With plans to double its fleet by 2031 —including its first sailings from Asia next year with the Disney Adventure — Disney Cruise Line is positioned to capture new markets and deepen engagement with Disney fans worldwide.
The debut of the Disney Destiny also reflects the unprecedented scale of investment across Disney Experiences, which currently has more projects underway than at any other time in company history. Featuring an all-new theme inspired by legendary heroes and villains, the Disney Destiny exemplifies Disney’s ability to extend its storytelling beyond the screen and deliver immersive experiences that resonate with guests of all ages.
To learn more about the launch and what’s next for Disney Cruise Line, we spoke with Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences.
What new experiences and innovations can guests anticipate on the Disney Destiny that both align it with the Disney Cruise Line fleet and set it apart as unique?
The Disney Destiny is truly something special. As the seventh ship in our fleet, it builds upon the many experiences that Disney Cruise Line has brought to life over the years to immerse guests in the magic of Disney storytelling in innovative new ways at sea.
Each ship in our fleet has a unique identity. The Destiny stands out with an all-new heroes and villains’ theme — a first for Disney Cruise Line — which allowed us to bring plenty of stories and characters from the Disney library to life. From the moment you step into the Grand Hall, you’re a greeted by a Wakanda-inspired design and the Black Panther, setting the tone for a ship that’s all about immersive storytelling. We’ve introduced the Lion King as a full dining experience for the first time and anchored the entertainment with a brand-new Broadway-style Hercules show. Throughout the ship, you’ll find hidden details, unique art pieces (my personal favorite is the Black Panther artwork on deck three), and exclusive experiences like Dr. Facilier’s parlor and a Cruella de Vil themed lounge. These touches create a sense of magic and connection you won’t find anywhere else, while still delivering the high-quality service from our incredible crew.
The Destiny is focused on heroes and villains. How does the ship help integrate the villains’ brand with other company segments, such as the upcoming Disney Villains-themed land at Walt Disney World Resort?
The heroes and villains’ theme on the Destiny gives us a unique framework to tell stories in new ways. By featuring characters and experiences centered around both heroes and villains, we’re able to create immersive environments that resonate with fans. This approach not only enhances the cruise experience but also builds on other ways we are leveraging some of these iconic characters for our experiences, like the upcoming Disney Villains land at Walt Disney World. It’s all about leveraging our rich storytelling to create incredible experiences that also deepen guests’ connection with the brand.
Disney Cruise Line is rapidly expanding — approaching a total fleet comprising 13 ships by 2031. Why is this a perfect industry for Disney to continue investing in?
We’re seeing incredible demand for Disney Cruise Line, and we’re meeting that demand during this period of rapid growth and expansion. The cruise industry allows us to welcome guests who already know and love Disney from our parks, in addition to new and first-time guests. In that way, our ships are incredible ambassadors for the Disney brand throughout the world. Disney Cruise Line is among the highest rated experiences we offer in the Disney Experiences portfolio, which shows how much guests love what we’re doing here.
There’s also tremendous opportunity for growth, given our current fleet is still relatively small compared to the rest of the industry. With the addition of our recent ships, we’ve doubled the number of available passenger days – allowing us to welcome even more guests to experience the magic of Disney at sea. Our expansion gives us the opportunity to reach new audiences and create more magical moments and emotional connections with guests, which is great for both our company and the industry as a whole.
What are you learning and developing for Disney Cruise Line that can then be used at other Disney experiences around the world?
Storytelling is at the core of everything we do at Disney, and you can see how our cruise ships and theme parks inspire each other. On the Disney Destiny, spaces like the Haunted Mansion Parlor and Cask & Cannon are directly inspired by stories and experiences from our parks. This connection can be seen in our guests too — many who visit our parks also choose to sail with us, and vice versa.
We’re always learning and sharing across our teams, whether it’s about using technology to enhance the guest experience, advancing sustainability, or innovating in food and beverage. Every new ship, attraction, or dining concept is a chance to build on what we’ve learned and deliver that special Disney feeling — no matter where our guests encounter us.
How does the Disney Cruise Line uniquely grow the Disney brand in new locations around the world?
What’s really special about Disney Cruise Line is how it extends everything Disney is known for to new regions around the world — from our legendary guest service, storytelling, and attention to detail. Whether you’re at one of our theme parks or sailing on the Destiny, every moment is thoughtfully crafted in a way only Disney can do.
As our ships travel to new destinations around the world, they bring that Disney magic with them, introducing new guests to our brand and deepening the bond for longtime fans. Every time a guest enjoys our service, our stories, and our experiences — whether on land or at sea — it strengthens their relationship with Disney and inspires them to keep exploring everything we have to offer.
What makes Disney Cruise Line a preferred vacation choice for a diverse range of consumers?
From the very beginning, Disney Cruise Line has focused on delivering a family-friendly experience that appeals to guests of all ages. The comfort of cruising, the magic of Disney, and spectacular destinations combine to set us apart. Whether you’re traveling with family or friends, there’s really something for everyone. That trust and emotional connection are a big part of why guests love sailing with us — and why many choose to come back again and again.
You’ve worked at Disney locations around the world. What insights did you bring from your experiences in places like Shanghai, Tokyo, and Paris to your leadership of Disney Signature Experiences?
Having spent much of my career in international Disney parks, I’ve learned that while the core essence of the Disney experience is universal, adapting to local markets is essential. Whether it’s language, food, or entertainment, we tailor our offerings to meet the needs of each audience. We always need to be authentically Disney and distinctly local based on where in the world we are meeting our guests. Leading Disney Signature Experiences, my goal is to empower my team to deliver exceptional experiences around the world by always listening to our guests and continuing to innovate. Having a global perspective helps us deliver world-class service and create magical moments for guests everywhere, no matter what experience they are choosing.
How is Disney Cruise Line giving back to the community as part of the launch of Disney Destiny?
“Discover Your Destiny” is a community outreach program we just launched alongside the Disney Destiny, designed to inspire and empower young people in the ports and regions we visit. Through this initiative, we partner with local organizations and schools both in our Florida homeport communities and the Bahamas to provide educational experiences and hands-on learning in areas like the arts, sciences, and hospitality.
Could you provide a preview of the Disney Adventure, the newest addition to the Disney Cruise Line fleet? What sets it apart and what does it bring to the overall fleet?
The Disney Adventure is a big milestone for our fleet. This ship launches out of Singapore in March and represents a major step forward in our commitment to reaching guests in new regions of the world. By homeporting in Southeast Asia for the first time, we’re able to introduce the Disney Cruise Line experience to families and fans who may never have had the opportunity to sail with us before.
The Adventure is designed to reflect the vibrant diversity of Southeast Asia, with unique food, entertainment, and experiences tailored to local cultures and preferences — all while maintaining the core Disney magic that guests expect. This expansion allows us to welcome new guests and share our storytelling and service with an entirely new audience. It’s a testament to our focus on growth, innovation, and creating magical moments for guests wherever they are in the world. We’re just a few months away from the launch, and I can’t wait to introduce this latest addition to our fleet to our guests and crew.
There is more growth happening across Disney Experiences worldwide than ever before. What other projects are you excited about beyond Disney Cruise Line?
In addition to Disney Cruise Line, our portfolio within Disney Signature Experiences includes several businesses that extend the reach of our brand beyond the theme parks — many of which are in high growth mode. There’s a lot to be excited about including new itineraries for Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions; two Storyliving by Disney communities in development, Cotino and Asteria; and a new Disney Vacation Club resort, Disney Lakeshore Lodge, coming to Walt Disney World in 2027.
I’m also looking forward to seeing some of the projects from other destinations within our segment. There are so many stories we are bringing to life around the world, on land and sea, and I can’t wait for our guests to experience it all.