The rapid expansion of Disney Cruise Line (DCL) is part of Disney’s promise to “turbocharge” growth across its Disney Experiences portfolio. With five new ships debuting in five years — from Disney Wish in 2022 to Disney Believe, the line’s ninth ship — the company is delivering on that promise. Disney Believe will set sail on its maiden voyage Dec. 18, 2027.
While sharing the same layout as her three Wish Class sisters — Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny — Believe also has a few bells and whistles, including Oaken’s Table, an all-new Frozen-themed dining experience, two new lounges — Wishing Well, themed to “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and Sea Notes, themed to “The Little Mermaid”— and the first stage production of “Encanto,” which will debut exclusively on Disney’s newest ship.
“Believe is the fourth ship in our Wish Class but she’s going to have her own signature identity,” said imagineer Claire Weiss during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. “This ship celebrates the belief in magic, family, the power of nature and believing in yourself. All the stories we’ll tell onboard are tied together by the core Disney principle of believing in something fantastical.”
Here’s what clients should know.
What’s New?
As soon as they step onboard, passengers will be immersed in the story of Moana. The ship’s Grand Hall will feature a statue of the wayfinder with her animal companions Pua and Heihei, and represent her spirit of exploration through “an architectural meeting of the sky and sea,” including a bioluminescent ocean carpet and a chandelier with the magical glowing heart of Te Fiti hidden within.
The centerpiece of the Little Mermaid-inspired Sea Notes bar is a pearlescent piano from Ariel’s grotto.
Credit: 2026 Disney Cruise LineJust off the Grand Hall, the Sea Notes piano bar is inspired by Ariel's Grotto in "The Little Mermaid," where the princess keeps her most prized possessions, including a "pearlescent piano" (along with gadgets and gizmos aplenty).
The central lounge space, which is themed to “The Princess and the Frog” on Disney Wish, the Jungle Cruise attraction on Disney Treasure and Dr. Strange’s Sanctum on Disney Destiny, will be reimagined as Wishing Well, a lounge inspired by Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Featuring a vintage storybook aesthetic, the lounge will have a bar area representing the Evil Queen's castle, a lower level inspired by Snow White's wishing well and a stage featuring carvings from the dwarfs' cottage.
The Wishing Well pays tribute to the story Walt Disney believed could launch his animation studio.
Credit: 2026 Disney Cruise LineThe popular pub previously themed to “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” on Disney Treasure and “Pirates of the Caribbean” on Disney Destiny will become a magical observatory called Skygazers, featuring an updated menu and a “story-filled evening sky” with references to Disney films about wishing on a star, including “Pinocchio.”
Gazelle, a two-level entertainment venue inspired by the “Zootopia” films, will offer both adult-only and family-friendly activities. These include a new show starring Zootopia PD’s finest, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, who will make their Disney Cruise Line debut and enlist guests to help solve their latest case.
The theater-in-the-round dining experience that has become a hallmark of the Wish Class will continue on Believe with Oaken’s Table: A Frozen Family Feast. The experience will tell a new “Frozen” story as Oaken invites guests to join his family for dinner accompanied by their untraditional renditions of favorite songs from the Frozen movies. Anna and Kristoff will also join the fun.
Oaken’s Table: A Frozen Family Feast will share a new chapter of the “Frozen” story.
Credit: 2026 Disney Cruise LineA new addition to the Mickey and Friends Festival of Foodsfood court — and exclusive to Believe — is Pluto’s Pita Platters, which will serve Mediterranean-inspired dishes, including kebabs and pitas. The two new coffee spots debuting on Disney Believe are Big Hero Sips, themed to "Big Hero 6," and Cafe Kakamora, named for the notorious coconut creatures from “Moana.” All coffee locations onboard will serve the white chocolate coconut Royal Voyage Latte, the first time a Disney ship has offered an exclusive coffee drink.
Believe will also be home to two Broadway-style musicals: the popular “Tangled: The Musical" from Disney Magic, which will be updated with new sets, costumes, lighting and special effects exclusive to the new ship, and “Disney Encanto” the world’s first stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning animated film.
“I believe ‘Encanto’ is going to be the biggest driver of excitement for this ship,” said Beci Mahnken of MEI Travel. “It's something we haven't seen presented this way on Disney Cruise Line, and I think it has the potential to be one of those experiences people specifically want to sail the ship to see.”
Mahnken adds that DCL has positioned the Wish-Class ships where specific onboard experiences can help advisors match clients to a particular ship.
“We're getting to a point where we can help clients choose not simply by itinerary or newest ship, but by which onboard experience and storytelling fits them best,” she said. “And if ‘Encanto’ or ‘Tangled’ are favorites for a family, Believe suddenly has a very specific reason to move higher on their list.”
The first stage production of “Encanto” will debut exclusively on the new ship.
Credit: 2026 Disney Cruise LineAnother Disney Believe exclusive is the one-of-a-kind, two-story Believe Tower Suite within the forward funnel, which will showcase Magic Kingdom Park, with each room representing a different themed land, plus a living room with fireworks, balloon-inspired light fixtures and "a magical art piece depicting Cinderella Castle."
Mahnken notes that repeat cruisers will love discovering how Disney has reimagined spaces on the Wish-Class ships.
“Some of the concepts are familiar, but the stories are different, and that can completely change how a space feels onboard,” she said.
Returning Favorites
In addition to the all-new themed spaces and experiences, several fan favorites return, including two popular Wish-Class restaurants: the elegant 1923, featuring over 1,000 authentic items from the Walt Disney Archives, and Worlds of Marvel, where clients can eat to the beat of "Marvel Celebration of Heroes: Groot Remix." DCL’s premium adult-only dining themed to "Beauty and the Beast" will also return, featuring The Rose cocktail lounge, Palo Steakhouse and Enchante from three-Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Lallement.
All 10 of Riley’s emotions will be represented in Inside Out: Joyful Sweets.
Credit: 2026 Samantha Davis-FriedmanAlso back is the popular Haunted Mansion Parlor, an immersive bar inspired by the iconic Disney Parks attraction (with an all-new cocktail menu). Returning with an emotional twist, Inside Out: Joyful Sweets adds the five emotions from "Inside Out 2" to the original movie’s gang in the whimsical sweet shop.
And of course, the Wish Class’s swashbuckling Pirate’s Rockin’ Parlay Partycontinues on Believe with a live 80s rock band and DCL's signature fireworks at sea.
Disney Believe will offer four- and five-night Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with calls at one or both of DCL’s private island destinations, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Booking for select guests began Oct. 12, 2026, and opens to the general public Oct. 19.
