What’s New Onboard Disney Destiny

Disney Destiny, the third ship in Disney Cruise Line’s Wish class, will embark on her maiden voyage this coming November, and a number of unique onboard experiences will distinguish her from her sister ships.

While Disney Destiny shares the same layout as Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, she stands apart with her very own theme: Disney heroes and villains.

“From bow to stern, our friends at Imagineering have infused Disney Destiny with inspiration from our greatest heroes and villains,” said Yolanda Cade, vice president of communications and public affairs for Disney Signature Experiences. “All our favorite heroes and villains will live in harmony onboard the ship — or maybe disharmony, depending on what’s going on.”

Here are some of the new experiences clients can expect.

The Grand Hall, Inspired by Black Panther

As soon they step onboard, clients will be immersed in the story of one of Marvel’s most epic superheroes, Black Panther. Design details in The Grand Hall include metalwork inspired by the armor and jewelry of Wakanda, a light fixture inspired by Vibranium (the rare metallic ore found in the fictional nation) and, of course, a statue of T’Challa, the Black Panther and King of Wakanda.

The space will also serve as a living theater where characters such as Dr. Facilier from “The Princess and the Frog” and Loki, the God of Mischief from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, interact with passengers through immersive shows and interactive programming.

“It’s the same Grand Hall from the Wish and Treasure that everyone loves, but with a whole new look and feel,” said Beth Burkhardt, a Disney Imagineer. “Lighting is used in a new way; if you see a hero or villain, light will transform the space with color, so we can lean into that hero or villain’s story.”

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New Restaurants and Lounges Onboard Disney Destiny

The ship’s musical dining experience (which is themed to “Frozen” on the Wish and “Coco” on the Treasure) has been reimagined for Disney Destiny as “Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King.”

“It always starts with the story,” said Jay Abruzzese, a Disney Imagineer. “We wanted to create an atmosphere that feels authentic to the story of ‘The Lion King,’ so as guests walk down the hallway, they’re going to transition from the ship into the savanna.”

During dinner, live musicians present the film’s award-winning soundtrack, including a mash-up of “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Be Prepared” to highlight the story’s hero-villain dynamic. However, show director Paul Bryant notes that the experience is more than a story of heroes and villains.

“Our tale of the cub who would be king is told by two storytellers who step into different characters by putting a prop in their hand or a piece of costume on their body,” Bryant said. “It’s a story about family, and family is the tent pole of Disney Cruise Line.”

The piano lounge adjacent to the Grand Hall (occupied by Nightingale’s on the Wish and Scat Cat Lounge on the Treasure) has been taken over by the villainous Cruella De Vil from “101 Dalmatians” for De Vil’s, a Hollywood Regency-inspired adult-exclusive lounge — and Cruella may even pop in from time to time.

Following in the theme park-themed footsteps of lounges on the Disney Treasure, the swashbuckling Cask and Cannon pub takes inspiration from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, with details fit for a pirate, including the famously elusive jail cell keys. Cask and Cannon will pour rare, specialty and vintage rums and a selection of “bootlegged” brews developed exclusively for the venue and served straight from the barrel in true pirate style.

And while the Treasure’s popular Haunted Mansion Parlor will also be on the Destiny, its ghostly cocktail menu will be new.

RELATED: Love Disney Theme Parks? Find These 3 Park-Inspired Attractions Onboard Disney Treasure

Taking a cue from Avengers Campus in California Adventure Park, The Sanctum cocktail and coffee lounge transports clients into the mystical world of Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange.

“We’re excited to bring [the story of Doctor Strange] to life onboard,” Burkhardt said. “We wanted to lean into the New York Sanctum from the film, so you’ll recognize the window behind the bar, design details from the chamber of relics and the suspended sorcery books like those at Kamar-Taj [the Himalayan home of Doctor Strange's mentor].”

In addition, the popular onboard sweet shop themed to “Inside Out” on the Wish and “Zootopia” on the Treasure has become Edna A La Mode Sweets. Here, the super fashion designer from “The Incredibles” has repurposed her sewing equipment for her new vocation as a dessert designer, including handmade gelato and incredible treats, all made with Edna’s stamp of approval.

New Stage Production

Debuting onboard the Destiny (and exclusive to this ship) is the stage adaptation of Disney’s animated movie, “Hercules.” However, the timeless tale of good versus evil is getting an update with high-tech projection effects and innovative puppetry.

“We wanted the set design to be contemporary, the costuming to be extravagant, and the choreography to be current,” said Kevin Wilson, who co-directed and co-choreographed the show with his brother, Marcel Wilson. “We wanted those elements to feel fresh and new, but the show still has the heart and soul of the story everyone knows.”

According to Jeff Conover, creative director of puppetry and articulation, the use of puppetry provided opportunities to bring the story to life in new ways, including Hercules’ epic battle with the Hydra.

“We’re utilizing technology that has never been used before, including in any of our parks,” he said. “Being able to present that in a theatrical environment brings the emotion to another level. It’s magical.”

In addition, the film’s beloved songs are joined by “Shooting Star,” a ballad written for the movie but that didn’t make the final cut.

New AquaMouse Storyline

Disney Cruise Line's 760-foot-long, water-based attraction at sea, AquaMouse, introduces a new villain-filled storyline.

In “Sing a Silly Song,” Mickey and Minnie lead guests on a trek up Villain Mountain, but when  faced with fearsome Disney villains — including Queen of Hearts from “Alice in Wonderland,” Scar from “The Lion King” and Chernabog from “Fantasia”— a silly song transforms each encounter into a “wacky surprise.”

The Destiny Tower Suite

The Destiny’s one-of-a-kind, 2,000-square-foot signature suite in the ship’s forward funnel is a Marvel-inspired penthouse worthy of Tony Stark (AKA Iron Man), with armor-like materials incorporated into its design, mechanical elements and views of the top deck through a two-story window.

Clients staying in the Destiny Tower Suite receive premium service and access to exclusive areas and amenities, including a private sun deck and Avengers-themed concierge lounge.