Disney Cruise Line has announced that its next new ship, Disney Destiny, will follow sister ships Disney Wish and Disney Treasure with a 2025 debut, and that the theme of the ship will be “Heroes and Villains.” As more information is revealed, this page will be updated with new details.
“Disney Destiny will celebrate our most legendary Disney stories and characters, bringing them to life in new and exciting ways exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager for Disney Cruise Line. “As we continue to expand our fleet, Disney Destiny will further strengthen our position as a leader in family cruising as we offer even more ways for families to experience Disney magic and world-class service at sea.”
Disney Destiny Overview
Disney Destiny will draw inspiration from Disney stories and their inherent dynamic duality, “where opposing forces of light and dark drive characters to rise to their purpose,” according to the line. Walt Disney Imagineering is hard at work developing several intellectual properties for onboard use, including Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Lion King,” “Hercules” and “One Hundred and One Dalmatians.”
Spearheading the design will be new filigree artwork on the bow depicting “Minnie Mouse striking a valiant pose in a heroic ensemble, her cape waving majestically in the sea breeze as she boldly leads guests toward their vacation destinies.”
Disney Destiny will celebrate our most legendary Disney stories and characters, bringing them to life in new and exciting ways.
And while Minnie will adorn the bow, a statue of Spider-Man will be at the stern, marking the first time a Marvel character has been featured in the signature ship location. Other art will include statuary of Spider-Bots participating in tropical activities.
A video released earlier this year by Disney hints at other ship details.
Activities Onboard Disney Destiny
Among Disney’s hallmark offerings will be dedicated kids, tweens and teens clubs, including Marvel Super Hero Academy and Avengers headquarters for taking on new “recruits.” And in line with the ship’s overall theme, all guests will be able to come in contact with Maleficent, Hades, Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee and Oogie Boogie, not to mention Captain Jack Sparrow, Bruno and Loki.
The hub of all events, and an interactive stage itself, will be the Grand Hall atrium, carried over from Disney Wish and Disney Treasure. On Destiny, this space will take inspiration from Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” franchise. Anchoring the space will be a statue of T’Challa, the Black Panther King of Wakanda, and other adornments will extend to banded armor, stacked jewelry and a “Vibranium” central chandelier.
Nearby will also be a repeated double-decker venue for family activities during the day and adult-exclusive entertainment at night, dubbed Saga to represent where guests can become their own vacation legends.
Around the pool will be the third AquaMouse attraction at sea in the series, and it will carry on the heroes and villains theme thanks to a new “Sing a Silly Song” show, which will be one of four variations of the water coaster narrative. Along with Mickey and Minnie, riders will courageously encounter the Queen of Hearts from “Alice in Wonderland,” Scar from “The Lion King” and Chernabog from “Fantasia.”
In the space that is The Bayou on Disney Wish and Skipper Society on Disney Treasure, Destiny will have The Sanctum, themed to the magical sorcerers and mystical artifacts of Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange” films. The multipurpose lounge will host activities and entertainment, and will serve alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Behind the bar will even be a circular mirror reminiscent of the iconic window of Doctor Strange’s New York Sanctum.
De Vil's piano lounge will be an adults-only venue with cocktails and live pianist performances.
Credit: 2024 Disney Cruise LineBars and Snacks Onboard Disney Destiny
Just off The Sanctum will again be a Haunted Mansion Parlor, first introduced on Disney Treasure. As aboard the sister ship, the site for ghostly potent potables will resemble the titular Disney theme park attraction in the form of an ocean liner-style, first-class drawing room on an ocean vessel. While patrons enjoy their drinks (including nonalcoholic options), various illusions will set a mysterious maritime scene.
Nestled in between the parlor and Grand Hall will be the new adult-exclusive De Vil’s piano lounge, inspired by Cruella de Vil from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “One Hundred and One Dalmatians.” Guests can expect Hollywood Regency-inspired decor and red, black and white details, which they will enjoy as they sip house martinis, cocktails, wine and champagne to the tune of a live pianist.
Upstairs, the fresh Cask and Cannon pub will take its cues from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” attraction. Here, clients are in “for an evening of revelry, recreation and — of course — rum,” according to the cruise line. The pub is also a sports bar, where live events will be televised and “bootlegged” brews and snacks will be on hand.
Rounding out new watering holes onboard will be a pair of coffee and tea shops near the atrium and on different decks: Cafe Megara and Cafe Merida. The former will don “Greco disco” designs a la the heroine from “Hercules,” and the latter will have a Celtic-centered aesthetic in line with the Scottish heroine from Pixar’s “Brave.”
For sweet treats, Edna a La Mode Sweets will be the poolside premium ice cream and candy shop on Destiny, made to look like Edna Mode’s lab from “The Incredibles” movies. Visitors can expect playful sculptures of Edna herself as well as super baby Jack-Jack.
Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King will be an entirely new venue for dinner and a show.
Credit: 2024 Disney Cruise LineRestaurants Onboard Disney Destiny
Among the trio of family-friendly rotational restaurants, 1923 and Worlds of Marvel will be reprised on Destiny. At the Marvel diner, Rocket and Groot from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise will play DJ to an “awesome mix” of songs while a Marvel Universe trivia game takes place.
And entirely new at the back of the ship will be Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, and its accompanying dinner show. Live performers will stage “Circle of Life,” “Hakuna Matata” and even a creative mash-up of “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Be Prepared,” but dishes have yet to be detailed.
“The savanna-inspired venue will bring unique depictions of animals and nature to life through lighting and special effects, while the window-lined back wall will transform from stunning sunrises to enchanting sunsets throughout the meal,” according to the cruise line.
Also repeated on the deck plan for adults only will be Palo Steakhouse and Enchante by Chef Arnaud Lallement.
Accommodations Onboard Disney Destiny
Even private staterooms and suites will pit good versus evil: Every cabin — most of which will continue to feature the company’s signature split bathrooms — “will showcase custom artwork depicting the epic journeys of famous Disney legends, evoking a sense of awe and inspiration as families rest, reconnect and dream of far-off places,” according to the line.
Raising the bar will also be concierge-level accommodations inspired by “Fantasia,” and seven special ocean-view staterooms inspired by “The Incredibles.” An additional four royal suites will be divided into Hero Suites themed to “Hercules” and IncrediSuites, which of course nod to “The Incredibles.”
The Concierge Lounge (and private sun deck) will be decorated by Avengers art, and last but not least, the two-story Destiny Tower Suite will be a penthouse residence befitting none other than Tony Stark, with Iron Man-like armory among the exclusive room’s softer luxuries.
Entertainment Onboard Disney Destiny
At D23 2024, it was revealed that the headliner show being staged exclusively in the Walt Disney Theater will be “Disney Hercules,” a retelling of the famed Walt Disney Animation Studios film. It will include rousing renditions of the movie’s music from its popular characters as good and evil battle, befitting the heroes-versus-villains-themed ship. Theatrical, pop and gospel music genres will set the scene as projection effects and other stunning visuals enhance the stage. The Muses will again be the storytellers, and the show will include an all-new ballad, “Shooting Star.”
Plus, the poolside Funnel Vision and a pair of cinemas will continue to screen first-run and classic Disney films right onboard.