ORLANDO — The Disney Destiny, the latest heroes-and-villains-themed vessel in Disney Cruise Line’s expanding fleet, departed its German shipyard Friday on a leisurely river voyage toward sea trials in the North Sea, marking a key step before its Florida debut in November.
The 144,000-gross-ton ship, built at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, left amid fireworks and was towed backward down the narrow Ems River at about 3 to 5 mph, assisted by tugboats for the roughly 20-mile journey to Eemshaven, Netherlands. The unDisney Destiny Cruise Ship Leaves Shipyard for Sea Trials Ahead of Florida Launchusual reverse orientation is standard for ships built at the inland yard, ensuring safe navigation through tight waterways.
Once in Eemshaven, the Disney Destiny will undergo rigorous sea trials to test its systems and seaworthiness before Disney Cruise Line takes delivery. A transatlantic crossing to Florida is expected in late October or early November, setting up the ship’s maiden voyage from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 20.
This marks the first time Disney has launched a new ship outside its longtime home base of Port Canaveral, opting instead for the Broward County port that became a year-round second hub for the line in 2023. From there, the Destiny will offer four- and five-night sailings to the Bahamas and western Caribbean, including stops at Disney’s private islands, Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
At 1,119 feet long with 1,246 staterooms, the liquefied natural gas-powered ship can carry about 4,000 passengers and is the third in Disney’s Wish-class series, following the Disney Wish in 2022 and Disney Treasure in 2024. Its construction kicked off with the first steel cut in November 2023, followed by a keel-laying in March 2024 and a float-out from the covered building hall on Aug. 9.
The Destiny’s design draws heavily from Disney’s Marvel universe and classic tales, featuring a Black Panther statue in the grand hall, a Doctor Strange-inspired entertainment parlor and a “Hercules”-themed stage show. A stern sculpture of Spider-Man flanked by robotic Spider-Bots greets arriving guests, while the bow showcases Minnie Mouse in a heroic cape-waving pose. Other highlights include a Cruella de Vil-themed venue from “101 Dalmatians.”
The ship’s departure comes as Meyer Werft presses ahead with Disney’s ambitious expansion. A fourth Wish-class vessel is slated for a 2029 debut in Japan, with a fifth to follow, helping grow the fleet to 13 ships by 2031—including three in a new class. Disney’s first cruises launched in 1998 with the Magic and Wonder, and the line now operates seven vessels amid surging demand for family-friendly voyages.
Friday’s river conveyance was streamed live online, drawing fans eager for glimpses of the ship’s intricate details as it inches toward open water and its eventual home in sunny Florida.
