Disney’s next cruise ship has a few surprises up its sleeve

Disney's next cruise ship has a few surprises up its sleeve Disney made public new details for the Disney Believe, including an "Encanto" stage show, "Frozen" dining and a December 2027 debut.

Key points

• In a recorded video message, Disney Legend and Grammy-winning "Encanto" songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda confirmed that " Disney Encanto " will debut on the Disney Believe.
• Sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Disney Believe will offer 4- and 5-night voyages to the Bahamas and Caribbean.
• Disney has two private islands in the Bahamas, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
• 1923, a refined restaurant named after the year the Walt Disney Firm was founded and decorated with animation pieces from the Walt Disney Archives.
• Two new café themes were additionally disclosed: "Moana"-inspired Café Kakamora and "Major Hero Six"-inspired Sizeable Hero Sips.

Castaway Cay is Disney's private island, reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests in the Bahamas.

Disney Cruise Line's new ship, the Disney Believe, will set sail on its maiden voyage on Dec. 18, 2027.

Meanwhile, the ship will feature the first stage adaptation of the Disney film "Encanto" and a "Frozen"-themed dinner show.

Sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Disney Believe will offer 4- and 5-night voyages to the Bahamas and Caribbean. We can finally talk regarding Bruno.

After months of closely guarding details, Disney Cruise Line has made public what's coming to its next cruise ship, the Disney Believe.

Notably, an eager audience gathered for the live reveal aboard the Disney Wish erupted in cheers upon learning that the Believe will be getting the first-ever stage adaptation of Disney's Oscar-winning film "Encanto."

"What I'm personally most excited regarding is the 'Encanto' show as it is such a beloved movie. The music is infectious, fantastic, " Tracy Wilson, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Cruise Line Operations, informed USA TODAY. "A couple of weeks ago, I got to see some early rehearsals, and it's going to be an amazing show." Here's what else we learned regarding the Disney Believe. When will the Disney Believe launch?

For context, the Believe will set sail on its maiden voyage on Dec. 18, 2027.

Bookings for the general public open this Oct. 19. Repeat guests in the cruise line's free Castaway Club can book as early as Oct. 12, depending on their status.

Meanwhile, the Believe will be the fourth ship in Disney's Wish class. Disney's next class of cruise ships will debut in 2029.

"We've introduced four ships in the last four years. We have another five coming in four years, and I want individuals to know that means there are going to be sailing dates and sailing lengths that fit when your family wants to go on vacation, " Wilson stated. "There's going to be more options."

What's next? Disney is expanding its cruise lineup in a major way for 2027. Where will the Disney Believe home port?

In practice, the Believe will sail out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where its sister ship the Disney Destiny is at present sailing.

For context, the Destiny, which debuted late last year, is due to move to Port Canaveral next fall. Other ships will additionally shuffle locations next year, including the Disney Wish. It will sail Europe for the first time and New York, marking the cruise line's first return to the city since 2023. Where will the Disney Believe sail?

For context, the Believe will sail 4- and 5-night voyages to the Bahamas and Caribbean.

"The theme is promise and possibility, which I love, " Wilson remarked. "It celebrates heroes that overcame challenges and believed in themselves."

At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in August, Disney confirmed that Tinkerbell will adorn the bow of the Disney Believe while Woody and Buzz Lightyear from "Toy Story" will be featured on the stern.

At the time, Disney additionally disclosed that a statue of Moana will anchor the ship's Grand Hall. Disney Cruise Line has now shared that the Grand Hall will be inspired by the Pacific Islands with rich tones reminiscent of the Disney Treasure and a massive chandelier that will echo the ocean's movement and hold the Heart of Te Fiti. Fiber optic lights in the ceiling will additionally bring the atrium to life. Entertainment on the Disney Believe. Disney Cruise Line is known for its Broadway-caliber demonstrates.

In a recorded video message, Disney Legend and Grammy-winning "Encanto" songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda confirmed that " Disney Encanto " will debut on the Disney Believe. The cruise line is working directly with him on the stage adaptation.

In practice, the Believe will additionally feature an updated version of " Tangled: The Musical " with new effects and sets. The popular show is additionally performed on the Disney Magic.

Guests will additionally be able to watch " Disney Seas the Adventure, " an original show throughout Wish class ships.

There will additionally be a mixed-use entertainment venue called Gazelle, inspired by "Zootopia, " where guests can meet Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps. It'll be a similar space to Luna on the Wish, Sarabi on the Treasure, and Saga on the Destiny.

"There's also just a lot of other entertainment under development, so you're going to see new activities all over the ship, " Wilson remarked.

That includes an interactive experience with the Magic Mirror from "Snow White, " with details still under wraps.

"What's so special about these ships is we've created spaces that allow for families to connect, " Wilson remarked, noting that she means all kinds of families, including those with young kids, adult kids or no kids. Dining aboard the Disney Believe.

For context, the Disney Believe will feature a new dinner show experience called Oaken's Table: A Frozen Family Feast. It will differ from the popular Arendelle dining experience on the Wish. Disney notes, "Oaken and his family will invite guests to dine together while enjoying the musical stylings of his cousins, who will play their own reimagined renditions of famous tunes from the popular 'Frozen' soundtracks." Like its sister Wish class ships, the Believe will additionally feature.

Worlds of Marvel, an interactive Marvel-inspired dining experience with a Groot Remix on the Believe.

Adults-only Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement. It are not included in Disney's rotational dining but can be continued for an extra fee.

Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods, a collection of quick-service food stalls with a new Pluto's Pita Platter exclusive to the Believe.

For context, an Inside Out-inspired sweet shop will be available, like on the Disney Wish, but with expanded emotions from the franchise's second film.

Two new café themes were additionally disclosed: "Moana"-inspired Café Kakamora and "Major Hero Six"-inspired Sizeable Hero Sips. Lounges on the Disney Believe.

There will be a "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"-inspired lounge called Wishing Well. It disney described as stepping "into a vintage storybook." It'll be located where the Bayou is on the Wish, Skipper Society is on the Treasure and the Sanctum is on the Destiny. Its central location is intentional, nodding to Walt Disney's belief in producing "Snow White, " which the Walt Disney Museum notes was revolutionary for its time.

Sea Notes will be a piano bar inspired by "The Little Mermaid, " specifically Ariel's grotto.

Skygazers will be an observatory-themed pub celebrating Disney stories whose characters believed in wishing on stars.

As well as a "Beauty and the Beast"-inspired Rose lounge, like on other Wish class ships, there will additionally be a Haunted Mansion Parlor, like on the Treasure and Destiny.

Other offerings that guests will find familiar if they've sailed on Wish class ships include.

This story was updated to add new information, links and updated headlines.

Taken together, the developments around disneys next cruise ship has a few surprises up its sleeve point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.