Are you ready to meet your destiny?
The Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering teams are hard at work with the crew at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany to bring Disney Cruise Line’s heroes and villains-themed ship, the Disney Destiny, to life – and it may be further along than you think!
Here on the Disney Destiny ship’s log, you can get an exclusive look at the shipbuilding process, along with behind-the-scenes looks at some of the exciting Disney stories coming to life inside. Be sure to bookmark this page for regular updates all the way through the ship’s maiden voyage on November 20 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
For the first time in Disney Cruise Line history, a Marvel Super Hero will be the signature stern character on the Disney Destiny, a hallmark design feature that represents each ship’s unique theme and personality. Now in its final stages of completion, this larger-than-life sculpture will eventually be installed among the filigree on the back of the ship, showcasing Spider-Man and his Spider-Bots attempting to assist with decorating the stern.
Walt Disney Imagineer Jay Abruzzese, principal production designer, recently met with the production team for a creative review of our friendly neighborhood stern character. Check out this video for a behind-the-scenes look at the process.
A defining trait of every Disney Cruise Line ship is the signature character statue that welcomes guests as soon as they step on board. For the first time ever, the Disney Destiny will feature a Marvel Super Hero in this place of honor: T’Challa, the original Black Panther.
Walt Disney Imagineering is currently putting the finishing touches on this stunning depiction of T’Challa standing strong atop a jut of rock, the feline form of a black panther at his feet. To set this bronze statue apart, Imagineers designed a textured black finish with silver and purple accents that infuse the sculpture with a sense of life, capturing the power and grace of the King of Wakanda.
This one-of-a-kind statue will ultimately take its place in the Wakanda-inspired Grand Hall, beckoning cruisers into a brand-new world of heroes and villains … and legendary vacation memories.
Like its sister ships, the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, a fan-favorite focal point of the Disney Destiny’s staterooms will be the oversized custom art piece mounted in place of a headboard above the main bed. Inspired by the ship’s theme of “heroes and villains,” these murals will depict the alluring duality and epic journeys of famous Disney and Pixar legends, such as Hercules, Mulan and Merida — the designs for which were revealed today for the first time.
Walt Disney Imagineering has dreamed up two incredible statues destined for Edna Á La Mode Sweets, an all-new confectionary inspired by Pixar Animation Studios’ “The Incredibles.”
Taking cues from the “Auntie Edna” short film, the statues showcase Edna Mode — fashion designer for the world’s most famous Supers — hard at work while attempting to entertain the unpredictable super baby Jack-Jack with sweet treats.
Imagineers partnered with Pixar Animation Studios to create the sculptures, from sketch to digital model to reality. When finished, they’ll be transported to the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany for installation and finally prepared for the sweetest of photo ops aboard the Disney Destiny.
The countdown to the Disney Destiny’s maiden voyage on November 20, 2025 is on! For ship’s log readers that simply can’t wait to set sail and Disney fans alike, the Disney Destiny has taken over the official Disney Cruise Line playlist on Spotify, featuring a collection of songs that speak to the exciting venues onboard and the ship’s unique heroes and villains theme.
Hits from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Lion King will help future guests build up their appetite and get ready to dine at the all-new restaurant opening on the ship, Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King. The playlist also features iconic favorites from the Disney Animation film, Hercules, to go the distance in preparation for the high-energy, Broadway-style stage show set to debut at the Walt Disney Theatre. And who can forget about Cruella De Vil’s memorable theme song from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ One Hundred and One Dalmatians, which will set the tune for De Vil’s, an adult-exclusive piano lounge.
Fans can discover the full playlist on Spotify now!
Last week, the Disney Destiny completed another exciting construction milestone at Meyer Werft Shipyard when it touched water for the first time. The process, known as “float up,” began by filling the building dock with water from the Ems River in order to lift the Disney Destiny from the floor of the chamber. The ship was then guided to another position in the hall, where the team will begin testing different systems onboard, including the main engines. In the coming months, the shipyard team will continue to focus on building out the legendary interior spaces coming to the Disney Destiny.
With the final block of the Disney Destiny in place, the team at Meyer Werft shipyard can turn their attention to installing the unique exterior features that will distinguish the ship. First on the list is a whimsical art piece on the Disney Destiny’s bow, which depicts Minnie Mouse striking a valiant pose in her new heroic ensemble. With her cape billowing behind her, Minnie Mouse’s outfit symbolizes the Disney Destiny’s first-of-its-kind “Heroes and Villains” design theme.
The elegant, hand-painted filigree continues a longstanding Disney Cruise Line tradition dating back to the fleet’s first ship, the Disney Magic, with every Disney Cruise Line vessel having a distinct character-inspired image embossed on its bow. In the lead up to the Disney Destiny’s maiden voyage in November of this year, the team at Meyer Werft shipyard will continue to add details to the ship’s exterior and interior.
Today, we are bringing you a first look at this ship’s progress and are excited to share that the final blocks (i.e. sections of the ship) were put into place in late 2024. That’s right – with the last piece of the ship in place, the ship’s exterior is now structurally complete and outfitting work has begun on the interior. Take a look at this timelapse construction footage to see the Disney Destiny’s progress, including a look at how it was built alongside the Disney Treasure in the shipyard.
Stay tuned for more updates about the next ship to join the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Your destiny awaits!