Are you a fan of Disney heroes, or do you love the villains? Starting next year you can set sail with heroes and villains on the latest Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Destiny.
Disney unveiled details earlier this month about the next ship to join the growing fleet, and what to expect on the ‘Heroes and Villains’ themed cruise ship that sets sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida in November, 2025.
Promising “larger-than-life heroes and villains to forge a legendary cruise vacation steeped in the lore of illustrious Disney stories,” bookings for the Disney Destiny will open on September 12, 2024.
The Disney Destiny will offer four-night and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean, with stops at one or both of Disney’s island destinations, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
The ship has a lot of firsts for Disney, from the characters that will be on board, to the design of the ship and the spaces.
So what can you expect when your family sets sail? Here are all of the details that we know so far, and why I’m excited to get on board in 2025 and beyond.
Marvel and Disney’s Heroes and Villains
The Disney Destiny is the sister ship of the Disney Wish and the Disney Treasure, which launches later this year. The overall layout of the ship mirrors those two ships closely, but the Destiny will also introduce new features, activities, and unique characters.
For the first time, the Disney Destiny features a larger-than-life sculpture of Spider-Man and his Spider-Bots on the back of the ship. This is the first Disney ship to feature a Marvel character; all of the other ships feature a classic Disney character on the back of the ships.
The Marvel characters don’t stop there either. When you step into the Grand Hall, you’ll be greeted by a statue of the one and only Black Panther, T’Challa.
Disney has also promised that the Grand Hall will be the “most striking and prominent gathering space, a living theater where heroes and villains from across the Disney universe take center stage and interact with guests in thrilling ways.”
On board the Destiny, you’ll also have the chance to meet Marvel characters, plus heroes and villains from across Disney’s franchises, at dining, special character meetups, and more.
So far Disney has announced that you’ll be able to meet Jafar, Maleficent, Hades, Oogie Boogie, Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, plus Loki, Captain Jack Sparrow, and Bruno during special appearances throughout the ship.
Some of the special events on board will include the Pirate’s Rockin’ Parlay Party, a nighttime spectacular with a live rock band and fireworks at sea; The Incredibles-themed family competitions and free-play sports at Hero Zone, an imaginative sports arena activity space; and Disney Uncharted Adventure, where you can use your phone to explore interactive experiences on virtual quests around the ship.
Finally, when it’s time for a little down time, there will be complimentary movie showings at the Wonderland and Never Land Cinemas, including classic and first-run films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm.
Family Dining Experiences
Disney’s dining experiences are completely unique, and unlike anything you’ll find on other cruise lines. The Disney Destiny will introduce two new family dining experiences that you can’t find anywhere else.
Fans of The Lion King will want to try Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, with a mix of live musicians and storytellers for a musical journey that also features the award-winning soundtrack.
And then Marvel fans will be excited to try Worlds of Marvel, a dining experience with hit songs, the chance to test your knowledge of the Marvel Universe, and with Rocket and Groot onscreen during the meal.
The Destiny will also feature 1923, a dining room inspired by classic, Hollywood glamour, with drawings, props, and animation references. 1923 is a tribute to the founding of The Walt Disney Company.
Like the rest of the Disney Cruise ships, guests on board dine at one of the three restaurants each night, and will have a dedicated service team throughout their cruise.
The new ship will also offer quick service restaurants, 24-hour room service, and cafes, including Café Megara and Café Merida, “two new walk-up cafes just off the Grand Hall inspired by Disney Animation’s Hercules and Pixar Animation Studios’ Brave.”
For treats, look no further than the new Edna Á La Mode Sweets, serving handmade gelato, ice cream, cookies, candies, and specialty treats.
Entertainment and activities
Saga is a new two-storey hub for families to gather for activities during the day, and adult-exclusive evening entertainment, with a design inspired by Wakanda. Guests will be able to experience interactive shows, events, and classic cruise activities in the space, like Match Your Mate, and Family Time Game Show.
Inside the Walt Disney Theatre, you’ll be able to enjoy Broadway-style productions of Frozen, A Musical Spectacular, and Disney Seas the Adventure.
On the ship’s decks you’ll find seven pools, luxe lounge chairs, and the Destiny’s AquaMouse water ride. The signature water coaster on the Destiny will feature Disney Animation villains and “Sing A Silly Song” with Mickey and Minnie taking riders to Villain Mountain, and using some pixie dust to transform each encounter into a fun surprise.
Adult-exclusive highlights
Disney Cruise Line has the best experience for families onboard their ships, including dedicated spaces for kids, tweens, and teens, but they also have exceptional adult-only spaces for dinner, drinks, and entertainment.
The ship will feature new designs and menus, and it will add the new De Vil’s piano lounge, in honour of Cruella de Vil, plus the Cask and Cannon bar in honour of Pirates of the Caribbean.
Fans of Doctor Strange will enjoy The Sanctum, a lounge that will feature “a magical array of cocktails, spirits and coffees.”
And maybe my favourite news is that the Haunted Mansion inspired bar, the Haunted Mansion Parlor, will also be on the Destiny.
Adult-only, premium dining venues will include Palo Steakhouse, with Italian dining; Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement, with French cuisine; and The Rose, for drinks before or after your meal.
And one of my favourite spaces, Quiet Cove, will also be available for pool-side drinks and coffee.
Suites and staterooms
The experiences on board the Disney Destiny will be unique, and so will the staterooms and suites on board.
Staterooms will offer bright and modern, with accents inspired by some favourite heroes.
“Each stateroom 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.”
For Concierge guests on the Destiny, these unique staterooms and suites will feature art and inspiration from Disney’s Fantasia. Seven very special oceanview rooms will feature art from Pixar’s The Incredibles.
And four royal suites will show off real hero qualities with art and inspiration from Disney’s Hercules, with Greco-Roman architecture, colours, and designs.
Finally, the iconic Disney Tower Suite will go full-on Iron Man, with “sleek, industrial designs of Tony Stark,” plus a private elevator, and space for eating, sleeping, and playing, including a full kitchen.
More information
Check out the Disney Cruise website for more on the Disney Destiny, and to book your adventure.
Visit the Disney Parks Blog for the latest news and announcements.
Read my story on why you need to plan a week-long Disney cruise, read my latest articles on Disney Cruise Line, and watch my videos on the Disney Parks and cruises.
Watch my most recent Disney cruise videos, starting with Part 1 below.
All images courtesy of Disney and Disney Cruise Line.
