Year-Round Disney Cruise Vacations Coming to Japan
by Dori Saltzman /Disney and Oriental Land Co., Ltd. (OLC), which owns and operates Tokyo Disney Resort, have reached an agreement to create a year-round Disney-branded cruise business in Japan. The new Disney Cruise Vacations is expected to launch in 2029.
“Disney Cruise Line has ambitious plans to bring family vacations and Disney storytelling to more guests around the world than ever before,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman, Disney Experiences. “We are thrilled to continue the success of this expansion as we collaborate with Oriental Land Co. to introduce another distinctly Disney vacation experience to families and fans in Japan.”
The two companies have been partners in business for more than 40 years.
“I am sincerely proud that Disney and Oriental Land will be able to work together to create a world-class cruise business in Japan,” said Yumiko Takano, representative director, chairperson and CEO, Oriental Land. “Oriental Land will use their knowhow from the theme park business to continue pushing boundaries and provide family entertainment cruise experiences filled with inspiration and surprise.”
OLC will operate a new 1,250-cabin Disney cruise ship to be registered and based in Japan year-round. The ship, which will be a sister ship to Disney Wish, will be constructed at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. It will feature many venues and experiences also found on Wish, but with select modifications specifically designed with Japanese guests in mind.
More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date.
This will be the second Disney ship dedicated to sailing in Asia. Recently, the line announced it will be sailing from Singapore starting in 2025 for at least five years. The upcoming ship, Disney Adventure, will offer a variety of itineraries throughout Southeast Asia. Disney purchased the ship, the unfinished Global Dream, in November 2022 from the now bankrupt Genting Cruise Lines.