Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Believe, took a major step forward today at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Shipbuilders completed the first of three gigablocks and floated it out of the shipyard, a section that will eventually be welded to the rest of the ship. The milestone brings the Wish-class vessel one step closer to its expected late 2027 debut. Here’s the latest!
Disney Believe Cruise Ship Construction Reaches Major Gigablock Milestone
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- First of three gigablocks completed and floated out at Meyer Werft
- The section contains the ship’s midship, including the Grand Hall
- Forward and aft sections are next in the build sequence
What Is a Gigablock?
Building a cruise ship works a lot like assembling a giant 3D puzzle. Shipbuilders don’t construct the entire vessel in one continuous process. Instead, they divide it into large sections called gigablocks. Each one comes complete with its own walls, plumbing, and wiring before it ever meets the rest of the ship.
Individual gigablocks can weigh more than 31,000 tons. Workers eventually weld them together like puzzle pieces to form the completed ship. It’s the same basic construction method Meyer Werft has used to build the rest of the Wish-class fleet.
Inside the First Section
The gigablock that floated out today contains the midship portion of the Disney Believe, including some of the ship’s most familiar spaces like the Grand Hall. That venue has served as a central gathering spot on the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny. Its presence in this first completed section offers an early look at how the build sequence is prioritizing the vessel’s most recognizable public areas.
Meyer Werft’s next task is the forward portion of the ship, followed by the aft section. Crews will join all three gigablocks together once they’re complete. That work will form the Disney Believe’s hull before outfitting continues toward the ship’s debut.
Story So Far
- Disney Cruise Line announced the Disney Believe as the name of its ninth ship and fourth Wish-class vessel, revealing a design theme built around promise and possibilities
- Disney shared new construction photos showing progress on the ship’s funnel at the Meyer Werft shipyard
- Imagineering unveiled pre-cast sculpt models for the ship’s stern and Grand Hall characters at D23 Expo, featuring Woody and Buzz Lightyear alongside Moana
We’ll continue following the Disney Believe’s construction as the ship gets closer to setting sail in late 2027.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!