Disney Cruise Line says the Disney Believe has reached a new construction milestone, the keel laying ceremony. The ceremony centers on a custom-minted coin that shows Tinker Bell and rests, temporarily, under the ship’s keel. Her portrait mirrors the artwork that will soon grace the ship’s bow.
Disney Believe Keel Laying Ceremony and the Tinker Bell Coin
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- What the keel laying ceremony is and where the tradition comes from
- How the custom Tinker Bell coin ties to the ship’s bow artwork
- Where construction stands and when Disney’s next reveal arrives
The Disney Believe is Disney Cruise Line’s ninth ship and fourth Wish-class vessel, and construction is moving along at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Shipbuilders floated the first gigablock out of the shipyard on September 18th, and work on the second gigablock is now underway. The keel laying ceremony adds another milestone, with the ship expected to debut in late 2027.
What a Keel Laying Ceremony Means
A keel is the structural center beneath the ship, stretching from the bow to the stern. Disney says the keel laying ceremony is a longstanding maritime custom that dates back to ancient Greece and Rome.
The tradition involves a specially crafted coin that rests under the keel temporarily. According to the custom, it bestows good fortune on the ship and its future crew before they set sail. The ceremony took place on September 29, 2026.
Tinker Bell Coin Mirrors the Bow Artwork
The coin for the Disney Believe is custom minted and shows a portrait of Tinker Bell. That portrait mirrors the artwork that will soon grace the ship’s bow, which Disney revealed alongside the stern and Grand Hall characters at D23 in August.
Disney says Tinker Bell’s image is bound to “imbue the ship with a sprinkle of faith, trust, and pixie dust.” That touch is meant to help future guests believe in the promise and possibility of their dreams coming true, which fits the ship’s theme of promise and possibilities.
Disney will share more on Wednesday, October 7th, with a livestream at 4:30pm Eastern covering the ship’s homeport, itineraries, new venues, and entertainment. We’ll keep following the Disney Believe’s construction as the ship gets closer to setting sail in late 2027.
Keep Reading
- Find out what Disney plans to reveal during the October 7th livestream, from the homeport to the new venues.
- See how the first gigablock floated out of the Meyer Werft shipyard and what comes next in the build.
- Take a closer look at the Disney Believe sculpt models that were on display at D23 Expo.
- Revisit the day Disney announced the Disney Believe’s name and its theme of promise and possibilities.
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!