2029 is going to be a BUSY year for Disney Cruise Line fans. An updated graphic from The Walt Disney Company reveals that there are plans to launch not one, not two, but three ships in calendar 2029. Meanwhile, a new fifth ship, Ship 13, now caps the (current) timeline in late 2030. The Disney Believe still remains on track for late 2027. Here’s the latest!
Disney Cruise Line’s Updated Ship Launch Timeline
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Three ships now have 2029 launch windows, including the Oriental Land Company’s Japan-based vessel
- Ship 13 is a newly timed fifth vessel, now targeted for late 2030
- The update refines timing first shared when Disney announced its broader fleet expansion
What the Updated Timeline Shows
Disney’s ninth ship, the Disney Believe, is the fourth vessel in the Wish class. It’s still on track for a late calendar 2027 debut. That will round out Disney’s own Wish-class vessels. From there, the timeline splits into a busier 2029. Ship 11, a rumored new mid-size vessel, now carries a calendar 2029 window. The Oriental Land Company’s Japan-based ship (a Wish class) shares that same calendar 2029 window.
A second mid-size ship, Ship 12, now carries a late calendar 2029 target. That pushes it toward the back half of the year. Ship 13, also rumored to be a mid-size vessel, closes out the update with a late calendar 2030 window. Disney previously announced that the 13th ship would arrive in 2031.
How This Compares to the Original Announcement
Disney Cruise Line first outlined this stretch of newbuilds in broad strokes. An earlier report detailed the smaller ship class Disney planned to introduce after its fourth Wish-class vessel. At the time, it was believed that the ship delivery would follow the current cadence, simply debuting in 2029, 2030, and 2031. The updated timeline clarifies the schedule and offers a more granular look at the debut timeframe for each ship.
The Oriental Land Company’s ship carries its own separate track. OLC has continued to refine the financial and operational picture for that vessel. The company’s most recent earnings materials detailed construction costs and a targeted start of full-year operation in fiscal year 2029. That timeline lines up with the calendar 2029 window shown here.
Meanwhile, construction on the Disney Believe continues at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. Recent photos show progress on the ship’s funnel. That ship remains the closest to completion of the five vessels shown in the updated timeline.
With D23 Expo on the horizon, will Disney Cruise Line have another moment in the spotlight during the Disney Experiences panel? This updated timeline certainly offers pre-Expo clarity, but perhaps DCL has even more to announce. I know we’ll be very interested to learn more.
Story So Far
- Disney and the Oriental Land Company first announced their partnership on a new cruise ship and Japan-based cruises in July 2024.
- A report suggested that Disney Cruise Line has plans for a new, smaller class of ships to follow the Disney Believe, with three vessels originally grouped into 2029, 2030, and 2031.
- Construction on the Disney Believe continued at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, with the ship still expected in late 2027.
- OLC shared new financial details for its Japan-based ship, including a targeted start of full-year operation in fiscal year 2029.
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!