Captain Minnie poses on board Disney’s newest cruise ship The Wish.
Disney
It’s been a decade since Disney has expanded its cruise fleet. Its newest addition, set to launch in a couple weeks, is a 1,119-foot floating theme park.
The Disney Wish is one of more than 30 ships from a variety of leaders in the cruise space expected to debut before the end of 2022, and dozens more are slated to join the seas through 2027.
The fifth addition to the company’s fleet of cruise liners, The Wish is scheduled to make its maiden voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, on July 14.
The Wish sets sail at a time of transition and recovery for the cruise industry, which was battered by the pandemic and health restrictions. In addition to headwinds from guests, who have been slow to return to on-sea vacationing, the industry now faces economic pressures from rising fuel costs and inflation.
Disney is betting that franchises like Marvel and “Frozen,” as well as innovative spins on classic cruise experiences, will entice travelers back to the high seas.
Beyond typical Disney flourishes on cupcakes and candy apples, the Wish’s Star Wars-inspired Hyperspace Lounge boasts a $5,000 Kaiburr Crystal drink served in a camtono, a container often used by bounty hunters in the space opera franchise. It’s unclear what is in the drink, but it has become one of the most talked-about facets of the Wish after members of the media were given a test cruise of the ship this week.
Other, less expensive experiences include a “Frozen” sing-along dinner and a Marvel dining experience. The ship also has the first ever Disney attraction on board, the AquaMouse.
While overall passenger numbers are set to exceed pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023, the cruise…