Disney and Oriental Land Co., Ltd. Embark on Expanded Relationship to Launch Disney Cruise Vacations … [+]
For more than 40 years, Disney and Oriental Land Co., Ltd. (OLC) have worked together to build theme parks and hotels in Japan, most notably the Tokyo Disney Resort. Now, the two companies have reached a new licensing agreement to launch a new Disney Cruise Line ship together. The ship will bring year-round Disney cruises to Japan beginning in 2029.
According to a press release from OLC, “This decision was based on the potential growth of the cruise market in Japan, the experience the company has gained in its theme park and hotel operations, and its strong relationship with the Disney Company.”
The partnership will see OLC build and operate a Disney-branded cruise ship, which will be the fourth Triton-class ship in Disney’s growing fleet. Construction is scheduled to begin in Japan’s 2025 fiscal year, which begins April 1. The ship will be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Disney is currently building its next ship, Disney Treasure, at the same shipyard, which will launch in December 2024 with weeklong sailings from Port Canaveral, Florida.
Exterior of the Disney Wish
The Japan-based ship will feature some of the same venues and experiences as the Disney Wish, although there will be some specially designed spaces that are more geared toward Disney’s Japanese fan base. The new ship will be approximately 140,000 gross tons, powered by liquefied natural gas, and will have about 1,250 staterooms. The ship is expected to be able to accommodate about 4,000 guests and 1,500 crew members.
While specific itineraries are not yet known, a press release from OLC states that the ship will primarily make short-haul voyages departing and arriving at ports around the Tokyo metropolitan area. According to OLC, the total investment for the project is approximately ¥330 billion, or about $2 billion.
“I am truly 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, president and CEO of Oriental Land. “Oriental Land will use its expertise in the theme park business to continue to push boundaries and provide family-friendly cruise experiences filled with inspiration and surprise.”
The announcement comes shortly after Disney Cruise Line announced its third Wish-class ship, Disney Destiny, as well as Disney Adventure sailing from Singapore in 2025. Disney Cruise Line also opened its new island destination in the Bahamas, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point in June 2024. With the news of the Japan-based cruise ship, Disney’s fleet will have nine ships sailing around the world by 2029.
Anna and Elsa’s frozen journey inside Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea.
2024 was also a big year for Tokyo Disney Resort, which debuted its newest land, Fantasy Springs, at Tokyo DisneySea in June. The $2.1 billion, 35-acre development is one of eight themed “ports,” or lands, within the park. Fantasy Springs was built in partnership between OLC and Disney.
“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, president of Disney Experiences in a press release. “We are thrilled to build on the success of this expansion while collaborating with Oriental Land Co. to introduce another distinctly Disney vacation experience to families and fans in Japan.”
