Disney’s first Japan cruise ship sets sail in 2029
The vessel will be part of Disney Cruise Line’s Imagination class and is expected to feature the entertainment, dining experiences and guest services associated with the brand.
Disney Cruise Line will enter Japan’s cruise market in spring 2029, with a new vessel set to sail from Tokyo under a partnership with Oriental Land Co. Ltd. (OLC), the company behind Tokyo Disney Resort.
The launch will mark the introduction of Disney-branded cruise vacations in Japan through a business operated by OLC under license from Disney. The venture aims to bring the company’s signature entertainment, themed experiences and hospitality to families looking for a Disney vacation at sea.
The announcement was made during a ceremony in Tokyo attended by OLC chairperson and CEO Yumiko Takano, Oriental Land Cruise Co. Ltd. president Ryotaro Shiiba, Disney Signature Experiences president Natacha Rafalski, and Disney Cruise Line Operations Senior vice president and general manager Tracy Wilson.
Rafalski said the expansion represents another milestone in Disney Cruise Line’s growth and its longstanding partnership with OLC. She added that the initiative would give Japanese guests new opportunities to experience Disney through cruise travel.
The vessel will be part of Disney Cruise Line’s Imagination class and is expected to feature the entertainment, dining experiences and guest services associated with the brand.
The ship’s stern will feature Ariel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Little Mermaid,” alongside Sebastian and other underwater characters. Ariel will be depicted using a dinglehopper to write the ship’s name, highlighting her curiosity and adventurous spirit.
ARIEL and Sebastian to adorn the ship’s signature stern as Disney Imagination prepares to debut in spring 2029.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Further details about the ship’s onboard attractions, guest experiences and sailing itineraries will be announced at a later date.