Disney Cruise Line has officially pulled back the curtain on its newest ship — the Disney Believe — and there is a LOT to talk about!

The Disney Believe will make her maiden voyage on December 18, 2027, sailing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. She will offer four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean, including visits to Disney's island destinations.

And while there are some truly exciting new experiences coming aboard, I’ll be honest: the reaction from Disney Cruise Line fans has been a little mixed.

Some longtime cruisers have described the Believe as feeling like “Wish X2” because of how many elements are shared with the existing Wish-class ships. And I understand where that feeling comes from. Several familiar venues and experiences are returning, including 1923, Worlds of Marvel, Haunted Mansion Parlor and Disney Seas the Adventure.

There has been some disappointment from cruisers who were hoping for more completely new concepts.

But I don't think that means the Disney Believe isn't exciting.

There are some genuinely new experiences coming to this ship — and one in particular has me very excited.

🎭 Encanto Is Coming to the Stage!

This might be the biggest announcement for me.

Encanto is coming to the stage for the first time ever!

The Disney Believe will debut the world's first stage adaptation of Disney's Encanto, exclusively aboard the ship.

The Broadway-style production will bring Mirabel and the Madrigal family to life with vibrant costumes, elaborate scenery, choreography inspired by Colombian culture and the songs we all know and love from the film.

And yes, that means we're talking about songs like “We Don't Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure.”

As someone who loves Disney Cruise Line's Broadway-style productions, this is one of the things I'm most excited to see.

❄️ A New Frozen Dining Experience

Another new experience will be Oaken's Table: A Frozen Family Feast.

Rather than simply recreating the existing Frozen restaurant experience from the Disney Wish, Disney describes this as a new setting where Oaken and his family host a festive gathering in their forest home.

Guests will enjoy a family-style dining experience accompanied by music from Oaken's family.

So while Frozen is familiar territory for Disney Cruise Line, this particular experience will be new to the fleet.

🌊 A Moana-Inspired Grand Hall

When you first step aboard the Disney Believe, you'll be welcomed into a Grand Hall inspired by Moana.

Moana, Pua and Heihei will be featured prominently, and Disney says the space will draw inspiration from the vibrant world where the sky meets the sea.

This continues the Wish-class tradition of giving each ship its own signature Grand Hall, but with a completely different story and atmosphere.

🏨 Yes, There Are Familiar Wish-Class Experiences

This is where some of the disappointment is coming from.

The Disney Believe is the fourth Wish-class ship, following the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny.

That means there are going to be some familiar experiences onboard.

Guests will find:

• 1923
• Worlds of Marvel
• Haunted Mansion Parlor
• Disney Seas the Adventure
• Tangled: The Musical, with a reimagined set design and special effects

So if you're hoping the Believe will feel completely different from the Wish-class ships, you may want to temper those expectations.

And honestly? I think it's fair for cruisers to wish Disney had pushed the creativity a little further.

At the same time, having familiar Disney favorites can be a good thing — especially for families who haven't sailed on the Wish, Treasure or Destiny yet.

🐭 There Are Still Plenty of New Spaces to Explore

The Believe isn't simply a copy-and-paste of the Wish.

There are several new or reimagined spaces, including:

Wishing Well — a Snow White-inspired lounge

Sea Notes — a Little Mermaid-inspired piano lounge

Stargazers — an observatory-inspired lounge for adults

Inside Out: Joyful Sweets — a candy shop inspired by Inside Out 2

Big Hero Sips — a beverage spot inspired by Big Hero 6

Cafe Kakamora — a coffee shop inspired by Moana

And Gazelle, inspired by Zootopia, will be an entertainment space offering family activities during the day and adult entertainment at night.

🚢 So When Can You Book the Disney Believe?

This is the part Disney Cruise Line fans will want to put on their calendars.

Booking opens at 8:00 a.m. Eastern on the following dates:

• Pearl: October 12, 2026
• Platinum: October 13, 2026
• Gold: October 14, 2026
• Silver: October 15, 2026
• General Public: October 19, 2026

Eligible Disney Vacation Club members and Adventure Insiders can also book beginning October 15.

If you're interested in sailing on the Believe, I would not wait until the general-public date to start planning. The most desirable staterooms and sailings can go quickly when a brand-new Disney ship opens for booking.

💰 Important: The Maiden Voyage Has Special Payment Rules

If you're specifically dreaming about being on the December 18, 2027 maiden voyage, there are some special rules to know.

For the maiden voyage:

• A non-refundable 10% deposit must be paid by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on the day you book.
• Final payment for suites and Concierge staterooms is due 120 days before sailing.
• Final payment for other stateroom categories is due 90 days before sailing.
• If you add the Disney Cruise Line Vacation Protection Plan, the full cost of the plan must be paid at the time of booking, and it cannot be added later.
• The primary guest must remain on the reservation.
• Date changes aren't permitted once the maiden-voyage reservation is booked; you'd need to cancel and rebook, subject to applicable cancellation fees.

That 10% deposit deadline is especially important. You don't simply have the usual amount of time to get the deposit in after booking — for the maiden voyage, it needs to be paid by the end of the booking day.

✨ So, What Do I Think About the Disney Believe?

Honestly?

I'm excited.

Do I understand why some Disney Cruise Line fans are disappointed? Absolutely.

When you're announcing a brand-new ship, it's natural for longtime cruisers to expect a completely new experience. And when you're seeing familiar restaurants, lounges and entertainment return from the Wish-class ships, it's understandable that some people are asking, “Where's the really new stuff?”

But I also think there's a lot here to be excited about.

Encanto on stage for the first time ever is a BIG deal.

The Moana Grand Hall looks beautiful. The new Frozen dining experience sounds fun. The Zootopia and Inside Out additions bring some newer Disney stories into the cruise experience, and there are several new lounges and spaces to explore.

And let's not forget — this is still Disney Cruise Line.

The service, entertainment, character experiences, family atmosphere and little Disney details are a huge part of what makes these cruises special.

For families who haven't sailed the Wish, Treasure or Destiny, the Believe may feel much more like a brand-new Disney experience than it does to someone who has sailed all three.

And as a travel advisor, that's where I think the conversation gets interesting.

The best Disney cruise isn't necessarily the newest ship. It's the ship and itinerary that fit YOUR family.

If the Disney Believe has caught your attention, I'd love to help you take a closer look at the itineraries, stateroom options and booking dates so you can decide if this new ship belongs on your Disney bucket list.

Don't just dream about the fairytale. Travel it.

— Dana
Crown & Current Travel