Disney Cruise Line has revealed the first look at an entirely new class of ships, due to join the fleet in 2029. Three vessels will make up this new class, positioned in size between the line's classic ships and its newer Wish class vessels.
Article Summary
- New class confirmed: Disney Cruise Line has shown a first look at a brand new class of three ships, arriving from 2029.
- Size and positioning: The new ships sit between the classic Disney Magic in size, and the newer Disney Wish class.
- Disney Believe comes first: Before the new class arrives, Disney Believe joins the fleet in 2027 as the fourth and final Wish class ship.
- UK sailings already happening: UK families don't need to wait until 2029, as Disney Dream sailed from Southampton in summer 2026, with Disney Wish following in summer 2027.
- No names yet: Disney hasn't confirmed names, exact sizes or itineraries for the new class ships.
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Read on for how the fleet compares ship by ship, when the new class actually launches, and why UK cruisers don't need to wait for 2029 to sail with Disney.
What Did Disney Reveal About The New Cruise Ship Class?
The announcement came from Claire Weiss, who joined host Neil Patrick Harris on stage at the Disney Experiences Showcase to talk through what's next for the cruise line. Disney hasn't named the ships, confirmed passenger capacity, or said where they'll sail. What we do know is how they'll fit into the existing fleet.
Weiss described the new ships as sitting "right in the middle of our classic ships and our newer ones," giving Disney "amazing opportunities to visit new places and reach brand new audiences we haven't before." In real terms, that means bigger than Disney Wonder, but smaller than Disney Wish. So likely on par with the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
The Grand Hall (or atrium) will future huge windows on each side, as you can see from the image below. This will be a first for Disney Cruise Line.
How Is Disney Cruise Line Expanding Its Fleet To 13 Ships?
This new class isn't a standalone announcement, it's the next chapter of an expansion Disney first confirmed at D23 2024, when it said the fleet would grow to 13 ships in total. Before any of the new class ships arrive, Disney Believe launches in 2027 as the fourth ship in the Wish class, joining Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny.
That expansion also includes a Wish class ship due to operate under a separate "Disney Cruise Line Japan" brand, built and run by Oriental Land Company, sailing from Tokyo. Between the Wish class additions, the Japan-based ship and this new class of three, Disney's route from eight ships to 13 is starting to take shape.
What Ships Are In The Disney Cruise Line Fleet Right Now?
Before getting into what's coming, it's worth seeing where the fleet stands today. Disney Cruise Line currently operates eight ships across four classes, soon to be five once the new class arrives.
| Ship Class | Ships | Number Of Ships | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Ships | Disney Magic, Disney Wonder | 2 | Guests who want a smaller, more intimate ship with an old-fashioned ocean liner feel |
| Dream Class | Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy | 2 | Families who want a bigger ship with more onboard variety, including the Southampton sailings |
| Wish Class | Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, Disney Destiny, plus Disney Believe joining in 2027 | 3, rising to 4 | Guests after Disney's newest ships and biggest headline attractions |
| Adventure Class | Disney Adventure | 1 | Families cruising in Southeast Asia, sailing year-round from Singapore |
| New Class (2029) | Not yet named | 3 | Still unconfirmed, though positioned between the classic and newer ships |
Ship counts and classes correct as of August 2026 and subject to change as Disney confirms further details.
When Will Disney Cruise Line's New Class Of Ships Launch?
The first ship in the new class is due to launch in 2029. Disney hasn't broken that down further into individual launch dates for each of the three ships, which isn't unusual this far out. For comparison, Disney only confirmed Disney Believe's 2027 launch and name well after the ship itself was announced, so expect names, renderings and itineraries to land in stages over the next couple of years. Disney's current focus will be promoting the Disney Believe.
Can UK Guests Sail With Disney Cruise Line Without Flying?
Yes. You don't need to wait until 2029 for a Disney ship to turn up closer to home. Disney Dream sailed from Southampton in summer 2026, and Disney Wish is confirmed to sail from Southampton in summer 2027, offering itineraries to Spain, the Norwegian Fjords, Northern Europe and the British Isles. It remains to be seen if any of these new ships will come to UK or Europe first.
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Disney Cruise Line New Ships: Your Questions Answered
How many ships will Disney Cruise Line have once this expansion is finished?
Disney confirmed at D23 2024 that its fleet will grow to 13 ships in total.
When will Disney Cruise Line's new class of ships launch?
The first ship in the new class is due to launch in 2029.
How many ships are in the new class?
Three ships will join the fleet in this new class, though none have been named yet.
Will Disney Believe join the Wish class?
Yes, Disney Believe launches in 2027 as the fourth and final ship in the Wish class.
Does Disney Cruise Line sail from the UK?
Yes, Disney Dream sailed from Southampton in summer 2026, and Disney Wish is scheduled to sail from Southampton in summer 2027.
How big will the new class of ships be?
Disney has described them as bigger than Disney Wonder but smaller than Disney Wish.
Where was the new ship class first revealed?
Disney revealed the first look during the Horizons: A Carousel of Progress presentation at the Disney Experiences Showcase on 16th August 2026.
