2023 marks the 100th anniversary for Walt Disney Company
Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board together announced the launch of cruises by Disney Cruise Line in Southeast Asia for the first time. According to a press statement issued by Disney Cruise Line, as per an MoU, the cruise line and the Singapore Tourism Board have decided to collaborate to homeport a brand-new Disney cruise ship exclusively in Singapore for at least five years starting in 2025.
“This is a very exciting year for Walt Disney Company, 2023 marks our 100th anniversary. As part of this, Disney Cruise Line is currently undergoing an ambitious expansion with new ships and new destinations around the world. We are incredibly excited to make Singapore the home port to our seventh-launched ship, which will sail from here year-round starting in 2025,” says Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro.
Disney Cruise Line adds that a diversified region with over 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Singapore’s strategic position, first-rate aviation connectivity, and port facilities make it a thriving cruise hub in Southeast Asia. Over a five-year period, the addition of a Disney Cruise Line ship to Singapore has the potential to increase the number of cruise passengers by millions both domestically and internationally, including fly-cruise guests who land in Singapore via aeroplane, says the statement.
Additionally, it is anticipated to have a considerable positive spillover effect on the economy as a whole. There is a rise in the need for port and ship-related services, as well as spending on land in Singapore’s tourism and lifestyle industries, it adds.
“We look forward to welcoming the magic of Disney Cruise Line to Singapore in 2025. This is an important milestone for STB and reflects Disney Cruise Line’s strong confidence in Singapore and Southeast Asia. The new Disney cruise ship will be an attraction itself and is expected to boost the tourism sector in Singapore for many years to come,” says Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
The statement adds that the new ship will provide in-vogue Disney experiences in addition to the spectacular entertainment, top-notch cuisine, and legendary passenger service that distinguish Disney Cruise Line. Visitors will get the chance to make priceless memories with renowned characters like Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse, Disney Princesses, Marvel Super Heroes, and more in special areas and activities catered specifically to guests of all ages, it says.
The 208,000-gross-tonne ship’s capacity, according to Disney Cruise Line, is anywhere between 6,000 and 2,300 passengers and staff. It is believed to be one of the first cruise ships in the industry to run on green methanol, one of the fuels with the fewest emissions.
It goes on to say that construction is projected to be completed at the MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany, under the management of Meyer Werft, the Papenburg-based company that built the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish and is constructing two additional Wish-class ships.
