As Disney Cruise Line enters an era of unprecedented growth, the countdown is on for its next major debut.
Following the launch of Disney Treasure in late 2024, Disney Cruise Line is preparing to introduce not one, but two new ships in 2025: Disney Adventure and Disney Destiny.
Now just seven months from Disney Destiny’s November 20, 2025, maiden voyage, Disney has unveiled an expanded look at the ship’s immersive “Heroes and Villains” theme, revealing new entertainment, dining, and character experiences set to distinguish the new vessel from its sister ships.
As the third Triton-class ship, Disney Destiny will build on the foundation established by Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, replicating fan-favorite venues and experiences while introducing bold, original concepts. From a Wakanda-inspired Grand Hall to a Marvel lounge channeling Doctor Strange, and a Broadway-style musical reimagining Hercules, Disney Destiny is bringing the brand's iconic battles of good and evil to life in new ways that are both theatrical and immersive.
At a recent sneak peek preview, I got first looks and learned new details about some of the fresh experiences coming to this highly anticipated new ship.
What’s New Aboard Disney Destiny?
Launching November 20, 2025, Disney Destiny will sail from Fort Lauderdale, offering four- and five-night sailings to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean. As the third Triton-class vessel to join the Disney Cruise Line fleet, following Disney Wish (2022) and Disney Treasure (2024), Disney Destiny builds on the strong suits of its predecessors and carves a new identity inspired by the duality of Disney, Pixar, and Marvel characters.
Hero Minnie Mouse will be featured aboard Disney Destiny. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
An iconic Marvel hero will make history aboard: Spider-Man will be featured as the ship’s stern character, marking the first time a Marvel character has filled that role. The larger-than-life figure, surrounded by a swarm of Spider-Bots, includes playful touches as some of the bots sport nautical gear like snorkel masks and life preservers, adding a hint of cruise-ready chaos to the scene.
During the preview, we also got a first look at Hero Minnie in her new costume. She’ll appear on board for meet and greets and also stars in the ship’s bow art, continuing the Disney Cruise Line tradition of character-inspired bow filigree.
A Grand Hall Built for Heroes and Villains
Grand Hall aboard Disney Destiny. (Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line)
At the center of the ship’s storytelling is its soaring Grand Hall, which serves as both thematic anchor and gathering space. Drawing visual inspiration from Black Panther’s Wakanda, the space features a towering statue of T’Challa, accented in silver and purple hues that evoke the energy of vibranium. While bronze has long been the material of choice for Disney Cruise Line’s Grand Hall sculptures, Disney Destiny breaks new ground with metallic flourishes and a chandelier modeled after the vibranium-infused meteorite that gave Wakanda its power.
Dynamic, 360-degree lighting effects will transform the Grand Hall, adding drama to appearances by heroes, villains and mischief-makers alike. In newly released concept art, Loki — the god of mischief himself — presides over the Grand Hall as the space is bathed in an eerie green glow, hinting at the theatrical flair he’ll bring to surprise appearances, spontaneous games, and impromptu declarations of his “glorious purpose.”
Loki won’t be the only one stirring up mischief. Maleficent will headline a new interactive experience in Saga, the ship’s central entertainment hub. You might find Dr. Facilier lurking in the Grand Hall with a few tricks up his sleeve. Maleficent will headline a new interactive experience in Saga, the ship’s central entertainment hub and Cruella will take over her namesake piano lounge for fashion roasts on her runway and musical revolts when her “dreadful” theme song plays.
These spontaneous, story-driven interactions are designed to surprise and sometimes challenge guests in ways that feel more like immersive theater than traditional meet-and-greets.
Lounges with Personality: From Cruella to Doctor Strange
De Vil’s Piano Lounge is shaping up to be one of the ship’s most glamorous adult-exclusive spaces, blending Hollywood Regency vibes with Cruella’s signature flair. At the preview, guests got a first look at design elements, including a black-and-white spotted piano and a lineup of specialty cocktails, and an appearance by the fashion icon herself.
Among them are the Fashionista, made with strawberry- and banana-infused tequila, and the zero-proof Fearless Sir Galahad, which everyone who tasted it swore tasted so much like the real deal it had everyone doing double takes to confirm it was indeed zero proof (turns out, it was). Complementing the drinks, we also sampled the strawberry shortcake that will be offered in the lounge.
De Vil’s Piano Lounge aboard Disney Destiny. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
The Sanctum
Spirits and sorcery come together in The Sanctum, Disney Cruise Line’s first lounge inspired by Doctor Strange. Drawing from the design of the New York Sanctum Sanctorum, the space will feature arcane details like suspended spell books, mystical artifacts, and a circular mirror evoking the Sanctum’s iconic Eye of Agamotto sigil on its window. New concept art revealed a richly detailed interior layered with bold colors and hidden references.
Signature drinks like the Vapors of Valtorr and Circle of the Cosmos will join a menu of cocktails and mocktails that lean into theatrical presentation, with a focus on interactive elements that blur the line between mixology and magic. For those looking for a snack to complement their libations, the Sanctum will serve stuffed waffles with custard cream filling or berry compote filling.
Rounding out the immersive lounge lineup, Haunted Mansion Parlor, a fan-favorite first introduced aboard Disney Treasure, will return on Disney Destiny, which is ?a huge win for guests, as this is without a doubt the most immersive lounge Disney has ever created. Cask and Cannon, a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed pub, will be the new ship's answer to Periscope Pub on the Treasure and Keg & Compass on Disney Wish.
First Look: Disney Hercules Takes the Stage
Developed exclusively for Disney Destiny, Disney Hercules will bring a bold, contemporary take on the 1997 animated film to the Walt Disney Theatre. During a behind-the-scenes preview with the creative team, we heard a discussion of how the production will blend the familiar with the unexpected, pairing the film’s original soundtrack with new pop- and gospel-inspired arrangements. Alongside hits like “Zero to Hero” and “I Won’t Say I’m in Love,” the show will introduce “Shooting Star,” a ballad originally written for the film that will make its long-awaited debut on stage.
The production will balance classical and modern design elements, with Grecian-inspired sets and fashion-forward costuming, including dramatic headpieces and illuminated looks tied to the ship’s light-versus-dark theme. Large-scale puppetry will again play a major role, with creatures like the Hydra, of which we got a sneak peek in new concept art,?and Titans brought to life through inventive stagecraft and new in-theater technology. The creative team described the show as both theatrical and cinematic, with scene transitions built around movement and scale.
The preview ended with a surprise performance by actor Corey J. Bradford, who will portray Hercules in the production. His live rendition of “Go the Distance” gave a powerful glimpse at what’s to come, setting the tone for a production that promises both spectacle and heart.
New Dining: From Pride Rock to Haute Chocolate
Set in a savanna-inspired space with shifting daylight views and a layered soundscape of flutes and drums, Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King will bring live music and storytelling to Disney Destiny’s rotational dining lineup.
This musical dining experience replaces the Coco- and Frozen-themed dining venues found on Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish, respectively, and will replicate their theater-in-the-round configuration with tables surrounding a central elevated stage.
At the heart of the experience is a retelling of Simba’s journey through narration, dance, and vocals led by two central performers, Mwongozo and Shaha, supported by three musicians playing traditional African instruments and an interpretive dancer. A live performance by two talented vocalists backed by traditional drummers gave us a taste of how powerful the music from The Lion King can be.
The restaurant will feature one night of live performance during all sailings, with a second themed menu during five-night sailings for guests returning to the restaurant for a second night of their dining rotation.
The menu will blend familiar favorites with traditional African dishes, elevated by regional spice blends and bold flavor profiles. As a vegetarian, I loved the sweet potato, lentil and coconut soup topped with pumpernickel croutons and heard great things about a port wine braised center-cut beef short rib for meet eaters. And for dessert, the Pineapple Upside Down Cake, complete with moist yogurt cake, caramelized pineapple, cherries, and rooibos mousse, was fantastic. I sipped a South African red blend and know my kid will go wild for the “Slimy Yet Satisfying” lime soda topped with gummy critters.
We also got a first look at the restaurant’s place settings and a preview of themed merchandise, including a hyena sipper featuring Ed and a Timon popcorn bucket.
For those with a taste for fashion and sweets, Edna ? La Mode Sweets will be Disney Destiny’s answer to Jumbeaux's Sweets on the Treasure and Joyful Sweets on the Disney Wish. Inside the ice cream parlor and sweet shop, themed to The Incredibles’ high-fashion designer Edna, fans can expect sleek mid-century décor, oversized character sculptures, and a menu of house-made gelato, cupcakes, popsicles, and, of course, Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums.
Staterooms with Story: Design That Reflects Destiny
Accommodations aboard Disney Destiny also carry the Heroes and Villains theme. Staterooms and suites are inspired by a wide range of stories, including Fantasia, The Incredibles and Hercules, while the nearly 2,000-square-foot Destiny Tower Suite will pay tribute to Iron Man, complete with tech-forward details that evoke Stark Tower.
During the preview, we got a closer look at some of the stateroom artwork as well as stateroom number placards, aka “fish extenders,” which trade the traditional fish for character-inspired takes.
Staterooms aboard Disney Destiny will continue Disney Cruise Line’s tradition of spacious, family-friendly design, with features like the signature split-bath layout and connecting room options for larger groups.
New custom artwork unique to Disney Destiny will reflect the ship’s overarching Heroes and Villains theme, spotlighting characters like Hercules, Mulan and Merida through visual plays on light and dark. Concierge-level suites are inspired by Fantasia, while the ship’s seven ocean-view staterooms—decorated with artwork from The Incredibles—will offer floor-to-ceiling views.
Disney Destiny’s four most premium accommodations include Hero Suites themed to Hercules, with Greco-Roman flourishes, and IncrediSuites styled after The Incredibles, featuring mid-century modern details.
Familiar Favorites Return
Just like Disney Treasure before it, Disney Destiny will include many of the same beloved spaces found on Disney Wish, offering returning cruisers familiarity with a twist. Disney Destiny will include Senses Spa, Quiet Cove, AquaMouse, the Marvel Super Hero Academy, the Toy Story-themed splash zone, Marceline Market and Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods, and much more.
Exclusive Merch to Mark the Moment?
Guests sailing aboard Disney Destiny will have the chance to take home exclusive merchandise tied to the ship’s debut season. Four new collections will roll out when the ship launches this November, each inspired by different aspects of its design and theme.
The Inaugural Collection will feature deep blues, purples, and golds drawn from the ship’s Grand Hall, with items from brands like Loungefly and Pandora. A sleeker Logo Collection will highlight the ship’s bow art and Disney Cruise Line branding in a modern black-and-gold palette.
The Super Character Collection reimagines classic characters as bold, comic-style heroes, while the Ship Collection includes items featuring the stern’s Spider-Man statue and other ship-specific icons. A new DisneyBand+ design will also be available for preorder ahead of the inaugural sailing, and guests on the maiden voyage will receive early access to additional collectible merchandise later this summer.
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