Disney buys partially built Global Dream cruise ship in massive fleet expansion

Disney Cruise Line has confirmed the acquisition of Global Dream from Genting Hong Kong’s Dream Cruises brand, marking the cruise line’s largest-ever expansion in terms of total fleet tonnage and capacity.

Global Dream was a mega cruise ship under construction for Dream Cruises, but the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic forced the company into bankruptcy, and as a result the partially built cruise ship was left in limbo.

Now, it has been purchased by Disney Cruise Line, and will add 6,000 passengers to the cruise line’s overall capacity, while the 208,000-gross ton ship will be the largest in the fleet, and the second-largest class of cruise ship in the world, akin to MSC Cruises’ new World-class ships.

“Disney announced the acquisition of a partially completed ship that will bring the magic of a Disney Cruise Line vacation to new global destinations,” the cruise line said in a press release.

“Disney will work with the esteemed Meyer Werft shipbuilding company to complete the cruise ship previously known as the Global Dream in Wismar, Germany,” it added. “The ship will be renamed with certain features reimagined under the world-renowned expertise of Walt Disney Imagineers and is expected to set sail in 2025.”

Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, said the new cruise ship will be based outside of the United States, and will make a Disney Cruise Line vacation accessible to more families than ever before.

Disney Cruise Line currently sails to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, Mexico, Canada, Hawaii and the South Pacific, and recently announced its first-ever cruises in Australia and New Zealand beginning in late 2023.

Global Dream was initially designed with the Asian cruise market in mind, but it is not clear if Disney plans to enter the Chinese and Asian markets with the ship once its complete.

The ship will feature innovative Disney experiences along with the entertainment, dining and guest service for which Disney Cruise Line is known.

Renderings released by Disney Cruise Line show the exterior adorned in the iconic, Mickey Mouse-inspired colors of the fleet, complete with signature red funnels.

The 208,000-gross-ton ship is expected to be among the first in the cruise industry to be fueled by green methanol, one of the lowest emission fuels available and will have a crew of 2,300 serving her 6,000 passengers.

Construction will be completed at the former 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.

The ship’s previous owner, Genting Hong Kong, filed for bankruptcy before completing the vessel, enabling Disney Cruise Line to secure it at a favorable price, although details of the acquisition cost have not been released.

More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date.