NEWS: Disney Adding 3 More Ships to Disney Cruise Line

Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, announced plans today at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif., to add a seventh ship to Disney Cruise Line’s award- winning fleet, giving families even more opportunities to create magical memories at sea and visit spectacular destinations around the globe. Catch all the details below.

Last year, the leader in family cruising announced plans to build two new ships at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany with scheduled completion dates of 2021 and 2023. The seventh ship will be built at the same shipyard and is scheduled to be completed in 2022.

“We decided two ships wouldn’t be enough to hold all of the exciting new experiences we have been dreaming up to take family cruise vacations to a whole new level with immersive Disney storytelling, world-class family entertainment, and imaginative innovations that are fantastically fun and uniquely Disney,” Chapek said. “By the time all three new ships are sailing, we’ll have nearly doubled the size of our existing fleet.”

All ship names, design plans and itineraries are still in development, with each of the ships expected to have their own unique experiences. The three new ships will be powered by clean-burning liquefied natural gas and be the same size – approximately 135,000 gross tons with about 1,250 guest staterooms planned – which is slightly larger than the newest Disney Cruise Line ships, the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

Since first setting sail in 1998, Disney Cruise Line has provided a quintessential family cruise vacation experience that combines the magic of Disney with the wonder of exploring different parts of the world. Guests step aboard majestic and beautiful ocean liners to enjoy legendary Disney entertainment, exquisite dining, spacious and well-appointed staterooms and magnificent public spaces.

With the launch of the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy in 2011 and 2012, the company introduced several firsts for the industry, including a water coaster at sea (AquaDuck) and virtual portholes in interior staterooms (Magical Portholes) that provide real-time views of the sea as well as sightings of animated Disney characters. With a legacy of revolutionary design, Disney Cruise Line’s new ships will usher in the next generation of innovative cruise experiences designed especially for families that will transform the art-of-cruising and take guests on adventures in a way never dreamed of before.

Check out all the other huge announcements from D23 by clicking here:

RELATED ARTICLE: 11 Signs It Might Be Time to Schedule a Disney World Vacation

by Mike and Jamie Sylvester

Oh Disney – what would we do without you? Do you ever find yourself daydreaming Disney? Well, here are 11 signs it might just be time to start scheduling your next Disney vacation!

1 – Hidden Mickey’s are Everywhere

Please tell us we aren’t the only ones! Just the other night we were driving along and the car in front of us had rear lights that looked like they were in the shape of Mickey’s ears. Or have you ever pulled out a new paper towel roll only to notice the way they are packed look like Mickey’s ears? Even when shopping we’ve seen what looks like hidden Mickey’s in different clothing patterns! No, you aren’t going crazy… maybe just a little Goofy. This is typical the first sign that it’s time to start scheduling that Disney vacation!

2 – M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

“Who’s the leader of the club that’s made for you and me?” Go ahead – sing along! If you are constantly chanting this tune and singing along to “Mickey Mouse Club March”, then chances are you need to get planning that Disney Vacation. This also goes for those of you that have adapted to the newer Disney Junior Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song, “Hot Dog Dance”. Don’t try to fight it because even if you do get this one out of your head, you’ll likely start singing “Let It Go” anyway! Might as well start looking at that vacation calendar.

3 – The Kids Are Desperate

Can we go Mom? Dad, PLLEEEEEEESE! Are your children leaving you sweet notes with drawings of Disney characters? Do they talk to their Mickey stuffed animal about how they wish they could give the real Mickey a hug? Have they started asking if they can help around the house besides what’s already on their chore list? Hmm… they may be trying to butter you up! Keep allowing them to do so of course (especially the extra chores part!), but in the meantime you can secretly start planning the Disney vacation of their dreams!

4 – “Whistle While You Work” Seems Impossible

The project you’ve been working on forever isn’t going as planned. Your co-workers are driving you crazy. The staff gets on to you for not taking vacation days in forever. All of these reasons and so many more could make that beloved Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs song, “Whistle While You Work,” simply impossible! Do yourself a favor and schedule that Disney vacation. The office will thank you as you return refreshed, and back to whistling while you work.

5 – Extra Money Magically Appeared

It’s a rare occasion for us and for many – but sometimes we somehow have extra money at the end of the month! Or maybe you’re getting a larger tax check than expected! After you stop dancing, think about scheduling your next Disney vacation with the extra cash. Big screen TVs and random shopping sprees don’t last a lifetime. However, Disney memories – well, they do!

6 – You Have the Birthday Woes

Happy Birthday! Oh wait, you’re how old this year? Geez – we’ve all been there, and if you haven’t – sorry, but you will. Each year that calendar rolls around and it’s another birthday, another year older. But wait a minute – snap out of it! You can be 99 and young at heart. If you need help seeing that, or just want a perfect excuse to celebrate your birthday at the most magical place on earth – get to planning that Disney trip. Once you’ve arrive, you’ll remember very quickly just how young at heart you really are.

7 – You Need Some Excitement

Let’s face it, sometimes you just need some excitement! A spooky moment, a terrifying why did I do this moment, or even a get the heart pumping moment – sometimes we just need them! Disney has you covered. Whether heart pumping to you is spinning around on the Tea Cups or dropping 13 stories on Tower of Terror, we’re certain you’ll find your excitement among the many attractions at Disney!

8 – Dinners All Taste the Same

Meatloaf, cheeseburgers, spaghetti – it sometimes tastes like the same food over and over again, week after week. This is a great sign that you need to step away from the kitchen, and start planning some great dining options for your next Disney trip. Disney’s vast amount of food options is simply incredible. Some of the simplest of foods are mouthwatering delicious. Maybe you can’t curb that sweet tooth? No worries – a Dole Whip, Mickey Ice Cream, or Mickey Rice Crispy treat will likely do the trick!

9 – The Mess Won’t Go Away

If I have to clean up this mess one more time, I think I’m going to scream! Everyone that cleans the same home, with the same routine, and the same laundry day in and day out has these moments. Take a deep breath – it’s time to run away for a little. Plan that Disney trip and rest assured that while staying at a Disney resort, you won’t have to clean a bathroom, mop the floor, or even wash the windows! Let Mousekeeping step in and you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy your vacation.

10 – You’ve Lost Signs of Pigment

Alright, Disney Snow Birds – this one is for you! Get off the couch, unwrap that blanket from around you, kick off the slippers and start planning for your next wave of Vitamin D! The Florida sun is calling your name. But don’t take our word for it – even doctors suggest a little bit of Vitamin D does wonders for your body! Regain that pigment, and head to Disney with some sunscreen in hand.

11 – The Family Just Needs It

The most important sign, and maybe the most obvious that we tend to miss, is the simple fact that sometimes our family just needs it. We need to step away from everyday routine and be together as a family. Whether you get to lift your son unto your shoulders for the parade, see your daughter light up when she meets Anna and Elsa, watch your husband laugh like you haven’t seen him do in sometime, or hear your wife scream as she flips upside down on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – the memories are endless. So come together, put the cell phones down, buy some silly Mickey ears for yourself, and simply enjoy being family at Disney.

We’d love to hear what signs you’ve experienced that say, “Hey! It’s time to start planning that next Disney Vacation!”

If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms and it’s time for you to start planning a Disney vacation, we encourage you to call our travel partners, Magical Vacation Planners, at (407) 442-0227. You can also get a no obligation, FREE vacation quote by clicking here.  Their services are free to you and they can answer any questions you may have.