Are you ready, Mouseketeers, Avengers and fans of Frozen, Cinderella, Toy Story, Big Hero 6 and Tangled, among others? Disney Cruise Line is expanding its reach beyond North America with Disney Adventure, its first cruise ship to homeport in Asia, specifically in Singapore. The company will start accepting bookings sometime this December, in time for the ship’s maiden voyage come December 2025.
Text and photos by ALEX Y. VERGARA
Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and the rest of the gang, as well as the gorgeous Disney princesses, lovable characters from Pixar and larger-than-life superheroes that make up the Marvel Universe are on their way to Asia. And we’re not referring to the opening of another Disney theme park.
Disney Cruise Line, one of the leading names in the global cruise industry, is expanding its reach beyond North America with Disney Adventure, the first of the company’s ships to homeport in Asia, specifically in Singapore. Disney Adventure is one of eight new cruise ships Disney Cruise Line is adding to its existing fleet of five. Singapore was chosen for its strategic location, world-class air connectivity and modern port infrastructure, making it an ideal cruise hub this side of the world.
Families and friends of all ages don’t have to wait long, as Disney Cruise Line will start accepting reservations on Dec. 10, 2024, in time for Disney Adventure’s maiden voyage on Dec. 10, 2025. The company promises to announce additional details in the coming weeks, including sailing days and pricing.
Cruise reveal
Led by the company’s top brass, including several chief imagineers, Disney Cruise Line made a splash in a fast-paced and engaging “cruise reveal” last week at one of the Sands Expo and Convention Center’s main halls.
The presentation was made more memorable by song-and-dance numbers from Mickey Mouse and friends, as well as Elsa and Anna of Frozen fame. Spider-Man, the lone representative from the Marvel Universe, also made an amazing appearance.
From the cruise ship’s main sections to its staterooms, themed restaurants to featured entertainment venues and attractions, including those magical and heart-pumping rides at sea, everything is inspired by the ever-expanding world of Disney. And in true Disney fashion, Disney Adventure, thanks to the wealth of its offerings, promises to have a broad and built-in appeal for passengers aged one to 99.
“What makes the Disney Adventure so special is that the ship itself is the destination,” said Sarah Fox, Disney Cruise Line’s VP and regional general manager. “Sailing on primarily three- and four- night voyages with only dedicated days at sea, the ship will include something for everyone. From fun and interactive spaces for kids, to relaxing venues for adults to unwind, to entertaining and engaging places for families to enjoy together, guests will find endless adventures from bow to stern.”
And those endless adventures are anchored on world-class entertainment, themed dining options and “artful” accommodations. Specifically, the signature Disney magic will come alive through seven uniquely themed areas: Disney Imagination Garden, Toy Story Place, San Fransokyo Street, Town Square, Wayfinder Bay, Disney Discovery Reef and Marvel Landing.
“At the heart of the ship is the Disney Imagination Garden Stage, a multi-level, state-of-the-art performance space with a three-deck high screen that will be home to Avengers Assemble, an epic battle of Marvel superheroes and villains at sea, featuring jaw-dropping stunts and unbelievable special effects,” said Jenny Weinbloom, Disney Cruise Line’s VP for live entertainment and Disney signature experiences.
Apart from starring Weinbloom’s friend Spider-Man, who made a surprise personal appearance just before her presentation, the production will also top bill Ironman, Captain America, Black Widow, Thor and Loki, among others.
“So many heroes, so many villains. And making his Disney Cruise Line debut [is], Deadpool,” declared Weinbloom, to claps and gasps of excitement among journalists and influencers present.
Reveal your inner Avenger
Meanwhile, at Marvel Landing, guests will experience Avengers-like adventures on three all-new attractions and experiences inspired by some of their favorite Marvel Super Heroes.
On Ironcycle Test Run, guests will get to test-drive Tony Stark’s latest Ironcyle prototype, which in reality is a 250-meter-long rollercoaster, on a thrilling high-speed circuit and be suspended up to nine meters above the upper decks.
Then, there’s the Pym Quantum Racers that, like Antman, will allow guests to take the wheel of outsized toy cars as they zip around a full-scale toy set track, navigating a host of giant and tiny obstacles along the way.
Fans of Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear are bound to have the time of their lives in Toy Story Place, as they explore, play, connect and have fun in a whimsical water play land where the world of Pixar’s Toy Story will spring to life.
Designed for families with young children, the area will include playful water features inspired by the films, including a large family pool, multiple whirlpools, towering water slides and interactive splash pads. Yes, all that water fun while the ship cruises in the middle of endless waters.
“So, what are these water features, you might ask. First, we have the Flying Saucer Splash Zone, where you can wade into an oversized pizza planet toy set and frolic with the famous green aliens from Toy Story,” said Isabel Caruncho, one of Disney Cruise Line’s interior designers
“The Toy Story Splash Pad, which is a water playground that features Woody, Buzz Lightyear and some of their friends, are adorably reimagined as giant rubber bath toys. Finally, we have Woody and Jessie’s Wild Slides, two towering water slides for guests of all ages to enjoy,” Caruncho added.
Baymax to the rescue
And who could forget the lovable, huggable Baymax of Big Hero 6? In the make-believe mashup of Tokyo and San Francisco, or San Fransokyo Street, guests will find Big Hero Arcade, a dynamic family gaming lounge.
“The centerpiece of Big Hero Arcade will be Hiro Training Zone, an immersive training simulator – an active, full-body experience that will allow groups of four to put their skills to the test as they run, dodge and block their way across a high-tech gaming floor,” said Davey Feder, Disney Cruise Line’s senior software project manager for the creative technology group.
For movie buffs, San Fransokyo Street, is also home to Baymax Cinemas, a four-theater complex showing a variety of new and classic movies throughout the day, including movie premieres on the same day they debut on land.
A Disney-themed cruise certainly won’t be complete without an homage to the Disney Royals from such classic films as Frozen, Tangled, Cinderella and Princess and the Frog, among others. And the ideal section to experience that is in the middle of Town Square, which, according to Disney Cruise Line’s senior facilities designer Stephanie Jazmines, is a “majestic space composed of three decks filled with shops, cafés, lounges, restaurants and entertainment venues.”
And families traveling with young children need not worry. Disney Adventure has got it all covered for you. “Town Square is also home to spaces dedicated to our youngest guests,” she added. “To those [aged] six months to three years old, It’s a Small World Nursery will offer babysitting services in a whimsical environment inspired by the beloved Disney attraction of the same name.”
So many restaurants, so little time
All that jumping, dodging and running around is sure to make one famish. Again, Disney Adventure has the perfect restaurant for you. The variety of food choices on board, as presented by Daniel Cowan, Disney Cruise Line’s senior manager for dining standards and service excellence, will make you want to go for seconds, even thirds, and try out, as much as you can, all the dining options in front of you during those days and nights at sea.
“On board the Disney Adventure, dining will be much more than just a meal,” he said. “It’s a chance for guests to interact with their favorite Disney stories in exciting ways only Disney Cruise Line can cook up.”
And this it does with menus featuring an enticing blend of international flavors, including regionally inspired dishes from Asia and from the Disney movies themselves. These dining options have been thoughtfully designed to consider not only guests’ broad preferences, but also their convenience to help them make the most out of their time spent on vacation.
“To do this, the Disney Cruise Adventure will continue Disney Cruise Line’s favorite family dining concept—rotational dining, where guests can visit seven-themed restaurants throughout their cruise, accompanied by a dedicated service team,” said Cowen. “This service team is assigned to their family throughout the voyage. The best part, all guests are guaranteed a seat and a dining time without having to queue, helping you pre-plan your day and making certain you can catch the incredible evening shows at the Walt Disney Theater.”
And that’s just for starters, as the dining, café and, well, drinking options available to Disney Adventure guests are too many and too diverse in terms of themes and inspirations to mention.
No room for FOMO
Guests afraid of missing out on anything may choose to stay up all day and all night, as the range of things to do, see and experience is as limitless as the Disney, Pixar and Marvel worlds combined. At one point though, they may want to recharge, even for a few hours, to regain that energy as they face a brand new day of making memories with friends and family at sea.
And they can do that in comfort and style in one of Disney Adventure’s staterooms, as Lisa Picket, Disney Cruise Line’s hotel director, attested.
“The Disney Adventure will offer a wide variety of staterooms all designed with guest convenience and comfort in mind. This means, regardless of how you want to travel or who you want to travel with, you are going to find that perfect choice that fits your needs,” she said.
They include the classic ocean view stateroom with or without verandas. The premium garden verandas, as their name implies, will have verandas overlooking the whimsical Imagination Garden or the sparkling Discover Reef.
“All staterooms and suites come with Disney touches like striking artwork that captures the adventurous spirit of Disney, Pixar and Marvel stories,” Picket added. “And most main staterooms on our ship will also feature the Disney Cruise Line signature split bathroom concept with a sink and shower in one room, and sink and toilet in a separate room, allowing two people to get ready at once.”
The Disney Adventure’s “concierge experience” also offers topnotch amenities such as premium services and access to exclusive areas ranging from hybrid retreats to luxury shopping, to first-class spa and fitness facilities.
“One of our signature experiences for concierge guests is having access to the exclusive concierge lounge inspired by Aladdin,” she said. “This lounge offers complimentary food and beverage throughout the day, and a genie-inspired kids’ stories for families traveling together with children.”
For guests who want to luxuriate in the ultimate indulgence, Pickett invites them to stay at any of Disney Adventure’s two exclusive royal suites inspired by Frozen. While there, they can, as Elsa has been telling them all along, let go of their worries and cares and live, if only for several days, the charmed or magical life of any of their favorite Disney characters.
