Disney’s first Asia-based cruise ship to start maiden trip from Marina Bay on Dec 15, 2025
Disney Adventure will port in Singapore for 5 years in tie-up with STB; move is expected to generate jobs
THE brand new cruise ship will set sail on her maiden voyage from Singapore’s Marina Bay Cruise Centre on Dec 15, 2025. Bookings open on Dec 10 this year. This is Disney Cruise Line’s first ship to home-port in Asia.
More details on sailing dates and pricing will be released on Nov 14. The ship, which can carry 6,700 passengers and 2,500 crew members, will port in Singapore for five years, beginning from its first sailing in 2025. This is under a collaboration between Disney Cruise Line and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
The three and four-night voyages are designed as cruises to nowhere. “The ship itself is the destination,” said Sarah Fox, vice-president and regional general manager for South-east Asia, Disney Cruise Line, at the launch event at Marina Bay Sands on Wednesday (Oct 16).
She added: “As we bring the magic of Disney to this part of the world, we have also hand-picked experiences unique to Asia, some of which are firsts for Disney Cruise Line.”
While the Disney Adventure will retain familiar Disney Cruise Line concepts such as character dining experiences, it will also introduce offerings such as an adventure zone with three Marvel-themed rides, including the longest roller coaster at sea, a three-deck-high castle art piece, and an all-new musical theatre performance.
Dining options on board will feature international flavours as well as dishes inspired by the region.
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Guests can experience seven themed zones inspired by popular Disney, Pixar and Marvel stories such as The Little Mermaid, Toy Story and Big Hero 6. Staterooms will be given touches through Disney-related art, and include family friendly amenities such as complimentary toddler essentials. The cruise will include kid-specific offerings, as well as adult-exclusive experiences.
Speaking to media after the event, Fox noted the appeal of Singapore’s connectivity, with its world-class airport and cruise infrastructure.
“And then, from a tourism perspective, Singapore is a fantastic crossroads for all of South-east Asia, and that has ability to really reach a number of our guests, whether that be from India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia (or so on),” she said, noting that these are top source countries for the Republic’s inbound tourism.
“So Singapore really has become such a great hub opportunity for us.”
Jenny Weinbloom, vice-president of live entertainment at Disney Signature Experiences, highlighted that the Disney Adventure exclusive Broadway-style show will star Pixar’s Wall-E and Eve, “who don’t use language heavily in their communication with one another”.
“That really excited us, because we know we’re going to have guests from all over the world on this ship who speak different languages, but all of whom share experiences of love and music and deep connection with these characters,” she said.
Part of bringing the business into the region is hiring, and Disney Cruise Line plans to recruit regionally, Fox told The Business Times. Initial hiring has been for the organisation’s marketing and sales, contact centre and travel service operations, but it will be building shore-side operations in early 2025, and recruiting crew members.
“We have done a fantastic job at hiring locally,” she said. “There’s the job market and the ability around the region to positively impact that.”
She added: “But then there’s also all of the infrastructural benefits as well, whether that’s through our procurement and sourcing, whether it’s in the entertainment industries. We think about things like servicing our Broadway shows and costuming... so I think the impact into the broader industry is a really positive benefit.”
The regional general manager for South-east Asia said STB has been a “great partner”, from encouraging the cruise line to come to Singapore, signing the agreement, and engaging with them. Disney is part of STB’s Cruise Development Fund, “as most cruise ships are”, she said.
This fund supports the deployment of cruise ships in Singapore, and the development of initiatives to grow the industry in the country.
It is open to cruise lines, intermediaries, experience owners, charterers and industry trainers. Projects are assessed based on several factors, including their ability to grow the number of sailings and drive passenger traffic.
Successful applicants receive funding support for qualifying costs, such as the Singapore terminal operator’s port charges and consultancy costs.
The Disney Cruise Line currently operates five ships, and aims to grow this to 13 ships by 2031. Earlier this year, it announced plans for a Tokyo-based vessel.
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