Disney Imagination: a new Disney cruise ship is coming to Japan
Disney Imagination will begin sailing from Tokyo in spring 2029, bringing a Disney cruise ship based year-round in Japan. Disney’s latest announcement reveals the ship’s name and its “The Little Mermaid” stern characters, with more details about the onboard experiences still to come.
Here’s what we know so far.
When and where will Disney Imagination sail?
Disney confirmed a spring 2029 debut for sailings from Tokyo in its Oct. 13 announcement.
The ship will launch Disney Cruise Line Japan, a Disney-branded cruise business operated by Oriental Land Co., the company that owns and operates Tokyo Disney Resort under license from Disney.
How will it compare with Disney Wish?
When Disney announced the Japan cruise project in July 2024, it described the vessel as a sister ship to Disney Wish.
Initial plans call for approximately 1,250 staterooms and a ship measuring about 140,000 gross tons, powered by liquefied natural gas. Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, shared the news with designs by Walt Disney Imagineering.
Disney also said the ship would feature venues and experiences from Disney Wish, with modifications designed for Japanese guests. Oriental Land Co. shared that those adaptations involve onboard facilities, food and entertainment, along with original elements for the Japan cruise experience.
Other major cruise lines offer examples of how ships can be tailored to the Japanese market. Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess features an Izumi Japanese Bath, while its Japan departures include in-room tea sets and Japanese-language television programming. Disney and Oriental Land Co. have not confirmed whether Disney Imagination will offer comparable amenities.
Ariel and Sebastian will appear on the stern
Ariel, Sebastian and other underwater motifs from “The Little Mermaid” will decorate the back of Disney Imagination.
Ariel already has a home aboard several Disney ships. Her bronze statue welcomes guests in Disney Wonder’s atrium, where Triton’s restaurant draws inspiration from her underwater world. Disney Wish features “Disney The Little Mermaid” on stage and Little Mermaid-themed staterooms, while the upcoming Disney Believe will introduce the grotto-inspired Sea Notes piano lounge and Royal Reef Suite.
Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line
The announced Disney Believe stern design depicts Ariel using her “dinglehopper” to create the ship’s name, continuing Disney Cruise Line’s tradition of character sculptures on its ships’ sterns.
For many Disney Cruise Line fans like myself, it is comforting to see the classic stern script return after Disney Believe’s departure from the tradition, using a “Toy Story” based font style.
What will be on board?
Disney has confirmed Broadway-style entertainment, character encounters, food and beverage experiences, dedicated spaces for children and teens, and adult-only areas.
Specific restaurants, show titles and other themed venues have not been detailed in the name announcement.
How does Disney Imagination fit into Disney’s cruise expansion?
Disney Imagination’s name reveal follows the Disney Believe reveal, another upcoming ship scheduled to begin sailing in December 2027. Both build on the Disney Wish design, with their own onboard experiences.
Our Disney Believe coverage takes a closer look at its announced restaurants, lounges and entertainment. For Disney Imagination, specific venue details are still to come as its debut comes two years after the latest Disney Wish-class ship.
For now, Disney Imagination has a name, a homeport and an undersea welcome on its stern — with more of its story still waiting to surface.
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