Visiting the Disney Destiny cruise ship under construction in Germany
I visited the Disney Destiny construction site in Germany and watched the new cruise ship float for the first time ever.
Innovation, storytelling, and technology collide as the heroes of Disney Cruise Line’s upcoming seventh ship. Disney Cruise Line is going the distance with the fleet expected to expand to 13 by 2031, and next up is the Disney Destiny.
I was invited by Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering for a rare first look of the Disney Destiny, currently under construction in Germany ahead of her inaugural sailing in November 2025. Disney’s symbiotic partnership with Meyer Werft, the shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, began with the Disney Dream and Fantasy. The shipyard also constructed Destiny’s sister ships, the Wish and Treasure.
Visiting Meyer Werft shipyard, Disney’s cruise construction headquarters
The behind-the-scenes, guided hard hat construction tour of the Disney Destiny in August 2025 brought us throughout the German shipyard and onboard. Led by creatives from Walt Disney Imagineering, it offered an unprecedented, insiders view into the upcoming heroes-and-villains themed ship. No personal devices were allowed for photos, but we had a photographer on the tour with us who was able to capture several moments.
We began by diving into the early stages of Disney Destinhy construction, led by Philip Gennotte, portfolio senior executive project management with Walt Disney Imagineering Germany. It all begins in the laser center, where steel plates are wielded together to create blocks (almost like assembling a LEGO set). The facility is state-of-the-art, built in 2001 with the newest pioneering technologies. Much like Disney, Meyer Werft is on the pulse of innovation. We discovered a number of interesting facts, like that the shipyard developed water-based paint, a more environmentally friendly option. Also, Meyer Werft employs the local community, with 80% of ship components made in Germany; and they employ locals with disabilities for various smaller projects.
The Destiny was built and assembled inside a sprawling dry-dock-covered hall, sized at 500 metres long, making it the largest covered building dock in the world. It is hard to explain just how massive this is (imagine a very, very large hangar). And on any given day, 1,500-2,000 employees are working in well choreographed synchrony. It was both a marvel and baffling to witness.
The ship is being constructed from bow to stern, which means it’s in various stages. Some venues, like the Haunted Mansion Parlor, were further along during our visit, while the Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King restaurant was in its early stages. And this was very much an active construction zone: many floors were bare, tile was actively being laid, and cranes were abound. It was a very special peek behind the mouse’s curtain we don’t often get to witness with our very own eyes.
Let’s step inside.
Disney Destiny construction tour
Disney Destiny Grand Hall
The Grand Hall is a cornerstone of Disney Cruise Line, and this new iteration is poised to be its most advanced. Principal interior designer Beth Burkhardt led us though the space, which was immensely detailed and she described it as Disney’s “Kingdom On The Sea.” It’s meant to evoke the feel and spirit of Wakanda, with elements thoughtfully designed, like patterned glass detailing that resembles warrior spears. We didn’t spot the much-anticipated patina-style bronze statue of T’Challa, inspired by the Vibranium-fueled suit, but WDI shared it had indeed arrived in the country and would be installed soon.
Artwork courtesy of Disney
With a unique 360-degree lighting package, the atrium has the ability to dramatically transform the space based on whichever character is featured at that moment. It will serve as the heart of the ship, where heroes and villain, alike can be found. These special moments will include Cruella de Vil, Loki, and Dr. Facilier, and are suggested to be an entirely new way to interact with characters that we’ve yet to see. The cruise director, Carly Scott, called it a “meet and play,” and we can’t wait to learn more. Entertainment and immersion is the ethos of Destiny, and Scott described it as “the whole of the ship is living, breathing theater.”
De Vil’s Piano Lounge
This intimate space is inspired by various versions of the iconic villain and “One Hundred and One Dalmatians,” including a carpet that mimics the infamous Dalmatian dots from the classic animated film. On our visit, the crew was actively installing the fiber optics behind the piano, which will depict the villain’s iconic silhouette. Cruella will also “stop by” the piano bar for what should be a very popular experience. WDI shared that their goal was to create a place that Cruella herself would enjoy to spend time in and described it as “wickedly fun to play with.”
The Haunted Mansion Parlor
This appeared to be a near replica of the venue on the Treasure in both appearance and storyline. The walls were mostly complete with artwork of The Captain’s Bride and the iconic purple wallpaper already looming. The famed fish tank has yet to be installed along with furniture. We can’t wait to “hurry back.”
Photo by Kent Phillips / Disney
Walt Disney Theater
This was one of the few spaces we visited that was just about completely done, with the team moving on to tinkering with audio and lighting technologies. We peeked at the familiar stage props from the cruise line favorite production of “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular” as well as some atmospheric props that will be part of Disney Destiny’s exclusive production of the highly anticipated “Disney Hercules.” When she sails, the theater will also show cruise line staple “Disney Seas The Adventure” and “Disney The Tale of Moana,” which debuted on the Treasure. For those familiar with the venue, it encapsulates that same majestic, grand feel.
Verandah stateroom
The staterooms will also feel familiar to those who have sailed on the Treasure with subtle differences in design, including different wood tones (Destiny uses slate). The headboard and artwork uses a comic book style, and guests will spot favorites from “Mulan,” “Big Hero 6,” and more. I particularly loved the headboard art which takes a whimsical approach, and the “Hercules” room will no doubt be popular. WDI mentioned they wanted to steer away from villains in the staterooms, but there’s tiny nods of duality found in the art.
Artwork courtesy of Disney
Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired tavern
WDI’s Sara Pepper guided us through Cask & Cannon, inspired by the iconic Disney parks attraction. While on the Treasure this sister space has the bar set flush against the back, this design is similar to the Wish. When guests enter, it’s like stepping directly into the belly of a ship, with wooden planks on the wall and a bar inspired by treasure chests. The ceiling of this venue may have been my favorite thing I spotted during the tour (and was not previously depicted in concept art until after our visit). The ceiling is detailed with the early attraction concept art from Disney Legend Marc Davis and was developed by Disney Cruise Line in partnership with Walt Disney Archives. Visitors will spot the ride’s most famous residents, including the famed Redd and the pirate with a hanging dirty foot up above as they sip their cocktails.
Artwork courtesy of Disney
The Sanctum
Getting to have a photo moment in The Sanctum was undoubtedly a highlight. It will be the first ever lounge inspired by “Doctor Strange” and the first ever Marvel-inspired lounge at sea. Soon, the space will be filled with details and props reminiscent of the Chamber of Relics. I can’t wait to return to dive deeper into the world of powerful sorcerers.
Public guests areas
With the heroes and villains overall theme of the ship, the public-facing guests areas, like stairs and wall artwork, feature villains in the forward and heroes in the aft. For heroes, we spotted carpet detailing with Mount Olympus clouds from “Hercules.”
Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King
With this restaurant’s location in the back of the ship, it was one of the Disney Destiny venues we experienced that was in a much earlier stage of construction. It is poised to be a first-of-its-kind restaurant inspired by the beloved films. WDI shared that atmospheric special effects and magical moments will be found throughout the duration for a true multi-sensory experience. From its back window, diners can also get a great view of Spider-Man and his Spider-Bots on the ship’s stern.
Float out
The next day we experienced what’s known as a float out, the ceremony for the ship’s first time floating and leaving the dock. As a major regional employer, this was a big moment and when we arrived there were thousands of onlookers already waiting, with many camping out overnight in RVs. It was a true spectacle for the multi-hour-long float out.
The Disney Destiny will soon make her sea trials, where the team will access things that could impact the guests’ experience, like stateroom vibrations and noises. The ship won’t be dry docked again for around five years, until maintenance is done.
Photo courtesy of Disney
Final thoughts
Once construction is complete, the Disney Destiny will go from “zero to hero” as it welcomes its first revenue guests in just a few short months. The ship feels like a triumph in the Triton Class, with the team expertly accessing what has previously worked and adjusted what hasn’t. Iconic stories of heroes and villains will unfold surrounding guests, making this the most immersive Disney Cruise Line ship yet. It feels like a true love letter to Disney parks and film fans — innovation meeting experience with the limits of technology and storytelling pushed.
Steel-cutting ceremony for Disney’s 2027 ship
But wait, there’s more… We got a sneak peek at the fourth Wish-Class ship (during the tour we learned that while this category of ships is officially called the “Triton Class” it’s common for workers to refer to it as the “Wish Class”). We had the honor of attending the steel-cutting ceremony, a maritime tradition that signifies that construction is underway and moving forward. The fourth ship is expected in 2027.
Photo by Carly Caramanna
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