The Disney Destiny float out at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, took place on August 9, moving Disney Cruise Line’s newest Wish/Triton-class ship from the covered hall to open water for final outfitting.
The ceremony featured fireworks, the first play of the ship’s anthem, and an appearance by “Hero Minnie,” indicating the project remains on schedule for a late-2025 debut.
Key Takeaways
- Float-out complete: Disney Destiny left Meyer Werft’s Hall 6; final outfitting now underway.
- Timeline: Ems conveyance and sea trials next; inaugural set for Nov. 20, 2025 from Port Everglades.
- Highlights: ~144,000-GT LNG ship with a “heroes vs. villains” theme, featuring Spider-Man stern art.
Read our full report on Star of the Seas’ grand arrival in Florida
A float out marks exterior completion and the switch to dockside work. Over the coming weeks, shipyard teams will install tall elements, such as the twin funnels, and complete interior spaces, while also conducting harbor tests.
The next milestones are the carefully timed Ems River conveyance to the North Sea and then open-ocean sea trials, where propulsion, navigation, and hotel systems are validated under real conditions.
Theme and First Looks
Destiny continues Disney’s “heroes and villains” concept. For the first time on a Disney ship, a Marvel character—Spider-Man, flanked by Spider-Bots—appears in the stern art.
At the bow, Minnie Mouse is dressed in a special superhero outfit that ties the exterior to the ship’s overall narrative. The float-out festivities also included a debut of the ship’s upbeat anthem and the classic “When You Wish Upon a Star” horn salute.
Size, Power, and Class Context
As the third member of the Wish (also called Triton) class after Disney Wish (2022) and Disney Treasure (2024), Disney Destiny is roughly 144,000 gross tons, designed for about 4,000 guests, and powered by LNG for lower emissions than conventional marine fuels.
The ship was “floated up” inside the building hall earlier this year for initial systems testing; Saturday’s move places her at the equipment pier for the final construction phase.
If you’re comparing across the newest builds, our Wish-class overview breaks down what carries over from Wish and Treasure and what’s unique on Destiny, from dining to family spaces.
Entertainment and Venues to Watch
Disney has trailed a line-up that leans into the heroes-and-villains storyline. The Grand Hall will feature a Black Panther statue; the Walt Disney Theatre will stage an exclusive Disney Hercules musical; and sailings are set to include productions of Frozen and Disney Seas the Adventure.
Elsewhere onboard, look for a Cruella-inspired piano bar, an Edna Mode sweet shop, and a Lion King-themed dining experience—Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King.
Deployment and First Sailings
Disney Destiny is scheduled to begin service from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) on November 20, 2025. Early itineraries focus on four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean, including calls at Disney’s private islands—Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay—on select sailings.
After sea trials and delivery, the ship will reposition to Florida for crew training and final checks ahead of the maiden voyage.
Planning your day ashore on Destiny’s Bahamas sailings? If you’re new to cruising, check out our Ultimate Cruise Packing List to make sure you’re prepared for your trip.
What’s Next on the Build Timeline
Expect several weeks of outfitting in Papenburg before the weather-dependent Ems River conveyance and subsequent North Sea sea trials.
The float-out follows a busy week at the yard, which also saw steel-cutting for Disney Cruise Line’s fourth Wish-class ship, scheduled for delivery in 2027 — a sign of the brand’s accelerated pipeline. For insight into what makes a luxury cruise truly stand out, see our Silver Moon review.
