Cruella to Black Panther set sail in Disney’s new themed ship
USA TODAY’s Nathan Diller toured Disney Destiny, a cruise ship equipped with guests’ favorite heroes and villains from Disney and Marvel movies.
- Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Destiny, features a heroes-and-villains theme throughout the vessel.
- New venues include a “101 Dalmatians” villain-themed piano bar, a “Pirates of the Caribbean” pub, and a “Doctor Strange” lounge.
- The ship introduces a new Broadway-style show based on “Hercules” and a “Lion King” themed dining experience.
As I walked onto Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, a line of crew members stood near the entrance of the Grand Hall to welcome me and other guests onboard. They weren’t the only ones, though: I looked up to see Spider-Man perched on a balcony at the top of the three-level space, waving to embarking passengers – just as friendly as you might hope.
Disney Destiny, the seventh ship in the company’s growing fleet, features a heroes-and-villains theme that is woven throughout the vessel, from the public spaces to activities and dining venues. That was clear from the moment I boarded: a statue of Peter Parker’s fellow Avenger, T’Challa, stood nearby beneath a massive chandelier with gold accents modeled on the vibranium used in Wakanda.
The fictional power source can also be seen in the carpet, alongside panthers and Heart-Shaped Herbs. Using color and lighting, the cruise line can change the mood of the space – especially if a villain like Loki shows up.
“We’re so fortunate to have so many stories within the Disney umbrella to be able to go to, so what this ship offers us the opportunity to do is to go and explore different stories that we haven’t told,” Joe Schott, President of Disney Signature Experiences, told USA TODAY.
USA TODAY got a sneak peek during a three-night preview cruise, ahead of its maiden voyage on Nov. 20. Here’s what to know about Disney Destiny.
What’s new on Disney Destiny?
Destiny is the third ship in the line’s Wish Class, but it has an identity all its own. Several new features help set it apart, including:
- De Vil’s: This intimate piano bar tucked away on Deck 3, and the cruise line’s first venue designed around a villain, is decked out in red-and-black carpeting with plush chairs and sofas as elegant as its namesake. I sipped on a smooth gin, vanilla and raspberry cocktail – named “I Live For Furs” – there one night while a pianist played mellow tunes at a spotted black-and-white baby grand. Cruella even pops in here and there.
- Cask & Cannon: Passengers don’t have to wait for the ship’s Pirate Night to feel like a rugged seafarer from “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Sip drinks like the “Dead Man’s Chest” – with Zacapa 23 Solera rum, pineapple, lime, agave and coconut froth – in large booths and tall-backed chairs under a treasure map ceiling. There are some menacing touches, too: swords line the walls and a banner reminds patrons that, “Dead men tell no tales.”
- “Disney Hercules”: The hour-long Broadway-style show dazzles with powerful vocals, giant Titans – actors wear “exoskeleton” suits that allow them to move heavy puppetry – and modern touches. At one point, Hades entered to a trap beat, and at another, the whole theater appeared awash in stars thanks to projectors. The epic tale didn’t take itself too seriously, either: Pegasus playing charades with Philoctetes had the audience chuckling.
- Edna Á La Mode Sweets: Edna “E” Mode of “The Incredibles” fame is a fashion designer and now confectionery proprietor. Visitors will find a wide range of treats, from macarons to ice cream and gelato (try the “Twix cookie bar pieces” flavor). Edna’s sartorial roots show, too: “Incredibles” costume pieces are on display in the window.
- Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King: Based on an African boma – a circular gathering space with various uses – diners enjoy a three-course meal while performers tell the story of Simba on an in-the-round style stage. Musicians included drummers and singers who marched through the aisles and played songs like “Circle of Life” and other fan-favorites. There were also dance numbers and silhouettes in backlit windows that evoked the sights of Simba’s eventual kingdom.
- The Sanctum: A gold marker for 177A Bleecker St. welcomes guests to this cozy lounge inspired by the New York Sanctum in “Doctor Strange.” A circular mirror window sits behind the bar – along with the Cloak of Levitation – and there is ample space to relax, play trivia, take in live music, and more, depending on when you enter. Beverages include the “Eye Opener” with Saigon Baigur gin, Amaro Montenegro, smoked oolong tea and lemon, and “The Distortion Effect,” made with Angel’s Envy Single Barrel High Seas Edition, Lillet Rouge and bitters.
Heroes and villains also show up in other forms. The ship’s front section features a villain motif with Maleficent – in dragon form – adorning carpets near the elevators, for example. Toward the aft, passengers will find Sorcerer Mickey there instead.
“You know, villains are often associated with colors like green, purple, red, so we have green as our color there to tie all the villains together, blue for heroes, much more optimistic,” Beth Burkhardt, Interior Design Manager for Walt Disney Imagineering, said during a media briefing.
“The shape language is angular, even the way villains are animated,” she continued. “You’ll see Cruella or Madame Medusa (have) very angular cheekbones and chin lines, so we wanted to look at that in the architecture of the space, too. So you may notice, from the stair balustrades to graphic details in the space, they change from our forward to aft stairs as well.”
Artwork in the public spaces depicts characters such as “The Incredibles,” Thanos and others. My cabin even featured illustrations from “Big Hero 6.” The ship’s AquaMouse water ride, with 760 feet of tubes, also has a new storyline titled “Sing a Silly Song” featuring Disney Animation villains.
How big is Disney Destiny?
The ship measures 144,000 gross tons and 1,119 feet long. Disney Destiny can accommodate 4,000 guests.
Where will Disney Destiny sail?
The ship will sail four and five-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades.
How much does Disney Destiny cost?
Available cruises currently start at $2,043 for two guests, according to the cruise line’s website. The fares include accommodations; most meals onboard; drinks like soda, regular coffee and tea; entertainment and more.
When it comes to guests’ takeaways, Schott said “the hope that we would have is that they’re captivated by the stories that they love, and they’re sorting to the ship that they take based on this.”
“You won’t see ‘Hercules’ repeated on other ships for a very specific reason, because we want to have signature pieces for each one of the ships that’s different, that gives people an opportunity to experience new ships.”
The reporter on this story received access to this event from Disney Cruise Line. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
