Disney Destiny Makes Her Grand Arrival in Florida Ahead of Inaugural Voyages

Disney Cruise Line’s newest addition, the Disney Destiny, has officially arrived in Port Canaveral, Florida, marking a major milestone before the ship heads south to Fort Lauderdale for her christening on November 10.

The 144,000-gross-ton Wish-class vessel is the first ship in the Disney fleet themed entirely around “Heroes and Villains”, bringing together stories and characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Disney Parks in an immersive, storytelling-filled cruise experience.

A Magical Arrival at Port Canaveral

After completing her first transatlantic crossing from the Netherlands, Disney Destiny made her Florida debut on Sunday evening, November 2, sailing gracefully into Port Canaveral just after sunset.

As hundreds of onlookers gathered along Jetty Park, the ship greeted the coast with a spectacular horn concert featuring beloved Disney classics — including “Hakuna Matata,” “Cruella de Vil,” “A Dream Is a Wish,” and her signature tune, “Go the Distance.”

The performance, lasting over seven minutes, perfectly captured the excitement surrounding Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship — and gave Florida residents a first glimpse of the floating stage that will soon welcome thousands of guests aboard.

Port Canaveral present Disney Destiny's captain with a plaque for her first arrival into the port - Port Canaveral

Christening and Maiden Voyage

Following her brief stay at Port Canaveral for final preparations and provisioning, Disney Destiny will make her way to Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) — her official homeport.

There, the ship will be christened on November 10, with a ceremony set to be livestreamed worldwide so Disney fans and cruisers everywhere can join in the celebration. After that, Destiny will host several preview sailings for media, travel partners, and special guests before officially welcoming passengers aboard.

The ship’s maiden voyage departs November 20, 2025 — a 4-night Bahamas itinerary visiting both of Disney Cruise Line’s private islands, Lookout Cay and Castaway Cay.

What Passengers Can Expect

Guests sailing on Disney Destiny will be among the first to experience Disney Cruise Line’s bold new “Heroes and Villains” concept — a design philosophy that celebrates courage, mischief, and transformation.

Onboard highlights will include:

• Broadway-style shows inspired by Hercules, Maleficent, and Encanto

• Themed dining venues featuring both heroic and villainous decor

• A Marvel training experience for kids and families

• Character meet-and-greets with both heroes and villains from across the Disney universe

Inaugural Season Itineraries

Disney Destiny’s first season will feature a mix of 4- and 5-night cruises to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean, sailing year-round from Fort Lauderdale.

Itineraries will include stops at:

• Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

• Disney Castaway Cay

• Nassau, Bahamas

• Cozumel, Mexico

• Grand Cayman, San Juan, and St. Maarten on select 7-night sailings

In June 2026, Destiny will also introduce two week-long Caribbean cruises, offering guests longer adventures with more destinations to explore.

By late 2026, the ship will even host special Very Merrytime Cruises, featuring festive décor, holiday-themed shows, and multiple stops at Disney’s private islands — perfect for families celebrating Christmas at sea.

Disney’s “Discover Your Destiny” Initiative

To celebrate the ship’s arrival, Disney Cruise Line is partnering with local organizations in Florida and The Bahamas to launch the “Discover Your Destiny” program — an initiative aimed at inspiring students through the arts.

The program gives young people a behind-the-scenes look at entertainment and creative careers aboard Disney ships, encouraging them to explore their talents and dream big — just like the heroes and storytellers who inspired Disney Destiny herself.

A Heroic New Chapter for Disney Cruise Line

The arrival of Disney Destiny marks another step forward in Disney Cruise Line’s ongoing fleet expansion. Following the success of Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, this third Wish-class ship continues to blend technology, storytelling, and family fun in a way that only Disney can deliver.

For cruise enthusiasts, her debut is not just another ship launch — it’s the start of a new era of Disney magic at sea.