Disney Believe: First Hull Section Floated Out in Papenburg

For fans of Disney cruises, there is exciting news from the shipyard: construction of the newest fleet member is making visible progress. At the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Lower Saxony, the first gigantic hull section of the upcoming Disney Believe has been successfully floated out and moved into the shipyard harbor. According to current plans, the ship is scheduled to enter service at the end of 2027.

A Giant Puzzle Piece Floats in the Shipyard Harbor

As reported by the editorial team of Schiffe und Kreuzfahrten, the component was maneuvered out of the building dock early on Friday morning, September 18, 2026. According to Disney Cruise Line, this element is the first of a total of three so-called gigablocks that will together form the ship's hull. This first block comprises the midship section, which will later house the central hall, among other areas. Next up is the construction and assembly of the bow and stern segments.

The Fourth Ship of the Popular Class

Disney Believe is the fourth ship of the Wish class (also known as the Triton class) for Disney Cruise Line. She follows her sister ships already in service:

• Disney Wish (built in 2022)
• Disney Treasure (built in 2024)
• Disney Destiny (built in 2025)

The new ship will have a gross tonnage of around 144,000 tons and accommodate 2,500 guests at double occupancy, according to a report by Cruise Industry News.

South Seas Flair and Toy Heroes on Board

Details have also emerged regarding the visual highlights. As reported by Cruise Industry News, the three-story Grand Hall will be themed around the Disney animated film "Moana" and its design will be inspired by the traditions of the South Seas. At the center of the hall, a bronze statue of the heroine Moana will stand alongside her companions Pua and Heihei. At the stern of the ship, travelers can also look forward to giant sculptures of the famous "Toy Story" characters Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

Before the planned delivery at the end of 2027, there will be many more construction steps at Meyer Werft before the completed ship can finally make her conveyance along the Ems River toward the North Sea.