What Do We Know About the Disney Believe? Disney Cruise Line's Newest Ship (Dates, Booking, Itineraries, Restaurants and Shows)
Second Star Wishes is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency, and "When can we book the new Disney ship?" is the question filling our inbox this week. This guide covers everything Disney has announced about the Disney Believe so far: sail dates, booking dates, every inaugural sailing with prices, restaurants, shows, kids clubs, staterooms, and how to get to the port. It's a living guide, so we'll keep adding to it as Disney shares more.
By Andrea Napiontek, Founder and CEO | Last Updated: October 2026 | Details checked against Disney Cruise Line's October 7, 2026 reveal, the Disney Parks Blog, the released deck plans, and published inaugural sailings, fares, and Disney's menu preview on October 8, 2026
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In This Guide
What Is the Disney Believe?
The Disney Believe is Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, and it sets sail on its maiden voyage on December 18, 2027, from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It's the fourth Wish Class ship, joining the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny. (A "class" is a group of ships built from the same design, so the Believe will feel familiar if you've sailed any of those three.)
The theme is characters who dare to dream and believe in themselves. Think Encanto, Moana, Frozen, Tangled, The Little Mermaid, and Snow White, plus a few surprises like Zootopia, Big Hero 6, and Toy Story. Even the outside of the ship plays along: Woody and Buzz ride on the stern, writing the ship's name with giant yellow crayons in Toy Story-style block letters, and a hand-painted Tinker Bell filigree covers the bow, surrounded by silhouettes of Peter, Wendy, and Captain Hook.
Disney Believe Quick Facts
When does the Disney Believe set sail? Its maiden voyage is December 18, 2027, a 5-night Bahamas cruise from Fort Lauderdale.
When can you book the Disney Believe? Castaway Club members start booking October 12, 2026. The general public can book starting October 19, 2026.
Where does the Disney Believe sail? 4-night and 5-night Bahamas cruises and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.
How much does a Disney Believe cruise cost? Inaugural fares start at $2,683 for two guests in an inside stateroom on a 4-night cruise.
Jump to: Booking dates | Sailing dates | Prices
When Can You Book the Disney Believe?
Booking opens in waves starting October 12, 2026, with Disney's most loyal cruisers going first and the general public on October 19, 2026. Every window opens around 8 a.m. Eastern Time. Golden Oak residents, Club 33 members, Disney Vacation Club members, and Adventure Insiders have to book by phone during their early window.
Pearl Castaway Club members (25 or more Disney cruises): Monday, October 12, 2026
Platinum Castaway Club members (10 to 24 Disney cruises): Tuesday, October 13, 2026 (Golden Oak residents and Club 33 members book this day too)
Gold Castaway Club members (5 to 9 Disney cruises): Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Silver Castaway Club members (1 to 4 Disney cruises): Thursday, October 15, 2026
Eligible Disney Vacation Club members and Adventures by Disney Adventure Insiders: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Everyone else: Monday, October 19, 2026
The Castaway Club is Disney's free loyalty program. You join automatically after your first Disney cruise, so if you've sailed even once, you get early access. Not sure which tier you are? It's based on how many Disney cruises you've taken, not how long they were.
TIP: Inaugural sailings, holiday sailings, and the best stateroom categories go fast. If you want a specific date, have your Travel Specialist ready to book the moment your window opens.
Where Will the Disney Believe Sail?
The Disney Believe's first season runs from December 18, 2027, through early May 2028, with 29 sailings, all from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. It shares that homeport with the Disney Destiny.
There are three main itineraries:
5-night Bahamas: Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay, Nassau, and one day at sea (the maiden voyage is one of these)
4-night Bahamas: Nassau and Lookout Cay on most dates, plus a few holiday and spring sailings that swap in Castaway Cay, with one day at sea
5-night Western Caribbean: Cozumel, Mexico, and Castaway Cay, with two relaxing days at sea
Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point are Disney's two private islands in the Bahamas. Our Complete Guide to Disney Cruise Line explains what each one is like.
Good to know: the order of the ports changes by sailing date, so check the exact order for your sailing before booking Port Adventures.
What Are All the Disney Believe Inaugural Sailing Dates?
Here's every inaugural season sailing Disney has released, with the starting fare for two guests in an inside stateroom (taxes and port fees included) at the time fares were released.
Holiday sailings
December 18 to 23, 2027 (maiden voyage): 5-night Bahamas, from $6,444
December 23 to 27, 2027 (Christmas): 4-night Bahamas with Castaway Cay and Nassau, from $5,211
December 27 to 31, 2027: 4-night Bahamas with Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay, from $5,476
December 31, 2027 to January 5, 2028 (New Year's Eve): 5-night Western Caribbean, from $6,030
5-night Bahamas (2028)
January 10 (from $3,444) and January 24 (from $3,444)
February 7 (from $3,644) and February 21 (from $3,754)
March 6 (from $4,344) and March 20 (from $4,174)
April 3 (from $4,014), April 17 (from $3,544), and April 22 (from $3,564)
May 1 (from $3,514)
5-night Western Caribbean (2028)
January 15 (from $3,180) and January 29 (from $3,390)
February 12 (from $3,760) and February 26 (from $3,490)
March 11 (from $4,730) and March 25 (from $4,150)
April 8 (from $4,790)
4-night Bahamas (2028)
January 20 (from $2,683)
February 3 (from $2,827) and February 17 (from $3,291)
March 2 (from $3,019), March 16 (from $3,619), and March 30 with Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay (from $3,220)
April 13 (from $3,331) and April 27 (from $2,883)
Notice the gap after New Year's? A January 5, 2028, sailing isn't open for general booking. It may be set aside for a group like Disney Vacation Club members, but Disney hasn't said.
TIP: Spring break weeks in March and early April are the priciest non-holiday dates. Late January and late April are the sweet spots for value.
How Much Does a Disney Believe Cruise Cost?
Inaugural season fares start at $2,683 for two guests in an inside stateroom on the 4-night January 20, 2028, sailing. That's the total for the stateroom, including taxes, fees, and port expenses, at the time fares were released.
Cheapest 4-night: from $2,683 for two
Cheapest 5-night Western Caribbean: from $3,180 for two
Cheapest 5-night Bahamas: from $3,444 for two
Maiden voyage: from $6,444 for two in an inside stateroom, with Concierge topping out around $17,074
3rd and 4th guests: cost less than the first two, but they aren't free, so a family of four will pay more than the "for two" price
Budget for a few extras too. Gratuities are $16 per person, per night in standard staterooms and $27.25 in Concierge, kids included. Alcohol, adults-only dining, spa, Port Adventures, and Wi-Fi also cost extra.
Disney uses dynamic pricing, which means fares tend to go up as ships fill, not down. Here's what surprises people: the lowest prices are usually the day booking opens.
What Are the Deposit, Payment, and Cancellation Rules for the Disney Believe?
All Believe sailings are 4 or 5 nights, so Disney's standard rules for shorter cruises apply (the maiden voyage has stricter rules, covered below).
Deposit: 10% of your fare, due when you book.
Final payment: due 90 days before you sail.
Cancel 90 or more days out: no penalty.
Cancel 89 to 45 days out: you lose your deposit.
Cancel 44 to 30 days out: you lose 50% of the fare.
Cancel 29 to 15 days out: you lose 75%.
Cancel 14 days or less: you lose 100%.
Concierge deposits are non-refundable from the day you book. If you choose a "restricted" fare to save money, it's non-refundable once paid. That's one reason we talk through travel protection with every family.
What Restaurants Are on the Disney Believe?
The Disney Believe has three main dining rooms that you rotate through each night: Oaken's Table, 1923, and Worlds of Marvel. "Rotational dining" means you eat in a different themed restaurant each night, and your servers move with you.
Oaken's Table: A Frozen Family Feast: a brand new, untold Frozen story. Oaken, Anna, and Kristoff invite you to dinner in a summer house courtyard in the forest while Oaken's cousins play their own spin on Frozen songs. It's Disney Cruise Line's second Frozen dining experience, after Arendelle on the Disney Wish.
1923: a fleet favorite celebrating the early days of Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Worlds of Marvel: returning with its interactive show, Marvel Celebration of Heroes: Groot Remix.
For casual meals, Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods on the upper decks has food stalls for barbecue, cantina bowls and salads, pizza, burgers, and soft-serve. New on the Believe: Pluto's Pita Platters, with a Mediterranean menu.
The adults-only dining is confirmed on the deck plans too:
Palo Steakhouse: the upscale steakhouse version of Disney's classic Italian Palo.
Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement: French fine dining with a Beauty and the Beast twist.
The Rose: an adults-only lounge next door, perfect for a drink before dinner.
Disney hasn't released Believe prices for these yet. On the other Wish Class ships, Palo Steakhouse is $55 per person and Enchanté is $145 per person, plus gratuity, so expect something similar.
What Shows and Entertainment Are on the Disney Believe?
The headliner is Disney Encanto, the first time the movie has ever been turned into a stage show. It follows Mirabel's quest to save her family and their magical home, with Colombian-inspired costumes and dance and Lin-Manuel Miranda's hits like "We Don't Talk About Bruno" and "Surface Pressure." It plays in the Walt Disney Theatre alongside two other Broadway-style shows.
Disney Encanto: the brand new signature show
Tangled: The Musical: reimagined with a new set and special effects you'll only see on the Believe
Disney Seas the Adventure: the Wish Class show starring Disney and Pixar characters
Gazelle is the ship's main family entertainment space on Decks 4 and 5, inspired by the city in Zootopia. By day it's trivia, games, and character meet and greets. At night it switches to adults-only entertainment, silent discos, and variety acts. It's also home to a new family show where Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde need your help to solve a case, the first time they've starred in a Disney Cruise Line show.
Fleet favorites are coming too, like Pirate's Rockin' Parlay Party on Pirate Night, the Hero Zone, the Disney Uncharted Adventure interactive game, and the Wonderland and Never Land Cinemas.
Meet your cruise director: Trent Hitchcock will be the Believe's opening Cruise Director. He's been with Disney Cruise Line for nearly 20 years, including 10 as a cruise director, and helped open the Disney Destiny.
What Bars, Lounges, and Cafés Are on the Disney Believe?
The Disney Believe adds four new lounges and three new spots for coffee and treats, plus the return of the Haunted Mansion Parlor.
Wishing Well: an open-air lounge off the Grand Hall themed to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Sea Notes: an iridescent piano lounge with a pearly piano, inspired by Ariel's world in The Little Mermaid
Skygazers: a pub with a magical observatory theme
Haunted Mansion Parlor: back from the Disney Treasure, with a new drink menu
Café Kakamora: a Moana café near the Grand Hall
Big Hero Sips: a Big Hero 6 café
Inside Out: Joyful Sweets: a candy and treat shop with more than 20 flavors of gelato and ice cream
Disney shared a first look at the menus on October 8, 2026. Inside Out: Joyful Sweets gets a brand new menu plus giant Inside Out 2 sculptures, including Anxiety and the Sense of Self. The treats are themed to the emotions:
Cupcakes: Joy Lemon Confetti, Anger Red Velvet Spiced, Anxiety Orange-Almond, and Envy Sour Apple with matcha frosting, each topped with a character lollipop
Popsicles: white chocolate fudge cake dipped in fruity chocolate glazes for Joy, Anxiety, Anger, and Embarrassment
Crisped rice treats: Anger peanut butter, Envy cookies 'n cream, Anxiety dulce de leche, and Joy vanilla with sprinkles
Chocolate spheres: shimmery Joy, Anxiety, and Anger spheres filled with chocolate candy
Shortbread cookies: vanilla shortbread with dulce de leche filling
Each new lounge has its own showstopper drink:
Sea Notes: the Sea Salt Martini, served in a seashell glass and topped with salted coconut foam, or Under the Seaweed, its alcohol-free twin
Wishing Well: the Peddler's Disguise, a green apple and elderflower potion in a glass that changes color as it's poured (the Evil Queen would approve)
Skygazers: Moonshine, a gin and sake cocktail in a sparkly constellation glass with a "moon aroma bubble," or Starshine, the alcohol-free version
The Grand Hall is the ship's three-deck lobby, where characters appear and the big moments happen. On the Believe it's themed to Moana, with a bronze statue of Moana, Pua, and Heihei, ocean-blue carpet with glowing bioluminescent colors, Polynesian-inspired finishes, and a chandelier that flows like the sea, with the Heart of Te Fiti hidden inside.
What Can Kids and Teens Do on the Disney Believe?
The deck plans confirm the full lineup of kids clubs, and all of them except the nursery are included in your fare.
"it's a small world" Nursery (6 months to 3 years), Deck 2: costs extra, about $10 per hour on other ships. Book it during online check-in.
Oceaneer Club (3 to 10 years), Deck 2: with a Monsters, Inc. entrance (complete with "Caution: 2319" tape) you'll only find on the Believe. Kids must be potty trained.
Edge (11 to 13 years), Deck 5: the tween hangout.
Vibe (14 to 17 years), Deck 12: the teen club.
The Hideaway, Deck 12: a hangout next to Vibe for older kids.
For the whole family, the Toy Story Splash Zone on Deck 12 has a water play area with Slide-a-saurus Rex and a treat stand called Wheezy's Freezies. The Hero Zone on Decks 12 and 13 is the sports and games area.
What Pools and Adults-Only Spaces Are on the Disney Believe?
Yes, the AquaMouse is back. The deck plans show its entrance on Deck 13, so the Believe gets the same water ride as the other Wish Class ships, with Mickey and Minnie cartoon adventures playing as you splash through.
Adults get their own retreat too:
Quiet Cove, Deck 13: the adults-only pool area, with Cove Café for coffee and Cove Bar for cocktails.
Senses Spa and Fitness, Deck 5: spa treatments, the gym, the Untangled Salon, and Hook's Barbery.
Palo Steakhouse, Enchanté, and The Rose, Deck 12: adults-only dining and drinks, tucked away at the back of the ship.
Sea Notes, Wishing Well, Skygazers, and the Haunted Mansion Parlor: the adults-only lounges for an evening drink.
Adults-only areas are open to guests 18 and up, but the onboard drinking age is 21.
What Staterooms and Suites Are on the Disney Believe?
Standard staterooms have new papercut-style artwork inspired by Moana, Coco, The Lion King, and more. Concierge staterooms and suites are themed to Peter Pan.
Of the 1,246 staterooms, 877 have a verandah (about 70%), 170 are oceanview, 123 are inside, and 76 are Concierge.
More than 450 staterooms have connecting doors, which is great news for big families and multi-generation trips.
Seven special "Andy's Room" oceanview staterooms in Concierge are themed to Toy Story, with floor-to-ceiling windows.
The Concierge Lounge is themed to Alice in Wonderland and has its own private sun deck with complimentary food and drinks.
Most oceanview and verandah rooms sleep up to 5, inside rooms sleep up to 4, and nearly every room has Disney's split bathroom (one room with a sink and tub, another with a sink and toilet).
Room sizes run about 169 square feet for an inside room, about 243 for a standard verandah, and almost 2,000 for the Tower Suite.
Every room has elevated beds so luggage slides underneath, USB-A and USB-C charging, a safe, and a privacy divider for the kids' side of the room.
92 staterooms are accessible, including 36 designed for mobility needs, with zero-threshold showers, fold-down shower seats, and extra room to get around.
The suites are the showstoppers, with four royal suites (two one-story and two two-story) plus one Believe Tower Suite:
The Royal Reef Suites: inspired by The Little Mermaid, with ocean teal and coral pink, scalloped shell edges, and pearly finishes
The Royal Rose Suites: inspired by Beauty and the Beast
The Believe Tower Suite: a two-story suite tucked inside the forward funnel on Deck 14, inspired by Magic Kingdom. It's nearly 2,000 square feet, sleeps 8, and has 2 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, with each room themed to a different Magic Kingdom land. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out over the top decks, and the living room has light fixtures inspired by fireworks and balloons, plus Cinderella Castle artwork.
TIP: Concierge staterooms and suites on new ships are often the first categories to sell out. If that's your dream, plan to book on your first possible day.
How Big Is the Disney Believe?
About the same size as its Wish Class sisters. The Disney Believe is about 144,000 gross tons and 1,119 feet long, with 15 guest decks, 1,246 staterooms, and room for about 4,000 guests. It's being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and is registered in The Bahamas.
September 18, 2026: the first of three giant ship sections (the middle of the ship, including the Grand Hall) floated out.
October 5, 2026: keel laying, with a Tinker Bell coin placed under the keel for good luck.
December 18, 2027: maiden voyage.
To picture it, that's longer than three football fields. And about 4,000 guests is right in line with the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny, so it won't feel any more crowded than its sisters.
How Do You Get to Port Everglades for the Disney Believe?
The Disney Believe sails from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Disney uses Terminal 4 at 1800 SE 20th Street, but always double check the terminal on your cruise documents.
Flying in: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is about 3 miles from the port, around 10 minutes without traffic. Plan for longer on embarkation day, when airport and port traffic both pile up.
Driving: park in the Heron Garage next to Terminal 4. It's $25 per day for standard vehicles, with no reservations.
Coming from the Gulf Coast: it's about a 10-hour drive from south Alabama, or a short flight into FLL.
TIP: Fly in the day before. A delayed flight on sailing day is the most stressful way to start a cruise, and Disney won't hold the ship for you.
What you need to board: on these Bahamas and Caribbean cruises, U.S. citizens can use a passport, or a state-issued birth certificate plus a government photo ID. Kids 15 and under just need a birth certificate. We always recommend a passport, because it makes flying home from a foreign port much easier if something goes wrong.
What Don't We Know Yet About the Disney Believe?
Disney hasn't shared everything yet, so a few questions are still open:
Themed sailings: no Very Merrytime, Halloween on the High Seas, or Marvel and Pixar Day at Sea sailings have been announced for the Believe yet.
The name of the Zootopia show in Gazelle.
Adults-only dining prices for the Believe.
Itineraries after May 2028.
We'll update this guide as each piece is announced. Bookmark it, or add us as a preferred source on Google so new updates show up for you first.
Should You Book the Disney Believe Maiden Voyage?
Book the maiden voyage only if your dates are locked in, because it comes with stricter rules than a normal Disney cruise. It's a once-in-a-lifetime "first sailing" bragging right, but you're paying for that.
A 10% non-refundable deposit is due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the day you book.
Final payment is due 120 days before sailing for suites and Concierge (around August 20, 2027), and 90 days before for all other staterooms (around September 19, 2027).
If you add Disney's Vacation Protection Plan, full payment is due when you book, and you can't add it later.
You can't change the date. You'd have to cancel and rebook.
The primary guest has to stay on the reservation.
Discounts, onboard credit offers, and future cruise credits can't be used.
Already booked on another sailing? Existing reservations can be moved to the maiden voyage.
Bottom line: if you love being first, it's magical. If you just want the new ship, a sailing a few weeks later gives you the same Believe with more flexibility and a much lower price. The January 10 sailing is the same 5-night Bahamas itinerary for about half the price.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Disney Believe
When is the Disney Believe maiden voyage?
December 18, 2027. It's a 5-night Bahamas cruise from Fort Lauderdale stopping at Castaway Cay, Nassau, and Lookout Cay.
Where does the Disney Believe sail from?
Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the same port as the Disney Destiny.
Is the Disney Believe a Wish Class ship?
Yes. It's the fourth Wish Class ship, joining the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny.
How many guests does the Disney Believe hold?
About 4,000 guests in 1,246 staterooms, about the same as the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny.
When can the general public book the Disney Believe?
Monday, October 19, 2026, at 8 a.m. Eastern Time. Castaway Club members get earlier windows starting October 12.
What is the cheapest Disney Believe cruise?
The 4-night Bahamas cruise on January 20, 2028, starting at $2,683 for two guests in an inside stateroom.
Does the Disney Believe have the AquaMouse?
Yes. The deck plans show the AquaMouse entrance on Deck 13.
Does the Disney Believe have Palo?
It has Palo Steakhouse, plus Enchanté for French fine dining and The Rose lounge, all adults-only.
What is the new show on the Disney Believe?
Disney Encanto, the first stage production of the movie.
Does the Disney Believe have a Frozen restaurant?
Yes. Oaken's Table: A Frozen Family Feast is one of its three main dining rooms.
Is the Disney Believe sailing on Christmas or New Year's?
Yes. There's a 4-night Christmas cruise on December 23, 2027, and a 5-night Western Caribbean cruise over New Year's Eve starting December 31, 2027.
Who is the cruise director on the Disney Believe?
Trent Hitchcock, a nearly 20-year Disney Cruise Line veteran who helped open the Disney Destiny.
What's included in a Disney Believe cruise fare?
Your stateroom, rotational dining, quick-service food, shows, character experiences, kids clubs (except the nursery), and soda, juice, coffee, and tea. Our Complete Guide to Disney Cruise Line breaks down exactly what's extra.
How Can a Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist Help You Book the Disney Believe?
We'll have your Disney Believe booking ready to go before your window opens, so you're not refreshing a website at 8 a.m. hoping your stateroom is still there. Tell us your dream dates, who's sailing, and the stateroom you want, and we'll handle the rest.
Looking for a Disney cruise travel agent? That's us. Your Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist plans Disney cruises for families everywhere from our home base in Daphne, Alabama, on the Gulf Coast.
Disney Cruise Line's fares are the same whether you book direct or through us. Some of our Travel Specialists also offer a Concierge Planning Package for families who want extra hands-on help, like booking Palo, spa times, and Port Adventures the moment your window opens and a custom day-by-day plan. Ask your Travel Specialist what's included.
Not sure the Believe is right for you? Our Disney Cruise Ships Compared guide shows how every ship stacks up, and our Disney Cruise Line Booking Dates Calculator shows when your activity booking window opens once you're booked.
Let us turn your Disney Believe wishes into reality!
📧 info@secondstarwishes.com
☎️ 800-365-3130
About the Author: Andrea Napiontek, CTA
Andrea is the founding owner and CEO of Second Star Wishes, a boutique travel agency she started in 2015 in Daphne, Alabama. She's a Certified Travel Associate (CTA), a Magellan Award recipient, and an ASTA member and mentor, with specialist training in Disney destinations, Mexico, the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe. Before travel, she worked in education and counseling, which is why every plan starts with really listening. Home base is the Gulf Coast with her husband and three kids...when she's not off on a new adventure. Second Star Wishes is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency.
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