The New Disney Destiny Cruise Ship Will Have A Lion King Feast, Hercules on Stage, and 10 Different Pools

Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship is making its debut  this fall when the Disney Destiny begins its maiden voyage on Nov. 20. The ship will homeport at Port Everglades, beginning an inaugural season of 4- and 5-night cruises to The Bahamas and Western Caribbean. For South Florida, it marks another high-profile addition to a cruise market already rich in choices — and for Disney, it’s the next step in the company’s ongoing expansion at sea, and part of a wave of exciting new cruise ships coming to the Caribbean this year. 

Dining With a Twist

Aboard the Destiny, meals are never just meals. At Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, dinner becomes a live musical, with singers and musicians re-telling Simba’s story while guests enjoy African-inspired dishes like berbere-spiced chicken. In Worlds of Marvel, Rocket Raccoon and Baby Groot lead a dinner filled with humor, music and a menu that celebrates Marvel heroes. For a more classic touch, 1923 transports guests to Hollywood’s golden era, with walls lined by sketches and props from Disney’s earliest films and a menu focused on the fresh flavors of California cuisine.

Sweet stops add another layer: Edna À La Mode Sweets, themed to the iconic fashion designer from The Incredibles, has cookies, chocolates and whimsical desserts, while Marceline Market and the upper-deck Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods provide casual favorites, international fare and family-friendly bites. Even the cafés carry a touch of storytelling — like Café Megara, inspired by Hercules, and Café Merida, a nod to Pixar’s Brave.

Broadway at Sea

Entertainment is at the heart of the Destiny’s design. The marquee production is Disney Hercules, exclusive to the ship, blending gospel, pop and Broadway spectacle in a re-imagined version of the animated film. Guests can also see Frozen, A Musical Spectacular, Disney Seas the Adventure, and a roster of smaller shows, character meet-and-greets and interactive experiences.

Unlike on land, these productions unfold at sea, giving guests the rare chance to watch Anna and Elsa or Hercules and the Muses under a single roof — sometimes on the same night. It’s Disney’s most ambitious push yet to merge Broadway-style storytelling with cruise entertainment.

Deckside Thrills and Family Fun

Above deck, the new AquaMouse water coaster takes families through animated sequences featuring Disney’s famous villains before plunging riders down twisting tubes with open-ocean views. Ten pools and water play zones fill the upper decks, including the Toy Story Splash Zone with oversized bath toys and a family slide called the Slide-a-saurus Rex.

For indoor play, Hero Zone combines sports, games and competitions for the whole family, while kids’ clubs offer fully immersive environments. At Marvel Super Hero Academy, children can train with Spider-Man, Ant-Man and Black Panther. Fairytale Hall brings Rapunzel, Belle and Anna and Elsa into a storybook setting. And Star Wars: Cargo Baylets kids wrangle creatures like Porgs and Loth-Cats while joining Rey and Chewbacca on Resistance missions. Teens and tweens aren’t forgotten, with clubs like Edge and Vibe designed as hangouts with ocean views, music and games.

Spaces for Adults

While much of the Destiny is built for families, Disney has carved out new territory for grown-ups. De Vil’s, a chic piano bar themed after 101 Dalmatians villain Cruella de Vil, offers martinis, champagne and live music. The Haunted Mansion Parlor delivers spooky cocktails and ghostly décor, while Yo Ho, Yo Ho recreates the feel of a pirate pub. Marvel fans will gravitate to The Sanctum, a lounge inspired by Doctor Strange’s mystic world.

Fine dining adds more options: Palo Steakhouse serves premium cuts with Italian flair, while Enchanté, created in partnership with three-Michelin-starred Chef Arnaud Lallement, brings modern French cuisine to sea. Adults-only retreats include the Quiet Cove Pool, Senses Spa and wellness facilities, while specialty salons like Hook’s Barbery and Untangled Salon bring elevated grooming and beauty experiences.

Staterooms and Suites

Cabins are designed with families in mind, from inside staterooms to verandah rooms and concierge-level suites. The artwork reflects Disney’s legacy of heroes and legends, with subtle nods to films throughout. At the top tier, Royal Suites and a Tower Suite offer expansive layouts, sweeping views and dedicated service — the most luxurious accommodations in the Disney fleet.

What Disney Destiny Cruises Cost

Prices vary. You can pick a three-night Bahamian cruise from Fort Lauderdale that starts at $2,013 for two guests; a four-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale (that also stops at the line’s new Lighthouse Point port in Eleuthera) starts at $2,493 for two guests. 

Itineraries to The Bahamas and Caribbean

The Disney Destiny will operate short itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, with calls in The Bahamas and Western Caribbean. These 4- and 5-night sailings are designed for families, add new options in a market where competition among family-oriented lines has grown rapidly. They’re also part of a bigger trend toward shorter, weekend-focused cruises — something competitors like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are also doing.

For Disney Cruise Line, the launch marks another milestone in its push to expand in Florida, where its growing fleet now sails from multiple ports including Port Canaveral and Miam