By Zach Johnson
When Disney, Pixar, and Marvel heroes and villains meet, that’s where the magic happens. And today, Disney Cruise Line shared new details about the Disney Destiny, its new heroes and villains-inspired ship where guests will discover spaces and experiences inspired by legendary schemers, scoundrels, and specters—and some fearsome Disney villains—at sea.
A voyage aboard the Disney Destiny will embrace the dynamic duality of every great Disney story, where opposing forces of light and dark drive characters to rise to their destinies. A diverse range of Disney, Pixar, and Marvel characters serve as the inspiration behind themed venues and entertainment aboard the ship, including new lounges celebrating Cruella de Vil and the Pirates of the Caribbean. Additional exciting offerings coming to the Disney Destiny will be announced Thursday on the Disney Parks Blog and disneycruise.com.
“The Disney Destiny is all about celebrating the bold, charismatic, and driven characters at the heart of our favorite stories,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Cruise Line. “And who are our beloved heroes without the antagonists who challenge them to prevail? We want our guests to have fun with the unique theme of this ship, and we are having a blast creating spaces and entertainment experiences that pay tribute to the villains, anti-heroes, and mischief makers who have captivated Disney film and theme park audiences for generations.”
deVilish Delights
The Disney Destiny was such a wholesome place until… Cruella, Cruella de Vil!
An evening at De Vil’s piano lounge will no doubt be a lavish affair befitting of the bar’s namesake, the fabulously over-the-top villain from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) and Walt Disney Studios’ live-action Cruella (2021).
Cruella’s infamous flair for style and wickedly bold attitude will be reflected in the Hollywood Regency-inspired aesthetic of the adult-exclusive lounge, which will be adorned in her signature color palette: red, black, and white. Amid sultry tunes from the spotted piano, guests will wind down in style with trendy martinis, chic cocktails, and glamorous wines and bubblies.
One side of De Vil’s piano lounge will be open to the Grand Hall, allowing guests to sit back with a drink and a prime view of the ship’s premier gathering space. Whether patrons choose to bask in Cruella’s legacy or savor the energy and entertainment of the Grand Hall, their experience at this one-of-a-kind lounge will be anything but “miserable, darling.”
“Drink Up, Me Hearties, Yo Ho”
Ahoy, mateys! At Cask and Cannon, guests will join the ranks of the Pirates of the Caribbean for an evening of revelry, recreation, and—of course—rum. Inspired by the iconic characters and scenes from the beloved Disney Parks attractions around the world, the Cask and Cannon pub will be an eclectic yet cozy watering hole furnished with treasures “acquired” (read: pillaged and pilfered) during the pirates’ many voyages around the globe.
At Cask and Cannon, visiting buccaneers will regale one another with tales of their own high seas’ adventures; cheer and jeer during live televised sporting events; and indulge in an extensive menu of rare, specialty, and vintage rums and a selection of “bootlegged” brews developed specially for the venue and served straight from the barrel (in true pirate style).
“We Dare Not Stop or Waste a Drop”
The Disney Destiny will introduce a quirky storyline filled with Disney Animation villains to AquaMouse, Disney Cruise Line’s signature attraction at sea—a 760-foot-long water ride towering over the upper decks of the ship. Featuring an original soundtrack written exclusively for Disney Cruise Line by Emmy® Award-winning composer Christopher Willis and lyricist Elyse Willis, the new show will exemplify the signature silliness of Mickey Mouse animated shorts.
In “Sing a Silly Song,” Mickey and Minnie will lead guests on a seemingly ominous trek to the peak of Villain Mountain. When faced with some of the most fearsome villains of Disney Animation lore, the duo will employ a silly song—and a bit of pixie dust—to transform each chilling encounter into a wacky surprise. Guests will laugh and splash along as Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Scar from The Lion King, Chernabog from Fantasia, and other characters find themselves in unconventionally hilarious situations.
“Sing a Silly Song” will be one of four shows available on AquaMouse aboard the Disney Destiny, all of which combine music, lighting, special effects, and splash-tacular surprises.
“Be Prepared”
Both heroes and villains from across the Disney universe will take center stage aboard the Disney Destiny. Guests will encounter formidable foes—including Maleficent, Hades, Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, and Oogie Boogie—through a variety of shows, meet-and-greets, and special appearances throughout the ship, along with some of Disney’s most mischievous and misunderstood personalities, like Captain Jack Sparrow, Bruno, and Loki.
The Disney Destiny will also introduce exclusive ways for guests to interact with their favorite villains, rogues, and mischief makers through all-new events and activities. This will complement a host of popular programs from across the Disney Cruise Line fleet, including a frighteningly fun dance party in Oogie Boogie’s shipboard lair and an interactive Disney trivia event that often gets interrupted by a cast of Disney villains.
“Happy Haunts Materialize”
Foolish mortals will be welcomed to sip spirited craft cocktails among the 999 happy haunts of Disney Parks lore at the Haunted Mansion Parlor. Reminiscent of a first-class drawing room from the classic cruise liners of the golden age, this experience—which will debut aboard the Disney Treasure in December 2024—will invoke inspiration from the original theme park attraction with a nautical twist exclusive to Disney Cruise Line.
The venue will follow the nostalgic art style of the 1969 Disney Parks classic, blending humor with Disney’s distinct brand of spooky storytelling. Legendary characters from Haunted Mansion attractions around the world will come out to socialize in mysterious ways throughout the experience, along with a few new seafaring arrivals and an original storyline focused on a ship captain. A custom musical arrangement inspired by the attraction’s original score will set the stage for an ever-escalating anthology of illusions that immerses guests into the next chapter of Haunted Mansion lore.
At the Haunted Mansion Parlor, grim grinning guests will sample a selection of ghostly cocktails that capture the spirit of the story, and an exclusive array of haunted homewares and spooky souvenirs inspired by the bar will materialize in shopping venues aboard the ship.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com; call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500; or contact their travel agent.