Disney’s First Cruise Ship Based in Japan Will Have 30 Restaurants and Bars, Plus a Mermaid Surprise
The company behind Tokyo Disney Resort is getting ready to operate its own Disney cruises, and its first ship now has a name. Oriental Land Co. announced on October 14 that Disney Imagination is expected to begin sailing in spring 2029.
The ship will have about 30 restaurants, cafes, and bars altogether, with three serving as the main restaurants, with different themes and menus, like many similar Disney cruises.
Oriental Land also released two drawings of the ship, including one showing Ariel from The Little Mermaid and her pal Sebastian on the back. The full-ship picture has two red funnels, yellow lifeboats and a dark blue hull.
Tokyo International Cruise Terminal will be the ship’s main homeport. Oriental Land’s new cruise business will operate under the Disney Cruise Line Japan name.
Ariel and Sebastian Get a Spot on the Ship
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Ariel from The Little Mermaid is getting the honor of putting the ship’s name on the stern. In the mockup photos, she’s holding her dinglehopper, the fork she collects in the movie, and reaching toward the gold lettering.
Sebastian is nearby, hanging from a rope above the name. The picture shared by Disney also has the word “TOKYO” underneath, with gold decorations around it.
Disney puts different characters on the back of its cruise ships. The company recently showed off another design for Disney Believe, which will have Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story using yellow crayons to write its name. Both pictures of Disney Imagination are concept artwork.
Disney Is Planning a Theater for More Than 1,300 People
Oriental Land said the indoor theater for shows will have more than 1,300 seats. The ship will also have shows on an outdoor deck featuring Disney characters, with plans for character meet-and-greets, and some characters wearing outfits made for Disney cruises.
The ship will have separate areas for children and adults. The children’s spaces will offer activities, while shops elsewhere on board will sell Disney Imagination merchandise.
The company hasn’t announced the names of the restaurants or what food they’ll serve.
How Much Will a Disney Cruise From Japan Cost?
Oriental Land’s earlier management plan gives an idea of what the company has in mind. It calls for mostly two- to four-night cruises, departing from and returning to ports around Tokyo.
The plan also lists an estimated 1,250 guest rooms, room for about 4,000 passengers and around 1,500 crew members. The ship is being designed using the Disney Wish, which started sailing in 2022, as its starting point.
Oriental Land previously estimated that cruises would cost somewhere from the ¥100,000 range to the ¥300,000 range ($630.91 to $1,892.74 USD) per person for its most common cabin type. Those are preliminary figures, not fares available to book.
