On every Disney Cruise Line vessel, the cruise directors play a vital role, overseeing the entertainment, youth activities, and recreation onboard. 

As the next ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet begins preparations to bring these key elements to life, Trent Hitchcock will be the opening Cruise Director for the Disney Believe when it takes its maiden voyage next year.

Trent has been with Disney Cruise Line for nearly 20 years and served as a cruise director for 10 of those years. 

• I spoke to Trent on the Disney Wish for the Disney Believe reveal. He tells me he will be traveling to Papenberg, Germany, where he will help be part of the team that brings the new ship to the United States.
• Trent served as the assistant cruise director of the Disney Destiny and was part of the team that launched that ship, giving him good experience for launching the Disney Believe.
• DCL FACT - Trent has worked on every ship except for the Disney Adventure.

Construction of the Disney Believe is moving right along at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, and Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship has officially reached one of the biggest milestones in the shipbuilding process: the keel-laying ceremony.

This longstanding maritime custom dates all the way back to ancient Greece and Rome, and it involves a specially crafted coin that is ceremoniously placed, temporarily, under the ship's keel. 

• What is a keel anyway? A keel is the structural center beneath the ship that runs all the way from the bow to the stern.
• This tradition is said to bestow good fortune to the ship and its future crew before setting sail. 
• What makes this ceremony extra magical is the custom minted coin depicting a portrait of Tinker Bell, a mirror of the artwork that will soon grace the bow of the Disney Believe.

Set those reminders! We finally have a time for next week’s big Disney Believe reveal, plus a new look at Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship.

Disney Cruise Line has confirmed that its Disney Believe livestream will begin at 4:30 PM ET on Wednesday, October 7th. 

• Disney previously announced the date for the presentation, but we now know exactly when to tune in. The livestream will air across the Disney Parks YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok channels.

WHAT WE EXPECT TO HEAR

We will likely get more details about the ship theming...

• The Disney Believe exclusive Broadway-style show;
• The theme of the dinner theater space;
• The theme of the piano bar;
• The theme of the bar that gets heavy theming (The Haunted Mansion parlor space)
• The theming of the center bar on the same deck as the Great Hall.

WHAT I HOPE WE GET

• Itineraries
• Home port
• Inaugural cruise date

With the ship scheduled to debut in late 2027, these are the big details we’ve all been waiting for!

October 7th will also include a special celebration aboard the Disney Wish. Guests sailing that day will get to see a one-night-only performance inspired by the Disney Believe featuring Susan Egan.

New photos of the Disney Believe at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany shows a big piece of the new ship.

The first completed section is known as a gigablock, and this one makes up the midship portion of the Disney Believe. That means somewhere inside this massive structure is the future home of the ship’s Grand Hall, one of the spaces we’ve already learned a little about as Disney begins revealing what guests can expect onboard.

More via The DIS's DCLFan.com - and I have posted more photos below.

A Moana statue will great guests in the Great Hall in the new Disney Believe

• A bronze cast statue of Moana, accompanied by her faithful companions Pua and Heihei, will be a focal point inside the venue, gazing proudly toward new horizons. 

• The never-before-seen rendering also hinted at influences from the film’s idyllic South Pacific setting, which will be layered with artisanal Polynesian finishes that honor the cultural traditions of the region.

• Personally, I love this. I love Moana, and her story feels like it fits the theme SO well, but… thought I had thought Disney might have had Moana in the dinner theater space - the one that has Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure on the Disney Wish, Plaza de Coco on the Disney Treasure, and Pride Lands on the Disney Destiny, so… I’m having to reconfigure my predictions.

• As announced by Claire Weiss, Portfolio Executive Creative Director, Disney Cruise Line as announced at the D23 Expo - The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

The stern (or the very back) of the Disney Believe will feature larger-than-life sculptures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear hitching a ride on the very back of the ship. 

• The duo from Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story” films will appear working together to etch the ship’s name across the back of the vessel with large yellow crayons. 

• In place of the classic looped calligraphy seen stamped across the Disney Cruise Line fleet, Woody and Buzz will opt for playful lettering that mimics the franchise’s famous block-style font. 

• And… this is pretty much what we predicted when we did Disney believe speculation - DCLShow.com/DisneyBelieveSpeculation - and it is what DCL fans predicted too.

• Announced by Claire Weiss, Portfolio Executive Creative Director, Disney Cruise Line announced at the D23 Expo - The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

The Disney Believe’s bow will be decorated with a delicate, hand-painted filigree of Tinker Bell as she first appeared in the Walt Disney Animation Studios 1953 classic “Peter Pan.” 

• The spunky fairy will be flanked by the silhouettes of Peter, Wendy, Captain Hook and other characters from the film flying amid the swirling design.

• “This ship celebrates belief in magic, family, the power of nature, and belief in yourself,” Claire told the audience. “And all the stories we tell onboard will be tied together by the core Disney notion of believing in something fantastical.”

• As announced by Claire Weiss, Portfolio Executive for Disney Cruise Line, as announced at the D23 Expo - The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

Disney Cruise Line has shared some additional looks at the Disney Believe, releasing a new teaser video that offers a glimpse at the themes and characters that will help define the newest addition to the fleet. 

• Alongside the video, Disney announced a special livestream event scheduled for October 7, where additional details about the ship will be revealed.
• See the teaser video via The DIS's DCLFan - https://dclfan.news/DisneyBelieveRevealDate

Do you Believe - you may be asking, "Believe in what? Do you believe your inner voice has the power to change your life and take you farther than you've ever gone before? Do you believe in the power of friendship and teaming up and finding your way together? Do you believe come true dreams have meaning and that miracles can happen?" It's time to answer the question: do you believe? 

• As I noted 👉, I will be on the Disney Wish where we are expecting to get some details about the new ship.

We got new photos of the Disney Believe, which is under construction at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany and due in late 2027. 

Natacha Rafalski, Disney’s newly appointed President of Disney Signature Experiences, which includes Disney Cruise Line, posted the photos on LinkedIn.

"The Disney Believe is taking shape! 🚢

"I recently had the opportunity to visit Papenburg, Germany with our Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering teams to see the progress being made on our next ship. 

“It’s incredible to see the ship at this stage in the building process. From holding a piece of steel to standing in front of the iconic funnel, the day was filled with excitement for the future. I truly cannot wait to see the Disney Believe come to life with every visit.”

We expect to get more insights about Disney Cruise Line's newest ship - the Disney Believe.

• I have been invited by Disney Cruise Line on a 4-night Bahamian cruise out of Port Canaveral on the Disney Wish
• "Disney Cruise Line invites you to a special in-person reveal of the Disney Believe Oct. 5 -9  aboard the Disney Wish, departing from Port Canaveral.
• "During this hands-on, multi-day sailing, you will embark on the ultimate scavenger hunt, uncovering a series of clues and surprises about the unique venues, dazzling family entertainment and world-class dining coming to the Disney Believe, before learning all about the ship during its grand reveal."

I"m not sure if we will get any details before, but... stay tuned.

Disney Cruise Line revealed the name of its newest vessel, the Disney Believe, during The Walt Disney Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 

The announcement — one of Josh D’Amaro’s first major moves as CEO of The Walt Disney Company — introduces the fourth ship in the popular Wish class.

THE OVERVIEW

• New Cruise Ship Named: DISNEY BELIEVE to Join Wish Class via The DIS's DCLFan.com

via Disney Parks Blog:

For more than 100 years, Disney storytelling has inspired families around the world – through films, experiences, products and vacations – to believe in their dreams and pursue them boldly. Today, we are thrilled to announce that the next Disney Cruise Line ship will be a tribute to those dreamers and doers who dare to pursue their own happily ever after.

The Disney Believe is the fourth ship in the groundbreaking Wish class, where beloved stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars surround families from the moment they step on board. From incredible entertainment to thoughtfully designed spaces, every detail is crafted to bring storytelling to life at sea.

But what makes the Wish class truly special is that each ship features its own unique design theme that shapes those stories, from the venues and experiences to the décor and entertainment. Like its sister ships — the enchantment-themed Disney Wish, adventure-themed Disney Treasure, and heroes and villains-themed Disney Destiny — the Disney Believe will have its own unique motif: one of promise and possibilities.

Onboard the Disney Believe, powerful tales of characters who believe in themselves and their dreams will come to life in exciting new ways. From the mystical worlds of Encanto and Frozen, to the wishing wells of Snow White, to the depths of the sea with Moana and The Little Mermaid, there are endless stories waiting to be discovered and new chapters ready to unfold onboard.

The Disney Believe is expected to debut in late 2027, and we can’t wait to share more information with you in the coming months. But the best news of all? You don’t have to wait to experience the magic of a Disney cruise! With a growing fleet and a wide variety of itineraries, there are countless ways to make memories right now.

Just as the Disney Destiny was set to do its 'float out,' there was a more quiet - but equally as important -- moment.

Behind the scenes construction officially started on what we now know as the Disney Believe.

The ceremonial start known as the steel cutting.

Held at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, the steel cutting ceremony is a time-honored maritime tradition that marks the very first step in building a new ship. Using a giant machine, the ship’s first piece of steel is cut into shape, symbolizing the exciting beginning of construction. For Disney fans, this moment means we’re one step closer to welcoming another magical ship to the seas.

My Dreams Unlimited Travel colleague Luz Murales visited the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, where most of the Disney ships have been constructed - and where the Disney Believe is being constructed right now.

We discussed it in our Disney Believe overview, but she also wrote an overview of her trip.

• REMINDER - Want to join the speculation about what theming will go where on the Disney Believe - make your choices here - https://DCLShow.com/DisneyBelieveTheming

WHEN TO BOOK - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 

XXX

The best time to book...?

The best time to book a Disney Cruise -- EARLY! 

• This is particularly true if you want a unique itinerary - the inaugural, for example - or Christmas... or New Year's Eve... 
• You DEFINITELY get the most options... in terms of itineraries... in terms of staterooms...
• DINING TIMES - If that 5:45p dining time is important to you, BOOK EARLY! They tend fill up first. 

AND... for non-Concierge staterooms, and if your plans change, you can modify or cancel at any time before your pay in full date...

• For the Disney Believe's inaugural cruise, XXX 

We expect that Disney will make bookings available by Castaway Club membership level.

WHAT WE CAN DO NOW

• ⏭️👉 WHAT WE CAN DO TO BE AHEAD OF THE CURVE

  • We can collect as much information as possible before itineraries get released – I’ve created a form to collect initial information – just go here: http://yensid.travel/BookDCLwithChris

  • 🪨👉 NONE of this information would be carved in stone – after all, we don’t have itineraries yet, but… 

  • It gives us a head start by collecting at least some of the information now so we aren’t rushed later.

  • I understand that much of that information will be incomplete - we don’t know where the Disney Believe will be based. But… whatever you can provide… it gives us a head start.

👉 CASTAWAY CLUB MEMBERSHIP

When new itineraries are released, Disney Cruise Line makes bookings available by Castaway Club membership levels.

• If you have Disney cruised before, you get an earlier booking window. BUT... 
• We will need to have the Castaway Club membership number for the lead guest.
• If you don't have your Castaway Club membership number, it's all good... I can get it. OR... 
  • You can also get your Castaway Club membership number online - I have step-by-step instructions here.

WHEN ITINERARIES GET RELEASED

Once itineraries are released...

• The Dreams team will update Dreams Unlimited Travel DCL form with all the itineraries. When that happens, if you don't find your itinerary for some reason, let me know - or you can use this form instead;
• The best way to collect the information I will need to get you more information and a no obligation quote is to go to the Dreams Unlimited Travel Disney Cruise page... 
  • On the first page, you will select your cruise and sail date… And then just fill out the information...

  • On the second page at the very top, you will be asked: DREAMS UNLIMITED TRAVEL AGENT. If you select CHRIS VOROBEK from the pull down menu, your reservation will come directly to me;

• IMPORTANT NOTE - I will need all guests full names as it appears on whatever legal documents you are going to use as well as each person’s date of birth.

• Booking days can be busy, so... the more information the better so I can lock down the best stateroom possible for you and your family.

• PLACEHOLDER RESERVATION - You don't need to request another quote request - just go here.

👉 STEP ONE - Is your placeholder reservation associated with Dreams Unlimited Travel?

•  Your placeholder reservation would need to be associated with Dreams Unlimited Travel (or any travel agency);
• You need to do that within 30-days of the time it is booked. This used to be a hard and fast rule - Disney Cruise Line has been more flexible lately;
• The process takes a few days - Get started here: YenSid.Travel/TransferYourDisneyCruise
• If you have questions, let me know.

👉 If you booked a placeholder reservation on your last Disney cruise - AWESOME! 

• You do NOT need to fill out a new Dreams quote request. Just reach out to your Dreams agent. If it is booked with me...
• Just fill out this questionnaire...
• It will walk you through questions like WHO is traveling - WHEN - WHERE - STATEROOM TYPE.
• I need to call these in, so the process is a bit different.
• ‼️ If you don't have your Castaway Club membership number, it's all good... I can get it. OR... you can also get your Castaway Club membership number online - I have step-by-step instructions here.

🚫 BLACK OUT DATES

There are black-out dates for placeholder reservations -- you can see them here.

• ✔️ You can still book those dates, but… there wouldn’t be a discount. AND... 
• ✔️ If you are interested in those dates, my recommendation is to just book without the placeholder reservation so you get the full Dreams shipboard credit.
• ✔️ You can either keep your placeholder reservation to use at another time... or we can apply the placeholder reservation deposit to your new reservation.