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Disney Cruise Line to Sail Southeast Asia Starting in 2025

by Holly Ramey · March 29, 2023

Disney Cruise Line surprised us all when they confirmed the purchase of Dream Cruises’ Global Dream cruise ship late last year. The Global Dream was already being built for the Asian cruise line, Dream Cruises, when the company went bankrupt and was forced the sail the vessel that was nearing completion. 

When the announcement was made that Disney Cruise Line be taking over the completion of the Global Dream, it was thought that the oceanliner would sail Southeast Asia as it was originally designed to do by Dream Cruises. Today, we can confirm the that yet-to-be-named ship by Disney Cruise Line will indeed start sailing from Singapore for cruises around Southeast Asia starting in 2025!

Credit: Disney

Per an agreement with the Singapore Tourism Board, the new Disney Cruise Line vessel will sail from Singapore for at least five years. More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries, and ports of call will be made at a later date. 

Billed as the “World’s Largest Cruise Ship” when being built by Dream Cruises, Disney Cruise Line has said that once complete, the ship will welcome a whopping 6,000 guests as well as an additional 2,300 as crew making it the largest ship in the fleet by far. 

Credit: Bloomberg

“This is a very exciting year for The Walt Disney Company — 2023 marks our 100th anniversary,” D’Amaro said. “As part of this, Disney Cruise Line is currently undergoing an ambitious expansion with new ships and new destinations around the world. We are incredibly excited to make Singapore the home port to our seventh-launched ship, which will sail from here year-round starting in 2025.”

Photo: DCLfan.com

While there is still so much unknown about this new Disney Cruise Line cruise ship that will sail Southeast Asia, Disney Cruise Line did have this to say: 

The new ship will feature innovative Disney experiences along with the dazzling entertainment, world-class dining and legendary guest service that set Disney Cruise Line apart. Guests of all ages will find dedicated spaces and activities designed just for them, and families will create unforgettable memories with beloved characters such as Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse, Disney Princesses, Marvel Super Heroes and more.

Photo: Disney

But, before this new ship starts sailing Southeast Asia, another new Disney Cruise Line ship will start sailing in 2024! The Disney Treasure will set sail on its inaugural voyage sometime in 2024. More details on this ship including its home port and itineraries will be revealed in the coming months so make sure to stay tuned! 

Image Credit: Disney

Are you excited to see Disney Cruise Line from Singapore on cruise vacations around Southeast Asia? Let us know in the comments below!

Want to be the first to book your vacation aboard this new ship or start planning another Disney Cruise Line vacation? Fill out the form below or send an email to [email protected] for a FREE, no-obligation quote!

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New Disney cruise ship to set sail from Singapore from 2025

SINGAPORE - From 2025, a new cruise ship featuring Disney princesses and Marvel superheroes will call Singapore home, as part of a five-year collaboration between the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Disney Cruise Line.

The 208,000-gross-tonne vessel is expected to be the largest cruise ship calling here, as well as the largest ship in Disney’s fleet, said Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations S. Iswaran, who announced the collaboration on Wednesday.

Mr Josh D’Amaro, the chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, said: “We are incredibly excited to make Singapore the home port to our seventh-launched ship, which will sail from here year-round starting in 2025.”

The ship, which is yet to be named, is estimated to be able to carry 6,000 passengers and 2,300 crew members.

When launched, it is expected to feature attractions such as themed restaurants and interactive theatre shows.

It has the potential to add “millions of local and foreign cruise passengers” over the five-year period, including fly-cruise passengers arriving in Singapore by air, Disney and STB said in a media release.

As part of sustainability efforts, the vessel will run on green methanol, a low-emission fuel.

More details regarding the vessel’s maiden voyage and itineraries will be released at a later date.

The ship is expected to call at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, which is one of Asia’s largest cruise terminals. 

A subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, Disney Cruise Line currently operates fives ships to destinations including the Caribbean, Europe and Australia, with three more ships planned.

Disney Signature Experiences president Thomas Mazloum said the ship was acquired partially completed in 2022 from Dream Cruises, a brand under Genting Hong Kong, which was liquidated in October.

Construction will be completed at the MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany, under Meyer Werft, which also built three other Disney cruise ships.

At a news conference at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Mr Iswaran said Disney’s decision to base its first ship in South-east Asia here “speaks volumes of our region’s significant potential for cruise tourism”.

Singapore can serve as a gateway to the rest of South-east Asia, he said, noting that the region has been described as the “Caribbean of the East”.

Singapore’s cruise industry is recovering after Covid-19. In 2022, 1.2 million passengers passed through Singapore’s ports.

That was about two-thirds of the numbers seen in 2019, when there were about 1.8 million cruise passengers, Mr Iswaran noted.

That year, the industry contributed $630 million to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), $350 million of which was spent by cruise lines on repairs, bunkering and other port-related services, said Mr Iswaran, who is also Transport Minister.

In 2022, STB said it expected Singapore’s cruise industry to return to pre-pandemic levels between 2023 and 2024.

While Disney and STB had been in talks for many years on possible collaborations, discussions to bring Disney Cruise Line to Singapore kicked into high gear in 2022, said STB chief executive Keith Tan.

The partnership with Disney Cruise Line is expected to provide a sizeable boost to the cruise sector’s contribution to tourism receipts and the country’s GDP, he said, without providing a figure.

In 2017, STB signed a three-year partnership with The Walt Disney Company South-east Asia to bring themed events and activities here.

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Disney Cruise Line Expanding to Southeast Asia & Basing New 7th Ship in Singapore

Disney Cruise Line announced a new ship coming to Southeast Asia for the first time, with the 7th addition to the DCL fleet being based out of a home port in Singapore starting in 2025. This post shares the announcement from the company, plus our commentary about this ship, whether it’ll have a casino, and more!

This seventh ship in the DCL fleet was revealed by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, S. Iswaran. The new ship is presently unnamed, and will join the existing 5 ships plus the Disney Treasure after that sets sail starting in 2024.

Under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board agreed to collaborate to homeport a brand-new Disney cruise ship exclusively in Singapore for at least five years beginning in 2025. More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date.

“This is a very exciting year for The Walt Disney Company — 2023 marks our 100th anniversary,” D’Amaro said. “As part of this, Disney Cruise Line is currently undergoing an ambitious expansion with new ships and new destinations around the world. We are incredibly excited to make Singapore the home port to our seventh-launched ship, which will sail from here year-round starting in 2025.”

“We look forward to welcoming the magic of Disney Cruise Line to Singapore in 2025,” said Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board (STB). “This is an important milestone for STB and reflects Disney Cruise Line’s strong confidence in Singapore and Southeast Asia. The new Disney cruise ship will be an attraction itself and is expected to boost the tourism sector in Singapore for many years to come.”

Singapore’s strategic location, world-class air connectivity, and port infrastructure make it a thriving cruise hub in Southeast Asia, a diverse region that is home to over 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The addition of a Disney Cruise Line ship in Singapore has the potential to add millions of local and foreign cruise passengers across the five-year period, including fly-cruise passengers who arrive in Singapore by air. It is also expected to bring about significant spillover benefits for the wider economy. These include greater demand for port and ship-related services, as well as on-ground spending in Singapore for the lifestyle and hospitality sectors.

The new ship will feature innovative Disney Cruise Line experiences along with the dazzling entertainment, world-class dining, and legendary guest service that set DCL apart from the competition. Guests of all ages will find dedicated spaces and activities designed just for them, and families will create unforgettable memories with beloved characters such as Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse, Disney Princesses, Marvel Super Heroes and more.

Disney Cruise Line estimates the passenger capacity of the 208,000-gross-ton ship to be approximately 6,000 with around 2,300 crew members. It is expected to be among the first in the cruise industry to be fueled by green methanol, one of the lowest emission fuels available.

Construction is projected to be completed at the MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany, under the management of Meyer Werft, the Papenburg-based company that built the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish and is constructing two additional Wish-class ships.

In terms of commentary, we’ll start by addressing the obvious but unstated: this is the former Global Dream ship.

Back when Disney announced that it had acquired this partially-finished ship, the press release stated that Disney Cruise Line was able “to secure [Global Dream] at a favorable price and within the capital expenditure guidance the Walt Disney Company provided on its recent earnings call.” At the time, we thought that was noteworthy because that’s not the type of language that would usually be included in Disney’s sometimes-overly-flowery press releases.

Well, we learned why a few weeks later. According to reporting at the time that was later confirmed by regulatory filings, the Walt Disney Company about $40 million for the Global Dream, which is especially staggering given that the $2 billion ship was approximately 75% complete when Disney acquired it.

The Global Dream’s previous owner filed for bankruptcy before completing the vessel, and Disney was rumored to be the only interested buyer after negotiations with two other parties failed. This gave Disney complete leverage, with the insolvency manager’s choices being Disney or selling the ship for scrap metal. There was reportedly resistance to the latter route, as it hurt morale at the shipyard.

Disney Cruise Line thus acquired the ship for a tiny fraction of its original price tag and even value as partially-built. However, that came with the asterisk that Disney would take over without warranty claims and would need to spend considerably sums modifying and “reimagining” significant aspects of the ship with the expertise of Walt Disney Imagineering. Reported estimates put Disney Cruise Line’s costs with the ship as nearly $1 billion to finish and redesign the Global Dream to turn it into a Disney Cruise Line vessel.

Still, this has gotta be categorized as a rare Chapek win. At the time of the announcement, this seemed completely out of left field, and impulsive, very much inconsistent with Disney’s normal methodical and risk-averse way of doing business.

We openly wondered whether Disney Cruise Line was betting too boldly on the future of cruising, especially with multiple ships already under construction. Even with this sailing exclusively in Asia and have little-to-no overlap with the current DCL ships, it felt like a big leap. (Especially since it stood to reason that one of the existing ships would be relocated to Asia once the Wish-class is completed.)

Upon learning the price that Disney Cruise Line had paid, it all made complete sense. It was too good of a deal to pass up, with minimal downside risk and a significantly lower total cost even after retrofits and finishing than Disney Cruise Line would pay to build a comparably-sized ship from the ground up.

The rumored price (and subsequent confirmation) came right as Chapek was being shown the door at Disney, but he and D’Amaro definitely deserve kudos for pulling off this deal. Like me at the Disney Character Warehouse Outlet looking at 90% off prices, it was a “buy now, figure out the purpose later” kinda scenario.

Beyond that, I’ll be curious to see what’s cut and what’s kept. The Asian market is very different from the domestic one, both with cruising preferences and knowledge or expectations of the Disney brand. Most interesting to us is that the Global Dream was designed by its original owners to have considerable casino space.

That’s not really unique to the Asian cruising market, although it does seem more pronounced there. Obviously, Disney has resisted the temptation to add gambling to its fleet; the company as a whole has been willing to leave money on the table by avoiding sports betting, despite flirting with the idea repeatedly under Chapek.

Casinos are incredibly lucrative for cruise ships. By not having them, Disney Cruise Line has taken the financial hit to avoid taking the reputational one. Even in the United States, the tides are turning on that in terms of consumer expectations and preferences. And fast!

I remember a time when sports betting was verboten, and in just a few short years, it became totally normalized and actively promoted by the networks and leagues. ESPN eventually embracing the same seems inevitable–the bigger question is who will own the brand when that happens?

Maybe Global Dream will be the Walt Disney Company’s first foray into gambling on a large scale. Given that the space is already there, the Asian market has different expectations and brand-knowledge of Disney, and that this ship will fly under the radar of most American audiences, it seems to me more likely than not that the reimagined and renamed Global Dream will have casino space.

It really comes down to how strongly Bob Iger feels about Disney’s association with gambling, the financial upside to including casinos, and whether it’ll hurt the brand. Personally, I’d bet on it happening… and I don’t even gamble!

Ultimately, I’m really intrigued by all of this. Singapore has been on our travel bucket list for  years as the next new-to-us place we want to visit in Asia. It was never previously on our radar as a cruise destination–more a stopover for a few days en route to or returning from Japan–but plans can change. Between my desire to visit Singapore and Sarah’s love for Disney Cruise Line, we’ll definitely be checking this out in 2025.

I also have a tremendous amount of curiosity about how this ship will be reimagined from the Global Dream, and specifically designed to appeal to the Asian market. That’s one of the things that I found most interesting about Shanghai Disneyland, which is Disney’s first truly targeted park in Asia. (As much as we love them, the parks in Tokyo and Hong Kong are largely Americanized.)

Even though I don’t gamble, I don’t really care one way or the other whether the ship has a casino. (It’s not a moral aversion, more recognition that the house always wins. We’ve visited Las Vegas, Macau, and Monaco–I love the energy around casinos, just not the “losing money” part.) It’ll be fascinating to hear the thought process behind that decision one way or the other, see what else is built and left out, and so much more.

Shanghai Disneyland is simultaneously similar to but very different from the other castle parks, and I’m expecting the same familiar-but-unique vibes from Disney Cruise Line’s seventh ship. As much as I’m looking forward to the Disney Treasure, I’m really looking forward to this!

Planning to set sail aboard one of the DCL ships? Read our comprehensive  Disney Cruise Line Guide   to prepare for your voyage, plus plan entertainment, activities & excursions, and learn what to expect from your Disney cruise! For personalized planning & recommendations,  click here to get a cruise quote from a no-fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner . They can find you all of the current discounts, and help you plan the details of your cruise!

YOUR THOUGHTS

Thoughts on Disney Cruise Line’s seventh ship being based out of Singapore? What do you think about the company acquiring the partially-completed Global Dream ship? Think this is a good addition to the fleet or at-odds with the existing ships? Confident that Imagineering can transform this into a ‘Distinctly Disney’ (Cruise Line) ship, or think it’ll stick out from the rest? Thoughts on DCL’s plans for growth and expansion? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

With a Disney Cruise planned for Singapore, and various Disney events and exhibits held here, I guess they are testing the market to see if a Disneyland can be built in Singapore, whether the southern coast or islands, or the land stretch in Yio Chu Kang. Hope the magic come here and allow many South Asians and Australasians to come visit. What new attractions could be thought of? Maybe Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Muppet, Fox, Star Wars characters and scenes … classic ones as well as those not seen before. The other nature parks such as Mandai and Gardens by the Bay can be a great link. Universal Studios Singapore would complement and attract tourists there rather than compete. What do you think?

This is really exciting! I’ve only been to Singapore once, back in the 90’s, but absolutely loved it. And I’m very keen to get back to that part of the world. It will definitely be interesting to see how this ship compares to the ones built fresh by Disney. I’m 100% going to try it as soon as possible!

Singapore and Disney mentioned together makes my heart sing! Singapore is one of our favourite places in the world for many reasons…Gardens by the Bay, the amazing food, its spot as a jumping off point for visiting Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali, etc. Now, if I could only convince my husband who is resistant to trying a Disney cruise to give it a try. I really hope you get to go, Tom!

I am absolutely excited for this and was hoping Disney would fleet east! I love the idea of expanding the market and offering sailings through Asia and see a huge demand. Not to mention a way to attract more international visitors to their three Asian parks and expand the Adventures by Disney offerings. We had been eyeing a Tokyo Disney trip in ‘25… May need to add a little oceanic tour in there as well.

What I actually dislike most about casinos is the seemingly deeply-held cultural standard that smoking must go hand-in-hand — ugh! It’s difficult to avoid the smoke even in the beautiful super fancy Las Vegas casinos. So I really hope that IF gambling is a feature of this new ship, it will remain non-smoking!

So very much this.

I live in Singapore and am really excited about this as have always wanted to go on a DCL cruise! I always think about doing a DCL cruise whenever I visit Orlando, but end up just spending more time in the parks instead… Had actually been hoping for some time that DCL might make a stop in Singapore (especially after they announced the Aus/NZ sailings last year) – using Singapore as a home port is basically more than I had been hoping for!

Side note about travel here from the USA: I’m not sure Singapore is really in the right place geographically as a stopover for travelling between Japan and the USA – instead Japan is usually a stopover destination for a number of flights between Singapore and the USA (Singapore-Tokyo-LA for example)! But there are a number of direct flights between Singapore and the USA now so might make it easier for you to get to Singapore…

Awesome news for you, then!

I didn’t really mean stopover in the traditional (layover) sense of the term. We often do LAX->HK->Osaka…Tokyo->LAX, which is technically a stopover in Hong Kong and open-jaw between Osaka and Tokyo before returning to Los Angeles. Simply works better for us that way in terms of weather and time spent in each location. Looking forward to swapping Singapore for HK soon!

We have a sailing this summer, I will book a rebound cruise in hopes of sailing on this ship! Very excited, I would not mind the gambling on board if it is there either. Never been much for that, but if there we will probably play a little bit just for fun.

I don’t really understand the allure of cruising (we have been on one cruise on the Dream and several family members have been on cruises with different lines). It was fun, but is far down my list of ways to spend vacation time and money. That said, I must be in a minority as the industry has exploded (passenger capacity has double in the past 10-15 years) so Disney is probably making a safe bet here.

Cruising is one of those rare things that has growing appeal with both baby boomers and millennials, two outsized and influential demographics.

So it certainly makes sense from that perspective, especially since the preferences of millennial consumers will be the main driver for the travel industry for decades to come.

Thanks, Tom…his was a fascinating read. Pretty savvy move by the Disney brass for sure, and keeping this ship permanently based in SE Asia definitely makes me feel like a casino is a foregone conclusion. I’ve actually been thinking for years that Singapore is probably the next (and possibly last) frontier for adding another castle park to the Disney roster. I feel like this ship will allow the company to gain some footing and build the parks/resorts brand in that market – and in the decades ahead, with new park(s) it could be the first locale that offers true “land and sea” packages that feel like a cohesive vacation.

I really wonder where the next castle park goes, and whether it’s built in my lifetime. Singapore sounds like it would be a great option, but also a “safe” one with less upside as compared to potential alternatives.

I’d hope that Shanghai Disneyland serves as a cautionary tale, but I fear that Disney might be willing to overlook a degree of instability and uncertainty to gain a toehold in an emerging market with a growing middle class audience.

I would absolutely love it if they ever built a Disney park in Singapore, but I suspect the main barrier to this is going to be cost and the amount of land they might be able to have especially given how small Singapore is. Universal Singapore is absolutely tiny compared to Universal Orlando and they don’t have much space for expansion, which is very sad as I would have loved a larger Universal park here.

(Side note – there are rumours and occasional articles written that apparently there was some negotiation between Singapore/Disney in the 1990s to build a Disney park in Singapore. Supposedly this is why there is an inordinately long stretch of distance between two of the MRT stations in Singapore as the space between these two stations was where the Disney park would have been built. But given that the cost of living and the cost of land have risen exponentially in Singapore since the 1990s I feel like a Singapore Disney park is even less likely now than it was then…)

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Disney Cruise Line Is Headed to Singapore With New Ship, Itineraries

“Singapore’s strategic location, world-class air connectivity and port infrastructure make it a thriving cruise hub in Southeast Asia.”

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

For the first time ever, Disney Cruise Line is headed to Southeast Asia.

In a press release shared with Travel + Leisure on Wednesday, the company announced that, in partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board, the family cruise liner will homeport a new Disney cruise ship exclusively in Singapore for at least five years beginning in 2025.

“Singapore’s strategic location, world-class air connectivity and port infrastructure make it a thriving cruise hub in Southeast Asia,” Disney wrote in a press release shared with T+L.

While details about its maiden voyage, itineraries, and onboard activities will be shared at a later date, the announcement noted that “the new ship will feature innovative Disney experiences along with the dazzling entertainment, world-class dining and legendary guest service that set Disney Cruise Line apart.”

It will also showcase dedicated spaces and activities for guests of all ages — a staple of the cruise liner.  Guests can also expect familiar and beloved characters, including the brand’s signature Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse, Disney Princesses, Marvel Super Heroes, and more.

In the announcement, Disney Cruise Line shared that the new 208,000-gross-ton ship will have an estimated passenger capacity of 6,000 passengers and around 2,300 crew members. It will also be one of the first in the cruise industry fueled by green methanol, which Disney said is one of the lowest emission fuels available.

The move to Southeast Asia will introduce Disney Cruise Line guests to “a diverse region that is home to over 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.”

Disney anticipates it to bring “significant spillover benefits for the wider economy” as this announcement has the potential to add millions of both local and foreign cruise passengers over the initial five-year period.

It's a time of rapid growth for the family-forward cruise line as they introduced its newest ship, the Disney Wish, in 2022 and are preparing for the debut of its brand new private island, Lighthouse Point, in the Bahamas in 2024.

“This is a very exciting year for The Walt Disney Company — 2023 marks our 100th anniversary,” Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro, shared in the announcement. “As part of this, Disney Cruise Line is currently undergoing an ambitious expansion with new ships and new destinations around the world. We are incredibly excited to make Singapore the home port to our seventh-launched ship, which will sail from here year-round starting in 2025.”

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Follow our news, recent searches, mickey mouse sails to singapore: new disney cruise line ship to make country its home port from 2025, advertisement.

The exclusive partnership - Disney Cruise Line's debut in Southeast Asia - will last for at least five years. 

Ang Hwee Min

SINGAPORE: Mickey and friends are coming to town and calling it home, on a ship at least.

A new Disney Cruise Line vessel will make Singapore its exclusive home port for at least five years from 2025, in a partnership between the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the cruise line. 

Singapore will be the company's first exclusive home port in Southeast Asia.

The as-yet unnamed ship will be the eighth and largest in the Disney Cruise Line fleet and also the largest cruise ship welcomed to Singapore's shores, said Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations S Iswaran at the official announcement on Wednesday (Mar 29). 

"By all accounts, this is a major milestone in the evolution of our cruise industry," said Mr Iswaran.

Disney Cruise Line had announced in November that it would acquire Genting Hong Kong's Dream Cruises' unfinished ship, after the latter filed for bankruptcy through its holding group. 

The new ship that will call Singapore its home port is the same one Disney Cruise Line acquired from Dream Cruises, confirmed Mr Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Signature Experiences. 

The ship's construction is projected to be completed at a shipyard in Germany, under the management of Meyer Werft, the same company that built three other Disney Cruise Line vessels. 

The new ship will have an estimated passenger capacity of about 6,000 with about 2,300 crew members. 

The 208,000-gross-ton ship is expected to be among the first in the cruise industry to be fueled by green methanol, one of the lowest emission fuels, said STB and the cruise line in a joint press release. 

"Disney Cruise Line's decision to home port in Singapore affirms our position as the region's premier cruise hub and major player in cruise tourism," said Mr Iswaran. 

"It is also significant that Disney has chosen Singapore to home port its first cruise ship in Southeast Asia. It speaks volumes of our region's significant potential for cruise tourism, and to become, as some have described it, the Caribbean of the East." 

2023 marks Disney's 100th anniversary, and the expansion to the cruise line is currently undergoing an "ambitious expansion" with new ships and new destinations around the world, said Mr Josh D'Amaro, chairman of experiences and products for Disney Parks. 

"As we like to say, Disney Cruise Line is where magic meets the sea. For many guests, our ships, they are the true destination," he added. 

Passengers can look forward to themed restaurants, Broadway-style shows with interactive characters and Disney kid clubs. The ships also feature Mickey Mouse-inspired colours and signature red funnels.  More details about the maiden voyage of the Singapore-based ship, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date.

Singapore’s cruise industry set to return to pre-pandemic levels between 2023 and 2024: STB

Can Singapore become a hub for sustainable cruise ships?

STATE OF CRUISE INDUSTRY

As Singapore emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, its cruise industry is recovering well, in tandem with global travel, said Mr Iswaran.

In 2022, 1.2 million passengers passed through Singapore's ports, or two-thirds of pre-COVID-19 levels.

"This bodes well for the industry to recover to pre-pandemic levels soon," said Mr Iswaran.

The cruise industry currently contributes about S$630 million (US$474 million) of Singapore's GDP, and accounts for about 7,000 jobs here, said STB chief executive Keith Tan.

The Disney Cruise Line ship will increase this "quite significantly" given the ship's capacity, he added.

Mr Mazloum said Disney expects and welcomes "very strong interest" from the Southeast Asian market, since it is Disney Cruise Line's first appearance in the region.

Currently, the other ships cater predominantly to clients from the US market, he added.

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Finally! The Disney Cruise Line is coming to Southeast Asia

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

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MANILA, Philippines – Southeast Asia, ready to set sail because the Disney Cruise is finally coming your way! 

The Disney Cruise Line partnered with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to homeport a new ship exclusively in Singapore starting in 2025 for at least five years. 

In a joint statement released on their site on Wednesday, March 29, the Disney Cruise Line shared that their global expansion coincides with the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company in the year 2023.

“We are incredibly excited to make Singapore the home port to our seventh-launched ship,” Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro said.

Keith Tan, Chief Executive of STB, added that this “important milestone” is a manifestation of Disney Cruise Line’s “strong confidence in Singapore and Southeast Asia.” 

This will be the first time that a Disney Cruise Line is coming to Southeast Asia, meaning Singapore and its neighboring countries including the Philippines will now finally be able to experience a Disney Cruise Ship without having to travel on a long-haul flight. 

The new ship will reportedly have an estimated passenger capacity of 6,000 and around 2,300 crew members. It will also feature “innovative Disney experiences along with the dazzling entertainment, world-class dining, and legendary guest service that set Disney Cruise Line apart.”

Additional details about the ship’s maiden voyage, itineraries, and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date. 

The destinations of the current Disney Cruise Line include Bahamas, Western Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Northern Europe, Mediterranean, Alaska, and South Pacific, among others. – Rappler.com

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The Disney Cruise Line Blog

An unofficial disney cruise line news, information, weather, and photo blog..

Singapore Revealed as the Future Home Port for Disney Cruise Line’s ‘GLOBAL DREAM Project’

On March 29, 2023, an exclusive partnership between Disney Cruise Line and the Singapore Tourism Board was announced which will establish a presence for the cruise line in Southeast Asia with the ‘GLOBAL DREAM project’ home porting in Singapore .

The new vessel acquired by Disney Cruise Line late last year , is still undergoing a Disney remodel, however details of the yet to be renamed GLOBAL DREAM have yet to be announced.

Under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board agreed to collaborate to homeport a brand-new Disney cruise ship exclusively in Singapore for at least five years beginning in 2025. More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date.

The announcement was revealed by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, S. Iswaran.

“This is a very exciting year for The Walt Disney Company — 2023 marks our 100th anniversary,” D’Amaro said. “As part of this, Disney Cruise Line is currently undergoing an ambitious expansion with new ships and new destinations around the world. We are incredibly excited to make Singapore the home port to our seventh-launched ship, which will sail from here year-round starting in 2025.”

“We look forward to welcoming the magic of Disney Cruise Line to Singapore in 2025,” said Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board (STB). “This is an important milestone for STB and reflects Disney Cruise Line’s strong confidence in Singapore and Southeast Asia. The new Disney cruise ship will be an attraction itself and is expected to boost the tourism sector in Singapore for many years to come.”

Singapore’s strategic location, world-class air connectivity and port infrastructure make it a thriving cruise hub in Southeast Asia, a diverse region that is home to over 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The addition of a Disney Cruise Line ship in Singapore has the potential to add millions of local and foreign cruise passengers across the five-year period, including fly-cruise passengers who arrive in Singapore by air. It is also expected to bring about significant spillover benefits for the wider economy. These include greater demand for port and ship-related services, as well as on-ground spending in Singapore for the lifestyle and hospitality sectors.

The new ship will feature innovative Disney experiences along with the dazzling entertainment, world-class dining and legendary guest service that set Disney Cruise Line apart. Guests of all ages will find dedicated spaces and activities designed just for them, and families will create unforgettable memories with beloved characters such as Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse, Disney Princesses, Marvel Super Heroes and more.

Disney Cruise Line estimates the passenger capacity of the 208,000-gross-ton ship to be approximately 6,000 with around 2,300 crew members. It is expected to be among the first in the cruise industry to be fueled by green methanol, one of the lowest emission fuels available.

Construction is projected to be completed at the MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany, under the management of Meyer Werft, the Papenburg-based company that built the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish and is constructing two additional Wish-class ships.

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17 Replies to “Singapore Revealed as the Future Home Port for Disney Cruise Line’s ‘GLOBAL DREAM Project’”

Cue the Americans asking if they need a passport for Singapore or will a birth certificate do ?

Not sure I would want to be on this ship as China is friends with Russia not the USA. By 2025, we may be at war with China.

Singapore is its own country…

@pppooooppp Singapore is not part of china.

Russia is closer to the US (Bering Straight) than Singapore is to China

Singapore, a city-state located at the end of the Maylay Peninsula located 2,325 miles as the crow flies from the nearest Chinese border, is allied with the US, Britain, Australia to name a few. It has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, is ultra modern and enjoys great economic power due to its unique geographical location!

Well there’s a geography fail.

Appropriate user name for this comment.

One geography textbook needed!

This is a troll comment. Just look at the profile name…

Looks like they removed the third (5th and 6th) funnel from this pic of the ship.

Not a safe part of the world without the presence of the US Navy

Singapore is an exceptionally safe country, possibly the safest in SE Asia. The US does not and should not rule the world, but if it makes you feel better we do in fact have a base in Singapore. “The U.S. Navy maintains a logistical command unit, Logistics Group Western Pacific, in Singapore.”

Umm, Royal Caribbean/Princess/Celebrity to name just a few cruise lines, port out of there without any issue.

superb!! welcome Disney Cruise.

I feel a 15 night Trans-Pacific cruise from Singapore to LA coming up.

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Cruise Destinations

Disney cruise line and singapore: a magical partnership for southeast asia.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Disney Cruise Line and the Singapore Tourism Board have announced Southeast Asia as a new cruise destination.
• A new Disney cruise ship will be homeported in Singapore for five years starting in 2025, marking the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company in 2023.
• Southeast Asia’s strategic location and port infrastructure make it a thriving cruise hub, with over 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the region.
• The new Disney cruise ship will prioritize environmental sustainability, using low emission, green methanol as fuel, and focusing on reducing its environmental impact.

The Announcement: Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board Join Forces

Southeast Asia: a Thriving Cruise Hub With Unlimited Potential

• Explore the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat and be transported back in time to the Khmer Empire.
• Marvel at the intricate carvings and architecture of Borobudur Temple, the world’s largest Buddhist monument.
• Dive into the crystal-clear waters of Ha Long Bay and witness its breathtaking limestone karsts rising from the sea.
• Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Penang’s George Town, with its colorful street art and mouthwatering street food.
• Wander through the ancient city of Ayutthaya and discover its magnificent temples and palaces.

The New Ship: Construction, Features, and Unveiling

Green and Sustainable: Disney Cruise Line’s Commitment to the Environment

Anticipation and impact: a game-changer for singapore’s tourism sector.

Engaging With Readers: Sharing Preferences and Excitement for the Magical Partnership

Frequently asked questions, what are some of the specific itineraries and destinations that the new disney cruise ship will offer in southeast asia, will the new disney cruise ship have any unique features or experiences that set it apart from other disney ships, what efforts is disney cruise line making to ensure that the new ship is environmentally friendly beyond just using green methanol as fuel, how will the partnership between disney cruise line and the singapore tourism board benefit the local economy and tourism industry in singapore, how can readers provide their feedback and preferences for the new disney cruise ship.

Meet Asra, a talented and adventurous writer who infuses her passion for exploration into every word she writes. Asra’s love for storytelling and her insatiable curiosity about the world make her an invaluable asset to the Voyager Info team.

From a young age, Asra was drawn to the power of words and their ability to transport readers to far-off lands and magical realms. Her fascination with travel and cultures from around the globe fueled her desire to become a travel writer, and she set out on a journey to turn her dreams into reality.

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Celebrity Cruises Recognized for Outstanding Wine Selection

Meet Asra, a talented and adventurous writer who infuses her passion for exploration into every word she writes. Asra’s love for storytelling and her insatiable curiosity about the world make her an invaluable asset to the Voyager Info team. From a young age, Asra was drawn to the power of words and their ability to transport readers to far-off lands and magical realms. Her fascination with travel and cultures from around the globe fueled her desire to become a travel writer, and she set out on a journey to turn her dreams into reality.

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Azamara onward: origins, renovation, and future plans.

• Azamara Onward was previously known as Pacific Princess and underwent a renovation to remove any trace of its previous life as part of the R-class ships.
• Azamara Onward is identical to its three sister ships in the Azamara fleet and has unique features like the Atlas Bar offering exclusive artisanal cocktails.
• Onboard activities and entertainment include trivia competitions, cake-decorating competitions, swimming pool, Jacuzzis, shuffleboard court, and board games.
• Azamara offers destination-immersive cruising with unconventional experiences ashore, more late departures and overnights in port, and the ability to dock in most ports due to its small size.

The Birth of Azamara Onward

A transformation: from pacific princess to azamara onward, r-class legacy: the origins of azamara onward, azamara onward: a sister ship in the fleet, expanding horizons: future plans for azamara, unique features of azamara onward, onboard delights: activities and entertainment on azamara onward, immersive cruising: azamazing experiences with azamara onward, what is the history behind the name "azamara onward", how does azamara onward differ from its sister ships in the fleet, are there any plans to acquire oceania vessels in the future, what are some unique features of azamara onward that set it apart from other ships in the fleet, how does azamara onward offer a more immersive cruising experience compared to other cruise lines, anthony bourdain: unconventional culinary icon and global influencer.

• Anthony Bourdain’s unconventional approach to culinary exploration and storytelling captivated audiences worldwide.
• He used food as a means of cultural exchange, promoting understanding and empathy.
• Bourdain’s legacy continues to shape the way we view travel, tourism, and the culinary industry.
• His advocacy for mental health and authenticity resonates with people from all walks of life.

Early Life and Career

Rise to celebrity status, the power of bourdain’s voice, breaking culinary boundaries, impact on food culture, bourdain’s exploration of global cuisine, inspiring a new generation of chefs, advocacy for mental health awareness, remembering bourdain’s legacy, continuing the bourdain influence, what was anthony bourdain’s childhood like and how did it shape his future career, how did anthony bourdain’s rise to celebrity status impact his personal life and relationships, what were some of the key moments or events that showcased the power of bourdain’s voice and influence, in what ways did anthony bourdain challenge traditional culinary practices and push the boundaries of the food industry, how did anthony bourdain’s exploration of global cuisine contribute to a greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures, authentic tacos and local delights: a culinary adventure in cabo san lucas.

• Los Tacos May offers unique and delicious tacos like Corazon de la vaca, cabeza surtida, and lengua.
• Baja Fish Tacos are popular, but the ones on the food tour are more authentic.
• There is a vendor that sells a variety of sweets, spiced nuts, and beans.
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As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.

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Disney Renames Global Dream Disney Adventure

• September 10, 2023

Disney Cruise Line announced on Saturday that the former Global Dream will debut as the Disney Adventure, and confirmed its plans to deploy the ship to Asia when it starts revenue service in 2025.

Originally ordered for Genting’s Dream Cruises and under construction in Germany at MV Werften, Disney bought the ship in a half-finished state following Genting’s demise in 2022.

The ship will have capacity for approximately 6,000 guests and will come methanol-ready.

After repositioning to Asia, the vessel is expected to start its cruise program out of Singapore’s Marina Bay facility.

The Adventure will join the Treasure, debuting in 2024, and a yet-to-be-named newbuild, also debuting in 2025 and a sister to the Treasure and Wish. In addition, with the Fantasy, Dream, Wonder and Magic in service, Disney will have eight cruise ships sailing by the end of 2025.

Disney Cruise Line Fleet

• Disney Adventure: 208,000 tons, Built in 2025, 6,000 passengers.
• Unnamed: 140,000 tons, Built in 2025, 2,500 passengers.
• Disney Treasure: 140,000 tons, Built in 2024, 2,500 passengers.
• Disney Wish: 140,000 tons, Built in 2022, 2,500 passengers.
• Disney Fantasy: 128,000 tons, Built in 2012, 2,500 passengers.
• Disney Dream: 128,000 tons, Built in 2011, 2,500 passengers.
• Disney Wonder: 85,000 tons, Built in 1999, 1,750 passengers.
• Disney Magic: 85,000 tons, Built in 1998, 1,750 passengers.

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BREAKING: NAME Announced for NEW Disney Cruise Line Ship

By Robin Burks Leave a Comment

Disney Cruise Line just continues to expand its fleet.

In 2022, the Disney Wish began setting sail (and we even had a chance to check it out). In 2024, the Disney Treasure will be taking its maiden voyage . But Disney isn’t stopping there: the company just announced the name of yet ANOTHER new ship that will be added to its fleet. 

We’re at Destination D23 today, where Disney has already made a ton of announcements about new additions to Disneyland, Disney World, and more.

During a presentation, Disney Cruise Line mentioned that it had THREE more new ships in the works, but one ship will be the first to sail from Singapore and throughout Southeast Asia.

Disney Wish

Disney also announced the name of this ship, which will be the 7th in its fleet: the Disney Adventure . Its home port will be in Singapore, and it will feature Disney, Pixar, and Marvel stories on board. Disney called it the “biggest adventure yet.”

So now we have a name but no further details about the ship. We’re sure Disney will set up a huge reveal like it did for the Disney Treasure , though, so we’ll keep an eye out for that.

We’ll be covering all the big announcements from Destination D23, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

Every Restaurant, Lounge, and Cafe Announced For the Disney Treasure Cruise Ship  

What you need to know about disney cruise line, learn all about disney cruise line and its various ships, explore disney’s mega cruise ship – the wish, a full list of what you can’t bring on a disney cruise, these are the best times to book your disney cruise, the best ways to save space in your tiny cruise cabin, 10 things you need on your next cruise (that you won’t think to pack), what it’s like to live on a cruise ship for 6 months, join the dfb newsletter to get all the latest disney news delivered right to your inbox click here to subscribe.

What do you think of this news? Let us know in the comments!

Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend the Destination D23 event. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy . Thank you for reading. — AJ

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Disney Cruise Line names its newest cruise ship

I t was bound to happen sometime, but Disney Cruise Line waited until its last of three new sister ships to name one Disney Destiny.

The sister ship to Disney Wish, which debuted out of Port Canaveral in 2022 and the soon-to-debut Disney Treasure arriving in Central Florida this December, the third ship in what was originally called the Trident class had its keel laying ceremony Wednesday at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

It won’t start sailing until 2025, and its home port has yet to be named, but among the details revealed for what will be the eighth ship in the cruise line’s fleet was the theme of the vessel, “Heroes & Villains.”

As such, the filigree artwork for the bow will be of Minnie Mouse wearing a superhero-style outfit complete with a cape.

The cruise line said among the characters from which it will mine features on board will be classic Disney animation films, “The Lion King,” “Hercules” and “One Hundred and One Dalmatians.”

Disney of course owns plenty of good vs. evil intellectual property including Star Wars and Marvel.

“The Disney Destiny will celebrate our most legendary Disney stories and characters, bringing them to life in new and exciting ways exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager for the cruise line, in a press release. “As we continue to expand our fleet, the Disney Destiny will further strengthen our position as a leader in family cruising.”

Just like Disney Wish and Treasure, Disney Destiny will be powered by liquefied natural gas, a cleaner burning fuel that’s part of the cruise industry’s efforts to reduce emissions.

All three are the 144,000 gross-ton, 1,254-stateroom vessels but still targeting the 4,000-passenger capacity of its older ships, 2011’s Disney Dream and 2012’s Fantasy. The line’s first ships are the smaller Disney Magic that debuted in 1998 and Disney Wonder in 1999. They come in at 84,000 gross tons with 875 staterooms.

The line also is finishing construction for an Asia-bound cruise ship named Disney Adventure that will be the largest in the fleet at 208,000 gross tons.

Disney Wish became the line’s first new ship in more than a decade. It continues to do short three- and four-night Bahamas sailings while Disney Treasure will pick up seven-night trips to the Caribbean.

©2024 Orlando Sentinel. Visit orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Disney Cruise Line will soon own one of the world's biggest cruise ships after surprise purchase

Disney Cruise Line will soon own one of the world's largest cruise ships — in what could be a play at breaking into the fast-growing Asian travel market.

The Florida-based cruising arm of tourism giant Disney announced late Wednesday that it was buying a massive, half-finished ship that was until recently under construction for Asia-based Dream Cruises.

Construction of the vessel, which was to be called Global Dream, was halted earlier this year after Dream Cruises collapsed along with sister brands Star Cruises and Crystal Cruises.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

The three cruise lines were owned by Asia-based Genting Hong Kong, which went out of business.

Disney said it would work with Germany's Meyer Werft shipyard to complete the vessel, which was being built with specific venues designed to appeal to Asian families.

The line didn't say where it would deploy the ship, but it said in a press release that the vessel would bring Disney's style of cruise vacations to "new global destinations."

It also said the vessel, which will be renamed, would be based outside of the United States.

"Our cruise ships give us the unique opportunity to bring Disney magic to fans no matter where they are, and the addition of this ship will make a Disney Cruise Line vacation accessible to more families than ever before," said Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, in a statement accompanying the announcement.

Designed to be 208,000 tons, Global Dream would be the world's seventh-biggest cruise ship if it debuted today. But it was being built to hold a record-breaking 9,000 passengers.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Disney cruise

The large passenger count was being made possible by packing in a lot of cabins on the ship that could hold families of four.

In its announcement, Disney said the vessel would hold just 6,000 passengers, implying that the ship's cabin configurations would be redesigned.

Both the size of the vessel and its projected passenger count are far bigger than what is typical for a Disney ship. The line's five vessels range in size from 83,969 tons to 144,000 tons. They hold at most around 4,000 passengers.

Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line

Among the vessel features of Global Dream that were being specifically designed for the Asian market was a massive one-and-a-half-deck casino. Until now, Disney has not had casinos on any of its five vessels.

In its announcement, Disney said its designers, known as Imagineers, would work with Meyer Werft to add Disney-themed features to the ship. Once completed, the vessel will have "innovative Disney experiences along with the dazzling entertainment, world-class dining and legendary guest service that set Disney Cruise Line apart," the line said.

Disney also said the exterior of the ship would be adorned in the iconic Mickey Mouse-inspired colors of the fleet, complete with the line's signature red funnels.

The purchase of a half-finished ship originally slated for another cruise brand is a notably unusual move for Disney. The company likes to control the design and construction process of its resorts both on land and sea from the moment of their conception.

That said, Disney Cruise Line is in expansion mode. The brand already has two more new vessels on order for delivery in 2024 and 2025. The ships will be sisters to the line's recently unveiled Disney Wish .

Disney noted that the revamped Global Dream wouldn't be ready to sail until 2025.

The ship will be completed at the former MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany, where it originally was under construction, under the management of Meyer Werft. Meyer Werft has built three of Disney's five existing vessels.

The line said more details about the ship's itineraries and onboard experiences would be announced at a later date.

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Walt Disney World restaurant earns first-ever Michelin star

The chef de cuisine 'cooks with contemporary verve and draws on influences spanning from Asia to the Nordics,' Michelin's judges said.

• Marie Rossiter
• April 23, 2024

For foodies traveling to the Most Magical Place on Earth, Walt Disney World’s Victoria and Albert’s restaurant has long been a go-to restaurant. The upscale restaurant has won numerous awards , including 24 consecutive AAA Five Diamond Awards and the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award.

Over the years, though, one of the culinary world’s most prestigious honors, the Michelin star, has eluded Victoria and Albert’s — until now.

On April 18, Victoria and Albert’s was one of nine Florida restaurants to earn a Michelin star from the panel of anonymous inspectors who judge each restaurant based on its atmosphere, service and food.

MORE: Disney World foods so good they’re worth the trip on their own

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by Michelin for the innovative dining experience our team brings to life here at Victoria and Albert’s,” said Chef de Cuisine Matthew Sowers in a statement shared by the official Disney Parks Blog . “Everybody on our team earned this Star, from our stewards to our culinarians to our pastry chefs, and we hope to inspire future generations of culinary professionals to follow their dreams.”

The official Michelin statement about Victoria and Albert’s spoke highly of Sower’s culinary skill, saying “Chef Matthew Sowers cooks with contemporary verve and draws on influences spanning from Asia to the Nordics.”

Other standout qualities from the judges included Victoria and Albert’s “‘sandwiches’ made with venison carpaccio and red cabbage, and bold sauces like cherry-cola bordelaise.”

Restaurants can earn from one star to three stars based on their evaluation. One Michelin star is awarded “to restaurants using top quality ingredients, where dishes with distinct flavors are prepared to a consistently high standard.” Fewer than 200 U.S. restaurants earn a one-star Michelin rating, so winning this accolade is a major accomplishment.

Known for its wine list of more than 500 varieties and a constantly changing menu to reflect the freshest and finest ingredients, Victoria and Albert’s offers guests three dining experiences, including a meal in the traditional dining room, an expanded menu offering in Queen Victoria’s Room or a luxurious, intimate dining event at The Chef’s Table.

Up to six people can embark on a 3-hour culinary tour around the world customized to the guest’s preferences. Prices for this unique experience start at $425 per guest, not including an optional wine pairing ($210 per guest) or zero-proof pairings ($145 per guest).

The restaurant is located in Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridan Resort. Reservations must be made in advance online or by calling 407-939-3862 . This experience books up quickly, so leave plenty of time to make your reservations. Victoria and Albert’s is only for guests ages 19 and up and requires semi-formal or formal attire.

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