Disney LNG cruise vessels could present a new business opportunity

The cruise line intends to nearly double its fleet to seven ships by 2023 with the addition of three new ships, the latter of which has now been placed on order with Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

“We decided two ships wouldn’t be enough to hold all of the exciting new experiences we have been dreaming up to take family cruise vacations to a whole new level,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Disney Cruise Line currently sails four ships – the smaller 2,713-passenger sister ships Disney Magic and Disney Wonder and the larger 4,000-passenger vessels Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

Dream and Fantasy sail year-round from Port Canaveral, Florida, while Magic and Wonder call at ports including Port Canaveral, PortMiami, Galveston, Texas, plus further afield in Alaska and Europe.

Where the line plans to deploy its new ships has not been revealed but there could be an opportunity for new calls, provided ports can supply the right infrastructure required for receiving and berthing the new ships.

Not much information has been revealed about the new ships yet other than at 135,000 gross tonnes and be powered by LNG.

The new ships are expected to be delivered successively in 2021, 2022 and 2023.