Disney Cruise Ship Believe to Debut First 'Encanto' Stage Musical

Disney's newest cruise ship, the Disney Believe, will launch on Dec. 18, 2027 from its homeport of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — and it will carry the first-ever stage adaptation of "Disney Encanto" developed exclusively for the vessel.

Disney announced the ship this week alongside a slate of brand-new entertainment experiences built around its animation franchises. The "Encanto" musical will premiere on board the Believe and marks the first time the 2021 film has been adapted for the stage on any Disney ship.

What will guests find on board?

The lineup includes:

• "Oaken's Table: A Frozen Family Feast" — a new, untold chapter in the "Frozen" story featuring Oaken, Anna and Kristoff. Set in a courtyard deep within the forest, Oaken and his family invite guests to dine together while enjoying the musical stylings of his cousins.
• The Grand Hall — a "living theater" where characters from across the Disney universe take center stage, designed to evoke the vibrant world where the sky meets the sea from the "Moana" films.
• The Wishing Well — a gathering space themed to the settings and locales of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."
• Gazelle — a "Zootopia"-inspired entertainment hub with live family shows designed for audiences to laugh, sing and compete together, plus adult-exclusive options at night.
• Inside Out: Joyful Sweets — a confectionery shop inspired by the expanded cast of emotions from Pixar's "Inside Out 2."
• New cafes themed to "Big Hero 6" and "Moana."

How does the ship fit Disney's fleet plans?

The Disney Believe joins sister ships Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny. It forms part of the growth plan for Disney Cruise Line, which will expand the fleet to 13 ships by late 2030.

The announcement signals how Disney is pushing its theatrical franchise strategy onto the seas: original stage adaptations once reserved for Broadway and theme parks are now premiering at sea, with the Believe's "Encanto" musical as the flagship example. Whether future ships in the 13-vessel fleet receive their own exclusive premieres remains to be seen.