Disney Cruise Line To Base Ship Year-Round in Japan in OLC Deal

Disney and Oriental Land Co. (OLC) have formed a partnership to offer Disney cruise vacations in Japan throughout the year, as announced in a press release. OLC will manage the operations of a new Disney cruise ship, which will be registered in Japan and operate there year-round.

A recent agreement signed between the two companies allows OLC to handle a Disney-branded cruise business in Japan, with operations slated to start by early 2029. This development represents a significant step in the ongoing partnership between Disney and OLC, which also includes the management of the Tokyo Disney Resort.

Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion of Disney Cruise Line’s offerings. He highlighted the company’s commitment to delivering Disney storytelling and family vacations to more guests globally. He added further, “We are thrilled to continue the success of this expansion as we collaborate with Oriental Land Co. to introduce another distinctly Disney vacation experience to families and fans in Japan.”

Yumiko Takano, the representative director, chairperson, and CEO of Oriental Land, shared pride in the collaboration with Disney to establish a world-class cruise business in Japan. “Oriental Land will use their knowhow from the theme park business to continue pushing boundaries and provide family entertainment cruise experiences filled with inspiration and surprise”, she said.

The ship, which is to be constructed at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, will feature design work by Walt Disney Imagineering. Planned as a sister ship to the Disney Wish, it will include many popular venues and experiences, though with modifications to cater specifically to Japanese guests. The ship will also be environmentally considerate, powered by liquefied natural gas, and will feature approximately 1,250 staterooms.