Home » CRUISE NEWS » Disney Cruise Line Kicks Off Dual Sailings from Fort Lauderdale with Disney Destiny and Disney Dream, Paving the Way for Future Bahamas Cruise Tourism Growth

Published on
January 5, 2026

In a first-of-its-kind scenario for Disney Cruise Line, two of their ships, Disney Destiny and Disney Dream, came alongside each other at their home port in Port of Fort Lauderdale. The maiden dual arrival for Disney Cruise Line took place at Port Everglades on December 26, 2025, and it marks the beginning of a series of dual arrival sailings scheduled for the season.

All was on board the Disney Destiny to begin the first four-night cruise to the Bahamas, which featured stops in Nassau and the corporate island of Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Simultaneously, the Disney Dream was unloading at the Port of Everglades to begin its three-night cruise to the Bahamas, as it made the same stops, Nassau and Lookout Cay, which is one of the favorite spots to many.

Disney Destiny’s Debut and New Cruise Offerings

The Disney Destiny has already made waves as it entered its inaugural season sailing from Fort Lauderdale. The LNG-powered vessel welcomed its first paying guests in November 2025, after a special naming ceremony that featured drone special effects and ship projections. Built at Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, the 2,500-guest ship is a sister ship to the 2022-built Disney Wish and the 2024-built Disney Treasure.

The Disney Destiny is offering four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, enhancing Disney Cruise Line’s presence in the region with a variety of family-friendly itineraries. Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, is featured as a highlight of many of these cruises, providing guests with a personalized Disney experience in a tropical paradise.

The Return of Disney Dream and Year-Round Caribbean Cruises

Meanwhile, the Disney Dream returned to Fort Lauderdale in late 2024 after a summer deployment in Europe. Following this seasonal deployment, the ship began a year-round program of short cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas from Port Everglades. As one of the classic Disney vessels, the Disney Dream continues to be a favorite among guests, with its combination of family-friendly amenities and entertainment offerings.

Just like the Disney Destiny, the Disney Dream also includes visits to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, and the newly developed Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, adding extra allure to these Bahamas itineraries.

The Future of Disney Cruise Line: The Disney Adventure and Expansion in Asia

In addition to the growing Bahamas and Caribbean sailings, Disney Cruise Line is making major strides in Asia with the upcoming launch of the Disney Adventure. Set to become the largest ship in the fleet at 208,000 tons, the Disney Adventure was recently delivered by Meyer Werft shipyard and is scheduled to begin its maiden cruise in mid-March 2026.

The 6,000-guest ship will offer year-round departures from Singapore, further expanding Disney Cruise Line’s presence in Asia and allowing travelers in the region to experience Disney’s signature entertainment and immersive cruise experiences. This marks a new chapter in Disney’s expansion into the Asian cruise market, with Singapore serving as a key hub for the growing demand for luxury cruise options in the region.

Future Cruise Tourism Growth: Expanding the Luxury Cruise Market

As tourism in the Caribbean and Asia continues to grow, Disney Cruise Line’s increasing presence in these regions reflects the growing demand for luxury and family-focused cruises. The expansion of Disney’s fleet and the launch of new ships like the Disney Destiny and Disney Adventure will play a crucial role in meeting this demand.

The dual sailings from Port Everglades signify the growing importance of key U.S. cruise hubs like Fort Lauderdale, which continues to be a central departure point for Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries. The demand for family-oriented cruises, especially those offering exclusive Disney experiences, is expected to continue to rise, contributing to the overall growth of the luxury cruise tourism market.

Disney’s investment in new ships and global itineraries will drive continued growth in global tourism, offering new opportunities for luxury travelers and family tourists to experience destinations around the world in a personalized, immersive, and luxurious way. With the growing popularity of cruise tourism in Asia, particularly in Southeast Asia, Disney is well-positioned to capitalize on this emerging market.

Disney Cruise Line’s Expanding Role in the Global Cruise Market

The simultaneous departure of the Disney Destiny and Disney Dream ships from the port of Fort Lauderdale is not only a joyous occasion for the Disney Cruise Line but also an indication for the future cruise tourism market. As it looks forward to expanding its fleet and debut cruises, it may have a very prominent presence in the market for luxurious cruise lines. The manner in which Disney offers their luxurious cruises along with family-friendly entertainment may set a whole new trend for the cruise market.

With the cruise tourism industry on the rise around the globe, Disney Cruise Line’s decision to move into other areas of the world, especially the Asian market, with the launching of their new, bigger ships, will further solidify their position in the luxury travel market. The success of the dual sailings, as well as the demand for luxury cruises and family cruises, will continue to fuel the tourism industry in the coming years for Disney Cruise Line.