In a christening celebration complete with drone show magic, live music and plenty of signature fanfare, Disney Cruise Line officially welcomed the Disney Destiny to its fleet Monday night.
Godmother Susan Egan — who was the first to play Belle in Broadway’s “Beauty and the Beast” and voiced Megara in “Hercules” — helped officially launch the company’s third Wish-class ship and the cruise line’s seventh overall ship in Port Everglades.
While the ceremony did not feature actual champagne, it did include a large bottle of bubbly projected onto the side of the Destiny, which popped at exactly the moment Egan christened the 144,000-gross-ton ship, which can accommodate 4,000 passengers.
“It is a joy to be here with all of you on such a spectacular night,” she said. “I christen thee Disney Destiny. May God bless this ship and all who sail upon it.”
Leading up to that moment, the port side of the ship served as a screen for projected images choreographed to music and drones overhead, which took the shape of Disney characters and words in a 15-minute spectacle. The show featured a musical medley with references to “The Lion King,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Hercules” and “101 Dalmatians.”
The ceremony also featured remarks by Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences, and Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences.
Captains Mickey and Minnie, godmother Susan Egan, Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences and Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences, christen the Disney Destiny, Disney Cruise Line’s new Wish-class ship, during a ceremony at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 10. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
“The Disney Cruise Line team, along with our Imagineers, have invested years of their expertise, creativity and dedication into this beautiful ship, and they’ve created something truly spectacular,” Schott said. “The Disney Destiny’s heroes and villains theme celebrates the legendary characters who have inspired generations of fans to dream bigger and to go the distance.”
On board the ship, guests experience a heroes and villains theme throughout the ship. The Grand Hall plays host to the “Sounds of Wakanda” musical celebration and two traveling storytellers, Zayah and Gamble, who tell tales of classic Disney villains.
The same duo will host a variety of experiences throughout each voyage, including the adults-only “With Great Power: A Marvel Comedy Show.” Other themed areas are geared toward cruisers of drinking age, including De Vil’s piano lounge, The Haunted Mansion Parlor, The Rose cocktail lounge and The Sanctum, which has mysterious drinks inspired by Doctor Strange.
The Disney Destiny’s Grand Hall features a Black Panther statue on Nov. 10. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
“Disney Hercules” brings larger-than-life characters to a live musical stage show that’s exclusive to the Disney Destiny. Guests of all ages can enjoy “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular,” which puts a fresh spin on the familiar tale of Anna, Elsa and Olaf. “Disney Seas the Adventure” stars popular Disney and Pixar characters in an original production.
Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King provides a musical dining experience, complete with themed cuisine, that celebrates Simba’s journey to becoming king, and one of the main dining areas has a Marvel theme.
The Incredibles make appearances in art throughout the ship and in the theming of Edna À La Mode Sweets, which has gelato, cupcakes, macarons and more. Toy Story theming plays into a splash zone on Deck 12.
The Disney Destiny’s Grand Hall features entertainment and appearances from characters, including Loki, on Nov. 10. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Similar to the other Wish-class ships, the Destiny also features AquaMouse, a water coaster and raft slide found on the upper decks.
All of this combined presents the kind of themed entertainment and experiences Disney is known for.
“For more than 100 years, Disney has entertained our fans in new and innovative ways, connecting them to the stories that they love. Disney Cruise Line is a powerful part of that legacy,” D’Amaro said. “Our ships have become brand ambassadors that travel the globe and bring joy to our guests in ways that only Disney can.”
De Vil’s is an adults-only piano lounge serving up themed cocktails on board the Disney Destiny on Nov. 10. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
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