Disney Adventure

The 2025-built (originally as Global Dream) cruise ship Disney Adventure is a Germany-built vessel (by MV WERFTEN Wismar GmbH) for DCL-Disney Cruise Line. This is the first of two GLOBAL-class units ordered by GHK-Genting Hong Kong Ltd (1993-founded/2022-defunct) for the company’s Asian subsidiaries Dream Cruises and Star Cruises. The first vessel (Global Dream) was scheduled for launch in 2020 (inauguration in December), but due to the Coronavirus crisis, it was postponed to Q1 2022 and eventually canceled and sold.

The second vessel (unnamed sistership/IMO 9808998) was planned for Star Cruises with a 2023 delivery, but her name was never revealed. After GHK filed for bankruptcy on January 19, 2022, construction of Global Dream was halted. At that time, the ship was reportedly ~70% completed.

By maximum capacity (9500 passengers plus 2200 crew / total 11,700 people as originally designed / 2350 staterooms, 4700 lower berths), GHK's GLOBAL-class represented the world’s largest cruise ship ever built.

The Disney Adventure (IMO number 9808986) will be Bahamas-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered in Nassau. The second DCL ship inaugurated in 2025 is Disney Destiny (Nov 2025), part of the TRITON class. Curiously, Global Dream was previously registered in Germany (MMSI 211275820).

With a redesigned max capacity of ~6000 passengers (plus ~2300 crew), Disney Adventure is expected to enter service for DCL in 2025, with her inaugural deployment in East Asia and homeporting in Singapore.

History - construction and ownership

On June 11, 2022, Christoph Morgen (GHK's MV Werften insolvency administrator) announced that the unfinished sistership (the second GLOBAL-class unit/"Global Dream 2") would be sold for scrap. The unit had a completed lower hull with installed machinery (including engines) and some systems. The plan was to dismantle and sell the installed components, with the hull sold separately for scrap value.

On October 6, 2022, NDR 1 Radio MV (part of NDR-Norddeutscher Rundfunk) reported that the unfinished (~75-80% completed) mega-liner could be purchased by DCL-Disney Cruise Line. In an interview, Christoph Morgen confirmed negotiations with DCL. The ship was planned to be completed in Wismar under the management of Meyer Werft's Papenburg shipyard, with a potential 2024-Q4 delivery.

While the purchase price was not initially disclosed, the previously stated shipbuilding cost was EUR 1.6 billion. Though DCL had not yet made an official announcement, on October 4th, Reinhard Meyer (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Minister of Economics, Infrastructure, Tourism, and Labor) referenced "confidential negotiations" and emphasized that completing Global Dream would preserve jobs for MV Werften Wismar’s ~950 former employees. Construction had been suspended since January 2022 when MV Werften filed for bankruptcy.

Industry analysts speculated that Disney’s acquisition of Global Dream signaled an entry into the Asian cruise market.

On November 16, 2022, DCL officially confirmed the acquisition of Global Dream. The announcement was made by Josh D'Amaro (Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences & Products). On November 30, it was revealed that Disney had purchased the unfinished vessel (originally valued at EUR 1.8 billion) for just EUR 40 million.

Disney assumed ownership of the vessel without warranty claims, stating that the ship would be completed at its own risk and expense. DCL planned to invest ~EUR 1 billion in the ship’s conversion. The low purchase price raised concerns about the guarantees originally provided for the shipbuilding project. Reportedly, GHK had borrowed over EUR 650 million from a consortium of 16 banks to fund Global Dream’s construction. Much of this financing was backed by guarantees from both Germany’s federal government and the state government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

The ship’s new name—Disney Adventure—was officially announced on September 5, 2023.

DCL-Disney Cruise Line is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (shipowner). The company was incorporated in 1996 as "Magical Cruise Company Ltd." Walt Disney also owns the private island Castaway Cay (an exclusive Disney port of call in the Bahamas), an exclusive terminal at Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida), and the Lighthouse Point resort on Eleuthera Island (Bahamas). Disney Cruises are marketed as family vacations, featuring exclusive entertainment, character meet-and-greets, adults-only areas, kids’ clubs, and themed onboard activities.

GHK was an entertainment, hospitality, and leisure company based in Hong Kong. It commissioned the two GLOBAL-class cruise ships specifically for the Asian market, especially China. With Dream Cruises, GHK aimed to create distinct brands for each market segment—Dream Cruises (premium), Crystal Cruises (luxury), and Star Cruises (contemporary).

The financing package for both GLOBAL-class units (EUR 2.6 billion / ~EUR 1.3 billion per vessel) was structured by KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH as part of a consortium that included BNP Paribas (France), Citibank (USA), Credit Agricole Group (France), Credit Suisse Group AG (Switzerland), and DNB ASA (Norway). The vessels were planned for construction at three MV Werften-owned shipyards. GHK’s total investment in the project was ~EUR 3.1 billion (~USD 3.44 billion). The package was backed/guaranteed by Finnvera (Finland).

With GT 204,000 tons and maximum capacity of 6000 passengers plus 2300 crew, Global Dream/Disney Adventure ranks among the largest passenger ships in the world. For comparison, Royal Caribbean’s ICON-class ships have a gross tonnage of 248,655 GT.

Disney Adventure ship review (onboard facilities and amenities)

DCL revealed details about Disney Adventure's facilities in late June 2024.

The ship features seven uniquely themed activity zones/districts: Imagination Garden, Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, Wayfinder Bay, Town Square, Marvel Landing, and Toy Story Place.

Disney Imagination Garden is an open-air venue with a garden setting for live performances.

Discovery Reef is a retail and dining complex themed after characters from Disney films like "The Little Mermaid" (1989), "Lilo & Stitch" (2002), "Finding Nemo" (2013), and "Luca" (2021).

San Fransokyo Street is an entertainment area featuring interactive games, family activities, shopping, and cinema experiences.

Wayfinder Bay is a Pacific Island-themed poolside sundeck inspired by the "Moana" movie (2016).

Town Square is a fantasy forest-themed zone offering bars, lounges, cafes, restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.

Marvel Landing is dedicated to Avengers-themed attractions and activities, celebrating Marvel superheroes.

Toy Story Place includes themed dining venues and a water playground.

As on all DCL ships, Disney Adventure guests can enjoy interactions with staff dressed as iconic Disney characters, live shows, karaoke, trivia, game shows, and first-run Disney movies.

A major attraction is the "Ironcycle Test Run"—the longest roller coaster at sea—offering guests a thrilling test ride of Tony Stark’s latest Ironcycle prototype.

Other highlights include Pym Quantum Racers, Groot Galaxy Spin, Toy Story Place (water-play area), and Marvel Landing (interactive Marvel character experiences).

Dining options include classic DCL venues such as Animator’s Palate, as well as new restaurants serving traditional Asian cuisines like Indian and Japanese dishes, and bubble tea.

Entertainment offerings include the Broadway-style musical "Remember," inspired by Disney-Pixar’s "Wall-E."

The ship spans seven themed areas and provides immersive exploration opportunities for all age groups.

There are 25 passenger elevators/lifts onboard (12 forward and 15 aft).

The waterslides' entry points are on Deck 19, while Lido Deck swimming pools are on Deck 17.

Of the ship’s 20 decks, 9 have staterooms for guests.

The upper deck houses a Marvel-themed zone with a 250 m (820 ft) Iron Man Roller Coaster and a stage for live performances by Marvel heroes and villains.

Family and kids’ activities include the Marvel Style Studio (superhero makeovers) and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (for ages 3–12), offering Disney character-themed costumes, a ballroom-style makeover area, dressing rooms, and a photo studio. The "Royal Society for Friendship and Tea" hosts a princess-themed interactive tea party for children.

New onboard are character meet-and-greets with Duffy the Disney Bear (created in 2002 for Disney Parks) and his friends. These include live shows and an interactive scavenger hunt experience called "Duffy’s Discovery Quest," where guests use a guidebook to win prizes.

Disney Adventure also debuts a new stage show, "Captain Jack Sparrow and the Siren Queen."

AI-powered services and robots were introduced to enhance guest interactions using advanced facial and voice recognition technologies.

Global Dream ship review

In May 2019, GHK unveiled additional details for the GLOBAL-Class vessels. They were designed to include the industry’s first theme park at sea, the largest cinema at sea, the longest roller coaster at sea, the largest standard-category cabins (20 m²), glass-walled/bottomed panoramic elevators, eight two-lane escalators, and self-guided robotic assistants.

The ship’s roller coaster "Ironcycle Test Run" (originally named "Space Cruiser Coaster" on Global Dream) is the centerpiece of the "Dream Park at the Pier" concept. Other features of the theme park include a bounce zone, trampoline park, Aqua Park facilities (surf simulator, racing waterslides).

Space Cruiser has a 300 m (985 ft) track and features three Spike carts equipped with electric motors and positive locking mechanisms. The coaster supports 1+ G acceleration and a top speed of 60 kph (37 mph). Each cart seats two riders inline and has a built-in throttle for speed control.

Fun fact: Space Cruiser was first assembled and tested on land before being dismantled and reassembled at MV Werften’s shipyard. The coaster was built by Munich-based Maurer AG, a specialist in steel structures and roller coasters. The design is based on the company’s patented "Spike Coaster" technology, using a rack-and-pinion drive system.

MS Global Dream’s facilities included:

• The Plaza
• Town Square
• Zouk Beach Club
• Red Tail Social Games Lounge
• Horizon Lounge
• Dream Avenue (multi-purpose outdoor promenade)
• Multiplex Cinema (8 convertible theaters for meetings/events)
• The Palace (luxury “ship-within-a-ship” complex)
• Luxury Suites
• DFS-T Gallery at Sea (duty-free shops)

The DFS-T Gallery at Sea is a luxury shopping mall operated through a partnership between Genting Cruise Lines, DFS Group, and Starboard Cruise Services. DFS (1960-founded, Hong Kong-based) and Starboard (1958-founded) are both subsidiaries of LVMH (Paris-based). The onboard shopping area spans ~18000 ft² (1680 m²), offering premium products in categories such as food and gifts, beauty, fashion, jewelry, and watches.

In July 2020, Dream Cruises introduced the "Flexi-Feast" dining concept on MS Explorer Dream, allowing passengers to use vouchers at various dining venues, as well as onboard credits for specialty restaurants, bars, and room service.

Itineraries

In March 2023, Disney Cruise Line signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Singapore Tourism Board to homeport Disney Adventure in Singapore (Marina Bay Cruise Centre) for at least five years starting in 2025 (through 2030).

During this period, DCL will not homeport the vessel in any US-operated regions.

Disney cited Singapore's strategic location, cruise port infrastructure, and international airport access as key advantages, with high potential to attract millions of cruisers during the five-year deployment.

The Maiden Voyage and inaugural season itinerary were announced on December 15, 2024. Disney Adventure offers cruises to nowhere—3- and 4-night roundtrips with no port calls. For the 2025-2026 inaugural season (Dec 15, 2025 – Mar 30, 2026), 25 such voyages are scheduled, along with two 5-night holiday sailings departing Singapore on Dec 22 (Christmas) and Dec 27 (New Year’s).

Bookings opened on December 3, 2024 (USA) and December 10 (internationally). Prices for the inaugural 5-night sailing (Dec 15, 2025) started at ~USD 1564 (for two adults). A 3-night voyage for a family of four in an oceanview cabin was priced at ~USD 3400.

Note: Dream Cruises initially planned for Global Dream to be homeported year-round in Shanghai. Between April 2019 and March 2020, the ship’s sister vessel, Explorer Dream (operated by Star Cruises), was also homeported there. Later plans included Global Dream alternating between China (summer) and Australia or the USA-Caribbean (winter).

The financing package for both GHK GLOBAL-Class units (EUR 2.6 billion / ~EUR 1.3 billion per vessel) was structured by KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH as part of a consortium that also included BNP Paribas (France), Citibank (USA), Credit Agricole Group (France), Credit Suisse Group AG (Switzerland), and DNB ASA (Norway). The newbuilds were planned for assembly at three different MV Werften-owned shipyards. GHK's total investment in this shipbuilding project was approximately EUR 3.1 billion (~USD 3.44 billion). The package was backed and guaranteed by Finnvera (Finland).

Global Dream was ordered by GHK/Dream Cruises on March 3, 2016.

On March 8, 2018, the vessel's construction officially began with a steel-cutting ceremony held at MV Werften's shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany. Initially, the ship (hull number BN125) was allocated to the sister brand Star Cruises. GHK also placed an order for a second Global-class unit, scheduled for delivery in 2021, with speculation that it could also be built for Dream Cruises. The order included options for two additional ships of the same class.

On March 8, 2018, MV Werften conducted two steel-cutting ceremonies—one at the Wismar Shipyard and another at the Warnemunde-Rostock Shipyard. The vessel's production occurred at both yards, with final assembly in Wismar. The construction process involved around 600 companies (subcontractors, equipment producers, and suppliers). The ceremonies were attended by Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, GHK's CEO and Chairman.

On July 31, 2018, MV WERFTEN Wismar GmbH contracted Almaco Group to install the ship's staterooms (pre-fabricated cabin modules) and other equipment. Under this agreement, Almaco was responsible for installing all staterooms (passenger and crew cabins) produced at Wismar Shipyard, as well as various crew-only areas, hallways, and staircases. Almaco also manufactured and supplied all suite cabins, which were installed at the Warnemunde-Rostock Shipyard. The contract was signed by Esko Karvonen, Almaco's CEO.

On September 11, 2018, the vessel’s keel-laying ceremony was held at the Warnemunde-Rostock Shipyard, officially marking the start of physical construction. During the event, the first keel block (bottom hull section) was lifted and placed. It measured 22 m (72 ft) in length, 26 m (85 ft) in width, and weighed 410 tons—nearly half of the entire keel. A total of 30 large-sized sections were pre-fabricated in Stralsund and later shipped to Wismar for final assembly. A specially purchased 125 m (410 ft) high gantry crane was installed at Wismar Shipyard’s outfitting quay for the Global-class project.

The ship's midsection—measuring 216 m in length and 57 m in height, and consisting of 145 blocks—was preassembled at WERFTEN Rostock and towed (November 22–23, 2019) to WERFTEN Wismar, approximately 80 km southwest. The towing operation involved five tugboats.

On October 26, 2018, MV WERFTEN Wismar GmbH signed contracts with two Turku, Finland-based companies—Deltamarin and Elomatic—for the GLOBAL-Class vessel's design. The contract values were ~EUR 16.5 million for Deltamarin Ltd (specializing in ship design, offshore engineering, and construction support) and ~EUR 17 million for Elomatic (marine engineering, consulting, and software development). Both companies also provided shipyard services during the vessel's construction. The contracts were signed by Janne Uotila (Deltamarin’s CEO) and Patrik Rautaheimo (Elomatic’s CEO).

Between 2018 and 2020, the Star Cruises liner SuperStar Libra was permanently berthed in Wismar and served as a ship hotel for yard workers and contractors involved in GHK’s Global-class shipbuilding project.

GHK-Genting's Global-class ships feature advanced artificial intelligence technologies, including facial and voice recognition for streamlined boarding, disembarkation, and onboard payments. Robots perform routine tasks. Entertainment offerings include a Cineplex (theme park), roller coaster, water park (with five slides), and a surf simulator. The ships also feature an Asian spa complex, multiple Asian dining venues (including fast food), and a mix of affordable and high-end retail shops. Staterooms are designed for Asian families and accommodate 2–4 guests, with most featuring two split bathrooms. Each ship is equipped with 8 escalator sets and 28 elevators. In-stateroom technologies include Bluetooth door locks, touchscreen control panels, and smartphone control of amenities such as mood lighting and air conditioning.

The ship's waste and water management systems were provided by Evac, the world’s leading company for integrated waste, wastewater, and water management solutions. The Complete Cleantech Solution package includes a vacuum collection system, a wastewater treatment plant, dry and wet waste treatment facilities, and freshwater desalination systems (based on reverse osmosis). The freshwater generation system can produce over 3,000 m³ of potable water per day. The contract was signed on January 3, 2017.

On January 9, 2017, MV WERFTEN signed a contract with ABB for the delivery of Azipods (propulsion units), automation systems, and marine software for five new Genting ships built for the Crystal and Star brands. The three Crystal vessels were part of the Crystal Endeavor series (Polar Class 6 superyachts) and were the first purpose-built ships for the contemporary Chinese market, designed with tailored onboard amenities, cultural entertainment, dining, shopping, and excursion programs.

Global Dream (now Disney Adventure) is one of the cruise industry’s first methanol-powered vessels. Its powerplant features methanol-ready engines rather than the more common dual-fuel systems that run on LNG or traditional marine diesel fuels (LFO, HFO, or biofuel).

The vessel’s hybrid propulsion system includes six MAN diesel engines (model L+V48/60CR), three ABB Azipod XO thrusters, and six ABB ACS6080 medium-voltage drives. The system's total power output is 96 MW (129,000 HP).

DCL officially acquired the vessel on November 16, 2022. Her new name—Disney Adventure—was announced on September 5, 2023.

In April 2024, at DCL's request, the shipbuilder Meyer Werft (via its subsidiary Meyer Wismar) contracted LTH-Baas AS (founded in 1934, Tallinn, Estonia-based) to supply Disney Adventure’s passenger cabins, piping systems, electrical cable networks, insulation, and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration) systems.

The vessel was launched from drydock on April 19, 2025, and berthed at the yard’s outfitting dock. In July, DCL announced that Disney Adventure is scheduled to depart Meyer Wismar on August 30, with a bunkering stop at Mukran Port (Sassnitz, Rugen Island) before Baltic Sea trials. Following the trials, she will arrive in Bremerhaven on September 8 for outfitting. During an overnight stop in Eemshaven (September 20–21), the ship will be crewed and provisioned before returning to Bremerhaven for completion.

Disney Adventure will begin her relocation voyage from Europe to Asia (Bremerhaven to Singapore) on October 6, with her Maiden Voyage (from Singapore) scheduled for December 15.

Inaugural cruise (2025)

The table below shows the ship’s first DCL voyage, departing roundtrip from her year-round homeport Singapore.

This Asian deployment is exclusively focused on cruises to nowhere—voyages without any ports of call or scheduled stops.

Godspeed!