Disney plans big expansion

The small but successful Disney Cruise Line has ordered two large cruise ships in a move that will more than double its passenger capacity.

Disney CEO Bob Iger says the company has contracted with the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, to build the 2,500-passenger vessels, scheduled to launch in 2011 and 2012. At 122,000 gt, the ships will be nearly 50% larger than the line’s two existing 1,750-passenger ships, the ?Disney Magic? and ?Disney Wonder?.

Disney played a critical role in creating the family market within the cruise industry when it introduced its first two ships in 1998 and 1999, but it never followed up with additional vessels. Those Fincantieri built ships were geared towards families and boasted such innovative features as an entire deck dedicated to children’s activities and an adults-only entertainment area for parents who wanted some alone time.

Disney says that like its current ships, the as-yet-unnamed newcomers will be a modern interpretation of classic ocean liners of the 1930s. But the company is mum on specifics for the design and itineraries.