Disney confirms newbuild contract

Miami-based Disney Cruise Line has finalized a contract with Meyer Werft shipyard of Papenburg, Germany, to build two new innovative cruise ships that will take the family-focused cruise experience to an entirely new level.

Plans to add two 124,000 gt ships to the fleet were announced in February when executives signed a letter of intent to negotiate a construction contract with Meyer Werft. Scheduled for delivery in 2011 and 2012, the ships will more than double the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line to meet the sustained demand for Disney?s family cruise vacations.

The new cruise liners will be significantly larger than the existing 83,000 gt ships, the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder with 1,250 staterooms each. Similar to the original Disney ships, the newbuildings will be modern interpretations of classic ocean liners of the 1930s incorporating black hulls, two funnels and porthole windows. The profile of the ships, with gentle curves at the stern combined with sleek angles at the bow, is reminiscent of the art deco designs of the era. To add whimsy to the classic design, the Disney ships feature the same exterior colours as Mickey Mouse, with a black, white, red and yellow palette.

The new ships will feature elegant, detailed Disney scrollwork at the bow and evoke images of the glamour of the golden age of cruising.