Key Aspects:
- Disney Destiny is officially on her way to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which will be her first and only homeport for the next few years.
- During her transatlantic crossing, the new ship will traverse over 5,000 nautical miles.
- She will also stop at her first ever port of call, which will be in Funchal, Portugal.
In another major milestone, Disney Destiny is officially on her way to her first homeport to launch her career at sea.
After making the complex journey down the Ems River to leave Germany’s Meyer Werft Shipyard in September, the 4,000-guest ship took up a temporary residence in Eemshaven, Netherlands, while finishing touches were completed.
This is where she was formally delivered to Disney Cruise Line on October 15, 2025, after passing her sea trials with flying colors.
And now, it’s time for the young Disney ship to embark on the next leg on her journey to launch.
On October 20, 2025, the newest Wish-class cruise ship embarked on a 13-night transatlantic crossing from Eemshaven to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which will be her first and only homeport through at least May of 2027.
Over the course of two weeks, the new build will navigate more than 5,000 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean.
She will also make her first ever port call in Funchal, Portugal, on October 25, 2025.
“The Disney Destiny is officially en route to Fort Lauderdale,” Disney Cruise Line announced.
“Over the next two weeks, the Disney Destiny will sail more than 5,000 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean to its future year-round homeport of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, making a brief stop along the way at its first port of call in Funchal, Portugal,” the cruise line continued.
The 144,000-gross ton vessel is also expected to stop in Port Canaveral, Florida, on November 2, 2025, before sailing the rest of the way to her homeport.
The date for her arrival in Port Everglades and her eventual naming ceremony have not been announced just yet.
Getting Ready to Launch
As Disney Destiny makes her way to Florida, the up to 1,555 crew members onboard are making sure everything on the ship is functional and ready to go.
This is also a chance for crew members to get their bearings, and to train newer employees before paying passengers are onboard.
“Throughout the crossing, cast and crew onboard will make final preparations to ensure the Disney Destiny is in shipshape for its arrival in Florida in early November and its upcoming maiden voyage on November 20,” DCL said.
Disney Destiny officers and Hero Minnie (Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line)
While there will be short preview events for VIPs and members of the media, Disney Destiny’s first revenue sailing won’t be until November 20, 2025, when she embarks on her maiden voyage.
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This inaugural voyage will be a 4-night sailing to both of Disney’s private Islands in the Bahamas, which are Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
For at least the next few years, the young ship will spend her days operating 5- to 7-night sailings to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
Once Disney Destiny officially makes her debut, DCL can then set its sights on continuing to grow the fleet.
Disney Adventure, the biggest Disney ship and the first to be built for the Asian market, will be next to launch on March 10, 2026.
Her original maiden voyage was scheduled for December 15, 2025, but it was pushed back to next year due to an unexpected delay.
Meanwhile, the fourth Wish-class ship, which will be the sister of Disney Destiny, is currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard.
The unnamed vessel is expected to be delivered in 2027.
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
