The construction of the next dual-fuelled cruise ship for Disney Cruise Line has reached another milestone: assembly of the ship’s hull beginning at Meyer Werft in Papenburg with the traditional keel-laying ceremony.
The ship is a sister ship of the Disney Treasure, which is also under construction, and the Disney Wish, which launched in 2022. The keel was laid in the 504m long covered building dock at Meyer Werft. In keeping with maritime tradition, Philip Gennotte, Portfolio Project Management Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering Germany, placed a lucky coin under the keel of the new ship before the shipyard gave the signal to lower the block onto the bracing and the coin. The keel-laying block is 38.9m wide, 14m long and 6.3m high.
Thomas Weigend, Chief Sales Officer Meyer Group and MD Meyer Werft said: “With the keel laying, we have reached another milestone in our partnership with Disney Cruise Line. The third ship in the Wish class will also impress with Meyer quality and be rich in Disney storytelling.”
The third ship in the Wish class, at around 144,000gt, will have approximately 1,250 cabins. Delivery is planned for 2025. Like the Disney Wish and the Disney Treasure, which is expected to be delivered later in 2024, the ship will have a low-emission LNG propulsion system. The Meyer Group is also completing the conversion of the Disney Adventure cruise ship in Wismar for Disney Cruise Line.
Image: Meyer Werft keel laying for latest Disney gas-fuelled cruise ship (source: Meyer Werft)
