Walt Disney (DIS.N) announced plans to launch a new cruise ship from Tokyo in fiscal 2028, adding a ninth vessel to its fleet.
This ship, modeled after the largest vessel in the group, Wish, is part of a $60 billion, 10-year expansion of Disney’s theme parks and cruise business.
Disney currently operates five cruise ships and has plans for three more, including one sailing from Singapore in 2025.
The new Tokyo-based ship will have a maximum capacity of 4,000 passengers and is expected to generate about 100 billion yen ($621.77 million) in annual sales within a few years of its launch.
The partnership with Oriental Land Company (OLC), the operator of Tokyo Disneyland, aims to make Disney cruises more accessible to Japanese guests, who are significant fans of Disney, according to Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Signature Experiences.
The cruise line industry is rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic, with passenger numbers expected to reach 34.7 million this year, a 17% increase from 2019.
Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, highlighted that Disney’s ships bring themed entertainment to areas far from their theme parks, like Melbourne or Vancouver.
Disney also targets families, a previously underserved segment in the cruise market. According to D’Amaro, 40% of people on Disney cruises are there specifically because of the Disney brand, creating a unique market niche.
REUTERS