Disney Made These 13 Changes On Their Newest Cruise Ship

Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Destiny, has key differences from the rest of their fleet. The theme of Disney Destiny is focused on the world of heroes and villains from across Disney, Pixar, and Marvel stories. The ship features new offerings and different venues.

Let’s get into all the major changes to Disney’s newest cruise line ship based on our experience of cruising the newest ship for the first time. At Mickey Visit, we report on all the important Disney news, including the newest Haunted Mansion bar and major updates to Disney World’s flagship resort.

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1. Marvel Character Featured on the Ship Stern

The Disney Destiny is inspired by the duality of heroes and villains in Disney stories, which includes characters from the Marvel universe. Spider-Man is the stern character of the Disney Destiny and is the first Marvel character to be part of this Disney Cruise Line tradition.

On other ships, stern characters featured are Rapunzel, Peter Pan and Captain Hook, Dumbo, Sorcerer Mickey, Goofy, Donald and Huey. So a Marvel character is a bit departure from others we’ve seen!

2. Black Panther Statue

The Marvel inspiration also carries over into the Grand Hall with a bronze statue of T’Challa, also known as Black Panther. This is also the first time a Marvel Super Hero has been given a bronze statue in a Disney Cruise Line Grand Hall.

This statue is also the first to have silver accents, which are reminiscent of the Black Panther’s suit. On the other Disney Cruise Line ships, characters in the Grand Hall have included Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Cinderella.

3. Lion King Theatrical Dinner Show

One of the core dining experiences on the Disney Destiny is Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King. This new Lion King-themed dining experience includes breathtaking performances of classic The Lion King songs. The performance was impressive and the food was delicious!

Other Disney Cruise Line ships typically haven’t featured theatrical dinner shows on Disney films from the ’90s, with the most recent shows focusing on Frozen and Coco. 

4. Grand Hall Inspired by Black Panther Storytelling

Other Disney Cruise Line ships have traditionally stuck to Disney Animation stories in their Grand Hall themes and statues. This is the first time we’ve seen such a heavy Marvel presence in the Grand Hall. There were many different moments here, including appearances from characters like Loki.

Aside from the Black Panther statue, the Grand Hall itself is also inspired by the world of Wakanda, with the chandelier themed after the meteorite that brought vibranium to Wakanda. The sister ships to the Disney Destiny, the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, have Grand Halls focusing on the themes of Cinderella and Aladdin. 

5. New “Disney Hercules” Stage Show

Disney Cruise Line is known for its stellar Broadway-style productions, and the Disney Destiny features the first-ever “Disney Hercules” stage show.

This impressive stage show features the same music and characters that we love about the original movie, but with a more contemporary edge. We haven’t seen much Hercules content in the Disney Parks or cruise ships, so this is a first.

6. Hero Minnie Making Her Debut

Minnie Mouse is also rocking her new Hero Minnie outfit! You can meet Minnie Mouse in this new outfit when you cruise the Disney Destiny. This is a move away from other traditional cruise themes, even Minnie’s outfit on the Disney Wish is nautically themed as Captain Minnie.

7. First Villain Themed Lounge

De Vil’s Piano Lounge on the Disney Destiny is inspired by this classic Disney Animation villain and features gorgeous Hollywood Regency architecture and even a spotted piano!

This is the first-ever Disney Villains lounge. Other lounges on the cruise ships have focused on classic Disney animated films like The Princess and the Frog and even Star Wars, but not Disney villains.

8. Different Stateroom Themes

The stateroom themes on the Disney Destiny also continue the storytelling of heroes and villains. Stateroom themes include Hercules, Mulan, and Merida artwork, with the concierge suites offering Fantasia-inspired artwork.

There is also a very cute hidden Hercules reference in the pull-down bed from the ceiling. It reads “I have often dreamed of a far-off place.”

9. First Marvel-Inspired Lounge

Not only can you find the first-ever Disney villains lounge, but there is a first-ever Marvel lounge inspired by Doctor Strange.

The Sanctum is inspired by the New York Sanctum from the films and includes details from the film’s Chamber of Relics, including suspended spell books and Easter eggs. Similar to the Disney Villain lounge, other lounges on Disney Cruise Line ships have not featured a Marvel theme before.

10. Different Character Outfits & Appearances

No need to wait for a special Marvel Day at Sea to meet Marvel characters! There are plenty available on the Disney Destiny, including Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Loki. Other Disney Villains can be found, like Dr. Facilier and Maleficent.

11. Pirates of the Caribbean Inspired Lounge

The Disney Destiny also features its own Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired pub called Cask & Cannon. This is the first of its kind amongst the other Disney Cruise Line ships, although Disney World recently opened its own version of a Pirates of the Caribbean lounge.

This theme park-inspired lounge joins the already popular Haunted Mansion Parlor, which initially made its debut on the Disney Treasure.

12. Funnel Suite Inspired by Marvel

The Concierge Destiny Tower Suite, located in the ship’s funnel, is the first suite to be themed like a Marvel penthouse. This 2-storey suite is inspired by Tony Stark’s designs and honors the legacy of the Avengers. The funnel suites on the other Triton-class ships are themed to EPCOT and Moana. 

13. Disney Destiny Show Incorporates Deadpool

An adult-exclusive show, “With Great Power: A Marvel Comedy Show,” features the new characters of Zayah and Gamble, who serve as the ship’s traveling storytellers. During the show, the storytellers cover all the major moments in Marvel history with the use of cheap props and gags filled with adult humor.

The show features an appearance from Deadpool, the first on a Disney Cruise Line ship. Deadpool’s appearance features many jokes poking fun at Disney adults and the quality of the show itself.

Stay Tuned For Full Disney Destiny Review

We have our full Disney Destiny ship review coming soon that will include a look at the best and worst parts of the ship. Last year, we shared a look at the Disney Treasure cruise ship. Check out that review for what was best and worst about the Disney Treasure ship.

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