7 standout features on Disney's newest cruise liner – and 1 frustrating thing

On Nov. 20, the Disney $DIS Destiny, the newest cruise ship from the entertainment giant, will make its inaugural journey. It's the latest addition to a growing fleet at Disney, becoming the seventh cruise ship to set sail. And plenty more are on the way.

By 2031, Disney will have 13 cruise ships operating around the world, each different than the other. The Disney Wish, for instance, is princess-heavy with a theme focused on enchantment. The Disney Treasure is adventure-focused. Destiny's theme is heroes vs. villains.

The cruise business is increasingly important to Disney. The Destiny is a 144,000 gross ton ship capable of carrying 4,000 passengers. Bookings for the ship and the rest of the fleet have been incredibly strong, with half of the fleet's cabin reservations for 2026 already claimed. Revenue for Disney's experiences segment, which is made up of theme parks, resorts, consumer products, and cruises, saw a 6% rise in the company's fourth quarter earnings last week, coming in at $8.77 billion.

Disney CFO Hugh Johnston, speaking on the company's Nov. 13 earnings call about margins for the cruise segment, said “That’s not a disclosed item, but obviously it’s a very attractive business. We’re capable of pricing it at a good level. The guest satisfaction scores are higher than basically anything else in the company, so the margins in that business, as you would imagine, are quite attractive.”

Quartz was recently offered voyage on a media preview on the Destiny by Disney, getting an advance look at what passengers will experience on their trips. If you're considering a journey on the Destiny, here are some of the highlights you can expect, along with one frustration you may face.

Courtesy: Walt Disney Co.

Given Disney $DIS's history, you would expect entertainment options on board that are above and beyond. Destiny meets that bar. The new play based on 1997's Hercules is fantastic, with Imagineering touches that bring the animated feature to life, including a battle with a Hydra that's thrilling. The cruise also features a live-version of Frozen, which initially debuted aboard the Disney Wonder in 2016. And Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King is a dinner theater show that features songs from the animated film and its spin-off Broadway play.

Not a live-theater person? There are two movie theaters on board as well, which show first-run films throughout the day. Films also play almost continuously on the enormous screen on the main deck midship.

Courtesy: Walt Disney Co.

The Destiny has the family-friendly food you expect on a cruise, like a buffet and a restaurant row with standards like burgers, pizza, tacos, and barbeque. But if you're hoping to experience some high-end dining while on board, there are several options (some of which are not included in the all-you-can-eat options baked into the cruise price).

Topping the list is Palo Steakhouse, a blend of a Northern Italian restaurant and top-tier steakhouse. Enchanté is led by a three-Michelin star chef with a focus on French cuisine. 1923, meanwhile, is an upscale dining option that is accessible without an additional charge.

Courtesy: Walt Disney Co.

If you enjoy a drink at sea, there are lots of options aboard the Destiny, each with a host of signature cocktails.

The Haunted Mansion Parlor is like walking into a room in the iconic theme park ride, with ghosts making regular appearances and Disney $DIS's Imagineering division flexing its muscles. Cask and Cannon is themed around Pirates of the Caribbean, with a slew of rum drinks and a neighborhood pub feel. It's the place to go onboard if you want to watch a game. De Vil's is a piano bar themed around the villain of 101 Dalmations (and, yes, she makes appearances from time to time). The Rose is a quiet, romantic Beauty and the Beast bar that boasts floor to ceiling windows, inviting you to watch the sea float by while you sail to the next destination. And The Sanctum is the Destiny's largest option, taking customers to the Bleeker Street home of Dr. Strange.

There's even a speakeasy, of sorts, on the ship. Hook's Barbery will give you a haircut, of course, but it also boasts one of the best bourbon collections in the Atlantic, with everything from Pappy Van Winkle to Whistlepig's The Boss Hog XII.

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Need some time away from the kids (or the parents)? Destiny has zones and get-togethers for people of all ages. You'd expect a day care and plenty of activities for younger kids (and there are a LOT for them). But tweens, teens and even people 18-20 have activities and getaways that are exclusive to them. Adults, meanwhile, have their own area to lounge in the sun and several adult-only events later in the evening.

Courtesy: Walt Disney Co.

The Destiny is a new ship, but there are plenty of historical artifacts on board. Cask & Cannon has original sketches from Marc Davis, who helped design the Pirates of the Caribbean characters. And 1923 has early original art from a wide variety of Disney $DIS films as well as objects of interest from Walt and Roy Disney, from Walt's briefcase to a fateful telegram Walt sent Roy in 1928 after he lost the rights to Oswald the Rabbit and dreamed up Mickey Mouse.

Chris Morris

If you like to look for Hidden Mickeys while at the theme parks, there are plenty on board the Destiny, but the Easter eggs don't stop there. Because the ship was the seventh in the fleet, designers also slipped sevens into several design aspects (such as the seven stars on the ship's carpeting or the seven pirate ships on the ceiling at Cask & Cannon). Also at Cask & Cannon, a wall ornament has a dog's head holding a set of keys to a jail cell, a nod to a famous scene in the theme park attraction. Hunting the secrets down is a fun way to spend part of the day for Disney $DIS-philes.  

Courtesy: Walt Disney Co.

Just like how park visitors get the chance to interact and get photos and autographs with classic Disney $DIS characters, passengers on cruise ships can as well. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto are there, of course, but the Destiny also offers the chance to meet and greet several characters you normally wouldn't meet. Included among the options are Dr. Facilier from Princess & the Frog, Sleeping Beauty's Maleficent, Black Panther's T'Challa, Cruella de Vil, Thor's Loki, and more. Kids and adults line up well in advance of their arrival (the time and place is listed on the Disney Cruise Lines app) to spend a few moments with these characters.

Courtesy: Walt Disney Co.

Experiences on Destiny are a lot more personal than at the theme parks. Characters spend more time with passengers and, with the exception of venues like the 900-seat theater where the plays take place, the gathering spots are designed for smaller groups.

That can be frustrating for people hoping to visit popular spots. The Haunted Mansion Parlor gets crowded quickly. And if you want to spend time with an especially popular or unique character, you'll have to arrive well in advance. Some shows, like Dr. Facilier's Parlor, are limited to just 1o people at a time. That could necessitate getting there over an hour before the show to ensure you get in.

It's a small inconvenience – and one that theme park visitors have likely experienced a time or three at Walt Disney $DIS World or Disneyland, but like so much else on a cruise ship, the small setting makes the frustration seem magnified.