Disney’s incredible $3 billion move

A first-of-its-kind will soon launch in Japan with the $3 billion move set to attract tourists from all over the world.

Japan’s first Disney cruise is set to launch in Tokyo by early 2029.

Oriental Land Co, which operates Tokyo Disneyland, signed a $A3 billion licensing agreement with Disney Enterprises to build a new ship that will set sail in the next five years.

The billion dollar move will mark the brand’s ninth vessel to join its growing fleet.

There will be roughly 1250 rooms on board the 4000-passenger liner costing between $A890 and $A2670 per person. A Singapore-based cruise is set to launch next year, and two more are still in the planning stages.

“The company has been offering guests immersive experiences through its theme park

business at Tokyo Disney Resort,” Oriental Land Co said in a statement after the announcement on Tuesday.

A new Disney cruise ship will set sail from Tokyo in early 2029.

“This is a new opportunity to add another unique immersive Disney experience that will create lifelong memories for families. The family entertainment on Disney cruises will bring happiness and enjoyment for guests.”

The company said the decision was based on the potential growth of the cruise market

in Japan, the experience the company has gained in its theme park and hotel operations,

and its strong relationship with the Disney Company “which will serve as a great advantage

for this business opportunity”.

The ship will be based on the Disney Wish which entered the market in 2022, Disney Treasure, due to be delivered later this year, and the Disney Destiny which recently began construction in Germany, according to The Maritime Executive.

The publication reported the cruise ship will be registered in Japan, making it the largest-ever Japanese passenger ship. Initial plans call for two-to-four-night cruises with plans to consider longer, international destination cruises for the future.

The operator of Tokyo Disneyland and the Tokyo Disney Resort to launch a new, year-round Disney-branded cruise ship in Japan, on Tuesday.

The new year-round Disney-branded cruise ship comes at time when the cruise industry has seen a spike in numbers globally following the pandemic.

About 35.7 million passengers are expected to cruise in 2024, up from 31.5 million in 2023 - which is 6 per cent more than the amount of passengers that set sail in 2019, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

The new $A3 billion ship will be based on Disney Wish (pictured), Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny

It’s been one of the fastest sectors of travel to rebound post pandemic with 1.25 million Aussies having cruised in 2023, up on 1.24 million in 2019.

Cruising is booming

A recent CLIA report revealed cruising has a much broader appeal than people realise with millennials the most enthusiastic about planning a cruise holiday.

The data also showed the average age of a cruiser is down to 46 with 36 per cent of cruisers under the age of 40.

“Those aged in their 20s currently make up about eight per cent of cruise guests, and we can expect this to increase in coming years as this generation begins to travel more,” CLIA managing director in Australasia Joel Katz recently told news.com.au.

“CLIA’s consumer research shows that of people who have cruises previously, millennials are the most likely cruise again. 88 per cent of millennials say they will cruise again, followed by Gen-Xers at 86 per cent.”