Giant cruise ship "Disney Destiny," hailing from Papenburg, sets sail from dock
The German shipyard Meyer Werft has made headlines with the launch of the latest Disney cruise ship, the "Disney Destiny." The event, attended by thousands of spectators and even Mickey Mouse, marks a significant milestone for both companies, despite the shipyard's financial struggles last year.
The "Disney Destiny" is the third ship of the Wish class built by Meyer Werft for Disney. It boasts a thematic world revolving around "heroes and villains," complete with two cinemas. The ship also features a more environmentally friendly liquefied natural gas drive, intended to cause fewer emissions compared to conventional systems.
The "Disney Destiny" is scheduled to welcome its first guests on November 20, 2022, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It has space for approximately 4,000 passengers and around 1,250 cabins. The ship's amenities include ten pools and a water slide with film animations.
Meyer Werft secured four more orders from Disney last year, which are to be delivered between 2027 and 2031. However, the shipyard faced financial difficulties last year, leading to the federal government and the state taking over approximately 80% of its shares for around 400 million euros.
Despite the financial aid, the exact financial position of Meyer Werft after receiving state aid or its plans to enter the defense industry remain unclear from current sources. The company's transition into new sectors like defense is not documented or confirmed in the available information.
Shipbuilding industry commentary suggests diversification strategies, like moving into cruise ships or defense, are complex and require careful financial and strategic planning. However, no specific case updates for Meyer Werft have been found.
In the absence of direct data, it is essential to note that up to 2025, Meyer Werft is a well-known German cruise ship builder that has faced typical shipbuilding market volatility but no publicly confirmed reports indicate impact from state aid or strategic shifts toward defense contracts.
The "Disney Destiny" is not the first collaboration between Meyer Werft and Disney. Their cooperation has existed for more than a decade. The cost of a five-day cruise on the "Disney Destiny" is around 1,300 euros.
Meyer Werft's order book is filled until 2031, a testament to its resilience in the face of financial adversity. The shipyard plans to transport the "Disney Destiny" over the Ems into the North Sea in late summer, marking another exciting chapter in the partnership between Meyer Werft and Disney.
The partnership between Meyer Werft and Disney, established over a decade ago, has extended into the latest Disney cruise ship, the "Disney Destiny." This collaboration, despite Meyer Werft's troubles in the finance sector last year, demonstrates the potential of the technology and finance industries in supporting the growth of the shipbuilding industry. The "Disney Destiny," with its advancements in environmentally friendly technology, could be a symbol of such collaboration.
