Sep 03 (News On Japan) - Disney and Oriental Land Co., the company that owns and operates Tokyo Disney Resort, have announced that they have reached an agreement to bring year-round Disney-themed cruise vacations to Japan.
According to the agreement, OLC will build and operate a Disney-branded cruise business in Japan, with the first ship scheduled to be commissioned in 2029.
This is great news for the cruise industry. Disney already has plans to add 3 ships to its current fleet, and this Tokyo-based one will increase its passenger capacity even more.
"We are thrilled to continue the success of this expansion as we collaborate with Oriental Land Co. to introduce another distinctly Disney vacation experience to families and fans in Japan," said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences.
The most interesting aspect of this announcement is that the ship will be registered and based in Japan year-round, making it exclusive to the Japanese public and tourists who want to visit Japan on a cruise.
The ship will be a sister ship to Disney Wish, so we already know that it will be around 140,000 tons and will accommodate about 4,000 guests.
It will be constructed at Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, following the design created by Walt Disney Imagineering, the research and development arm of The Walt Disney Company.
It is a bit early to make revenue forecasts, but according to preliminary estimates, the ship could generate ¥100 billion in annual sales within several years of launch.
"I am sincerely proud that Disney and Oriental Land will be able to work together to create a world-class cruise business in Japan. Oriental Land will use their knowhow from the theme park business to continue pushing boundaries and provide family entertainment cruise experiences filled with inspiration and surprise," said Yumiko Takano, CEO of Oriental Land.
It’s important to note that the cruise industry continues to grow year after year and demand continues to be very strong.
For this reason, many cruise lines are also rapidly expanding in Asia. Before Japan, Disney also has plans for a cruise ship that will set sail from Singapore in 2025.
