Disney Imagination named as cruise line prepares Japan debut
The new Wish-class cruise ship is scheduled to begin sailing from Tokyo in spring 2029 under a Disney-branded operation managed by Oriental Land Co.
Oriental Land Co. (OLC) has unveiled Disney Imagination as the name of the first Disney cruise ship scheduled to operate from Japan, marking a further step in the planned expansion of Disney-branded cruise operations into the Japanese market.
The vessel is expected to begin sailing from Tokyo in spring 2029 as the inaugural ship of Disney Cruise Line Japan, a cruise business operated by OLC under the Disney brand.
The announcement was made during a ceremony in Tokyo attended by senior executives from Oriental Land Group and Disney Cruise Line.
New cruise operation planned for Japan
Disney Cruise Line Japan will be operated by OLC, the Japanese company that owns and operates Tokyo Disney Resort under licence from Disney.
The new cruise business will extend the existing relationship between the two companies into maritime passenger tourism.
Disney Imagination will join the Wish class of cruise ships, becoming part of Disney’s expanding cruise fleet.
According to the announcement, the ship will be designed around the company’s established onboard entertainment and hospitality concept.
The naming ceremony also revealed that the vessel’s stern will feature characters from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, continuing a design tradition used across the cruise line’s fleet.
Tokyo sailings expected to begin in 2029
The vessel’s planned entry into service in spring 2029 will establish a Disney-branded cruise operation departing from Japan.
However, OLC and Disney have not yet disclosed the ship’s itineraries, ports of call or detailed onboard facilities.
Further information about the vessel’s deployment and cruise programme is expected to be announced at a later stage.
The development represents a planned geographical expansion of Disney-branded cruise operations, with the Japanese market set to receive its first dedicated service under the new arrangement.
