Photo: Bernard Meyer and Kenji Yoshida
Papenburg-based shipbuilder Meyer Werft announced major news yesterday morning with plans to build a Disney Wish-class cruise ship for the Japanese market.
The Oriental Land Company, which owns and operates the Disney theme parks in Japan, reached a decision to enter into the cruise business in Japan, and has concluded an agreement with Disney to bring the magic of Disney cruise to the Japanese market for the first time.
The new ship is scheduled for delivery in 2028. It is a sistership to three cruise ships that the shipyard is building for Disney Cruise Line.
The shipbuilder has already delivered the Disney Wish, the first ship in the Wish class, to Disney Cruise Line in 2022.
The two sister ships Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny are already under construction in Papenburg and will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
The company is expected to commence operation of the ship by early 2029.
“This order contributes to the long-term development of shipbuilding in Papenburg,” said Bernard Meyer who signed the shipbuilding contract in Tokyo.
Bernd Eikens, chief executive of the Meyer Group, noted: “This is a strong signal for shipbuilding in Papenburg and shows that companies from all over the world rely on the quality of Meyer Werft.”
“We have long-term relationships with both Meyer Werft and the Oriental Land Company. We are delighted to be working with both of them to create a Disney cruise experience for the Japanese market,” added Thomas Mazloum, president, Disney Signature Experiences.
Oriental Land Co., opened Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, Tokyo DisneySea, the first ever ocean-themed Disney theme park, in 2001, and operates Tokyo Disney Resort which includes hotels, a monorail, and a retail-dining-entertainment complex.
More recently, in June 2024, it opened Tokyo DisneySea’s eighth themed port Fantasy Springs.
