Disney Imagination is the name of Disney’s first cruise ship in Japan

Disney Imagination will sail from Tokyo starting in spring 2029 as the first ship of Disney Cruise Line Japan. Ariel and Sebastian will decorate the stern of the Wish-class ship.

Disney’s first cruise ship for Japan finally has a name: Disney Imagination.

The ship will start sailing from Tokyo in spring 2029, Disney announced on Tuesday, Oct. 13. It will be the first ship in Disney Cruise Line Japan, a new Disney-branded cruise line.

That line will be run by Oriental Land Co., or OLC, the company that owns and operates Tokyo Disney Resort under a license from Disney.

Who is on the stern of the Disney Imagination?

Ariel from The Little Mermaid. Every Disney cruise ship has a character on its stern, and this one gets Ariel, along with Sebastian and other friends from under the sea.

Ariel will use her dinglehopper, the fork she famously combs her hair with, to write out the ship’s name. Disney called it a nod to her “curiosity, creativity and adventurous spirit.”

What will the Disney Imagination be like?

Think Disney Wish. The ship is the newest member of Disney’s Wish class, the same design behind the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny.

OLC based the ship on the Disney Wish and adjusted some parts for Japanese guests, according to BlogMickey. It will measure about 140,000 gross tons, with about 1,250 guest rooms.

The Disney Parks Blog says guests can expect Broadway-style shows, character meet-and-greets, themed dining, kids clubs and adult-only areas. Disney will share more about the onboard experiences later.

How much will a Disney Imagination cruise cost?

Prices haven’t been set, but OLC gave an early range. Per-person fares for the most common rooms will run about 100,000 to 300,000 yen, or roughly $600 to $1,800, BlogMickey reported from OLC’s July earnings materials.

The cruises will be short, lasting two to four nights. Most will leave from and return to the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal.

The ship will hold about 4,000 passengers and a crew of about 1,500.

Who announced the Disney Imagination name?

OLC leaders and Disney executives revealed it at a ceremony in Tokyo. Natacha Rafalski, president of Disney Signature Experiences, joined OLC chairperson and CEO Yumiko Takano for the event.

“We are honored to extend the magic of Disney cruising to fans in new markets,” Rafalski said.

She called the name reveal “a significant milestone in the continued expansion of Disney Cruise Line.”

How much is OLC spending on the Disney Imagination?

A lot. The ship’s construction cost is about 290 billion yen, or nearly $1.8 billion, with another 40 billion yen set aside for extra costs, according to BlogMickey.

OLC expects the cruise line to bring in about 100 billion yen a year, around $615 million, and carry about 400,000 passengers a year in its first several years.

The ship is being built by Meyer Werft in Germany, according to Cruise Industry News.

Will Disney Cruise Line Japan get a second ship?

Not yet. OLC said it would only start thinking about a second ship once the first one proves successful, BlogMickey reported.

Still, the company’s earlier announcements used the word “ships,” so fans aren’t ruling it out.

What other new Disney cruise ships are coming?

Disney Cruise Line is in the middle of a big expansion. The Disney Believe is set to debut in December 2027, with the world’s first Encanto musical and a new Frozen dinner show, according to Disney.

Disney also has the Disney Adventure sailing from Singapore, its first ship based in Asia.

With Disney Imagination joining the fleet in 2029, Disney fans in Japan won’t have to fly far to set sail with Mickey anymore.

Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.

Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hat Tips:

• Disney Parks Blog, Paula Machado (Oct. 13, 2026), the name, Ariel stern and onboard features

• The Walt Disney Company (Oct. 13, 2026), the ceremony, Wish-class detail and Natacha Rafalski’s quotes

• BlogMickey (July 2026), OLC’s cost, size, capacity, pricing, itinerary and second-ship details

• Cruise Industry News (Oct. 2026), the Meyer Werft shipyard

• The Walt Disney Company (Oct. 7, 2026), the Disney Believe’s December 2027 debut

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