Construction of the Disney Believe is moving right along at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, and Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship has officially reached one of the biggest milestones in the shipbuilding process: the keel-laying ceremony.
The ceremony took place on September 29, 2026, following the float-out of the Disney Believe’s first gigablock in mid-September. Work is now underway on the ship’s second gigablock as the massive pieces that will eventually form the Disney Believe continue coming together. The new Disney Cruise Line ship is scheduled to set sail in late 2027.
What Is a Keel Laying Ceremony?
The keel is essentially the structural backbone running along the bottom center of a ship from bow to stern. While modern cruise ships are constructed quite differently from the vessels of centuries past, the keel-laying ceremony remains an important maritime tradition marking a major stage in the shipbuilding process.
As part of the ceremony, a specially crafted coin is temporarily placed beneath the ship’s keel. The custom can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome and is traditionally believed to bring good fortune to the vessel and those who will eventually sail aboard it.
Naturally, Disney Cruise Line put its own spin on that tradition.
The commemorative coin created for the Disney Believe features Tinker Bell, who will also appear in the character artwork decorating the bow of the finished ship. Disney has shared a close look at the coin, which features a portrait of Tinker Bell along with the Disney Cruise Line and Disney Believe names.
What’s Ahead for the Disney Believe?
Disney says the Believe will introduce new venues and entertainment inspired by several familiar Disney stories, including Encanto, Frozen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Moana, and The Little Mermaid. Many of the specifics about those experiences have yet to be revealed, leaving quite a bit to learn before the ship welcomes its first guests.
And we shouldn’t have to wait too long for another update. Members of the Dreams Unlimited Travel team are currently aboard the Disney Wish and will attend a special Disney Believe presentation on Wednesday, October 7, at 4:30 p.m. ET. We’ll be watching closely for any new details Disney Cruise Line shares about the ship, so keep an eye on DCL Fan and our social channels Wednesday afternoon.
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