This Week in Cruise: New From Disney, Ponant and Princess

It’s been another busy week for new cruise ship updates. 

At this past weekend’s D23 Expo, Disney Cruise Line announced the name of its fifth cruise ship: the Disney Wish. The new ship is slated for delivery in late 2021, with sailings to begin in January 2022. Its signature character will be Rapunzel. As with the other new ships in Disney’s fleet expansion, it will be slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, with 1,250 guest staterooms. The ship will also be powered by liquefied natural gas. 

In small ship news, Ponant reported that it will expand Paul Gauguin Cruises’ fleet, which currently includes only a single vessel, the 332-passenger Paul Gauguin. Ponant acquired the South Pacific cruise line recently. Further details on the fleet expansion are expected to be announced early next year. 

Finally, Princess Cruises announced a new show for its two newest upcoming cruise ships, the Sky Princess and the Enchanted Princess: Rock Opera, an entertainment experience that the cruise line says will combine avant garde fashion with a musical soundtrack spanning classic rock, opera and musical theater. The two ships are set to debut in December 2019 and June 2020, respectively. The new show will include an eight-piece live orchestra playing classic rock songs, with costumes inspired by the fashions of the Met Gala, as well as special guest tenor and America’s Got Talent alum Brian Justin Crum

Related Stories

One on One: MSC's Ken Muskat Talks Brand's Evolution

Cruise Lines Change Itineraries Due to Tropical Storm Dorian

Four New Pre- or Post-Cruise Land Excursions From Seabourn

Cruise Preview: Princess Cruises' 2021 Itineraries