DISNEY has bought a massive 208,000 tonne cruise liner that was destined for the scrap yard for a knocked-down price.
The sale price for the Global Dream cruise ship was reportedly £1.1billion, but Disney got it at a reduced price as the cruiser was headed to the junk yard.
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The ship, currently docked in Wismar shipyard in Germany, was owned by the now-bankrupt Genting Cruise Lines – which based operations out of Hong Kong.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a northern state in Germany where the ship is docked, is reported to have lost £227million on the deal after backing up the now-bankrupt Genting Cruise Lines.
Disney said they plan to work with Meyer Werft shipbuilding company to transform the enormous cruise liner.
Meyer Werft is a Papenburg-based company that has previously worked with Disney – building the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish cruise ships.
The cruise ship is expected to be renamed and relaunched in 2025 in the United States, where it will base its operations.
Josh D’Amaro, the chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products said: “Our cruise ships give us the unique opportunity to bring Disney magic to fans no matter where they are, and the addition of this ship will make a Disney Cruise Line vacation accessible to more families than ever before.”
The new ship is expected to mirror other Disney cruise ships, featuring ”innovative Disney experiences”, ”dazzling entertainment” and ”world-class dining” that Disney Cruise Lines set as their standard.
“The exterior will be adorned in the iconic, Mickey Mouse-inspired colours of the fleet, complete with signature red funnels,” Disney said.
The 208,000-gross-tonne ship will be one of the first in the cruise industry to run entirely on green methanol – one of the lowest-emission fuels available.
The ship will boast 2,300 crew members and have space for 6,000 passengers in addition to its many amenities.
Despite the local German government losing nearly £230million on the sale to Disney, refurbishment of the cruise liner will secure employment for former MV Werften employees and provide opportunities for other maritime industry suppliers, Disney said.
No itinerary has been released for the future luxury cruise liner, but other Disney Cruise lines sail to locations including Europe, Mexico, Canada, and the South Pacific.
Disney recently announced new vacations for guests available in Australia and New Zealand in late 2023.
There was no information about the more detailed itinerary and plans for the ship at this stage.
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Sarah Hooper
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