Credit: DisneyToday it was announced that the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Wish, will be captained by none other than Minnie Mouse!
The Disney Parks Blog made the announcement and said the following:
Our newest captain (in her bold red jacket!) made her splash aboard our ships in 2019 as part of a collection of initiatives aiming to inspire the next generation of female leaders in the cruise industry. And with Captain Minnie at the helm of the Disney Wish, our hope is to continue inspiring girls and young women around the globe!
Not only will Captain Minnie lead the brand-new cruise ship, but artwork of Minnie Mouse can also be found throughout the ship. Disney shared pictures of Captain Minnie that can be found in the filigree on the bow of the cruise ship.
In addition to the beautiful filigree that will decorate the ship, another important step was reached in the progress of the Disney Wish. Disney announced that they have had the important keel-laying ceremony as well!
The magic of Captain Minnie also came alive today as we reached a significant construction milestone for the Disney Wish marked by the traditional keel laying ceremony. During a ship’s construction, when the first block, or section of a ship, is lowered into the building dock, a newly minted coin is placed under the keel for good fortune. The coin created for the Disney Wish features none other than … you guessed it, Captain Minnie!
The Disney Wish was originally announced by Disney CEO Bob Chapek at the 2019 D23 Expo and was set to launch in early 2022. However, construction of the cruise ship was halted and the cast-off date pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Disney Wish cruise ship will join the rest of the fleet of Disney Cruise ships, and it will be the first in what Disney is calling their “Triton” class. The other two ships in the Triton class have not currently been announced.
Disney Cruise Line currently operates 4 other ships; Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Dream.
The Disney Wish will be an incredible addition to the Disney Cruise Line and is described by Walt Disney Imagineer Laura Cabo:
“Daring to dream even bigger, our Imagineers are creating a breathtaking new world of enchantment aboard the Disney Wish. Upon arrival, families will step into the Grand Hall, a veritable castle on the seas rising 3 decks in height and literally shimmering with regal details. Inspired by classic Disney fairytales, this space will serve as the majestic heart of the ship, welcoming and delighting all ages and setting the tone for a magical voyage ahead.”
The Disney Wish will honor girl power with not only Captain Minnie but also with the strong-willed Rapunzel at the ship’s stern.
The ship’s atrium will be a bright, airy and elegant space inspired by the beauty of an enchanted fairytale. A beloved hallmark of Disney Cruise Line, it has been a tradition to adorn the back of our ships with an iconic character that reflects the theme of each vessel. For the Disney Wish, the ship’s stern will feature Rapunzel. Our favorite artsy princess, paintbrush in hand, uses her enchanted hair to suspend herself as she decorates the stern of the ship with the help of her feisty sidekick, Pascal. Spirited, smart, curious and above all, adventurous, Rapunzel embodies the wish and desire to see and experience the world.
Captain Minnie was first brought on to the Disney Cruise Line to encourage young women and girls to pursue careers in the maritime industry. According to Disney, she also encourages young girls to pursue areas in what is called STEM.
Onboard Disney Cruise Line ships later this year, Captain Minnie Mouse will appear in an all-new youth activity where young captain hopefuls practice STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills in a fun maritime-themed activity. Children will hone their STEM and problem-solving abilities – skills that play an important role in the maritime industry – in a series of engaging, hands-on activities.
It’s great to see Captain Minnie being a part of the Disney Cruise Line even more and hope that she continues to inspire little captains everywhere!
The Disney Wish is currently set to launch in the Summer of 2022.
Will you be joining Captain Minnie when the Disney Wish sets sail? Let us know in the comments!