Germany’s Meyer Werft is continuing with works on the first LNG-powered vessel for Disney Cruise Line, a unit of the US-based Walt Disney Company.
The yard in Papenburg held on Thursday the traditional keel-laying ceremony of Disney Wish, Disney Cruise Line said in a statement.
“Also announced today, the magic of Captain Minnie Mouse will come to life for the first time through whimsical artwork on the bow of Disney Wish, a hallmark of Disney Cruise Line vessels,” the firm said.
As previously reported, the LNG-powered ship will embark on its maiden voyage in summer 2022 due to pandemic-related delays at Meyer Werft.
The company’s fifth vessel in its fleet will weigh in at about 144,000 gross tons and include 1,250 staterooms. That makes it slightly larger than Disney’s current ships, Dream and Fantasy.
This is the first LNG-powered vessel out of three Disney has on order at the German yard.
The cruise firm previously said it would take delivery of the two other vessels in 2022 and 2023.