Disney Treasure Ship's Log: The Complete Construction Chronicle (2023–2024)

Disney Cruise Line's Disney Treasure sailed its maiden voyage on December 21, 2024, capping a nearly two-year public construction chronicle tracked in a first-of-its-kind ship's log. From the steel-cutting ceremony in Papenburg, Germany in January 2023 through the transatlantic crossing and New York City christening, this is the complete record of the ship's journey from concept to sea.

Disney Cruise Line's Disney Treasure sailed its maiden voyage on December 21, 2024, completing a nearly two-year construction journey tracked publicly in a first-of-its-kind ship's log. From the initial steel cut at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany in January 2023 to its christening in New York City and arrival at homeport Port Canaveral, Florida, the ship's construction milestones were documented step by step for Disney Parks Blog readers. This is the complete archive.

Maiden Voyage: December 21, 2024

The Disney Treasure welcomed its first guests on December 21, 2024, departing from Port Canaveral, Florida on a seven-night Caribbean voyage. The itinerary included Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Disney Castaway Cay in The Bahamas. The ship's inaugural season covers year-round seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean routes, with ports including San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Cozumel, Mexico.

Aboard the Disney Treasure, guests encounter a lineup that spans the full breadth of Disney's storytelling — including the first Coco-inspired theatrical dining experience (Plaza de Coco), the original Broadway-style stage show "Disney The Tale of Moana," and new themed lounges inspired by the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The ship followed a christening spectacular in New York City that featured drone light shows depicting Madame Leota, Genie, and Dante across the Manhattan skyline.

Treasure Tomorrow: Community Investment Program

Alongside its commercial launch, Disney Cruise Line introduced Treasure Tomorrow, a new community-building program tied to the Disney Treasure's inaugural season. Announced during a traditional plaque and key exchange ceremony at Port Canaveral, the program funds career exploration programs and cultural and environmental initiatives for students in every port the ship visits throughout Florida, The Bahamas, and the Caribbean.

"This was created to inspire students in our homeport communities across Florida, The Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean to discover a variety of exciting career paths and gain the tools to pursue their dreams," said Sharon Siskie at the announcement.

Godparent Honor: All Walt Disney Company Cast, Crew, and Imagineers

In a Disney Cruise Line first, the honorary role of godparent for the Disney Treasure was bestowed upon the more than 200,000 Walt Disney Company cast members, crew, Imagineers, and employees worldwide. The recognition pays tribute to the company's creative workforce — those who build and sustain Disney's stories across every platform and park. The Disney Treasure's christening ceremony formalized this honor in New York City on November 19, 2024, where the collective blessing was recited as a champagne bottle formed from hundreds of drones sparkled over the ship.

Transatlantic Crossing: November 2024

The Disney Treasure arrived at Port Canaveral on November 12, 2024, completing a transatlantic crossing of more than 5,000 nautical miles from Eemshaven, Netherlands. The journey began October 29, with the ship's first-ever port of call being Funchal, Portugal. As it made its approach to Port Canaveral, crew members gathered on open decks cheering as "A Whole New World" sounded from the ship's horn. More than 250 shoreside cast members gathered to welcome the Disney Treasure on its first trip down the channel.

Ship Horn Melodies: Seven New Disney Arrangements

During its transatlantic crossing in early November 2024, the Disney Treasure tested seven new arrangements of beloved Disney melodies for its iconic ship horn. The new compositions included "Grim Grinning Ghosts" from the Haunted Mansion, "Remember Me" from Coco (honoring Plaza de Coco), and "A Whole New World" from Aladdin — a nod to the ship's Agrabah-inspired Grand Hall. A special holiday composition was also created for the inaugural season.

Delivery Ceremony: October 24, 2024

The Disney Treasure completed its final construction milestone with a formal delivery ceremony in Eemshaven, Netherlands on October 24, 2024. This time-honored maritime tradition formally transferred ownership from the shipyard partner, Meyer Werft, to Disney Cruise Line. The ceremony was attended by dedicated team members, shipyard workers, and the Meyer Werft leadership team.

Conveyance: September 18, 2024

On September 18, 2024, the Disney Treasure was guided by tugboat down the Ems River from the Meyer Werft shipyard toward open water for the first time — a milestone known as the ship's Conveyance. Waving spectators lined the riverbanks in Papenburg, Germany to celebrate the departure. Over the following days, the ship underwent a rigorous series of sea trials overseen by the Disney Treasure's captain, Captain Marco.

D23 2024 Reveals: Crew Costumes and Moana Show Rehearsal

At D23 in Anaheim, California, Disney Cruise Line revealed crew member costumes for two of the Disney Treasure's signature venues. Senior Costume Designer Josh Winchester created distinct looks for each space: the Haunted Mansion Parlor costumes feature a green pincord vest over a striped purple shirt reminiscent of the attraction's famous stretching room wallpaper, accented with mysterious Easter Egg accessories including a set of keys. Crew costumes for Periscope Pub are an elevated take on Walt Disney's 1954 film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, with sharp nautical navy vests with faux leather accents and a custom pin referencing the former Magic Kingdom attraction.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro also visited the Disney Cruise Line and Disney Live Entertainment rehearsal facility in Toronto, Canada, where he observed early rehearsals for "Disney The Tale of Moana," the first-ever theatrical stage adaptation of the Moana film. The 52,000-square-foot facility, home to 19 studios, has supported more than 150 casts for Disney Cruise Line productions.

Float Out: August 3, 2024

On August 3, 2024, the Disney Treasure floated out of the Meyer Werft building dock and into the shipyard harbor — a significant maritime milestone marking the completion of the ship's exterior. A tugboat guided the ship's stern through a doorway allowing just three feet of clearance on either side. Cheering spectators gathered in Papenburg to witness the event. With the float out complete, interior finishing work began in earnest.

Stern Sculptures Installed: Peter Pan and Captain Hook

The stern character sculptures — a Disney Cruise Line tradition — were installed on the Disney Treasure after being fabricated in California and shipped to Papenburg. Peter Pan, standing over nine feet tall, is depicted harnessing Tinker Bell's pixie dust and levitating next to the ship's filigree. Captain Hook leans from a porthole with a characteristically vengeful expression, dripping in yellow paint. Both sculptures were lifted by crane and bolted to the stern, reflecting the Disney Treasure's motif of adventure.

Stateroom Installation: 1,246 Cabins

The final of 1,246 staterooms was installed in the Disney Treasure at Meyer Werft Shipyard in mid-July 2024. Each cabin was prefabricated off-site on a slow-moving conveyor belt assembly process, outfitted with plumbing, furniture, and finishes before being transported by semi-truck to Papenburg and lifted by crane into position. Each room features a natural color scheme and custom artwork inspired by Disney and Pixar films.

Upper Deck Construction and AquaMouse Tubing

By early July 2024, construction on Decks 11 and 12 of the Disney Treasure was well underway, with pool foundations visible and the forward funnel frame in place awaiting Funnel Vision LED display installation. Tubing for the ship's 760-foot AquaMouse water attraction was near completion, set to debut a brand-new storyline, "Curse of the Golden Egg." A centrally located Funnel Vision stage was also taking shape for live performances and onboard activities.

Worlds of Marvel: New "Guardians of the Galaxy" Show Announced

In late June 2024, the Ship's Log revealed that Worlds of Marvel would debut an all-new dinner show on the Disney Treasure: "Marvel Celebration of Heroes: Groot Remix." The show follows Groot on a quest to organize a surprise party for Rocket, set to an awesome mix of hit songs interspersed with Marvel trivia. This joins "Avengers: Quantum Encounter" as one of two distinct Worlds of Marvel dinner experiences across the voyage.

Behind the Scenes: Imagineers and Custom Artwork

Disney Imagineer and senior concept designer Lina Barr was among the creatives working behind the scenes to outfit the Disney Treasure's signature venues with original artwork. Barr's process begins with collaborative conversations with Walt Disney Imagineering about each venue's theme — whether the Agrabah-inspired Grand Hall or the Jungle Cruise-themed Skipper Society lounge — followed by digital sketches developed into detailed, color-rich final pieces. Many designs incorporate hidden Mickeys and story-driven Easter eggs for guests to discover mid-voyage.

Jumbeaux's Sweets: A Zootopia-Inspired Dessert Destination

Jumbeaux's Sweets, the Disney Treasure's Zootopia-themed dessert venue, was one of the more intricate design collaborations between Disney Imagineers and the Walt Disney Animation Studios team. The venue's centerpiece is a bronze statue of Officer Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, created from a digital model developed jointly by both teams, cast in bronze, and then hand-painted in Florida. Every decor element — from the bubblegum pink-striped wallpaper to vintage-style lighting — was chosen to immerse guests in the world of Zootopia.

Rolly Crump Honored in Haunted Mansion Parlor

A memorial bust of Disney Legend Rolly Crump was crafted at a Walt Disney Imagineering workshop and installed in the Haunted Mansion Parlor aboard the Disney Treasure. Crump was nicknamed "Rolly" by Walt Disney himself and played an integral role in designing the original Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Resort. His memorial sculpture — based on his own creative concept of a "Museum of the Weird" — features sculpted drips melting down the side of his face and a plaque reading "BROTHER ROLAND — FOREVER REVERED FOR EMBRACING THE WEIRD."

Bow Artwork Installed: Captain Minnie Mouse

Continuing a fleet tradition dating back two decades, the Disney Treasure features original bow filigree artwork: Captain Minnie Mouse in her signature adventure-themed outfit, designed specifically for the Disney Treasure to complement its motif of adventure. Steel plates were welded to the hull, hand-painted in golden hue, and sealed with a special topcoat. The design also features hidden silhouettes of other beloved Disney characters for observant guests to spot.

Structural Completion: December 2023

The Disney Treasure reached structural completion in December 2023 with the placement of its last block — the section that would eventually house the adults-only Quiet Cove area including Cove Café, and Hero Zone, a futuristic sports arena. With the final block in place, outfitting of the ship's interior could begin.

Funnels Installed and Haunted Mansion Parlor Revealed

In early December 2023, the forward and aft funnels were lifted into position atop the Disney Treasure — a visually recognizable milestone completing the ship's signature silhouette. Beyond their iconic red appearance, guests will interact with both funnels directly: the forward funnel is threaded by the AquaMouse waterslide, while the two-story EPCOT-themed Tomorrow Tower Suite is located inside it. The Disney Treasure's Haunted Mansion Parlor — billed as the world's first bar themed to the classic attraction — was also first announced during this period, with the concept narrated by a fictional in-character letter from a ghostly sea captain who calls the Parlor his home.

Grand Reveal: September 5, 2023

Disney Cruise Line staged a grand reveal of the Disney Treasure on September 5, 2023, using a narrative adventure story following a fictional character named Arthur Quinn — a self-proclaimed solo traveler who discovers a magical treasure map and is transported aboard the ship. The reveal introduced all-new spaces to the public for the first time, including the Grand Hall's Aladdin-inspired Agrabah design. The reveal also communicated the deeper meaning of the ship's name: the true treasure lies not in gold, but in the memories made across the journey.

Stern Rendering: July 18, 2023

The first artist rendering of the Disney Treasure's stern was debuted on July 18, 2023, from Disney Cruise Line's Celebration, Florida headquarters. The rendering depicted Peter Pan and Captain Hook as the ship's signature stern character sculptures — Peter Pan levitating in Tinker Bell's pixie dust, paintbrush in hand and grinning mischievously at a yellow-paint-dripping Captain Hook leaning out of a porthole. Both characters were built in California before being shipped and installed at Meyer Werft.

Early Construction: Bridge, Walt Disney Theatre, Bow

Several structural milestones were documented in mid-2023. The bridge block — containing navigational equipment including the ship's wheel and floor-to-ceiling forward windows — was installed, giving the Disney Treasure everything it needs to navigate waterways. The shell of what would become the Walt Disney Theatre, home to "Disney The Tale of Moana" and other Broadway-style productions, was welded into the ship. In June 2023, the ship's bow was mounted to the forward section using a high-precision laser scanner and crane, marking the first moment the ship's iconic ocean-liner silhouette was recognizable.

Bow Filigree and Keel Laying: April–March 2023

The Disney Treasure's bow filigree — featuring Voyager Minnie Mouse in her adventure-ready ensemble alongside hidden silhouettes of other Disney characters — was publicly revealed in April 2023. The bow itself arrived at Meyer Werft in April aboard a barge, with its design outline already sketched in red ink on the hull surface. The construction timeline also included the Keel Laying Ceremony — one of shipbuilding's oldest maritime traditions — during which a custom coin depicting Captain Minnie Mouse was placed beneath the keel to bring good fortune.

Key Components Delivered: FERU and Funnels

Two critical components arrived at the Meyer Werft shipyard in early 2023. The Floating Engine Room Unit (FERU) — the ship's primary power source housing main motors, LNG tanks, and all auxiliary mechanical systems — was delivered from Rostock, Germany. Shortly after, the ship's second funnel arrived from Poland, set to receive its signature coat of red paint before installation atop the ship.

Steel-Cutting Ceremony: January 2023

The Disney Treasure's construction officially began in January 2023 with the first steel-cutting ceremony at Meyer Werft. Using a plasma cutter in the shipyard's laser cutting room, the first piece of steel was shaped in the form of a Disney cruise ship — a milestone moment for Disney Imagineers and crew, and a continuation of a centuries-old maritime tradition marking the formal start of a ship's construction.

Why This Chronicle Matters

The Disney Treasure's ship's log represented Disney Cruise Line's most transparent public documentation of a vessel's construction to date, offering a real-time record of nearly two years of shipbuilding milestones, artistic decisions, and debut reveals. The ship is now in service, sailing year-round Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral. Guests can explore upcoming voyages at DisneyCruise.com.