Disney Treasure Christening in New York City: Full Ceremony Recap and Replay

The Disney Treasure was officially christened on November 19, 2024, in a landmark ceremony staged in New York City that featured singer-songwriter Jordin Sparks, a drone show depicting Madame Leota, Genie, and Dante, and a collective godparent blessing from all 200,000+ Walt Disney Company employees worldwide. The ship set sail on its maiden voyage just weeks later on December 21, 2024.

The Disney Treasure was officially christened on November 19, 2024, in a spectacular ceremony staged in New York City that illuminated the Manhattan sky with a drone show, live music, and a collective blessing from the entire Walt Disney Company. Bob Iger and Josh D'Amaro presided over the event, which marked the formal inauguration of Disney Cruise Line's seventh ship ahead of its maiden voyage on December 21, 2024.

The Christening: A Collective Blessing in New York

The christening of the Disney Treasure followed the centuries-long maritime tradition of bestowing a formal blessing upon a new vessel before its maiden voyage. Bob Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, and Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, both attended the ceremony in person in New York City. In an unprecedented move, the role of godparent was assigned collectively to the more than 200,000 Walt Disney Company cast members, crew, Imagineers, and employees worldwide — recognizing the creative workforce that brings Disney's stories to life.

"For more than 100 years, Disney stories have filled the world with joy and wonder, capturing the hearts and imaginations of generations across every continent," said Iger. "And since the launch of the Disney Cruise Line in 1998, our ships have become brand ambassadors that bring our world-class storytelling and the immersive nature of our theme parks to new audiences in new places all over the world."

Drone Show, Live Performance, and the Blessing

The ceremony's centerpiece was a sky-filling drone performance above New York City, depicting beloved Disney characters in glowing light — including Madame Leota from the Haunted Mansion, Genie from Aladdin, and Dante from Coco, each representing onboard experiences that the Disney Treasure brings to life. A live performance by award-winning singer-songwriter Jordin Sparks preceded the formal blessing, after which voices representing the full Walt Disney Company recited the christening blessing. The traditional smashing of a champagne bottle was reimagined as a drone formation of a sparkling bottle, marking the moment of official christening.

What's Aboard the Disney Treasure

The Disney Treasure sailed its maiden voyage on December 21, 2024, introducing a lineup of Disney Cruise Line firsts: the world's first Haunted Mansion-themed bar (Haunted Mansion Parlor), Disney's first Coco-inspired theatrical dining experience (Plaza de Coco), and the original Broadway-style stage show "Disney The Tale of Moana." The ship also brings stories from Star Wars, Marvel, and beloved Disney Parks attractions to its guests at sea.

"This is an unprecedented era of growth for Disney Experiences, and a dramatic period of expansion at Disney Cruise Line," said D'Amaro. "We are more than doubling our fleet to 13 ships by 2031 so that we can bring Disney cruise vacations to even more families across the globe. With the Disney Treasure, we continue to deliver an unparalleled family vacation at sea through the magic of Disney storytelling."

What This Means for Disney Cruise Fans

The christening of the Disney Treasure in New York City marked the beginning of what Disney Cruise Line's leadership described as a landmark era of fleet expansion. With 13 ships planned by 2031, the Disney Treasure is one of several new vessels coming online over the next half-decade. Guests can explore Caribbean itineraries aboard the Disney Treasure and book upcoming voyages at DisneyCruise.com.