20 From left: Kenji Yoshida, representative director, president and chief operations officer of OLC; Yumiko Takano, representative director, chairperson and CEO of OLC; Toshio Kagami, chair of the board of directors at OLC; Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Signature Experiences; and Sharon Siskie, senior vice president at Disney Cruise Line, celebrate with Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie MARKETWATCH Disney to bring its cruise experience to Japan for the first time in 2029 Disney Cruise Line has commissioned German shipbuilder Meyer Werft to build a Wish-class cruise ship for Oriental Land Company (OLC), which will operate Disney cruises for the Japanese market. Construction of the ship is expected to be completed in 2028, with operations beginning in early 2029. The agreement with OLC will bring year-round Disney cruises to Japan for the first time. “I am very happy to sign this contract today and win OLC as a new customer from Japan,” said Bernard Meyer, Meyer Werft managing director. “This order contributes to the longterm development of shipbuilding in Papenburg [in Germany].” Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, said: “Disney Cruise Line has ambitious plans to bring family vacations and Disney storytelling to more guests around the world than ever before. We are thrilled to continue the success of this expansion as we collaborate with OLC to introduce another distinctly Disney vacation experience to families and fans in Japan.” As a sister ship to Disney Wish, the new vessel is expected to feature many signature Disney venues and experiences, with select modifications specially designed to cater to Japanese guests. It will be powered by LNG, be approximately 140,000gt and is expected to have around 1,250 staterooms. The ship will feature interior designs created by Walt Disney Imagineering. “I am sincerely proud that Disney and OLC will be able to work together to create a world-class cruise business in Japan,” said Yumiko Takano, representative director, chairperson and CEO of OLC, which has operated Japan’s Disney Resort since 1983. “OLC will use their know-how from the theme park business to continue pushing boundaries and provide family entertainment cruise experiences filled with inspiration and surprise.” The ship is expected to offer shorthaul cruises departing from and arriving at ports around the Tokyo metropolitan area. Further details about itineraries, onboard experiences and the ship’s maiden voyage will be announced at a later date. German shipbuilder Meyer Werft is to build a Wish-class cruise ship for Oriental Land Company to operate on behalf of Disney
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