I've sailed on almost every Disney cruise ship. The next one has a world first I can't wait to see.

Disney Cruise Line just unveiled its newest cruise ship this week, and though every debut comes with its surprises and big reveals, Disney Believe stands out. 

When it sets sail in late 2027, Disney Believe will kick off its inaugural season with four- and five-night sailings from its home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

As always, there will be plenty of Disney staples, like unlimited soft serve (try the banana!), Pirate Night and the AquaMouse attraction. But I couldn't wait to see what else Disney has in store for its new ship.

See, I come from a cruising family. And after more than 30 sailings across all the major cruise lines, we keep returning to Disney. We've adventured on all its North American ships. We've toasted with glacier margaritas in Alaska, soaked up the sun in Mexico and even snapped a photo with Captain Mickey. 

You can count on incredible food, attentive service and distinctly Disney touches, like character meet-and-greets and the split bathroom design.

While I can't yet pick a favorite , each Disney ship has a unique personality and cohesive story (think: the heroes-and-villains theme of its most recent ship, Disney Destiny, or the classic ocean-liner feel of its oldest ship, Disney Magic). Luckily, there will be more pixie-dusted memories for us to make on Disney's next ship: Disney Believe.

And it has one standout attraction you won't find anywhere else.

We do talk about Bruno

Disney's Broadway-style musical productions are a key reason we keep coming back. As an avid theater fan, I love the opportunity to see fully produced versions of some of Disney's greatest hits, including Aladdin and Frozen . The level of talent is in line with what I've seen on major tours — and the shows are included in the cruise fare.

Disney Believe will debut the world's first stage adaptation of the Academy Award-winning Encanto . Like many, I've been enchanted by the global phenomenon since its 2021 release, with its heartwarming story and catchy tunes.

At sea, Disney Encanto will follow Mirabel and her quest to save her loved ones and their miraculous home. Offered exclusively on board the Disney Believe, hit songs from Disney Legend Lin-Manuel Miranda will be featured, including "Surface Pressure" and, of course, the breakout "We Don't Talk About Bruno."

"Seeing Mirabel's journey come alive through live performance, music and dance is something really special," Lin-Manuel Miranda said on Instagram . "The heart of the story, family joy and the vibrant culture of Colombia has inspired people around the world, and I can't wait for you to experience it for yourselves."

Top-notch live entertainment is a cornerstone of cruising with Disney. Here, stories spring to life in new and unexpected ways, like in the interactive Cruella de Vil-inspired piano lounge aboard Disney Destiny. It's a pinch-me moment when the iconic villain interacts with guests, pushing the envelope of immersive experiences. 

And then there's pioneering technology, like in the cruise line's production of another Miranda classic, Moana , which uses some of the largest and most complex puppets the company has ever built at sea (we can't get over the larger-than-life Te Ka puppet). 

What else to expect

On Disney Believe, there will be the brand-new "Oaken's Table: A Frozen Family Feast," expanding the frosty universe through fan favorite characters, song and food. 

And in addition to Encanto , Disney Believe will offer two other stage productions, including a revamped version of Tangled: The Musical with sets and special effects, and the original production, Disney Seas the Adventure.

As a long-time Disney cruiser, I'm looking forward to returning favorites too, like the highly themed Haunted Mansion Parlor (it might be the greatest showcase of Disney's storytelling mastery in my humble opinion). The musical dinner shows, a staple of the fleet, are something I always look forward to, and nothing beats belting out "Let It Go" with a room full of strangers. 

My husband and I enjoy spending time in the adult-exclusive spaces, like Palo Steakhouse (don't sleep on the brunch) and Enchanté by chef Arnaud Lallement, whose restaurants have earned Michelin stars.

The new ship will also bring it back to where it all began for Walt Disney, leaning into classic films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , in Wishing Well, a lounge inspired by the 1937 animated film. And I suspect I'll spend a lot of time in Sea Notes, an elegant piano bar inspired by Ariel with whimsical artistry. Disney Believe will also introduce a little bit of theme park magic with the Believe Tower Suite, one-of-a-kind accommodations inspired by Magic Kingdom Park. 

How to book Disney Believe

Disney Believe will set sail on Dec. 18, 2027, and general bookings open on Oct. 19, 2026. Its Caribbean and the Bahamas sailings will make stops at one or both of Disney's two award-winning private island destinations in the Bahamas, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. 

And by 2030, the fleet will expand to 13 ships, with three more ships coming between 2027 and late 2030, plus a Japan-based ship in 2029.

"There's just something about cruising with Disney," my husband candidly said to me as we were disembarking our latest sailing.

I'd chalk it up to Disney's ability to conjure that indescribable sense of magic, but it's a bit more than that. That's why we can't wait to set sail on Disney Believe.