Only 3 Ships Made the 2026 Cruise 'It List'—and One of Them Is Disney
Travel + Leisure recently announced its list of the best new cruise ships of the past year. And even though over a dozen ships launched in 2025 , one Disney ship rose to the top of the Travel + Leisure It List 2026 : the Disney Destiny.
The 4,000-passenger vessel has 1,246 staterooms, ranging from modest interior cabins to the opulent Iron Man-themed suite located in the forward funnel. The heroes-and-villains-themed ship took its maiden voyage in November 2025 from Port Everglades, Florida, and continues to sail on four-, five-, and seven-night sailings around the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
According to Travel + Leisure , "Disney Cruise Line's latest ship, the Disney Destiny, invites guests to choose their own magical adventure with whimsical spaces and interactive experiences that capitalize on what Disney does best: entertainment."
Guests aboard the Disney Destiny may encounter Loki in the Grand Hall.(Disney)
And I wholeheartedly agree. As a longtime travel writer covering theme parks and cruises, I got an early look at Disney's latest stateside ship before it launched last November. The Disney Destiny takes cruise ship entertainment to the next level, building on what Disney Cruise Line has created for the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure . Think of the Disney Destiny as a floating theaterwhere nearly anything can take place, from mind-blowing Broadway-caliber stage shows to smaller, more intimate moments with Disney villains that leave you spellbound.
Some of the entertainment highlights onboard include a slate of mini-shows in the Black Panther-themed Grand Hall, a full-scale production of the animated classic Hercules in the Walt Disney Theater (one of the bestshows I've ever seen on a cruise ship), a Lion King -themed dinner show (included in your cruise cost), a comical retelling of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Saga, and small group character interactions and performances all around the ship. And once every cruise, the ship raises its pirate flag for the beloved Disney Cruise Line tradition: Pirate Night, which includes a Caribbean-themed dinner, pirate activities throughout the evening, all culminating in a deck party with fireworks at sea .
Related: Disney Reveals Next New Cruise Ship Disney Believe Arriving 2027
The Sanctum is one of the most unique bars onboard the Disney Destiny. (Disney)
Besides the entertainment, there are a handful of other new experiences on the ship. My favorite is the Doctor Strange -themed lounge, The Sanctum. The space is themed after the New York Sanctum from the Doctor Strange movies , with fun details like the Cloak of Levitation and spell books from the library of Kamar-Taj. The bar is right in the middle of the action on deck three, nestled between the Grand Hall and The Walt Disney Theater. During the day, the lounge hosts trivia and drawing classes, but at night, the space turns into a hot spot for live music and unique cocktails and mocktails. My favorite drink is the Eye Opener, a strong mix of Saigon Baigur, lemon, smoked oolong tea and Amaro Montenegro, served in a "floating" glass teapot, which adds a really fun mystical effect.
Cruises on the Disney Destinycurrently start at $2,141 based on double occupancy for a three-night sailing, and go up to $5,959 for a weeklong cruise based on double occupancy.
Related: 8 Disney Cruise Hacks Every Guest Should Know
This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
