🚢 A ship longer than Tokyo Tower is coming to Japan. At 342 meters long and 208,000 gross tons, the Disney Adventure is the largest cruise ship Disney has ever built—and it's about to stop in Tokyo on its way to Singapore. Even bigger news: a dedicated Disney cruise ship will begin sailing from Tokyo in 2028, backed by a $22 billion investment. Japan's cruise industry is about to be transformed.
The Disney Adventure: Disney's Biggest Ship Sails to Tokyo
In February 2026, the Disney Adventure—the newest and largest vessel in the Disney Cruise Line fleet—is expected to call at the Port of Tokyo during its delivery voyage from Germany to Singapore. Walt Disney confirmed that the ship will head to Tokyo "as part of the transit to Singapore," offering Japan its first close-up look at a Disney mega cruise ship.
The scale of the Disney Adventure is staggering. At approximately 208,000 gross tons with a length of about 342 meters, it exceeds the total height of Tokyo Tower (333 meters). The ship can carry around 6,700 passengers and 2,500 crew members. Onboard, guests will find seven themed areas inspired by Disney, Pixar, and Marvel films—essentially a floating theme park.
The vessel has an unusual origin story. It was originally under construction as the "Global Dream" for Dream Cruises, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Genting Hong Kong, which went bankrupt in January 2022. Disney acquired the partially completed ship later that year, and Germany's Meyer Werft shipyard oversaw a major transformation. Delivered in December 2025, it crossed the Atlantic, transited the Panama Canal—becoming the largest passenger ship ever to do so—and is currently making its way across the Pacific via Los Angeles.
After stopping in Tokyo, the Disney Adventure will arrive at Singapore's Marina Bay Cruise Centre in early March, with its maiden commercial voyage departing on March 10, 2026.
Tokyo-Based Disney Cruises Launch in 2028
The Disney Adventure's Tokyo visit is a brief stopover during its delivery voyage, but the real story lies ahead. In July 2024, Oriental Land Company (OLC)—the operator of Tokyo Disney Resort—officially announced its entry into the cruise business.
Here's the plan: OLC will build a new approximately 140,000-ton cruise ship at Meyer Werft in Germany, the same shipyard that built the Disney Wish. Construction began in fiscal year 2025, with launch targeted for fiscal year 2028. The ship will feature around 1,250 staterooms, accommodate approximately 4,000 passengers and 1,500 crew members, making it the largest Japanese-flagged cruise ship in history.
A crucial detail is that the ship will be registered under Japanese flag. Under Japanese cabotage laws, foreign-flagged vessels are restricted from operating routes that only visit Japanese ports. By registering the ship in Japan, OLC can freely offer short, non-port-call cruises—sailing from Tokyo, spending 2–4 nights enjoying Disney entertainment entirely onboard, and returning to Tokyo. OLC President Kenji Yoshida cited "the ability to offer short cruises that match customer needs" as the key reason for choosing Japanese registration.
The total investment is approximately ¥330 billion (about $2.2 billion). Within a few years of launch, OLC projects 400,000 annual passengers, ¥100 billion ($670 million) in revenue, and an operating margin of around 20%—matching their theme park business.
Odaiba: The Home Port
In November 2024, OLC announced that Tokyo Port would serve as the primary departure point, signing a partnership agreement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The specific terminal will be the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal in the Odaiba waterfront district, about an 8-minute walk from the Yurikamome monorail station.
Why Odaiba? Ships of this size cannot pass under Rainbow Bridge or Yokohama Bay Bridge, ruling out inner-harbor terminals like Takeshiba or Yokohama's Osanbashi Pier. The Tokyo International Cruise Terminal, located outside these bridges, is one of the few facilities in the Tokyo metropolitan area capable of handling mega cruise ships.
The partnership with Tokyo is expected to boost the Odaiba area's revitalization efforts. With up to 5,500 passengers and crew per sailing, the economic ripple effect on surrounding businesses could be substantial.
A Powerhouse Partnership with NYK Line
In February 2025, OLC announced a business partnership with Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and its subsidiary Yusen Cruise. NYK Line is one of Japan's most storied shipping companies and operates the luxury cruise ship Asuka series—Japan's most iconic cruise brand.
This partnership brings together OLC's world-class theme park hospitality expertise with NYK's deep experience in maritime operations and cruise ship management. In Japanese, this kind of combination is described as "oni ni kanabō" (鬼に金棒)—literally "giving an iron club to a demon," meaning an already powerful entity gaining an unbeatable advantage.
NYK Line is currently building the new Asuka III at Meyer Werft in Germany—the same shipyard constructing the Disney cruise ship—creating potential synergies between the two projects.
Japan's Cruise Market: Enormous Potential, Modest Start
Japan's cruise market stands at a turning point. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan's cruise population was approximately 220,000 in 2024—recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic but still well below the pre-pandemic peak of 356,000 in 2019. Compare this to the global cruise population of 31.7 million in 2023, and Japan's market appears tiny.
But that small size represents enormous room for growth. In the United States, cruise travelers make up 0.59% of the tourism population. In Japan, that figure is just 0.03%—roughly twenty times smaller. Recognizing this gap, Japan's Ministry of Transport established an expert panel in 2025 and set an ambitious target: reaching 1 million Japanese cruise passengers by 2030.
The timing couldn't be better. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines launched the "MITSUI OCEAN FUJI" in late 2024, and NYK Line's new Asuka III is on the way. Add OLC's Disney cruise to the mix, and Japan's cruise ship supply will expand dramatically.
Globally, cruising is no longer just for wealthy retirees. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), passengers under 40 now account for 36% of all cruise travelers. Disney's brand is perfectly positioned to attract families and younger generations who might never have considered a cruise vacation.
How Much Will It Cost?
OLC has indicated pricing of ¥100,000 to ¥300,000 per person ($670 to $2,000) for standard staterooms. This is an all-inclusive format covering meals, entertainment, pools, and recreational activities.
For context, Japan's existing luxury cruise ships like Asuka II and Nippon Maru typically run ¥50,000 to ¥100,000 per night ($335–$670) in the luxury class. Disney's pricing positions it in the "casual" to "premium casual" range—accessible to a much broader audience.
A family of four on a 2-night cruise might spend roughly ¥1 million to ¥2 million ($6,700–$13,400) in total, so it's not exactly budget travel. However, given the Disney brand experience value, many families may find it comparable to—or better than—staying at a premium Disney hotel suite on land.
The Bottom Line: A New Era for Japan's Cruise Industry
The Disney Adventure's Tokyo port call serves as a dramatic preview of what's to come in 2028. The sight of a 200,000-ton giant in Tokyo Bay will make cruising feel tangible and exciting for millions of Japanese who have never considered a cruise vacation.
OLC's ¥330 billion bet on this project goes beyond a simple business expansion. It has the potential to energize Japan's entire cruise industry, attract international tourists to Japan-based cruises, and showcase Japan's appeal from the sea.
Is cruising popular in your country? If a Disney cruise ship arrived at your local port, would you want to get onboard? We'd love to hear your thoughts.
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Reactions in Japan
I've been hyped since this morning hearing the Disney Adventure is coming to Tokyo. I can't even imagine 200,000 tons. Wonder if you can see it from Odaiba—gotta get my telephoto lens ready.
The industry's been buzzing since the Disney cruise announcement, but honestly, isn't 400,000 passengers a year way too ambitious? That's nearly double Japan's entire cruise population of 220,000. I don't think Disney alone can absorb that.
I've been on Disney Cruise in the US twice, and it was literally like a dream. I can't believe it'll be departing from Tokyo 🥹 Saving up until 2028!!
Is the infrastructure around the cruise terminal really going to be okay? If over 5,000 people are moving per sailing, the Yurikamome monorail alone won't cut it. Bus routes, parking—there are tons of issues to solve.
If a 2-night trip costs over ¥1 million for a family of four, ordinary people honestly can't afford it. Disneyland ticket prices keep going up and we can barely go anymore—a cruise is a pipe dream.
Making it Japanese-flagged means they'll need Japanese crew members. I don't know how many of the 1,500 crew will be Japanese, but with Japan's seafarer shortage, this is going to be extremely challenging.
A no-port-call cruise is perfect for families with kids. No need to pack up and move around—the ship has pools, restaurants, and shows. And in a Disney setting. Starting my savings plan now.
¥330 billion is enough to build like 5 Tokyo Skytrees. If they can't recoup that, OLC could be in serious trouble. As a shareholder, I'm honestly nervous.
As someone who's sailed on Asuka II many times, Disney cruises and traditional Japanese cruises are completely different things. But I wholeheartedly welcome the expansion of the overall cruise market.
When I think about the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of a 200,000-ton mega ship, I can't just celebrate. Are they implementing green methanol or other environmental measures? Polluting the ocean for tourism defeats the purpose.
As a local resident, I'm glad the area around the cruise terminal will get busier, but the thought of 5,000+ people mobilizing every departure day is honestly worrying. Traffic jams, noise—I want proper community briefings.
I just learned Japan's cruise population is only 0.03% of its tourism population. The US is at 0.59%. If Disney becomes the catalyst, it might fundamentally change the structure of Japan's tourism industry.
If they offer Disney cruise weddings, that would be amazing. A ceremony at sea in Disney's world… I think the demand would be insane. Oriental Land, please make it happen 🙏
The Disney Adventure from Singapore does 3-night and 4-night trips, so you don't have to wait until 2028 to ride one, right? Maybe I'll try booking through the English site.
They say they'll attract inbound tourists too, but is there any reason foreigners would come for a cruise that just circles around from Tokyo? They'd normally just go to Kyoto or Hokkaido.
Looking at OLC's financials, if they can achieve the same 20% operating margin on cruises as their theme parks, the profit contribution would be substantial. The NYK Line partnership also mitigates operational risk. My personal assessment is positive.
The fact that the Disney Adventure became the largest passenger ship to transit the Panama Canal is so exciting. I'm definitely going to see it when it enters Tokyo Bay. Wonder if I can see it from Harumi Pier?
Departing from Tokyo basically means only people in the Tokyo metro area can use it easily. For those of us in rural areas, there's the added cost of getting to Tokyo. I wish they'd also sail from Osaka or Fukuoka…
I've been on Disney Cruise from Florida three times and it's been amazing every time. If they launch a Japan version, I'd definitely combine it with a Tokyo trip. Japanese hospitality plus Disney could be the ultimate combination.
Honestly, I can't shake the image of cruise ships being terrible for the environment. When I think about how much fuel a 200,000-ton ship consumes, it feels like the Disney brand is being used to paper over environmental concerns.
I live in Singapore and have been eagerly waiting for the Disney Adventure cruises here. Happy to see Japan getting one too. Honestly, a Tokyo-based cruise might have even better scenery—Japan's coastline is stunning.
As a German, I'm proud to know it's being built at Meyer Werft. The Asuka III is also under construction there. It's great that German shipbuilding expertise is contributing to both Japan and Disney's cruise ventures.
From Korea, you can get to Tokyo cheaply on LCCs, so I think quite a few Koreans would travel to Japan specifically for the Disney cruise. Busan-based cruises are fine, but the pull of the Disney brand is something else entirely.
Coming from Italy where Mediterranean cruises are the norm, a Tokyo-based cruise is an interesting concept. But a no-port-call cruise where you only enjoy the ship? Italians might find that boring (lol). We're a people who love walking around towns.
Cruising is very popular in Australia, but I was shocked to learn Japan's cruise population is only 220,000. Even per capita, Australia is higher. Disney might just change Japan's cruise culture.
In Brazil, cruises are popular for New Year's vacations. If there were short, casual cruises like Japan's planned 2-4 night trips, I think cruise populations would grow even more. Disney's strategy is smart.
As a Canadian, Alaska cruises are our thing, but a $2.2 billion investment is impressive. If Oriental Land can apply their theme park hospitality know-how to cruises, it could become a threat to North American cruise lines.
China's cruise market is also recovering slowly post-COVID. If Japan establishes its market first using the Disney brand, the position of Asia's cruise hub could be taken by Singapore and Japan.
In Scandinavia, sustainability is taken very seriously, so many people are negative about mega cruise ships. But if they're considering green methanol, they might be more progressive than other cruise companies.
With Indian tourists to Japan on the rise, a Disney cruise could be a new attraction. The key will be whether they can accommodate diverse Asian food cultures—vegetarian options, halal options, and so on.
Disney Cruises in the US are always hard to book, so a Tokyo-based one could be a chance to experience it while visiting Japan. But I wonder if the Japan version will be primarily in Japanese—what about English support?
Dubai has cruise terminals too, but Japan choosing Odaiba in Tokyo as a cruise hub is an interesting approach. It could become a new model case for waterfront development.
Barcelona is one of Europe's biggest cruise ports, but there's strong pushback from residents. Tokyo seems to be partnering with local government from the start, which could set a good precedent.
New Zealand is popular as a cruise port of call, but we barely have a domestic cruise market. Japan's national goal of reaching 1 million cruise passengers is an inspiring concept.