BREMERHAVEN, Germany – The Disney Wish is now one step closer to making her call at Port Canaveral.
After years of building anticipation, the Meyer Werft shipyard on Thursday afternoon officially delivered the ship to the Disney Cruise Line.
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Over the past several weeks, the ship has been performing sea trials off the coast of the Netherlands, with its final test happening on May 28, the shipyard said.
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On Wednesday, the ship made its way to Bremerhaven, Germany for the official delivery. During the handover ceremony, Meyer Werft shipyard Managing Director Jan Meyer, Disney Cruise Line President Thomas Mazloum, Captain Marco Nogara, Captain Minnie Mouse and several others were on hand.
Disney Cruise Line presented Meyer Werft with an elegant Cinderella statuette commemorating the beautiful life-sized bronze statue that welcomes guests in the ship’s Grand Hall.
The Meyer Werft shipyard said on social media that the ship is now heading to Portugal before its cross-Atlantic journey to Port Canaveral.
The Disney Wish is the first of three new Disney Cruise Line ships to be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany through 2025. All three ships will be powered by liquefied natural gas and, at approximately 144,000 gross tons, will be slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
The ship is expected to arrive at Port Canaveral early in the morning on June 20.
The maiden voyage from Central Florida is scheduled July 14 and will include a water salute.
After completing its maiden voyage, which starts July 14, the Disney Wish will sail three and four-night itineraries from Port Canaveral to Nassau in the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.