Disney Adventure

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

So glad someone started this thread. Once details started coming out several months ago, I figured we’d have to do sometime between 2026-2028, but after this weeks’ news I’m rearranging our 2025 Christmas plan to make it to Singapore for a week. We were planning to visit Australia/NZ next year anyway, so now we’ll do a week in Australia and 5-7 days in Singapore and we’ll probably try to hit HKDL and TDR in for a quick visit on the way.

We live in California so it’s not quite as bad as the trip from the east coast (or cities without direct flights to Asia), but even if it’s more of a pain, I strongly recommend people consider Singapore (cruise or no cruise), it’s a gorgeous, clean, safe city with amazing dining and cultural attractions. On any other ship, 3 days would be as much time as I wanted to dedicate to DCL (vs seeing Singapore), but I don’t there there’s anyway you can do everything unique on the Adventure in a single sailing.

From Singapore, it’s a reasonable flight to Bangkok, Phuket, Bali, and slightly further to the Maldives. Kuala Lumpur vastly exceeded my expectations when I spent a day there on a shore excursion, but the islands are my favorite.

 

[shaycamp21]

I am so bummed that this is just a cruise to no where. We did a 12 night RCCL cruise out of Singapore in July/August 2023 that ended in Tokyo-- Hong Kong was also one of the ports-- so we got to do Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland/ Sea. Cruising throughout Asia (ports were Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and 3 ports in Japan) was such an amazing cultural experience. The flight to Singapore (from Toronto) was long 13 hrs to Tokyo (with a 3 hr layover) and then another 7hrs to Singapore but we managed. Our flight was code share between Air Canada and ANA Airlines--the ANA leg of the flight was far superior to AC (the bathrooms even have Japanese toilets). I was really hoping this cruise would have similar ports or at least do Malaysia and Thailand (we spent 3 weeks in Thailand this past summer and can't wait to go back).

 

[auntlynne]

Don’t forget: As just stated above, you can cruise longer around SE Asia on a different cruise line (probably less expensive per night than DCL). … Since it’s a long flight, (if you have the time and money) you could add on that Nowhere DCL cruise.

 

[asgur5]

Don’t forget: As just stated above, you can cruise longer around SE Asia on a different cruise line (probably less expensive per night than DCL). … Since it’s a long flight, (if you have the time and money) you could add on that Nowhere DCL cruise.

Most people dont choose 2 cruises. Many will select a non disney cruise with ports rather then dcl without ports. And then get off at a different port saving a flight.

 

[LambertLion]

Yes, either late 26 or early 27. We have the Destiny booked for early 26,so we’ll see what works for us. Definitely want to do combo Japan, as that has been on my list forever and a couple days at the parks, then fly over to Singapore and a B2B to do it all. Should be an amazing trip! Ship just looks amazing!

 

[auntlynne]

Most people dont choose 2 cruises. Many will select a non disney cruise with ports rather then dcl without ports. And then get off at a different port saving a flight.

My suggestion is aimed at those who would like to try the Adventure but also want to have port stops. Doing side by side (2 different ships) cruises has been done by people for years. Often, not Disney cruisers. Or it could be days in Singapore between cruises. But this is to offer possibilities for thinking outside the box.

 

[peder]

My suggestion is aimed at those who would like to try the Adventure but also want to have port stops. Doing side by side (2 different ships) cruises has been done by people for years. Often, not Disney cruisers. Or it could be days in Singapore between cruises. But this is to offer possibilities for thinking outside the box.

Once you have to think outside the box just to appeal to the average cruiser, you’ve already lost most of them IMO.

The vast majority of folks considering a cruise out of Singapore are likely doing so because they expect they’ll be able to visit multiple countries that they’d otherwise never prioritize.

 

[AquaDame]

Once you have to think outside the box just to appeal to the average cruiser, you’ve already lost most of them IMO.

The vast majority of folks considering a cruise out of Singapore are likely doing so because they expect they’ll be able to visit multiple countries that they’d otherwise never prioritize.

American cruisers or folk coming from afar, totally. I don't think we're considered the bread and butter of this ship, personally. The only reason I can think of for folk nearby to choose this ship over others is specifically for the Disney aspect of it, in which case staying onboard may make sense. Time will tell.

 

[jwalk03]

Once you have to think outside the box just to appeal to the average cruiser, you’ve already lost most of them IMO.

The vast majority of folks considering a cruise out of Singapore are likely doing so because they expect they’ll be able to visit multiple countries that they’d otherwise never prioritize.

This ship is not targeted to American cruisers. So yes it’s true that most Americans do not want to fly that far for a cruise to nowhere and not visit other countries that is not the demographic the ship is trying to appeal to.

 

[Anku]

Will likely sail early-mid 2026 since Singapore isnt that far from us in Australia. Will take a year off WDW that year since the Destiny motivates me as much as the dentist.

It's ironic the Adventure has more villain themed cafe/lounges (Ursula, Evil Queen and Captain Hook) than the Destiny that is supposed to be Hero vs Villain

 

[asgur5]

It's ironic the Adventure has more villain themed cafe/lounges (Ursula, Evil Queen and Capitain Hook) than the Destinay that is supposed to be Hero vs Villain

Im a supporter of the wish class but lets face it. There theming is in name only. They are all just a hodgepodge of IP with no consistent theme.

 

[Lesverts]

When Disney bought this ship they almost immediately announced it would be used for short cruises out of Singapore. So not having longer cruises should never have come as a surprise. I did figure it would go to Penang or Phuket. But I guess not. At least not in the opening season. This is going to be targeted to wealthy Asian tourists and some Aussie/kiwis. I am sure you will see adjustments based on feedback. The OLC Wish class ship is going to be short cruises out of Yokohama too. Not a lot of ports within a 3/4 night turnaround out of there either.

 

[jwalk03]

When Disney bought this ship they almost immediately announced it would be used for short cruises out of Singapore. So not having longer cruises should never have come as a surprise. I did figure it would go to Penang or Phuket. But I guess not. At least not in the opening season. This is going to be targeted to wealthy Asian tourists and some Aussie/kiwis. I am sure you will see adjustments based on feedback. The OLC Wish class ship is going to be short cruises out of Yokohama too. Not a lot of ports within a 3/4 night turnaround out of there either.

Short cruises are just more profitable than longer cruises. Hopefully as the fleet continues to grow they do add some more variety- but Disney’s bread and butter is always going to be 3/4/5 night Bahamas. That’s where they make the most $$$

 

[sky13]

There's about a 95% chance I'll be booking this since I live in Singapore. Just waiting to see prices as well as demand. Likely avoiding December 2025 (inaugural sailing + local school holidays means prices/demand likely to be through the roof), so will likely be January 2026 at the earliest for me.

Honestly one reason I am thinking of going is for the flight. Apparently the longest flight in the world is nyc to Singapore. Over 18 hours. I have to say that is pretty cool. Singapore air seems pretty reasonable too price wise.

Haha I've been on a number of 16 hour flights. Cool is not the word I use. Exhausting/back breaking/claustrophobic .

Singapore airlines is pretty good though. And Singapore is a nice enough place to visit.

Haven't been on Singapore air, but the prices are really reasonable. If we could get business class, then it would be awesome. Did a 17 hour 1 minute flight from Johannesburg to Atlanta on Delta in coach. It was an experience. Watched a lot of Harry Potter on the flight

Singapore Air is great. I just did that world's longest flight with them this past summer, from SIN-JFK. The really nice thing about this plane is that there is actually no economy section, only premium economy or business. Helps to make that long flight much more comfortable!

I've taken the Singapore airlines nonstop flight between Singapore/NYC - it was actually quite tolerable in premium economy. Quite fun watching the flight map and it can apparently fly east or west or north! And for some reason this particular flight is extremely competitively priced in premium economy (provided booked early enough) - when I booked it it was around the same price as economy on other airlines!

Also, I'm biased, but I really like Singapore airlines. And I might have just been extremely lucky but I've had a series of amazing flights with them this year - to the point that I've written compliment letters for the cabin crew after most of these flights. And this is across different classes of travel (economy, premium economy, and business)...

 

[peder]

American cruisers or folk coming from afar, totally. I don't think we're considered the bread and butter of this ship, personally. The only reason I can think of for folk nearby to choose this ship over others is specifically for the Disney aspect of it, in which case staying onboard may make sense. Time will tell.

I get that those traveling from afar are not going to be the "bread and butter" but I think in addition to losing American customers with these itineraries, they also completely lose Europeans, and even closer to Singapore, I think they largely lose Chinese and Japanese cruisers.

I've been on the MSC Bellissima out of Taipei, and our two port stops in the Okinawa Prefecture seemed very popular, with a high proportion of passengers seemingly taking MSC excursions. Even with a cruise that largely catered to passengers from nearby countries, for whom language wasn't a high barrier, for whom there wasn't a high cultural barrier... I still saw tons of passengers with booked excursions, telling me that many travelers there still liked the comfort and ease that a cruise excursion provided.

You probably wouldn't be able to tell those passengers, hey, come visit Singapore, take a cruise, and then if you actually want to get out and about in the region, take a short regional flight, figure out transportation in a new strange town, change your currency, find a hotel, etc. Basically, the people that are already opting in to cruises are doing so because they feel this is one of the best ways to see the world, via a floating hotel that takes you to your next destination. You can't convince these people to prioritize a cruise to nowhere, because then they'll never see more than the port city. China, Korea, and Japan have rapidly aging populations. These cruise passengers still want to see the world, but they prefer a cruise ship for the ease of travel. I think Disney is going to take a big ol' swing and a miss on this demographic.

So Disney is going to lose some percent of Americans, Europeans, as well as mobility-limited Chinese, Korean, and Japanese customers. That starts to become a lot of segments that they're not going to appeal to IMO.

I wouldn't be surprised if they change their itinerary strategy pretty.

 

[Anku]

Isn't the Adventure more designed to be a floating Resort with enough activities to entertain locals/neighbouring trourists for a few days, much like the purpose of the Sentosa Resort (where you have casinos, shopping, shows and a tiny Universal Studios in one place)

From a local's perspective, there are so many other cheaper ways to travel around Asia. It's very costly time value of money to use Disney Cruise as the means to do so. Those that can afford a Disney cruise likely have already travelled to other Asian countries before many times anyways.

The locals want their own 'Disneyland', not a convinient means to travel around Asia. Why would they want to get off the ship when they are paying 7-8 times what would usually cost them to visit e.g. Kuala Lumpur ? they are paying for the Disney rides/shows/characters/themed restaurants (which are novel to them), not seeing cities they've seen 10 times before already.

Price wise, it is also much easier to sell 3-4 days cruise then 7 days cruise to a new market as its less price shock and time commitment. In the context of a 3-4 day cruise, there already isn't enough time to experience everything on the ship itself.

 

[Lesverts]

I get that those traveling from afar are not going to be the "bread and butter" but I think in addition to losing American customers with these itineraries, they also completely lose Europeans, and even closer to Singapore, I think they largely lose Chinese and Japanese cruisers.

I've been on the MSC Bellissima out of Taipei, and our two port stops in the Okinawa Prefecture seemed very popular, with a high proportion of passengers seemingly taking MSC excursions. Even with a cruise that largely catered to passengers from nearby countries, for whom language wasn't a high barrier, for whom there wasn't a high cultural barrier... I still saw tons of passengers with booked excursions, telling me that many travelers there still liked the comfort and ease that a cruise excursion provided.

You probably wouldn't be able to tell those passengers, hey, come visit Singapore, take a cruise, and then if you actually want to get out and about in the region, take a short regional flight, figure out transportation in a new strange town, change your currency, find a hotel, etc. Basically, the people that are already opting in to cruises are doing so because they feel this is one of the best ways to see the world, via a floating hotel that takes you to your next destination. You can't convince these people to prioritize a cruise to nowhere, because then they'll never see more than the port city. China, Korea, and Japan have rapidly aging populations. These cruise passengers still want to see the world, but they prefer a cruise ship for the ease of travel. I think Disney is going to take a big ol' swing and a miss on this demographic.

So Disney is going to lose some percent of Americans, Europeans, as well as mobility-limited Chinese, Korean, and Japanese customers. That starts to become a lot of segments that they're not going to appeal to IMO.

I wouldn't be surprised if they change their itinerary strategy pretty.

Missing the point I think. This is going to be the same as the Wonder Down Under (which is having its own problems with sales it would seem). I was on a near sold-out DCL Australian cruise. I was, according to one of the officers, the only Canadian on the passenger manifest. There were only 13 Americans. Maybe 2 dozen Japanese/Korean/East Asians. 2000 plus Aussies and Kiwis. Many of them local to Melbourne or Auckland. That is going to be the Adventure. Overwhelmingly Singaporean, topped off with East Asian and Australian tourist that are already in town for the resorts and food. With a handful of Western tourists that are already doing the Singapore/Bali/Penang/Kuala Lumpur trip who are Disney people.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Isn't the Adventure more designed to be a floating Resort with enough activities to entertain locals/neighbouring trourists for a few days, much like the purpose of the Sentosa Resort (where you have casinos, shopping, shows and a tiny Universal Studios in one place)

From a local's perspective, there are so many other cheaper ways to travel around Asia. It's very costly time value of money to use Disney Cruise as the means to do so. Those that can afford a Disney cruise likely have already travelled to other Asian countries before many times anyways.

The locals want their own 'Disneyland', not a convinient means to travel around Asia. Why would they want to get off the ship when they are paying 7-8 times what would usually cost them to visit e.g. Kuala Lumpur ? they are paying for the Disney rides/shows/characters/themed restaurants (which are novel to them), not seeing cities they've seen 10 times before already.

Price wise, it is also much easier to sell 3-4 days cruise then 7 days cruise to a new market as its less price shock and time commitment. In the context of a 3-4 day cruise, there already isn't enough time to experience everything on the ship itself.

I agree with all of this. Also, I suspect getting on and off a ship of that size has to be pretty unpleasant—presumably they save on port and security costs by staying at sea.

 

[Mommb]

You can't convince these people to prioritize a cruise to nowhere, because then they'll never see more than the port city. China, Korea, and Japan have rapidly aging populations. These cruise passengers still want to see the world, but they prefer a cruise ship for the ease of travel. I think Disney is going to take a big ol' swing and a miss on this demographic.

So Disney is going to lose some percent of Americans, Europeans, as well as mobility-limited Chinese, Korean, and Japanese customers. That starts to become a lot of segments that they're not going to appeal to IMO.

Yes, the Disney Adventure will not appeal to these populations, but it is not intended to. People who want to take a cruise that stops at many ports have other options, with lines that have experience in Asian ports, have contacts with companies that provide excursions, and that have priority placement at docks. Disney Cruise does not offer that. What they offer is a lengthy Disney experience with characters, music, performances, and ambience. No other cruise line offers this.

 

[jwalk03]

I agree with all of this. Also, I suspect getting on and off a ship of that size has to be pretty unpleasant—presumably they save on port and security costs by staying at sea.

Bigger ships have more exit points. I'm sure its designed to get people on and off efficiently.