The Disney Cruise Line has long marketed its ships as floating kingdoms of fantasy, where guests step into stories inspired by films like Frozen, Moana, and The Avengers. Yet this week, a new vessel carrying Disney’s banner drew attention for a far less magical reason — a police raid in Germany.
The incident comes at a pivotal moment for Disney’s cruise business. More than 25 years after launching its first ship, the Disney Magic, the Disney Cruise Line’s fleet has expanded across oceans, with the Wonder, Dream, Fantasy, Wish, and Treasure bringing Disney’s brand of storytelling to the seas.
An upcoming addition, however, is meant to mark an even more significant step.
Named the Disney Adventure, the vessel is the cruise line’s first Global-class ship and the first in the fleet to be permanently stationed outside the United States. Singapore will serve as its home port when it embarks on its maiden voyage on December 15, cementing Disney’s ambitions to court Asian markets.
The Raid in Wismar
The Disney Adventure had only recently left the Wismar shipyard for sea trials on September 1 when police intervened. Docked in Germany with more than 1,400 crew members onboard, the ship became the subject of a targeted operation.
Authorities boarded while the vessel was taking on fuel, zeroing in on two workers wanted on outstanding charges. Both men were described by officials as “shipyard workers travelling with the ship.”
The first arrest involved a Croatian crew member who had been sought by Bavarian police over a drunk driving conviction. In 2022, he was sentenced to either pay a £2,081 fine or serve 60 days in prison. After settling the fine, authorities permitted him to stay aboard the Disney Adventure.
A second man, however, faced more immediate consequences. Wanted on fraud charges under a Munich District Court warrant, he was removed from the vessel and transferred directly to a correctional facility.
A Challenging Year for Disney Cruise Line
The raid marks another uneasy headline for Disney Cruise Line, which has dealt with passenger complaints about its older ships in recent months.
The Disney Magic, launched in 1998, has drawn criticism from guests citing plumbing failures and even sewage issues. During a Bahamian cruise in March from Galveston, Texas (which is reportedly set to become a major hub for the Disney Cruise Line soon), to San Juan, Puerto Rico, water leaked from the atrium ceiling, forcing the closure of three passenger decks. Guests claimed some rooms became uninhabitable due to related sewage problems.
Over the summer, passengers also reported bed bugs onboard the Magic, sparking concern across social media platforms like Reddit. “As someone who’s experienced bed bugs, if they’re in one room, they’re likely all over the ship,” one user wrote. “They’re so hard to get rid of and multiply like crazy.”
Despite these setbacks, it seems like the Disney Adventure may reset the narrative. Its offerings include original productions such as the Royal Society for Friendship and Tea, a Moana-inspired show titled Call of the Sea, and a Marvel spectacle featuring Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther, and more.
The Adventure is also notable for the entertainment lineup built specifically for Asian audiences. Experiences will feature the Duffy and The Friend Ship Show — capitalizing on the character’s huge popularity in the region — alongside a stage spectacular headlined by Captain Jack Sparrow and the Siren Queen.
It isn’t the only vessel joining the fleet this year. The Disney Destiny will debut in November. The vessel will lean heavily into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, featuring the Worlds of Marvel restaurant, a dinner show starring the Guardians of the Galaxy, a lounge inspired by the Sanctum Sanctorum, and a Black Panther statue in the lobby, plus Spider-Man on the stern of the ship.
Disney has not issued a public statement on the arrests in Germany. Still, with the December launch date fast approaching, the company faces the dual challenge of putting the focus back on its newest flagship while ensuring its older vessels remain up to standard.
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