Disney to launch new cruise holidays from the UK next year with trips to European islands and cities
Plus, we reveal what it's like on a Disney cruise
UK-BASED Disney fans have something to get excited over, with new cruise holidays to sail from the UK in 2026.
The voyages will set off from Southampton before setting sail for destinations in northern Europe.
Disney Dream will be returning to European waters in 2026.
The cruise ship will be kicking off its summer schedule with a 14-night transatlantic crossing from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona where Mediterranean cruises will be on the cards.
Disney Dream will visit Greek islands like Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes on seven and 12-night sailings.
Between August and September next year, the Disney-themed ship will sail between Southampton and the Norwegian Fjords on either three, four, or seven-night sailings.
Disney Dream has enough space for 4,000 passengers and is one of the largest vessels in its fleet.
The ship boasts a three-storey water coaster called AquaDuck where passengers head down the slide in a rubber ring.
Other on-board facilities include several shallow pools for kids as well as child-friendly water fountains.
There’s also a Promenade Deck with virtual sports simulators, basketball and miniature golf.
Disney Dream also boasts unique on-board dining at the Disney princess-themed restaurant.
Other themed restaurants include an outdoor food court inspired by the Cars movies, a decadent dessert shop called Sugar Rush, and a poolside spot where guests can get a frozen smoothie.
There’s also the Animator’s Palate where drawings come to life on the walls.
For adult guests, there’s also the Europa Adult District where passengers can escape younger guests and enjoy live music, bars and nightclubs.
Evening entertainment comes in the form of Broadway-style shows where fans can enjoy songs from films like Peter Pan, Pinocchio, and Cinderella.
Disney Dream will start sailing from Southampton from July 20, 2026.
The seven-night sailings will depart from Southampton before stopping in Rotterdam, Alesund, Bergen and the Norwegian Fjords.
Prices start from £8,384 based on two adults and two children sharing an interior cabin.
There are also shorter three-night sailings to Belgium, which set sail on August 21, 2026 and August 28, 2026.
Prices start from £3,264 for two adults and two children sharing an interior cabin.
Priority booking for Disney Dream opens on Monday, February 10.
What's it like on a Disney Cruise?
THE Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey went on a Disney cruise, here’s what she thought…
Lounging in my beachfront cabana, I reach for the service button to order another mojito.
It feels as if we have this small stretch of Caribbean beach to ourselves, bar the staff who are shaking up cocktails and grilling fish and hot dogs on a barbecue behind us.
The only giveaway that I’m on a Disney cruise is the colourful ship in the distance where I can just about spot Mickey and Goofy waving.
This is Disney’s own Castaway Cay, the first private island in the world exclusively for cruise passengers, and one of the port calls on my three-day cruise onboard Disney Dream.
The 1,000-acre paradise has it all – long stretches of white sandy beaches, cafes serving delicious BBQ food, and a fantastic choice of water activities including snorkelling, tubing and a dual waterslide.
I’d been exploring it all by bike (Disney Dream passengers can borrow one for free) and after a three-mile cycle along a tree-lined path, I’d discovered a quiet, crowd-free spot at the other end of the island.
Serenity Bay is reserved for guests aged 18 and it’s pure bliss for anyone on an adults-only trip.
Here you can rent a palm-tree-sheltered cabana with towels, snacks, drinks, inflatables and access to showers.
And, to make sure visitors barely need to lift a finger, each cabana features a service button for when the cocktails run dry or to book a beachside massage.
It’s less crowded than the family beaches, but the kid-friendly spots are where the high-energy fun is.
Those with children in tow should head to the Pelican Plunge, a floating play area with huge water slides or Olaf’s Summertime Freeze which sells frozen drinks — the perfect antidote to the Caribbean heat.
Meanwhile, this is what Disney’s brand new private island will look like once it opens.
And this is what the Disney Treasure looks like on board.
