Oriental Land Co. and NYK CRUISES Team Up To Bring Disney Ship to Japan

The new venture is included in the 13 ship total promised by Disney Cruise Line

Oriental Land Co. and NYK CRUISES Co. have entered into a basic business partnership regarding their cruise business featuring a Disney ship.

What’s Happening:

  • Oriental Land Co., Ltd., Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, and NYK CRUISES CO., LTD. have inked a basic business partnership agreement concerning Oriental Land’s Japan-based cruise services, which the company aims to launch in fiscal 2028.
  • In line with the basic agreement, the three companies will discuss the following matters conducted by the NYK Group regarding Oriental Land's development of a cruise business.
  • This business would be a new extension of the Disney Cruise Line, featuring licensed Disney Ships and the moniker, but similar to Tokyo Disney Resort, owned and operated by Oriental Land Co.
  • Together these companies will be consulting for the cruise business,  managing the cruise ships and their operations and they will work together toward Oriental Land’s goal of providing family entertainment cruise experiences by combining the OLC Group’s expertise in offering immersive settings and excellent hospitality, which has been developed through its well-established theme park and hotel operations, and the NYK Group’s proven cruise operations and outstanding safety technology fostered through its long-standing cargo transportation and Asuka cruise business.
  • Oriental Land Co. was founded in 1960 to contribute to the cultural life of the nation and the welfare of its citizens. In addition to its core business of managing and operating theme parks in pursuit of its corporate mission to provide “wonderful dreams, moving experiences, happiness and contentment," the company is scheduled to launch its cruise business in fiscal 2028.
  • The Disney Cruise Line ship being built for this business is part of the promised fleet of 13 ships by 2031, a promise that was made back at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event last year.
  • Kabushiki Kaisha was founded in 1885, and is the largest shipping company in Japan, operating 824 ships and employing approximately 35,000 people at more than 600 Group business sites (as of March 2024). It offers cruise services through its Group company NYK CRUISES CO., LTD.
  • NYK CRUISES operates Asuka cruise services, which cater to the lifestyles and preferences of Japanese passengers. Asuka II, currently the largest Japan-registered passenger ship, offers a diverse lineup of cruise services, including 100-day world cruises, extended cruises to the Asia and Oceania regions, cruises for visiting summer festivals across Japan, and many more. The Asuka III passenger ship will also start operating in the summer of 2025. Upholding the brand concept of “Delivering Encounters with the real thing and conveying the sense of excitement" Asuka cruises aim to create and offer unmatched experiences of the utmost quality, thereby contributing to the development of Japan’s cruise culture.

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Tony Betti
Originally from California where he studied a dying artform (hand-drawn animation), Tony has spent most of his adult life in the theme parks of Orlando. When he’s not writing for LP, he’s usually watching and studying something animated or arguing about “the good ole’ days” at the parks.
View all articles by Tony Betti