Disney Adventure Sets Panama Canal Record as Largest Cruise Ship
The crossing underscores how the cruise industry’s newest mega ships are reshaping global deployment, with the Panama Canal becoming a key bridge to Asia Pacific growth.
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Adventure became the largest cruise ship by gross tonnage and passenger capacity to transit the Panama Canal on Feb. 2, 2026, the Panama Canal Authority said. The record-setting crossing made Disney Adventure the first cruise ship above the 200,000-gross-ton threshold to complete the interoceanic passage.
A new benchmark for Panama Canal cruise transits
The Panama Canal Authority said Disney Adventure measures 342 meters (1,122 feet) long with a beam of 46.4 meters (152 feet), and is listed at about 208,000 gross tons (reported as 208,100). Capacity figures shared by the authority and in ship details place the vessel at roughly 6,700 passengers.
The previous record-holder was Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss, listed at 168,000 gross tons with capacity around 5,000 passengers, after a May 2018 transit. By the canal authority’s comparison, Disney Adventure is roughly 40,000 gross tons larger, or about 24 percent bigger.
Navigating the Neopanamax Locks with narrow clearance
Disney Adventure transited using the canal’s Neopanamax Locks, which are designed for the largest vessels that can pass through the system. The Panama Canal Authority said the crossing required extensive coordination across multiple teams because of the ship’s size.
Neopanamax Lock limits are listed at up to 370 meters (1,215 feet) in length and 51.25 meters (168 feet) in beam. Based on the ship’s reported width, the authority said Disney Adventure had about eight feet of clearance on each side inside the lock chambers.
Ship scale, staffing, and onboard attractions
Disney Adventure is designed with more than 2,111 staterooms and is expected to operate with a crew of about 2,500. The Panama Canal Authority noted that Disney Cruise Line is the third cruise operator with ships exceeding 200,000 gross tons, joining Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, and that Disney Adventure is the first in that size class to complete a Panama Canal transit.
Disney has also promoted a headline attraction planned for the ship, saying it will feature the longest roller coaster at sea.
- Gross tonnage: About 208,000 (reported as 208,100).
- Dimensions: 342 meters long with a 46.4-meter beam.
- Capacity: Approximately 6,700 passengers across 2,111 staterooms.
- Crew: About 2,500.
From a German shipyard project to Disney’s Asia-Pacific deployment
Disney Adventure was built at Meyer Werft in Germany and later joined the Disney Cruise Line fleet in 2025. The ship underwent major redesign and completion work after Disney acquired the unfinished project following the bankruptcy of Genting Hong Kong and MV Werften.
As part of the conversion, the ship was reimagined with Disney-branded spaces, including areas themed around Disney characters and Marvel. The repositioning sailing has been conducted with staff and crew onboard rather than paying passengers as the ship prepares for entry into service.
Repositioning itinerary and debut plans in Singapore
The Panama Canal crossing occurred during a longer repositioning voyage toward the ship’s future homeport in Singapore. In the days leading up to the transit, Disney Adventure called at Port Canaveral, Florida, and later made a short stop in Curaçao.
After clearing the canal, the ship’s schedule includes a call at Los Angeles on Feb. 9, followed by calls en route to Tokyo and then Singapore. Disney Adventure is slated to be based in Singapore and is expected to operate three- and four-night sailings that remain at sea, with its maiden voyage scheduled for March 10, 2026.
What the transit suggests about the canal’s cruise season
The Panama Canal Authority is forecasting heavy cruise traffic during the 2025-2026 season, including more than 40 Neopanamax cruise ships expected to transit in 2026. The authority said several ships are also slated to complete inaugural transits during the season, including AIDAdiva, Brilliant Lady, Celebrity Ascent, and Star Seeker.
The canal’s recent cruise activity has also included Queen Mary 2, which completed its first Panama Canal transit starting Jan. 24 and continued the passage after an overnight stop near Cocol before sailing under the Bridge of the Americas.
With the record transit complete, Disney Adventure’s next near-term milestones are its scheduled port calls en route to Asia and its arrival in Singapore ahead of the March 10 maiden voyage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is Disney Adventure’s transit through the Panama Canal significant?
The Panama Canal Authority said the Feb. 2, 2026, crossing made Disney Adventure the largest cruise ship by gross tonnage and passenger capacity to pass through the canal, and the first cruise ship above 200,000 gross tons to complete the interoceanic transit.
Which locks did Disney Adventure use to transit the Panama Canal?
The ship used the Neopanamax Locks. The Panama Canal Authority lists Neopanamax maximum dimensions at 370 meters in length and 51.25 meters in beam, and said Disney Adventure had about eight feet of clearance on each side inside the lock chambers.
How big is Disney Adventure compared with the previous Panama Canal cruise ship record-holder?
The Panama Canal Authority lists Disney Adventure at about 208,000 gross tons (reported as 208,100), compared with 168,000 gross tons for Norwegian Bliss, which previously held the record after a May 2018 transit.
When will Disney Adventure begin operations in Singapore?
Disney Adventure’s maiden voyage is scheduled for March 10, 2026. The ship is slated to be based in Singapore, where it is expected to operate three- and four-night itineraries at sea.
