The 340-meter Disney Destiny, the newest cruise liner from Meyer Werft, completed a 40-kilometer night passage down the Ems River and reached Emden early Saturday. The transfer began at midnight under fireworks as tugboats eased the brightly lit vessel stern-first through the Papenburg yard’s dock lock while several hundred residents watched from the quays.
Guided by the Emden Pilots’ Brotherhood, the convoy moved at a few knots. The Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration fully closed the Ems barrier at Gandersum, raising water levels for the ship’s 8.6-meter draft. After a short wait for high water, Disney Destiny passed the Emssperrwerk, entered Dollart Bay, swung bow-forward, and detached from its tugboats. A brief North Sea trial was planned before the liner’s arrival in Eemshaven on Sunday.
"The duration of the passage is always kept as short as possible to avoid affecting other traffic on the Ems," said the shipyard, according to Süddeutsche Zeitung. "Wind and weather always play a role. Everything worked smoothly," added a Meyer Werft spokesperson, according to the same report.
Disney Destiny, the third member of the LNG-powered Wish class, carries about 4,000 passengers in 1,250 cabins. The ship will sail to Florida after outfitting and is scheduled to start Bahamas voyages from Fort Lauderdale at the end of November. Inside cabins for five-night itineraries list at roughly €941, while longer cruises can exceed €4,800. The on-board concept is promoted as Heroes and Villains and includes a cinema, live musicals, ten pools, extensive play areas, and an animated waterslide.
Environmental groups again criticized the damming of the Ems, warning of ecological damage, but spectators lined the riverbanks in Emden to watch the transit.
"To ensure that the experience meets our high quality standards, we have decided to adjust the schedule," said Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences, referring to the delayed Disney Adventure, according to Süddeutsche Zeitung. Meyer Werft also holds four further Disney orders for delivery between 2027 and 2031.
Written with the help of a news-analysis system.