The Disney Fantasy will be the fourth ship in the cruise line when it enters service in 2012. In February 2007, Disney Cruise Line announced that it had commissioned two new ships for its fleet.[2] The first steel-cut, for scrollwork on the ship's hull, took place in March 2009 at the Meyer Werft shipyards in Papenburg, Germany.[3] Later that month, the two ships were named, with the Disney Fantas
y set to enter service on March 31, 2012, a little over a year after its sister vessel, the Disney Dream.[4]
The ship's keel was laid on February 11, 2011. Disney Cruise Line President, Karl Holz, along with Minnie Mouse officially placed a magic coin beneath the ship's hull. The coin is identical to that which was placed beneath the Disney Dream, however featured the hull number S688, and the date of the keel laying. The Disney Fantasy will not be exactly identical to the Disney Dream, with a weight of 128,000 GT (gross tonnage),[5] a length of 340 meters and a width of 38 meters. The Fantasy will have 1,250 staterooms.[5] Additional features, such as on-board services and amenities, have not been announced, but will probably be very similar to those on the Disney Dream. Initially, the Disney Fantasy will be based at Disney Cruise Line's terminal at Port Canaveral, Florida.[6] The ship will embark on 7 night cruises, and will stop on Disney's private island Castaway Cay during cruise itineraries in the Caribbean Sea.
