Global Dream: Disney wants to buy Genting's unfinished maxi ship
According to some sources, Disney Cruise Line is reportedly interested in completing and purchasing the giant ship from [...]
According to some sources, the cruise line Disney Cruise Line would be interested in the completion and purchase of the giant cruise ship Global Dream, a 9500-passenger, 2000-crew member behemoth, previously built by Genting Hong Kong.
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Founded in 1966, Disney Cruise Line currently operates five ships present in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe and Oceania. Two other cruise ships Will set sail by 2025.
But what do we know about the Global Dream purchase?
The story of Global Dream
It would appear from the Cruise Hive cruise news report that Disney is very close to securing a deal. That deal would see construction of the Global Dream continue at Genting Hong Kong's former MV Werften shipyards in Wismar, Germany.
There is, to date, no confirmation on the sale price. However, it appears that the company is unwilling to pay the construction cost of 1.6 billion dollars circulated by the former owner of the massive ship.
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Before the shipyards came to a halt last January, the 342-meter-long Global Dream promised to be The world's largest cruise ship by number of passengers. Unfortunately, insolvency on the part of Genting Hong Kong caused a halt in completion work. Not only that, the Genting group backed out of the purchase of the liner destined for its new cruise line Resort World Cruises, based in Singapore.
Disney Cruise Line's plan
According to German lawyer Christoph Morgen, negotiations are underway for the sale of the Global Dream, a 208,000 gross ton cruise ship. The ship has been laid up at 75% of construction since January 2022, when MV Werften ceased work. Morgen said there are negotiations with several bidders. According to German media outlet NDR, however, Disney would be the favorite for the purchase. And it would plan to use the ship for the cruises in Asia.
In fact, Morgen told the media that the Global Dream is designed for the Asian market, with large four-person cabins and connecting cabins for families. The design also includes the biggest roller coaster at sea, a water park, and a large casino. As mentioned above, the ship will be the largest in the world in terms of passenger numbers despite being smaller in gross tonnage than Royal Caribbean's Oasis class.
Even if Disney were to acquire the ship, it would go through a lot more work than just completion. Many aspects of the interior design, and some aspects of the exterior, would have to be changed to blend seamlessly with Disney's brand image.
German media outlet NDR reports that Disney plans to work on the Global Dream in Asia, hiring German shipbuilder Meyer Werft to complete the job. The ship is expected to be completed by 2024, and the project would also provide employment for 950 former MV Weften employees.
