Over the last two weeks, Disney Cruise Line’s new ship, the Disney Treasure has been on a transatlantic journey to its homeport of Port Canaveral following the completion of its construction by Meyer Werft in Eemshaven, Netherlands. During the crossing, the ship’s crew made final preparations to ready the ship for its maiden voyage on Dec. 21.
On the final leg of the ship’s journey, crew members got an unexpected opportunity to test their safety training when the U.S. Coast Guard received a call for help from a sinking catamaran near Bermuda. The Disney Treasure was the closest ship to the distressed vessel.
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According to maritime law and tradition, cruise ships and other vessels have a legal and moral obligation to render aid to those in peril at sea.
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Image source: Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Treasure rescues four people in distress at sea
On Sunday, Nov. 10, Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City received a distress call from the Serenity, a 50-foot catamaran sailing about 265 miles off the coast of Bermuda. The vessel was taking on water due to a gasket failure in the escape hatch.
The Disney Treasure was sailing about 80 miles away from the sinking Serenity. Coordinating with the Coast Guard, the Disney Treasure launched one of the cruise line’s signature yellow lifeboats and successfully rescued all four passengers.
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Disney Cruise Line is the only cruise line to use yellow-colored lifeboats instead of the traditional regulation color of orange. The cruise line was granted special permission by the U.S. Coast Guard to paint the lifeboats yellow, in order to keep with the special color theming of its ships – the colors of Mickey Mouse himself.
In a statement to ABC News, Disney Treasure Captain Marco Nogara expressed his satisfaction with his crew for their work on the rescue. "We are pleased that the Disney Treasure was able to provide aid to the boat passengers in peril. Our crew members worked together on the rescue, skillfully demonstrating their training and commitment to safety," Captain Nogara said.
The Disney Treasure makes its US debut in Port Canaveral on Nov. 12
Upon their rescue, the Serenity’s four passengers became the first passengers aboard the brand-new Disney cruise ship, which arrives in its homeport of Port Canaveral for the first time on Nov. 12.
Sister ship to the Disney Wish that launched in 2022, the Disney Treasure includes many fan-favorite spaces from the Disney Wish infused with a theme of adventure inspired by Walt Disney’s love of exploration. The ship also features a variety of highly-anticipated new venues and experiences.
New themed spaces on board the Disney Treasure include the Haunted Mansion Parlor, the first-ever Haunted Mansion-inspired bar, and other lounges inspired by classic Disney Parks attractions. The Disney Treasure will also debut the first theatrical dinner show themed to the Disney and Pixar film, “Coco,” and the first stage adaptation of the Disney film “Moana” with a “Disney The Tale of Moana” Broadway-style musical.
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Following its maiden voyage in late December, the Disney Treasure will begin 2025 sailing an inaugural season of seven-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral.
The Disney Treasure is the sixth ship to enter the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Two additional ships, the Disney Destiny and the Disney Adventure, are currently under construction for delivery in 2025. With a ninth ship planned for Japan and four more ships scheduled to join the fleet between 2027 and 2031, the total Disney Cruise Line fleet size will soon expand to 13.
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