Disney Vacation Club Members will have an exciting opportunity to be among the first to experience Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship- the Disney Believe! Disney Vacation Club has officially announced a Member exclusive “First Wave” sailing aboard the Disney Believe, offering eligible Members and their guests a special five night Bahamian adventure from January 5th through January 10th, 2028.
Continuing the tradition of exclusive DVC “First Wave” Member Experiences, this sailing will take guests to both of Disney Cruise Line’s private island destinations, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, along with a stop in Nassau, Bahamas.
Similar to previous First Wave experiences aboard the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny, this voyage offers DVC Members an opportunity to experience a brand new Disney Cruise Line ship early in its inaugural season.
Booking opens Saturday, November 21st, 2026, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time, and Members interested in securing a stateroom will want to be ready when reservations become available.
Disney Believe First Wave Sailing Itinerary
The five-night voyage will depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Wednesday, January 5, 2028, and return on Monday, January 10, 2028.
Here’s the complete itinerary:
| Date | Destination |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, January 5 | Depart Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Thursday, January 6 | Disney Castaway Cay |
| Friday, January 7 | Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point |
| Saturday, January 8 | At Sea |
| Sunday, January 9 | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Monday, January 10 | Return to Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
One of the highlights of this itinerary is the opportunity to visit both Disney Cruise Line island destinations during a single voyage. Members will enjoy the familiar beaches and activities of Castaway Cay alongside the Bahamian culture and natural beauty of Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
For those looking to extend their vacation, Fort Lauderdale is also approximately three hours from Walt Disney World Resort, making it possible to combine the sailing with a resort stay before or after the cruise.
What Can Members Expect Aboard the Disney Believe?
The Disney Believe will bring stories from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel to life with a theme centered around promise, possibility, and believing in your dreams.
Like the Disney Wish, Treasure, and Destiny before it, the Believe will offer an impressive lineup of dining, entertainment, and accommodations, with several new experiences planned for the ship.
Among the highlights announced so far are:
- Oaken’s Table: A brand new live entertainment dining experience inspired by Disney’s Frozen, joining 1923 and Worlds of Marvel in the ship’s rotational dining lineup.
- Encanto Stage Show: The first ever Broadway style stage adaptation of Encanto, alongside returning favorites Tangled: The Musical and Disney Seas the Adventure.
- Adult Exclusive Spaces: New lounges and experiences inspired by Disney characters who dare to dream and follow their hearts.
- Kids Clubs: Imaginative spaces designed for younger cruisers, including dedicated experiences for tweens and teens.
- Themed Staterooms: A variety of accommodations ranging from Inside and Oceanview staterooms to Verandah and Concierge options.
Disney Cruise Line has also revealed several design elements inspired by beloved characters, including Moana in the ship’s Grand Hall and appearances by Woody and Buzz Lightyear on the stern.
Members interested in exploring the ship’s accommodations and deck layouts can visit the official Disney Believe website.
Important Details: This Is NOT a DVC Member Cruise
Although this voyage is being offered exclusively to eligible Disney Vacation Club Members and their guests, it is important to understand that this is not an official DVC Member Cruise.
Instead, the Disney Believe First Wave sailing is considered part of the Disney Collection exchange program and Disney Vacation Club’s First Wave Member Experiences.
This distinction matters because traditional DVC Member Cruises often feature special onboard programming, exclusive entertainment, presentations, and daily stateroom gifts.
Those additional Member Cruise experiences are not included as part of the standard First Wave offering. Guests should expect Disney Cruise Line’s regular onboard programming, with the added excitement of experiencing one of the earliest voyages aboard the Disney Believe, and maybe a few additional small surprised along the way.
Disney Believe First Wave Pricing and Points Requirements
As of this announcement, Disney Vacation Club has not yet released the official points chart for the Disney Believe First Wave sailing.
However, Disney has confirmed several important booking requirements that Members should understand before reservations open.
At least one guest in each travel party must be booked entirely using DVC Reservation Points. This person must be designated as the primary or lead guest on the reservation.
Additional guests may be booked using cash, but Reservation Points and cash cannot be combined to pay for an individual guest.
Other important pricing details include:
- Full payment is required at the time of booking.
- Disney Vacation Club will waive the initial $95 transaction fee for this sailing.
- Cash payments may be made using major credit cards or Disney Gift Cards.
- Additional expenses may apply for Port Adventures and other recreational activities.
For Members considering this sailing, the points chart will be an important factor in deciding whether the experience represents a worthwhile use of their Vacation Points.
We’ll update this article when Disney Vacation Club releases the official Disney Believe First Wave points chart.
Who Is Eligible to Book the Disney Believe First Wave Sailing?
Participation in this sailing is limited to Disney Vacation Club Members who qualify for Membership Extras.
Generally, this includes Members with eligible direct purchases from Disney Vacation Development who meet the applicable Membership Extras requirements, including the current 150-point minimum for qualifying purchases.
Members who own only resale points that do not qualify for Membership Extras will not be eligible to participate.
Disney has also confirmed that anyone listed on an eligible Membership, including Associates, may make a reservation.
Eligible Members may reserve up to four staterooms per Membership, subject to availability.
Importantly, Disney Vacation Club’s Rule of Four does not apply to this First Wave sailing.
Members should review Disney’s Membership Extras eligibility requirements if they are unsure whether they qualify.
Disney Believe First Wave Booking Information
Reservations for the Disney Believe First Wave sailing will open on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time.
Eligible Members can book by calling Disney Vacation Club Member Services at: (800) 800 9800 or (407) 566 3800
On November 21st, Member Services will operate from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM Eastern Time, with phone lines dedicated exclusively to Disney Believe First Wave reservations and assistance for Members with resort arrivals within five days.
Due to anticipated demand, Disney has warned Members to expect longer than usual wait times.
Regular Member Services operations will resume on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 9:00 AM Eastern Time.
Reservations cannot be made through the DVC online booking tool, email, live chat, or in person at DVC Member Lounges.
What to Have Ready When Booking
To help streamline the reservation process, Disney recommends having the following information available when calling Member Services:
- Disney Vacation Club Membership Number
- First, second, and third choices for stateroom categories
- Special medical needs for anyone traveling
- Castaway Club Number for returning Disney cruisers
- Full legal names and middle initials as they appear on government issued identification
- Dates of birth for all guests
- Home telephone number
- Citizenship or nationality information
- Payment information, including a credit card or eligible Disney Gift Card
Unlike some previous First Wave booking experiences, Disney has confirmed that full payment will be collected at the time of booking, so Members should be prepared to complete their reservation during the initial call.
If the sailing sells out, Disney Vacation Club has indicated that eligible Members may request to join a waitlist by contacting Member Services.
Another First Wave Experience for Disney Vacation Club Members
Disney Vacation Club has continued to expand its lineup of First Wave experiences, giving eligible Members opportunities to be among the first to visit new Disney destinations or experience new offerings.
From the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure to the more recent Disney Destiny sailing, these special opportunities have become a recurring addition to Disney Vacation Club’s Membership Extras. The Disney Believe adds another exciting chapter to that tradition.
Of course, with a points chart still to come, one of the biggest questions will be just how many Vacation Points Members will need to use to experience this sailing. That information could ultimately determine whether Members choose to book this exclusive voyage or consider another sailing aboard the Believe.
If you are interested in sailing aboard the Disney Believe but aren’t eligible for this First Wave experience, or would simply prefer a traditional cash booking, our friends at Be Our Guest Vacations can help you explore other Disney Cruise Line itineraries.
DVC Members can also explore opportunities to swap their Vacation Points for a Disney Cruise Line vacation through DVC Rental Store.
Are you planning to book the Disney Believe First Wave sailing when reservations open November 21? Or would you rather save your points and sail aboard the Believe on another itinerary?
Let us know in the comments! Keep checking DVC Fan and join the DVC Fan Facebook Group for the latest Disney Vacation Club news and updates.
