Disney Adventure Makes History as Largest Cruise Ship to Transit the Panama Canal

Disney Cruise Line’s newest mega-ship, Disney Adventure, has officially made maritime history by becoming the largest cruise ship ever to transit the Panama Canal. The landmark passage took place on February 2, 2026, as the vessel continued its repositioning voyage from Europe to Asia.

With an impressive gross tonnage of 208,100, Disney Adventure is the first cruise ship exceeding 200,000 gross tons to navigate the canal, setting a new benchmark for size, capacity, and engineering precision.

A Record-Breaking Transit

According to the Panama Canal Authority, Disney Adventure is 24% larger than the previous record-holder, Norwegian Bliss (168,000 gross tons). Measuring 342 meters (1,122 feet) in length with a beam of 46.4 meters (152 feet), the ship pushed the Neopanamax Locks close to their operational limits.

The Neopanamax Locks can accommodate vessels up to 370 meters long and 51.25 meters wide, leaving Disney Adventure with just eight feet of clearance on either side during the transit. Canal officials emphasized that the operation required extensive multidisciplinary coordination to ensure a safe and smooth passage.

While Disney Cruise Line is the third cruise brand to operate ships over the 200,000 gross ton threshold, Disney Adventure is the first of its size to successfully complete a Panama Canal transit.

Journey to Asia Begins

Before entering the canal, Disney Adventure made a stop in Port Canaveral, Florida, where crew familiarization and training activities were reportedly coordinated with Disney World. The ship also completed a short provisioning and fueling stop in Curaçao over the weekend.

The vessel is now en route to Los Angeles, where she is scheduled to arrive on February 9. From there, the itinerary continues across the Pacific with planned calls in Tokyo, before finally reaching Singapore, her future homeport.

Disney Adventure is set to begin her maiden voyage on March 10, 2026.

From Shipyard to Disney Icon

Originally constructed in Germany, the ship was acquired following the bankruptcy of Genting Hong Kong. Disney Cruise Line completed a full redesign and outfitting, transforming the vessel into a signature Disney experience.

The ship now features Disney, Marvel, and character-themed spaces, blending immersive entertainment with large-scale luxury cruising. Once fully operational, Disney Adventure will accommodate over 6,700 passengers across 2,111 staterooms, supported by a crew of approximately 2,500. The current repositioning voyage is being conducted exclusively with crew and staff onboard.

A Busy Season for the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal Authority notes that this historic transit comes during an especially active cruise season. An estimated 40 Neopanamax cruise ships are expected to pass through the canal this year.

Recently, Queen Mary 2 completed her first Panama Canal transit, while other cruise ships making debut passages this season include AIDAdiva, Brilliant Lady, Celebrity Ascent, and Star Seeker. Each spring and fall, the canal also sees increased cruise traffic as ships reposition between the Caribbean and Alaska itineraries.

A Milestone in Modern Cruising

Disney Adventure’s successful transit underscores how modern cruise ships continue to redefine scale and engineering capabilities. As cruise lines push boundaries with larger, more advanced vessels, the Panama Canal remains a critical gateway connecting global cruise routes—and a proving ground for maritime innovation.

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