Giant 900m cruise ship saved from scrapyard bought by Disney for knockdown price

The newly-built Global Dream had been sitting in a scrapyard for around year despite being fully built and never setting sail - it was valued at around 1billion but sold for dramatically less

Adam Cailler Senior reporter and MSN lead

11:46, 02 Jan 2023

Dream Cruises shares concept for new 'Global Dream' vessel

The 900million mega cruise ship saved from the scrapheap before its first voyage was bought by new owners Disney for a shockingly low knockdown price.

Earlier this year, we reported how the Global Dream ship had been sitting inside a German shipyard alongside its sister ship Global Dream II.

The latter was waiting to have some of its fixtures as well as its engines ripped out and sold as it had already been decided that it would not be worth selling whole.

But the Global Dream ship was still clinging on for dear life, with bosses welcoming bids over the next few months.

It was built by MV Wefrten and accommodates more passengers than any other cruise ship.

[The giant ship was left sitting in a scrap yard awaiting its fate when its parent company went bust]

The giant ship was left sitting in a scrapyard awaiting its fate when its parent company went bust(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The ship was owned by Genting Hong Kong, but they filed for bankruptcy at the start of this year.

It was eventually bought by Disney to add to its Disney Cruise line.

Initially, it was reported the price was thought to be in the region of 1.4billion by the time repair works and redecorating had taken place.

[The ship was valued at nearly 1billion - but sold for dramatically less]

The ship was valued at nearly 1billion - but sold for dramatically less(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

But it has now been revealed the giant ship has been picked up for a ridiculously low price of just 40million, according to Capital.de, which also claims the Swedish Stena group had shown an interest in buying it.

The purchase has also been done without any warranty claims as Disney are going to finish building it at their own risk and expense.

[The ship will now set sail in 2025]

The ship will now set sail in 2025(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The artwork-adorned hull is set for a total rebrand, featuring the classic hull art of Disney Cruise's black and gold patterns with the world famous Mickey Mouse logo featuring heavily on it.

[Mickey Mouse will now be a regular face onboard Disney's new ship]

Mickey Mouse will now be a regular face onboard Disney's new ship(Image: Disney PR)

It will also have its engines changed so it will use methanol for fuel, making it one of the first in the cruise industry to be fuelled by green methanol instead of diesel, like many are now.

Josh DAmaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products said when the purchase was announced at the end of last year: Our cruise ships give us the unique opportunity to bring Disney magic to fans no matter where they are, and the addition of this ship will make a Disney Cruise Line vacation accessible to more families than ever before.

[Disney will pay for the mega-ship's completion]

Disney will pay for the mega-ship's completion(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Yolanda Cade, Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs at Disney Signature Experiences, added: The ship will be renamed with certain features reimagined under the world-renowned expertise of Walt Disney Imagineers.

The new ship, to be based outside the United States, will feature innovative Disney experiences along with the dazzling entertainment, world-class dining and legendary guest service that set Disney Cruise Line apart.

[The future of the ship is now secured]

The future of the ship is now secured(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Construction will be completed at the former MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany, under the management of Meyer Werft, the Papenburg-based company that built the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish.

Bookings for its maiden voyage are expected to be available some time in 2024.

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