Disney Vacation Club announced a members-only First Wave sailing on the new Disney Believe, leaving Jan. 5, 2028. Booking opens Nov. 21, and members will need to use an exchange.
Disney Vacation Club members, you’re getting your own early trip on Disney’s newest cruise ship.
DVC announced a members-only First Wave sailing on the Disney Believe on Oct. 9. It leaves Jan. 5, 2028, less than three weeks after the ship’s maiden voyage.
Booking opens Nov. 21, 2026, according to the announcement, which DVC shared on Instagram.
When is the DVC Disney Believe cruise?
Jan. 5, 2028. “Be among the first to set sail,” DVC’s announcement graphic says.
The Disney Believe’s maiden voyage leaves Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Dec. 18, 2027, Disney said. That puts the member cruise just 18 days behind it.
DVC hasn’t shared the itinerary or how many nights the cruise lasts. On Disney’s public list of first-season sailings, one cruise gets back to port on Jan. 5, and the next one doesn’t leave until Jan. 10, according to WDW News Today. Disney hasn’t said if the member sailing fills that gap.
How do DVC members book the Disney Believe First Wave cruise?
Reservations open Nov. 21. The fine print on DVC’s graphic says the cruise “requires eligibility and an exchange,” and that details are subject to change.
DVC members usually book Disney cruises by exchanging their Vacation Points through the Disney Collection, a panelist on Disney’s planDisney site explained in January. Only members who are eligible for Membership Extras can make those exchanges, and a transaction fee may apply.
DVC hasn’t said how many points the First Wave sailing will cost.
When does Disney Believe booking open for everyone else?
Oct. 19, 2026, Disney said. That’s when bookings open to the general public.
Some people get in earlier. Booking windows open at 8 a.m. Eastern, WDW News Today reported:
Oct. 12: Pearl Castaway Club members
Oct. 13: Platinum Castaway Club members
Oct. 14: Gold Castaway Club members
Oct. 15: Silver Castaway Club members, eligible DVC members and Adventures by Disney Adventure Insiders
The cheapest first-season sailing on the list starts at $2,683 for two guests. That’s a four-night Bahamas cruise, with stops in Nassau and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
What’s on the Disney Believe?
The Disney Believe is the fourth ship in Disney Cruise Line’s Wish class, after the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny.
Here’s some of what’s new on board, according to Disney:
Encanto, the first stage version of the movie, in the Walt Disney Theatre
Oaken’s Table: A Frozen Family Feast, a new Frozen dining show
Wishing Well, a lounge inspired by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Sea Notes, a piano bar inspired by The Little Mermaid
A Moana-themed Grand Hall, with a bronze statue of Moana, Pua and Heihei
The ship will sail four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, all from Fort Lauderdale.
What is Disney Vacation Club?
It’s Disney’s timeshare program. Members buy into DVC and get Vacation Points every year, which they mostly use to book stays at DVC resorts.
Those points can stretch further, though, including to Disney cruises through the exchange program. Perks like early booking windows and members-only sailings are part of the appeal.
The newest DVC resort, Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, is set to open at Walt Disney World on July 1, 2027.
If you’re a member hoping to grab a spot on the Believe, mark Nov. 21 on your calendar and check your eligibility before then.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Disney Vacation Club announcement on Instagram, Oct. 9, 2026: First Wave sailing date, booking date and fine print
WDW News Today, Oct. 9, 2026: DVC member cruise details
DCL Fan, Oct. 9, 2026: DVC member cruise details
Disney Parks Blog, Oct. 7, 2026: Disney Believe venues, maiden voyage and general booking date
WDW News Today, Oct. 8, 2026: Disney Believe sailing list, prices and early booking windows
planDisney, Jan. 28, 2026: how DVC members book cruises with Vacation Points
WDW News Today, Oct. 1, 2026: Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge opening date
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