The next big growth opportunity for Disney

The Walt Disney Company is entering a new era of expansion in the experiential travel segment. With the upcoming launch of its sixth cruise ship, the Disney Treasure, scheduled for December 21, 2024, and plans for seven more ships by 2031, the company is showing a clear vision: cruises are set to become a key pillar of its growth.

The Disney Treasure, which follows the previous Disney Wish ship launched in 2022, is part of a strategic expansion of the fleet, which is expected to include a total of 13 ships by 2032. This segment, which falls under the experiences division that includes theme parks, is described by analysts as highly profitable. This is due to high occupancy and revenue per room, which experts say allows the ships to outperform the industry average.

"This is a high return on capital investment," comments Ben Swinburne of Morgan Stanley, "especially as the main target group is families." The Disney Treasure can accommodate up to 4,000 passengers and 1,555 crew members.…