It’s time to watch Frozen again, this time in the middle of the Rhône River
Not long ago, we reported here at Famvia that Celebrity Cruises was launching a brand-new river cruise brand, with plans for 10 ships to sail across Europe in the future. While details remain scarce, it’s clear that Celebrity is setting its sights on some of the world’s most iconic rivers, including the Seine, the Danube, and the Douro.
Then, on February 4, 2025, Disney surprised river cruise fans with an exciting announcement. Starting in 2026, Adventures by Disney will introduce a brand-new river cruise itinerary through southern France, visiting some of the most beautiful (and romantic) cities in Europe.
Here’s what Disney had to say:
“This eight-day, curated adventure will begin in Lyon, one of the world’s culinary capitals, and sail through charming towns in the Rhône River Valley to Provence, a picturesque region in the south of France that is rich with cultural, artistic, historical, and culinary delights. Along the way, interactive experiences will captivate and inspire as you travel through the charming areas of Tournon, Viviers, Avignon, and Arles.”
For those unfamiliar, Adventures by Disney provides group-guided family vacations to destinations around the world. While this isn’t exactly Disney Cruise Line, it could very well be a test run, gauging logistics and guest reception before Mickey & Co. fully commit to Disney-branded river cruises.
Could Disney Revolutionize River Cruising?
One of the biggest limitations of river cruises today is the lack of entertainment options compared to ocean cruises. Due to their smaller size, river ships can’t accommodate massive theaters, multiple restaurants, or onboard waterparks.
But if anyone could change that, it’s Disney. As one of the world’s biggest entertainment brands, it could redefine river cruising in creative ways, or even in very simple ones. I think Disney would only need a pool and a big screen playing Moana to make river cruising more family-friendly.
Disney could also experiment with fun thematic cruises. How about a Star Wars Imperial Destroyer cruising down the Rhine? Or a Toy Story-inspired vessel making its way through the Seine? The possibilities are endless.
With so many new ocean vessels on the horizon, let’s wait and see if Mickey is ready to explore the world’s rivers as well.
