Disney Dream Makes Maiden Visit to Madeira Island

The hull of the Disney Deam cruise ship showing its name
Cruise Industry Europe
by Eve Church

The Disney Dream made its inaugural visit to Portugal’s Madeira Island on September 16, 2026, calling at Funchal during a transatlantic voyage.

According to the Administration of the Ports of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (APRAM), the Disney Cruise Line ship arrived with 2,645 passengers and 1,436 crew members onboard.

The maiden call was marked with a traditional plaque exchange ceremony aboard the vessel, attended by ship officers, representatives from the shipping agency and local authorities. APRAM was represented by Board of Directors Member Isabel Figueiroa, while officials from Funchal’s health authorities, customs and navy were also among those attending the ceremony.

The visit came as Disney Dream wrapped up its summer season in Europe and began its repositioning voyage across the Atlantic. The 13-night cruise is sailing from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale and features calls at destinations in Spain and Portugal.

Along with Funchal, the ship’s itinerary includes Vigo and Lisbon before Dream arrives at Port Everglades later this month. Once in Florida, the vessel is scheduled to begin operating three- to seven-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to destinations in the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Before starting its transatlantic crossing, the 2011-built Disney Dream spent the summer operating a selection of Mediterranean and Northern European itineraries.

Disney Cruise Line is scheduled to return to Madeira in May 2027, when the Disney Wish makes a call at Funchal. The 2022-built vessel will visit the island during a transatlantic repositioning cruise ahead of its first European season.

The 13-night voyage will sail from Port Canaveral to Barcelona and will also include calls at Gibraltar in the United Kingdom and Cartagena in Spain. Following its arrival in Europe, Disney Wish is scheduled to operate seven- to ten-night Mediterranean cruises from ports in Spain and Italy before repositioning to Northern Europe in mid-July, and operating cruises from Southampton through mid-September.