Incoming Disney CEO gives inside look at new Disney Adventure cruise
Incoming Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro gave "Good Morning America" an inside look at the new Disney Adventure cruise ship.
The eighth and largest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Adventure, is the company's first ship based in Asia.
"I think the Disney brand and the stories that we tell are both timeless and global in nature. They translate to all parts of the world," D'Amaro told "GMA." "Any time we build a new experience or we bring a ship to a new part of the world, we're always making sure that it is authentic to everything that we represent as a brand."
The cruise ship features beloved characters and themes from "Toy Story," "Moana" and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
"The Imagineers had a whole new palette to play with on this ship, from kind of a traditional splash pad to a roller coaster," D'Amaro said, noting that one of his favorite spaces on the vessel brings San Fransokyo from "Big Hero 6" to life.
The Disney Adventure was christened Tuesday, with actor Robert Downey Jr. serving as the ship's godparent. The new ship also introduces two firsts in a Disney cruise: a Marvel-themed roller coaster and a three-story castle, both part of the ship's inner courtyard, called the "Imagination Garden."
"This ship has been a long time coming. We start with a really bold vision on a product that we want to create, the Imagineers immediately get to work and here it is now," D'Amaro said.
The 1,122-foot vessel is also divided into seven themed areas and offers rotational dining restaurants like the Hollywood Spotlight Club.
Approximately 6,700 passengers will get to set sail on three- or four-night itineraries, with Disney Adventure's maiden voyage getting underway March 10, sailing from its home port of Singapore.
The arrival of the Disney Adventure coincides with D'Amaro preparing to take over as CEO of The Walt Disney Company from outgoing CEO Bob Iger.
"I'm humbled by the opportunity. I think I'm very lucky that Bob Iger has left this company in such an incredible place," D'Amaro said.
D'Amaro, 55, was most recently chair of Disney's Experiences division and was named Disney's next CEO in February, effective in March. D'Amaro joined The Walt Disney Company in 1998 and even worked at Hong Kong Disneyland in the early 2000s.
"I brought my family here. We stayed here for three or four years," D'Amaro recalled of his time in Hong Kong and Asia. "So this is a very special part of the world for me. I love everything about it. I love the people. I love culture. I love the food. I love to explore this part of world."
D'Amaro added that it's an "honor" to lead Disney into a new chapter and introduce exciting, new customer experiences.
"One of the things that I have been lucky enough to do is lead businesses where we took big swings and risks. We held on to what was so special about the company but weren't afraid of trying new things, new ambitious things, like bringing a ship to Singapore," D'Amaro added.
The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News.
