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Disney’s Magical Asian Voyage: A New Frontier In Cruise Adventures

In an exciting development for Disney enthusiasts and travel aficionados alike, Disney Cruise Line is preparing to embark on its inaugural Asian voyage. The highly anticipated Disney Adventure cruise is set to depart from Singapore in December 2025, marking a significant milestone in Disney’s maritime offerings.

Eager travellers can secure their spots starting December 10, 2024, a year ahead of the maiden voyage. The cruise offers a range of options to suit various preferences and budgets. Prices start from $958 for a three-night getaway for two adults.

Themed Suites and Inaugural Voyage

Disney is introducing two special royal suites inspired by the hit movie “Frozen”. The Elsa Royal Suite features icy decor, while the Anna Royal Suite offers a summer forest ambience. Both suites include spacious living areas and child-friendly bedrooms.

Passengers on the inaugural voyage on December 15, 2025, will pay a premium. The three-day journey’s price starts at $780 per person.

The Disney Adventure Experience

The cruise ship, accommodating 6,700 passengers, boasts seven themed areas inspired by beloved Disney, Pixar, and Marvel franchises:

  • Garden of the Imagination: A central outdoor area featuring a fairytale castle,
  • Toy Story Place: An exciting water park with slides and a playground,
  • San Fransokyo Street: A vibrant market area inspired by “Big Hero 6”,
  • Town Square: A multi-deck area filled with shops, lounges, and eateries,
  • Disney Discovery Reef: A marine-themed dining zone,
  • Marvel Landing: An adventure zone featuring Disney’s first at-sea roller coaster.

The cruise package includes meals, live entertainment, and character experiences, with additional charges for alcohol, internet, and exclusive adult dining options.

Looking Ahead

Disney Cruise Line has strategically unveiled details throughout the year, building anticipation for this new venture. Cruises are currently bookable through March 2026, and the ship, thanks to a partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board, will call Singapore its home port for at least five years.

This Asian expansion represents a new chapter in Disney’s cruise offerings, promising to bring Disney’s magic to the high seas of Asia for years to come.

Forbes Middle East Unveils 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen Of 2025

Forbes Middle East has unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 ranking of the region’s top businesswomen, spotlighting influential leaders reshaping industries and driving meaningful transformation. The list was based on business size, individual accomplishments, leadership impact, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Top Spot For Hana Al Rostamani

For the third consecutive year, Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (UAE’s largest bank by assets), claims the top position. In addition to retaining her position in the Forbes Middle East ranking, she was also featured on Forbes’ 2024 list of the World’s Most Powerful Women, securing the 60th position globally. Under her leadership, the bank achieved an impressive $3.5 billion in net profits and $334.8 billion in assets in the first nine months of 2024.

Rising Stars In The Top 10

Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar of NBK Group and Shaista Asif, cofounder and Group CEO of PureHealth Holding, take the second and third spots respectively, completing the top three.

The top 10 remains largely unchanged from last year, with Tayba Al Hashemi of ADNOC Offshore, Alisha Moopen of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, and Suzanne Al Anani of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) making their debut in the top 10. In total, 27 new leaders have joined the list this year.

A Diverse And Powerful Group Of Women

This year’s list features 100 women from 32 sectors and 29 nationalities, underlining the diversity of talent driving the region’s progress. The banking and financial services sector leads with 25 entries, followed by healthcare and technology with nine each, and venture capital with five. Remarkably, 40% of the top 10 women are from the banking and financial services sector. Notably, Shaista Asif (PureHealth Holding) and Alisha Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare GCC) are the only non-Arab women in the top 10.

UAE Leads With 46 Leaders

The UAE continues to dominate, with 46 of the women on the list hailing from the country, solidifying its status as a global business hub. Egypt follows with 18 influential women, and Saudi Arabia claims nine entries. Egyptians lead in representation, followed by Emiratis and Lebanese women.

Empowering Women Through Initiatives

Several of the leaders have focused on upskilling and creating opportunities for women. Susana Rodriguez Puerta launched the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative in collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council, aimed at providing 500 female council members in the UAE with AI skills. Similarly, Lamia Tazi of SOTHEMA collaborated with the Foundation for Research, Development, and Innovation in Science and Engineering to provide scholarships to PhD students from low-income backgrounds.

Click here for the full list.

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