Make-A-Wish kids are Disney Wish godchildren

Redefining the maritime tradition of appointing a ship's godmother, this is the first time Disney is recognizing children in the role. They follow past DCL godmothers including Patty Disney, Tinkerbell, Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carey.

June 29 naming festivities 

During the Disney Wish christening ceremony June 29 at Port Canaveral, Make-A-Wish children will recite the ship's blessing.

The line also continues to support the work that wish-granting organizations do every day through newly announced initiatives including an exclusive merchandise collection and the donation of a Disney Wish cruise.

'Wishing is transformative'

'Make-A-Wish children and their families are brave, determined, resilient and some of the most inspirational people you could ever meet,' Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Chapek said. 'Wishing is a transformative experience that brings hope and joy, and it is our privilege to proudly recognize children who strive to overcome challenges as our Disney Wish godchildren.'

Since 1980, Disney and Make-A-Wish have helped grant wishes for more than 145,000 children with critical illnesses around the world. Historically, one out of every two wishes granted in the US through Make-A-Wish has been a Disney wish, with many of these wishes involving visits to global Disney destinations and sailings with Disney Cruise Line.

Limited edition merchandise collection

Disney Cruise Line and Make-A-Wish teamed to create an exclusive line of merchandise that includes a Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse plush, ear headband, trading pin, spirit jersey and tumbler.

Disney will donate 10% of the purchase price from the sale of every item in the Disney Wish Limited Edition Collection now through July 18, 2023, to Make-A-Wish. The full collection is available aboard Disney Wish, and select items will be available on shopDisney.com beginning July 18.

Stateroom donation raises $260,000

Disney Cruise Line also donated a stateroom aboard a Disney Wish sailing, an initiative that raised more than $260,000. Proceeds will benefit Make-A-Wish and Give Kids The World Village, a nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides children with critical illnesses and their families with weeklong wish vacations at no cost.