Trent Hitchcock the opening Cruise Director for the Disney Believe

On every Disney Cruise Line vessel, our cruise directors play a vital role, overseeing the entertainment, youth activities, and recreation onboard. As the next ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet begins preparations to bring these key elements to life, we are pleased to announce that Trent Hitchcock will be the opening Cruise Director for the Disney Believe when it takes its maiden voyage next year! Trent Hitchcock, an almost 20-year veteran of Disney Cruise Line who has worked on almost every ship in the fleet. A veteran of Disney Cruise Line for almost two decades, Trent has served as a cruise director for 10 years and was part of the opening team for the Disney Destiny, which launched in November 2025.

Trent Hitchcock’s Journey at Sea

Trent has been with Disney Cruise Line for nearly 20 years and served as a cruise director for 10 of those years, including being a part of the opening team for the Disney Destiny. In fact, he’s worked on every ship besides the Disney Adventure, stating, “My ship bingo card is almost full!”

With the help of his team of over 200 crew members, Trent ensures that guests of all ages have a variety of offerings to participate in, from deck parties to fireworks at sea, to events, activities, recreation, Port Adventures, and Disney Cruise Line’s signature Broadway-style shows.

When asked about what he enjoys most about his role, he cited, “The pride I get every day waking up knowing that I get to lead an incredible entertainment operation aboard the ship, and the enjoyment I see in every guest that comes on board to experience our storytelling. And when you get to see that through your own children’s eyes, that’s the best part.”

Preparing for the Disney Believe

Although the Disney Believe is more than a year away from hitting the open seas, Trent is already beginning to prepare for his role, saying “initial conversations for me begin around a year out when we start talking and developing from an entertainment perspective.”

Next year, he will be heading over to Papenburg, Germany, where the Disney Believe is being built at the Meyer Werft Shipyard, and will be with the ship for its maiden voyage and into its inaugural season. Hitchock stated that he can’t wait to see the ship for the first time, especially since this is the first time he will be so closely involved from the very beginning.

“Bringing a new ship to life is a special time and being the opening cruise director to close the Wish class is an honor and a privilege,” Trent said. “I can’t wait to share the Disney Believe with all our guests.” He’s already actively working on developing the Disney Believe’s unique slate of entertainment offerings, even though the ship is still more than a year away from setting sail. According to Trent, this is the earliest he’s ever been involved with the process of launching a new ship. In 2027, Trent will join the crew working at the Meyer Werft Shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and will be onboard the Disney Believe for her maiden voyage and inaugural season.