Disney’s Newest Cruise Ship, The Disney Wish, Is Delayed By More Than A Month

The cruise industry is continuing to navigate uncharted waters as cruise lines around the world work to return to normal sailings and operations thanks to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. One cruise line that’s been hit again by delays and unforeseen circumstances is Disney Cruise Line, where the newest ship, the Disney Wish, has been delayed by more than a month.

The Disney Wish was scheduled to set sail on its maiden voyage on June 9, 2022, but the inaugural cruise has been delayed to July 14, 2022. Consequently, 12 cruises aboard the Disney Wish have been canceled between early June and mid-July. In a statement, Disney noted that the German shipyard that’s constructing the ship, Meyer Werft, needs more time to complete the construction. The country was hit by the omicron variant wave of the pandemic “at a critical point in the production process.”

Those who are impacted by the sailing cancellations can choose to request a full refund or get a 50 percent discount on a future cruise that departs by December 31, 2023. Since the announcement, Disney also paused new sales for the Disney Wish until February 8, 2022. Those who were booked on the initial maiden voyage will be booked on the new maiden voyage which now takes place in July. After its first sailing, the Disney Wish will have a season of three and four-night cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

The new sail date means that the teams at Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Cruise Line will need everything else to go smoothly to get the Disney Wish out to the ocean with guests aboard by the new inaugural sailing. The delay has no doubt cost Disney hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue just in bookings alone, without the added costs of cocktails, excursions, and premium dining options.

The Disney Wish is set to be a first-of-its-kind ship with the first Disney attraction at sea with the all-new AquaMouse water ride, Marvel-themed dining experiences, and a Star Wars-themed lounge where guests can sip on cocktails as they jump into hyperspace from planet to planet.

The new ship will also more than double the number of concierge staterooms and suites, where those guests will have access to an exclusive lounge and private sun deck. There are four royal suites onboard, where guests can see subtle hints of the stories of Tangled and Sleeping Beauty. The two-story Moana-themed Wish Tower Suite is the first-of-its-kind accommodation, perched in the funnel of the Disney Wish. All together, with standard and concierge-level rooms 4,000 passengers can travel on the vessel.