Disney Cruise Line has announced the need to postpone the inaugural voyage of its Disney Wish ship, scheduled for summer 2022, due to construction delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ship was scheduled to set sail on its maiden voyage on June 9 from Port Canaveral, Florida (USA), followed by a season of cruises to Nassau, the Bahamas, and Disney Cruise Line's private island. However, the German shipyard Meyer Werft, unable to meet deadlines due to the evolving pandemic in Europe, has requested more time from Disney Cruise Line to complete construction of the new cruise ship, the Disney Wish. This construction delay has forced the cruise company to postpone the maiden voyage by approximately six weeks, affecting the first 12 scheduled departures.
Disney Cruise Line has contacted affected customers and informed them of the new opening date, which will be July 14, offering them a full refund or the option to book a future cruise departing before December 31, 2023, at a 50% discount. In addition, Disney Cruise Line has temporarily suspended sales of all Disney Wish voyages until changes are processed for customers with reservations on the affected cruises.
The Disney Wish is the first of three new Disney Cruise Line ships to be built at Meyer Werft and will be powered by liquefied natural gas.
The new Disney cruise ship will feature a fairytale-inspired design and the first-ever onboard attraction, “AquaMouse,” which will allow passengers to zigzag through 230 meters of tubes suspended above the upper decks. It will also include the chance to join “The Avengers” in a cinematic Marvel culinary adventure and travel to a galaxy far, far away in what will be the first “Star Wars” experience aboard a Disney ship.
