I feel it is time to address Dumbo, you know, the elephant in the room… Disney Cruise Line’s Summer 2017 Itineraries. I did not plan on combing through port calendars to trump DCL’s announcement, but I cannot seem to escape the comments, emails, tweets and DMs asking me when Disney will announce the Summer 2017 sale dates. If you are looking for a release date to pencil on your calendar, you will not find that below. However, I will share some vague thoughts.
Back in February when DCL started the Half off promotion, I made it a point to bring attention to the expiration date of the offer; not because it tied directly to an itinerary release, but to suggest the release would not happen until after this date. The offer is set to expire Sunday, March 27th which so happens to be Easter. With spring break season peaking, I would not expect the release until after next week. Digging back in the archives, the last time DCL released summer itineraries in April for the ships was 2011 for 2012. It is safe to say work has been done on the website to prep for the release considering the cruise search criteria was recently expanded to include June – September 2017.
There is evidence the Disney Magic will return to Europe in 2017. I believe I’ve also found her as an unnamed ship in a few Mediterranean ports in later part of the summer. Additionally, I found an unnamed ship spending the night in Reykjavik arriving on the 4th of July. Although, all ship details are blank, but it seems very similar to something we experienced in 2015…
The Disney Wonder’s port date in San Diego suggest she will embark on a 14-night Westbound Panama Canal Cruise from Port Canaveral on 4/23/17. Once in San Diego the Disney Wonder appears to sailing 3 Baja (Mexican Riviera) cruises including a 5-night, 2-night and 3-night. Then on May 17, she leaves San Diego suggesting a 5-night repo to Vancouver to begin her regular Monday departures for the 7-Night Alaskan Cruises on May 22, 2017.
I do not expect much variation in the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy itineraries, especially while the Classics are off having fun. I would expect the Disney Fantasy to continue alternating between 7-Night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises with Saturday departures while the Disney Dream turns and burns the 3- and 4-night Bahamian route. About the only thing that could be interesting for the Disney Dream would be a few 5-night sailings with two stops at Castaway Cay like they offered in 2011, 2012 and 2015, but dropped for 2016.
So why a bit of a delay this year based on the pattern set the last few? My first thought is the longer DCL waits, the less people can jump ship from the Summer 2016 sailings to a better one in 2017. There is also the supply and demand of cruises, with less inventory, the cruise fares do not seem as goofy.
Bottom line, we are all anxiously waiting for the itinerary release. If the typical pattern holds, the announcement will be made on a Monday or Tuesday followed by Platinum & Gold booking the next day via phone then online for anyone to book the next.
What kind of itinerary do you hope DCL announces?
Does Magic appear to be in the Mediterranean for a 12-night August 2017? If so I hope its the same itinerary as the 2016 12-night.
Thanks for posting this Scott! We have excitedly been waiting to book the Dream for August 2017 – finally get that “grand slam”!
I was really hoping for a 7 night Mexico cruise out of San Diego. But I guess maybe I’ll have to go to Alaska. ? Actually, I’m really more interested in the Fall 2017 itineraries. I think those are usually announced in May, right? Any speculation on those itineraries? Haha just kidding (sort of). I’ve been checking your blog every day cause I know this is where I’ll find the info first! ?
Gina… Go to ALASKA!!! I have done both and Alaska was BY FAR my favorite Disney cruise I have taken so far! In the experience I had, Disney offered far more of a theme in the Alaska cruise. Check out the excursion details. Disney has really done well in immersing their guests in the Alaskan experience. There were geography narrations, character experiences, an outdoor BBQ and so many other things that truly made the Alaskan cruise a destination instead of just a cruise. None of that existed on the Mexico cruise. The Alaskan cruise was worth every penny! Whichever you choose though, it will be great because after all… it’s Disney, right? Happy Sailings!
Thanks Pam! It sounds wonderful. It’s definitely on my list! ?
Yup. I’m with Pam. Cruise to Alaska was amazing.
The DCL Alaska cruise is AWESOME. We did it in 2015 as a DVC members only cruise.
Alaska Cruise also usually includes an on-board naturalist who gives a different presentation each day…is available for questions around the ship…and does a fantastic commentary as you sail up Tracy Arm! GREAT trip
Hi Scott, I sent you an email this morning about the Hawaii Port Adventures being on the DCL website and I see you added the Twitter posting. Any personal thoughts?
I am having a hard time speculating based on info I see on DCL’s website because of their recent relaunch of the site. There are a lot of things that do not add up, but it is too early to tell if it is by design, mistake or just haven’t been removed from last year’s sailings.
Fair enough. I was wondering the exact same thing. Thanks!
Just praying for a interesting cruise in June 2017 to celebrate daughter’s HS graduation and birthday.
I’d love to see any Disney cruise ship make Boston a departure port, not just a port to visit. Great opportunities for sailing up the Maine coast to Canada. Or to Bermuda. With these days of air travel being so unpleasant and so expensive, it’s a drain on the budget and antithetical to the relaxation of a cruise to bookend a Disney cruise with air travel in and out of Orlando. I think it’s time Disney brought their cruise experience directly to more people. And as much as I love Castaway Cay, I’d happily drop that from an itinerary if I could also drop the air travel!
With two new ships in Disney’s future you just may get your wish.
Sailing out of San Diego would be very easy for us to drive down. I’m disappointed that there won’t be 7 days cruises. May have to do the 5 and 2 day itineraries to make 7. Also may have to wait til October when hopefully there will be 7 day cruises. Was really hoping release date was yesterday; then I thought maybe next week. Arrrggghhhh! Cannot wait!
Amy, An earlier report suggests the Disney Wonder may sail some voyages after the Alaskan season.
Hi, Scott! When you had posted the information about Wonder going to Mazatlan, I went CRAZY happy!!! I had posted your blog on DISboards and in our October FB group cuz I know there are people out there that would be as excited as me!!! I plan on making deposits for May 2017 & October 2017! ???
Is there any reason why the Dream or Fantasy don’t get scheduled for Alaska? I’m looking forward to cruising to Alaska with DCL, but not crazy about being on an old ship like the Wonder.
The major obstacle right now is the Panama Canal.
Also I believe larger ships have trouble navigating the narrower channels such as Sawyer Glacier and many of the ports can not handle the bigger ships.
The Panama Canal expansion opens Sunday June 26, 2016. However, Tracy Arm is still the same size! And it is tight already with the classics
The Wonder is getting a major refurb this fall. You won’t be able to tell it’s not a brand new ship.
The Wonder is a great ship for Alaska. She’s an older ship, not an old ship.
hi just wondering when rest of 2017 cruises wil be release because looking at maybe europe, can u give me an idea when these will be release
See above.
perhaps they’re waiting to release the cruises till they see if the Panama Canal is actually finished.
It is finished. The inauguration date has been set for Sunday, June 26
Want to go to Alaska in June 17…. Unless they add a Med. cruise that month☀ (oh who am I kidding….wherever they sail I’ll go! It’s a full blown addiction?)
Rumor what I have been told if the canal is done then Disney is sending the wonder to Europe and sending the dream to Alaska. This way that ship holds more people.. Right now it seems like Alaska is becoming very popular
Bigger is not better in Alaska- a bigger ship can’t get into the nooks and crannies that a small ship can on the Inside passage. The Wonder is PERFECT there!
I don’t believe the Dream or the Fantasy could ever make it to Vancouver to sail in Alaska. I was on the Wonder last July and she barely clears the Lion’s Gate Bridge in Vancouver. The bridge they say is about 70 meters off the water and the height of the Dream is 217′. I vaguely remember them saying that was the reason the Wonder was sailing Alaskan. It was not just an issue with the Panama Canal.
Eric, Your height is not completely accurate, you need to adjust for her draft.
The Fantasy drafts an additional 3 feet compared to the Wonder yet has 3 additional decks. Just pointing out she is considerably taller than the Wonder. Again, I remember crew members mentioning height issues with the bridge.
I was really hoping we would have heard something from DCL today. 🙁
I was really hoping they would post summer 2017 itineraries today. With the half off the down payment promotion expiring yesterday, I thought for sure it would be today. My kids are dying to know when our next cruise will be.
I want Hawaii and the British Isles!!!
If I remember correctly october 7th was when DCL opened the early 2017 dates. I am wondering if they are waiting for the 6 month mark which would be april 7th. I am anxiously awaiting to book my first disney cruise!
I personally would like to see the Wonder in Galveston for the summer. I can’t tell you how many calls I get from customers wanting to book a Disney cruise out of Galveston, but end up book another cruise line because they can only sail during the summer due to school.
Me too!
My cruise site doesnt have check boxes for june 2017 to dec 2017 like the picture, does everyone else have it?
It was only on the DCL website for a short period of time before it was fixed.
Scott, since you got to see it early because of technicality, why not share some of the schedules that you observed? We don’t mind spoilers!
Ruben, that screenshot was emailed to me and I do not think any results were found if those dates were selected.
I would Love a Cuban port hopefully in the future!
This wait is almost painful! We were planning originally to do an Alaskan 2016, but then life happened and we had to postpone for a year. So we’ve been planning/eagerly awaiting this cruise for 2 and a half years already! And that’s just to book it. Though from every thing I hear about Disney cruises this Alaskan 2017 will be well worth the wait.
Off topic I know…but…Yes, the Disney Alaska cruise is Wonder-ful. In particular, the excursions were some of the most memorable moments of our kids’ lives. They are now 13 and 11 and they still talk about things that happened back in 2012.
I’m looking forward to booking a Norwegian Fjords and Iceland cruise for summer 2017. Every day I look. Every day I am left empty handed (yet full wallet-ed!). I’m assuming it will be around the same dates as 2016 which is July 13 on the Disney Magic. Any thoughts on changes to that date for 2017?
I hope for your sake they will return to Iceland in 2017.
Uh oh! Is it disappearing?!
I don’t understand why Disney is so behind in introducing their schedule. I just jumped over to RCI to look at family cruises in 2017 and there are listings for all summer.
I checked the port of San Diego schedule for May of 2017, and the Disney Wonder is scheduled to dock in San Diego a few times.
Still no schedule today. Every other cruise line has their summer schedules out already, so inevitably families will start booking with those companies. We are so excited to cruise with Disney (we have cruised with other lines, but not Disney), but we can’t wait to book! 🙂
Why does Disney insist on toying with my emotions for so long… Please release summer of 2017 already!!
Any rumors about east and westbound transatlantic cruises for 2017? We went on one in 2014 and are anxious for another!
I called DCL today and they said that dates might be available mid-April or sometime in May. This is quit ridiculous. What is wrong with DCL? Every other cruise line has Summer 2017 dates out, except DCL. They really need to get their act together. The delay prevents people from proactively planning.
Come’on Mickey, release the Summer 2017 schedule! What’s the hold up Scott? I am eager to book!!!!
Maybe this means Disney has something big coming soon or the terrorist events in Europe has made them rethink safety and ports of call.
Sadly thoughts of terrorism with Disney as a target are a real concern. Wonder how they train for this possibility?
OK…that puts a whole new spin on things. If DCL’s delay in releasing Summer 2017 is a deliberate choice…Why?
1) They have awesome new Itineraries planned and want to get within 120 days of August Xth to announce so people can’t cancel their 2016 cruises.
2) They want to fix the new website before putting more strain on the system (for example, good luck getting info on a cruise that is fully booked but more than 120 days out).
3) They are planning to allow Gold and Platinum Castaway members to book ‘in advance’ online and there are still a few bugs in the system.
And a related question…has anyone here been onboard on the Gold/Platinum day? Do they allow advance onboard bookings?
April 6 and still nothing yet…we are anxiously trying to decide April 2017 *which i know is already out there or June, we really want to try another ship, we did the Wonder in 15 for a 5 day Carribean it was amazing but i found the weather not really hot enough for me in April on Castaway…fingers crossed it’s soon. Has anyone ever gone out of San Juan…that looks like a great one in April 7 days on the Magic! Decent pricing too.
Sue, San Juan is beautiful in January. In addition, from there, we sailed to St. Marteen and then to Castaway Cay. Weather was awesome in the first week of January and the price was reasonable! I too was planning a Southern Carribean in April 2017 but it doesn’t sail to Castaway Cay. Our children love Castaway Cay, we can’t imagine doing a sailing without it! I’m from Southern California and I hoping to see schedules out of San Diego.
Unless you are looking to stay in a suite or concierge room book the April 2017 cruise and switch into a June 2017 cruise if you find any you like better.
That said, I very much enjoyed the Disney Wonder Southern Caribbean cruise out of San Juan this January. Very warm, very beautiful, I went snorkeling almost every day.
I think it wil be end of april or beginning may as usually disney only release winter cruises upto april of forthcoming year so wil hav cruises up till nov 17 that is my thought
Stumbled on this looking for ANY hint DCL may do the British Isles again in 2017. Kicking myself we didn’t jump on 2016 but with two DCL cruises planned it’s not in the cards. Waiting like everyone else…come on Mouse!
Good morning!!!
Any news this morning regarding DCL summer 2017 schedule release date?
I think it wil defo be beginning may as they go up til may 17 so this is my predicton may 16 wil be announce for summer 2017
According to DIS Unplug, schedules may be released tomorrow (4/12). We shall see.
Summer 2017 cruise details are online now! No booking yet, but dates and ports are available!!!
Sorry I got ahead of myself. Those were still 2016 dates I found. It is updated to show 2017 options in general though.
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/featured/2017-itineraries/
From the cruise website:
Summer 2017 itineraries will be open for booking on Thursday, April 14, 2016.
I’m practically bouncing in my chair! Thursday cannot come quick enough!
My travel agent with ears of experience contacted me this morning once the email came to her.
I am soooo excited! Wish that U.S. Newbie castaway club members could book a day early too! ?
Same here! Knowing that my favored rooms (I’ve done tons of research Through Disney passporters) may be taken has me biting my nails.
Can anyone give me a ballpark figure how much the 2017 – 11 day southern Caribbean balcony would cost to 4 people?
has anyone gone on the eastern Caribbean?