Disney Cruise Line made the decision to modify the July and August Eastern Caribbean sailings with a stop a scheduled stop in Tortola with a day in St Maarten. Tortola, British Virgin Islands continues to recover from the effects of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. As a result, the Disney Fantasy will continue to substitute their day in Tortola with a visit to St Maarten through Augusts. In May, it was revealed DCL wants to return, but the area must be safe for all guests.
Any passengers that have pre-reserved Port Adventures in Tortola, these will automatically be removed from their cruise activities. Passengers are encouraged to explore Port Adventure opportunities in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, by visiting the My Cruise Activities section of DCL’s website once their reservation is paid in full and within their Castaway Club level booking window.
Future Disney Magic and Disney Wonder sailings are not impacted as this time as they are not scheduled to visit Tortola until the fall of this year and early 2019 respectively.
The revised itinerary is below:
- Port Canaveral (Embarkation)
- At Sea
- At Sea
- St. Maarten
- St. Thomas (St. John)
- At Sea
- Castaway Cay
- Port Canaveral (Debarkation)
The full list of sail dates altered is as follows.
- Saturday July 14, 2018 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral
- Saturday July 28, 2018 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral
- Saturday August 11, 2018 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral
As it stands, the next scheduled Disney Cruise to Tortola will be the August 25th departure of the Disney Fantasy.
Disney Cruise Line is sending the following correspondence out to guests and travel agents. Special thanks to Steward Bayuk for passing along the email.
We would like to provide you with an important update regarding your Disney Fantasy cruise itinerary.
The British Virgin Islands are still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. As a result, it is necessary to modify the itinerary for the Disney FantasyEastern Caribbean sailings through mid-August. The port call to Tortola, British Virgin Islands, will be replaced with a visit to Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
The revised itinerary is:
- Saturday Port Canaveral, Florida
- Sunday Day at Sea
- Monday Day at Sea
- Tuesday Philipsburg, St. Maarten
- Wednesday St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Thursday Day at Sea
- Friday Castaway Cay, Bahamas
Saturday Port Canaveral, Florida (Debarkation)If you have pre-reserved Port Adventures in Tortola, they will automatically be removed from your cruise activities. To book a Port Adventure in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, please visit the My Cruise Activities section of our website on or after Friday, June 15, 2018. Modifications to your pre-arranged Cruise Activities and Port Adventures can be made online up to three days prior to your sailing.
Should you have any questions related to your reservation, please contact your original booking agent or call us at 1-855-347-2784 or 407-566-7054.
We appreciate your understanding and look forward to providing you with an enjoyable sailing.
Sincerely,
The Cast and Crew
Disney Cruise Line
Were on the first sailing still currently listed as going to Tortola (Aug 25). So, I’m guessing we won’t know for sure where we are going until late July at the earliest. I would still say it’s more likely we don’t go to Tortola…but we’ll remain in limbo for anther 6 weeks or so.
It is hard to say. DCL only changed 3 sailings this time around suggesting they may be a little more optimistic. To be safe, if I were you, I’d plan for both.
I am on the 9/8/18 Eastern and they have cancelled at least three (3) more excursions due to safety for our cruise.
As the developer responsible Tortola Pier Park and for securing for the Disney calls in Tortola I would expect that even with new rescheduled calls no significant improvements have been made to enhance the on island experience. Until Tortola can clean up its act and develop better shore ex programs the line may continue to look for excuses not to call. They will call if no other options are available and they do not want an added day at Sea.
I’ve heard from others that they have not enjoyed this port of call and would rather go back to St. Maarten. During our visit, we went on an excursion to Norman Island only to return to Tortola for lunch at Pusser’s before returning the the Fantasy. As a result, I had a positive experience, but now that I think about it, we did not really do anything in Tortola. It was more of a stepping stone to something else.