Disney Wish Maiden Voyage Moved to July 14, 2022 as Inaugural Sailings Delayed Due to Shipyard Delays

Today, Disney Cruise Line emailed guests booked on the Maiden Voyage, the following DVC sailing, and additional sail dates into July that the Disney Wish will be delayed by six weeks. 

The Meyer Werft shipyard notified Disney Cruise Line, that despite their very best efforts, will need more time to finish the Disney Wish. The setback is due in part to the pandemic and particularly the arrival of the Omicron variant in Germany at a critical point in the production process.

As a result, Disney Cruise Line is regrettably left with no other choice than to delay the ship’s maiden voyage until July 14, 2022, and is reaching out to affected guests to help them adjust their vacation plans. Among the options all impacted guests will have to choose from is a 50 percent discount on a future cruise departing by December 31, 2023.

Guests booked on the June 9th Maiden Voyage and the June 14th DVC cruise are being moved to the new sail dates of July 14th and July 19th respectively.

“We know how much our guests are looking forward to sailing on the Disney Wish, and we understand the disappointment and inconvenience this will cause. We treasure the relationship we have with those who sail and make memories with us, and we will work closely with those affected to welcome them aboard in the future,” said Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Cruise Line. “Despite this unavoidable adjustment to our plans, our team at Disney Cruise Line has never been more optimistic about the future and cannot wait to welcome families aboard the magnificent Disney Wish.”

Archived version of video above.

Below is a list of the impacted sailings for the Disney Wish.

As a result of the delay, the Disney Wish’s Friday July 22, 2022 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral will be the cruise where the sail dates stabilize and return to the previously schedule course.

Along with today’s news, Disney shared that it has been incredible to see how each new detail revealed about the Disney Wish has built excitement among Disney Cruise Line guests, cast and crew.

The team at Disney Cruise Line and the Meyer Werft shipyard have poured their hearts into bringing this beautiful new ship to life. When the Disney Wish sets sail, families will discover a mesmerizing new world created especially for them. The Disney Wish is scheduled to float out of the enclosed building dock at Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany next week, pending weather conditions.

Once the dust settles, and Disney Cruise Line’s website is updated with the new dates, I will proceed to update the sailings on our site to reflect the changes.

Email to Guests Booked on the Maiden Voyage

DCL Email Wish Maiden Delayed 20220203

02/03/2022

Reservation #:

Dear EMILY,

Over the past year, it has been nothing short of magical to see the excitement build as each new detail about the Disney Wish is revealed. Our cast and crew, as well as our partners at the Meyer Werft shipyard, have poured their hearts into bringing this magnificent new ship to life.

While we are all eagerly awaiting the ship’s debut, today we must share that our anticipation will unfortunately have to extend a bit longer than initially planned. The shipyard has notified us that despite their very best efforts, they will need more time to finish our ship due in part to the pandemic and particularly the arrival of the Omicron variant in Germany at a critical point in the process.

As a result, we are left with no other choice than to delay our maiden voyage until July 14, 2022, which will regrettably affect your sailing. We apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience we know this will cause.  And we assure you we will do all we can to help you adjust your family’s vacation plans.

Since you were booked on the original maiden voyage, we will automatically shift your reservation to our new maiden voyage scheduled for July 14, 2022, at a 50 percent discount. No action is necessary on your part if you’re able to join us on this new sailing date. You can expect to receive a confirmation with your updated statement and reduced fare in the coming days. 

If you’re unable to sail on the new maiden voyage and would like to use the 50 percent discount on a future sailing departing by December 31, 2023, any funds currently applied to your reservation will be held as a future cruise credit. The credit will automatically be applied to your account and can be used as a payment option when booking. Alternatively, you may request a full refund.* Please contact your travel advisor to assist with any changes. 

In the meantime, we encourage you to review a special message from Thomas Mazloum, (archived) president of Disney Cruise Line.

We have never been more optimistic about the future and cannot wait to welcome guests aboard the Disney Wish. The enchanting new ship will be a celebration of Disney’s rich legacy of storytelling, bringing to life the fantastical worlds and beloved characters at the heart of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars adventures like never before.

Thank you for choosing Disney Cruise Line – and thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to complete construction of the Disney Wish and ultimately deliver a uniquely magical cruise experience for you and your family. 

Sincerely,

The Cast and Crew
Disney Cruise Line

*The 50 percent discount is non-transferable, non-refundable, has no cash value, and is applied per person to be used on a sailing departing on or before December 31, 2023. Guests are responsible for any balance due after the discount has been applied. 

**The Future Cruise Credit (FCC) is equal to 100% of the guest funds applied to your reservation at the time of cancellation. The FCC is only valid for sailings departing on or before December 31, 2023. Standard prevailing rates apply and Guests are responsible for any balance due after the FCC has been applied. If you end up not being able to use your FCC, you will be eligible for a refund. Prior to the start of your earliest sailing where your Future Cruise Credit has been applied, any unused Future Cruise Credit will be automatically converted to an Onboard Credit. Standard cancellation policies and terms and conditions apply to both future cruise credits and discounts on all future sailings. Alternatively, if you request a refund prior to your next sailing, you forfeit your 50% Future Cruise Discount.

Email to Guests Booked on the Maiden Voyage

02/03/2022

Reservation #:

Dear ,

Over the past year, it has been nothing short of magical to see the excitement build as each new detail about the Disney Wish is revealed. Our cast and crew, as well as our partners at the Meyer Werft shipyard, have poured their hearts into bringing this magnificent new ship to life.

While we are all eagerly awaiting the ship’s debut, today we must share that our anticipation will unfortunately have to extend a bit longer than initially planned. The shipyard has notified us that despite their very best efforts, they will need more time to finish our ship due in part to the pandemic and particularly the arrival of the Omicron variant in Germany at a critical point in the process.

As a result, we are left with no other choice than to delay our maiden voyage until July 14, 2022, which will regrettably affect your sailing. We apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience we know this will cause. And we assure you we will do all we can to help you adjust your family’s vacation plans.

Since you were originally booked on one of the affected sailings, we would like to extend a 50 percent discount on a future cruise departing by December 31, 2023. To provide this, any funds currently applied to your reservation must be held as a future cruise credit. This credit will be automatically applied to your account in the coming days and can be used as a payment option when your travel advisor books your new reservation. Alternatively, you can request a full refund. Please contact your travel advisor to assist with any changes. Disney Wish itineraries will be available for booking beginning February 8.

We have never been more optimistic about the future and cannot wait to welcome guests aboard the Disney Wish. The enchanting new ship will be a celebration of Disney’s rich legacy of storytelling, bringing to life the fantastical worlds and beloved characters at the heart of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars adventures like never before. 

Thank you for choosing Disney Cruise Line – and thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to complete construction of the Disney Wish and ultimately deliver a uniquely magical cruise experience for you and your family.

Disney Cruise Line Cast & Crew

14 Replies to “Disney Wish Maiden Voyage Moved to July 14, 2022 as Inaugural Sailings Delayed Due to Shipyard Delays”

  1. Kate

    We are booked on this voyage and your blog post came before our letter stating the change, so way to be fast with breaking news Scott! I was a little bit devastated given how hard it’s going to be to rearrange work and travel plans, but the 50% discount is a pretty great consolation prize!

    Reply
    1. angie

      I hope it’s a discount off that provides a refund for the 1/2 the fare we already paid…and not a FCC for the other 1/2. We are paid in full already…hoping for a refund of half the fare to make up for the already booked airfare and deposits for activities the new week….any thoughts on if we can expect a 50 percent refund if we are paid in full and stay on maiden?

      Reply
      1. Jessica

        I did the online chat with DCL today and they said for the two sailings that were changed (inaugural and DVC) if you keep the new dates the 50% discount will be refunded back to the original payment. I know sometimes the DCL castmembers do not always have all of the information but I am hoping this is correct.

        Reply
      1. Jennie

        We were meant to be on with y’all and now can’t go until next summer bc we have a teacher. Such a bummer. Hope the ship is not too abused after 100 cruises lol.

        Reply
  2. Shari DeMarco

    I’m just happy we still get to sail on the maiden voyage. I rebooked the flights today and we changed our Disney hotel reservation. I just cant wait.

    Reply
  3. Dcl watchdog

    Maybe now the public will see how awful DCL treats their Cast Members.
    It has everything to do with how they treated the construction crew & nothing with covid.
    They’ve had go know for months.

    Reply
  4. Brett

    It is hard when you have reservations for a year for a specific date to sail on the maiden voyages as it only happens once in the lifetime of a ship. Let alone any of the other subsequent sailings after that. Changing plans, flights, hotels, etc is difficult at best as airlines can charge extra. Hotels are easier to work with. We just have to see what we can do to adapt I guess. That being said, I am still a bit confused as to the FCC vs monies already paid. We will figure it out in time.

    Reply

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