Disney Cruise Line’s first cruise ship to be based in Asia, originally set to make its maiden voyage from Singapore in December, has been postponed until March 2026, disappointing passengers.
The firm announced Thursday that the Disney Adventure will move its first voyage from Dec. 15 to March 10 next year because of unforeseen delays in shipbuilding.
“To ensure the experience we deliver reflects our commitment to excellence, we’ve made the decision to adjust our timeline,” said Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences, which oversees DCL’s family travel and leisure business, in response to queries from Mothership.
“We know this may be disappointing to our guests, and we’re working directly with them to offer flexible rebooking options and uphold the trust they place in us.”
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Disney Adventure cruise ship. Photo from Disney Cruise Line’s website |
The ship began sea trials last week to test its systems and will be based in Singapore for at least five years.
Those who have booked the original maiden sailing will automatically be placed on the new one on March 10, and will receive a 50% refund, according to The Straits Times.
For those not able to travel on that date, DCL offered a full refund and the option to rebook any future sailing at half price, valid for cruises departing on or before March 31, 2027.
Introduced last year as a floating theme park for travelers from Southeast Asia and India, the Disney Adventure will feature seven themed zones, including a 250-meter Iron Man rollercoaster on its upper deck touted as the longest rollercoaster at sea and the first ever on a Disney cruise.
Disney has not revealed how many guests are affected, but its booking calendar shows that around 25 sailings will be impacted, according to Bloomberg.
The ship can accommodate up to 6,700 passengers, and tickets for its maiden voyage sold out on the first day of general sales last December.
Prices for three- and four-night cruises in 2026 start at US$1,060 and US$1,412 per person, respectively, according to the cruise’s booking website.
Delays to maiden voyages are not uncommon in the cruise industry. Disney’s Florida-based Disney Wish was pushed back in 2022 while other lines, like Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International, have also postponed inaugural sailings due to ship completion issues.
The Disney Adventure differs from other Disney cruise ships as it was bought partially built from Genting Hong Kong in 2022.
Disney had previously announced plans to double investment in its cruise and parks business to $60 billion by 2033 and similarly grow its fleet from the current six ships to 13 by 2031.
