Disney Cruise Line has announced that the highly anticipated Disney Adventure will no longer make her debut on December 15, 2025. Instead, her maiden voyage is rescheduled for March 10, 2026.
The delay affects all sailings scheduled through mid-March 2026. While that news is disappointing for guests, Disney is offering rebooking and refund options and reassurances that the extra time will ensure a polished, magical experience worthy of the Disney name.
However, this is not the first time that this has happened in recent times – Disney Wish was also delayed and her maiden voyage postponed.
It’s important to note that the delay only affects the Disney Adventure. The newest Wish class ship, the Disney Destiny, is still on schedule. The Destiny is set to make her maiden voyage on November 20, 2025, and there have been no changes to that timeline.
Why the Delay?
There is no official word on the exact cause of the delay which may be due to issues discovered during the sea trials, or as a result of the interior and exterior finishings of the ship being behind scheduled and unable to be completed by the launch date.
The Disney Adventure is not a traditional new-build but a bold transformation of the unfinished Global Dream. Disney purchased the ship for about 40 million Euros, saving it from the scrapyard, and has since reportedly poured nearly a billion dollars into turning it into a “Distinctly Disney” experience at sea.
As Joe Schott, President of Disney Signature Experiences, explained:
“As we work on the final touches to bring the Disney Adventure to our guests, we’ve encountered unexpected delays in the shipbuilding process. To ensure the experience we deliver reflects our commitment to excellence, we’ve made the decision to adjust our timeline. 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.”
A Familiar Situation
This is not the first debut delay for Disney Cruise Line. In 2022, the Disney Wish was pushed back by six weeks, with guest compensation similar to what is being offered now.
We have spoken to Cast Members who were onboard Disney Wish prior to launch who commented that it was not surprising that the maiden voyage was delayed as so many things were not ready on the ship when they made the crossing from the shipyard.
By comparison, the Disney Treasure, which launched in December 2024, was far more polished and truly prepared from day one.
Options for Booked Guests
- Original Maiden Voyage Guests (Dec. 15, 2025):
Automatically rebooked on the March 10, 2026 sail date, with a 50% discount applied. Guests unable to travel can instead opt for a full refund plus a 50% discount on a future cruise (book by March 31, 2026; sail by March 31, 2027). - Other Impacted Guests (Dec. 15, 2025 – Mar. 12, 2026):
These cruises are canceled. Guests will receive a full refund and a 50% discount on a future sailing under the same booking rules.
Whilst DCL is offering these options it will not assist with expenses incurred as a result of this delay.
For example if guests had booked flights or hotels which are unable to be changed or cancelled they will not be offering compensation. This is another reason why travel insurance is essential.
What Makes the Disney Adventure Different
The Disney Adventure will be Disney Cruise Line’s largest ship ever, with space for up to 6,700 passengers and 2,111 staterooms (including Inside, Oceanview, Verandah, Concierge, and new Garden View rooms overlooking interior spaces).
Guests can expect:
- Seven immersive themed areas, including:
- Marvel Landing with attractions like Ironcycle Test Run (a roller coaster up to 30 feet above deck), Pym Quantum Racers, and Groot Galaxy Spin.
- Toy Story Place, a whimsical water playland with pools, splash pads, slides, Pizza Planet, and Wheezy’s Freezies.
- Wayfinder Bay, inspired by Moana, complete with a pool, amphitheater seating, Voyager Bar, and live show Moana: Call of the Sea.
- Disney Discovery Reef, a breezeway with ocean-inspired dining and lounges themed to The Little Mermaid, Luca, Finding Nemo, and more.
- Imagination Garden, home to the ship’s first-ever castle at sea and entertainment like Avengers Assemble! and Captain Jack Sparrow & the Siren Queen.
- Town Square, a princess-themed hub hosting the Walt Disney Theatre and new show Remember starring WALL-E.
- Dining that expands on Disney’s rotational concept, with venues like Navigator’s Club, Hollywood Spotlight Club, Animator’s Palate, and Animator’s Table—alongside premium options like Palo Trattoria and Mike & Sulley’s Flavors of Asia. New quick-service spots include Mowgli’s Eatery (The Jungle Book) and Gramma Tala’s Kitchen (Moana).
- Adult-exclusive spaces, such as the Spellbound lounge (Snow White’s Evil Queen), Tiana’s Bayou Lounge, and Buccaneer Bar.
- Kids and Teens clubs, including Andy’s Toy Box, Marvel WEB Workshop, Fairytale Hall, Edge (San Fransokyo themed), and Vibe (retro record store style).
- Broadway-style shows, including “Disney Seas the Adventure” and a brand new WALL-E musical called Remember.
Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.