Bibbidi bobbidi boo-hoo: Disney Cruise Line's new Disney Wish delayed until July

Get ready for some tough news: Disney Cruise Line's eagerly awaited ship, the Disney Wish, has had its debut postponed by six weeks due to shipyard delays linked to COVID-19.

According to Disney Cruise Line, "The Meyer Werft shipyard has informed us that despite their utmost efforts, additional time is required to complete the Disney Wish, mainly due to the pandemic and the arrival of the Omicron variant in Germany at a crucial stage of production."

This vessel, which will be Disney's largest to date, is now scheduled for its inaugural voyage on July 14, 2022. Consequently, the first twelve sailings, all planned through July 18, 2022, have been canceled. Affected passengers can choose between a full refund or rebooking a Disney Wish sailing by December 31, 2023, at a 50% discount.

Guests originally booked for the June 9, 2022, inaugural will now be transferred to the July 14 sailing; those with reservations for the Disney Vacation Club Exclusive Cruise on June 14, 2022, will move to the new date of July 19, 2022.

"We recognize how eagerly our guests anticipate sailing on the Disney Wish, and we empathize with the disappointment and inconvenience this delay may cause," stated Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Cruise Line. "We value our relationship with those who sail and create memories with us, and we will collaborate closely with affected guests to ensure a warm welcome in the future."

Due to the immense popularity of the new ship, cabins filled up almost instantly. A colleague at TPG has an August sailing booked, which is the earliest availability for the Concierge Suite she wanted. Given the competitive nature of specific stateroom reservations even before the cancellations were announced, securing one now with the 50% discount on a future voyage could prove even more challenging.

Despite the delays, the cruise line confirmed that the vessel—featuring a new "Star Wars" lounge, dining options inspired by Marvel and "Frozen," a two-story in-funnel suite, and AquaMouse, an interactive waterslide—is still on track to float out of the shipyard next week, weather permitting.