Disney Adventure cruise pushes back maiden voyage from December 2025 to March 2026 due to 'unexpected delays'

Disney Adventure announced on Thursday (Sep 11) that it has delayed its maiden voyage. The cruise ship owned and operated by Disney Cruise Line was originally set to depart from Singapore's Marina Bay Cruise Centre on Dec 15, 2025. The new date for its debut is now Mar 10, 2026. 

In a statement, Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences, said the postponement was due to “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,” he said. “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.”

Disney Cruise Line acquired the ship in question from Genting Hong Kong's Dream Cruises when it was partially built. 

According to a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson, 25 sailings scheduled between Dec 15, 2025, and Mar 12, 2026, will be affected. The company is contacting impacted guests and travel agents directly to provide alternatives.

When CNA Lifestyle asked how many guests or bookings were affected, the spokesperson did not provide a figure. The ship, with Singapore as its exclusive home port, has an estimated capacity of 6,700 passengers, with around 2,500 crew members.

IMPACT ON GUESTS

Guests who had booked to sail on the original maiden voyage will be offered the option to sail on the new date on Mar 10, 2026, with a 50 per cent discount applied to their fare.

If they cannot make it for the new date, they may request a full refund and still use the 50 per cent discount towards any future Disney Cruise Line voyage booked by Mar 31, 2026, for sailings departing by Mar 31, 2027.

Guests who were booked on other affected sailings up to Mar 12, 2026, will automatically receive a full refund. They will also receive a 50 per cent discount on a future Disney Cruise Line voyage, subject to the same booking and sailing deadlines above.

Guests ready to select a new sail date should speak with their travel advisor, or if they booked directly with Disney Cruise Line, they can call the company’s contact centre using the numbers listed on its website. 

Jacqueline Ng, director of cruise at the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), said that the postponement does not impact the board's partnership with Disney Cruise Line, reiterating the board's confidence in the cruise company's quality delivery of services alongside its “comprehensive plan to assist affected travellers”.

"Disney Cruise Line remains committed to homeporting exclusively in Singapore for at least five years, commencing March 2026," she added. "We expect the ship to bring several million passengers over the five-year period."

Online travel and leisure booking platform Klook told CNA Lifestyle it would provide full refunds to all affected customers. A spokesperson added that the platform will continue to honour promotions and perks tied to original bookings, and that guests can reach out to support [at] klook.com (Klook via email) or with an agent through the in-app chat under their booking.

Those who rebook through Klook will also receive a Klook voucher.

Pearlyn Xu, 41, a sales administrator, booked her tickets on the official Disney Cruise Line website as soon as they were released in December 2024.

“I’m disappointed as my friend and her family also booked the same trip for December this year, and we were really looking forward to celebrating the new year together,” she said.

Xu, along with Daniel Walker, 38, an enrichment teacher, plans to rebook using the 50 per cent discount offered by Disney Cruise Line. Walker and his family had purchased their tickets at the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) Fair last year, hoping to celebrate his daughter’s third birthday with a Disney-themed party in January 2026.

Both Xu and Walker voiced concerns that their preferred dates may no longer be available, as holiday sailings are likely to sell out quickly.

Ling Yan Ting, a 31-year-old freelancer, wants to take the postponement positively. “I initially booked for my birthday in January, but my family and I can just make different plans and still go for a cruise in the future at half price,” she said.

Xu added: “Some guests may have needed to fly in for the cruise, so this delay is a bigger hassle for them compared to me since I’m based in Singapore.”