It has been reported that Disney Cruise Line has informed passengers that it will delay the maiden voyage for its new Singapore-based giant cruise ship, ’Disney Adventure’.
This news came a day after the ship completed her first sea trials after seven years of construction.
The new 200,000 gt cruise ship is the largest to be built in Germany and also the largest for Disney Cruise Line.
Construction work started in 2018 at MV Werften, a shipbuilder set up by the then vessel’s owners, Genting Hong Kong.
A large section of the vessel was towed in late 2019 to the giant building hall in Wismar, Germany, and the ship was reported to be up to 80% complete when the shipbuilder and its parent went bankrupt in 2022.
Disney acquired the ship believed to be for €40 mill, backed by an agreement to complete her in Germany. Reports suggested the company has since invested around $1 bill to rebuild the vessel in the Disney style.
The line claimed that this was an “ambitious transformation” and a first-of-its-kind project for Disney Cruise Line. MEYER Werft, which is also building Disney’s other new cruise ships, was retained to oversee her completion.
‘Disney Adventure’ was floated out of the building hall in Wismar in April, and on 1st September, sailed on her first sea trials and was reported to be in the Baltic and later the North Sea, before arriving in Bremerhaven on 9th September. It was said that over 1,400 shipyard workers and contractors were on board during the trials.
“As we work on the final touches to bring the ’Disney Adventure’ to our guests, we’ve encountered unexpected delays in the shipbuilding process,” said Joe Schott, President of Disney Signature Experiences.
“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 re-booking options and uphold the trust they place in us,” he said in the letter.
She had been scheduled to embark on her first revenue earning cruise from Singapore on 15th December. This has now been put back to 10th March, 2026.
Disney recently launched the 144,000 gt ‘Disney Destiny’, the third ‘Wish’ class cruise ship being built by MEYER Werft in Papenburg, Germany. She was recently towed down the River Ems for final outfitting.
