Port dropped for Disney cruise ship, now sailing to nowhere

Guests who have boarded Disney wonder on Monday October 28, 2024 were surprised to learn that they would not be given the itinerary they expected and that in fact they would have no port visits at all and a later arrival for disembarkation at the end of the cruise.

The ship is sailing from Brisbane to Melbourne, Australia, and the original itinerary for this four-day one-way voyage included a stop in Eden on Wednesday, October 30 from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

However, now guests have been told that Wednesday will be a day at sea instead nothing but sea days for the entire cruise.

“Due to unplanned maintenance on the hull, it is necessary to replace your visit to Eden with a day at sea,” the letter delivered to the guests was read.

The letter makes it clear that all pre-purchased Port Adventures guests booked through Disney Cruise Line will be “removed from your onboard plans,” as is customary with any port cancellation.

Unfortunately, the port change is not the only disruption to this special canal. Disney wonder The arrival in Melbourne was originally scheduled for around 8 a.m., but now that arrival could also be postponed.

“Additionally, we expect that our arrival in Melbourne on Friday may be delayed as disembarkation commences at 12:00 noon,” the letter explained. “We will make an announcement 24 hours prior to our arrival in Melbourne to confirm the final arrival time.”

This will be a challenge for travelers who may have arranged their post-cruise travel plans soon after a previous disembarkation. Because Melbourne Airport is less than a 30-minute drive from the cruise terminal, morning flights are popular with cruise travelers.

No further details have been provided on the “unplanned hull maintenance”, but hull cleaning may be necessary to comply with regional environmental regulations.

Also read: What’s on the bottom of a cruise ship?

Disney wonder sails from Melbourne on return routes through November 20, but then moves to Auckland, New Zealand for several sailings.

New Zealand is quite strict on environmental regulations and several cruise ships from different shipping companies often had to adjust their itineraries for hull cleaning before arriving in the region.

Cunard Lines Queen Elizabeth was refused entry to New Zealand until after a more extensive hull cleaning in January 2023, following similar changes for Princess Cruises, Viking Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises ships.

Compensation provided by Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line is offering guests significant compensation for these changes: eliminating the sole port of call and delaying disembarkation.

“In appreciation of your understanding of this itinerary change, we will provide each cabin with a $250 non-refundable, non-transferable onboard credit, which can only be used on this sailing.” the cruise line said.

“Additionally, we are offering every guest on your cruise a future cruise discount of 20% off their travel fare.”

The future cruise discount is only valid for 24 months from the original departure date of October 28, 2024, and block dates do apply.

Additionally, the discount may not be used on maiden voyage sailings, but may be used on non-maiden voyages aboard upcoming cruises. Disney treasurethat was just delivered to the cruise line and will begin welcoming guests in December.

Disney Cruise Line is rapidly expanding and sailing on board Disney destiny from Fort Lauderdale And Disney adventure from Singapore may also be eligible, as the ships will debut in November and December 2025 respectively.

The cruise line is not obligated to provide such compensation, but it can be very helpful in mitigating disappointment and encouraging guests to set sail again.

No doubt the 945 international crew members are on board Disney wonder will work hard to provide extra activities, princess encounters and entertainment during the extra day at sea.

The 84,130 gross ton Magic class ship can welcome 2,400 guests on board, who are sure to have a wonderful cruise wherever the ship sails.