Disney Adventure to Remain in Singapore For 2026-27

Disney Adventure to Remain in Singapore For 2026-27

The Disney Adventure will continue to offer short cruises from Singapore as part of Disney Cruise Line’s recently announced 2026-27 deployment.

According to the company’s website, the 6,000-guest vessel will operate a series of three- and four-night cruises during this timeframe.

With no ports of call, the itineraries feature two and three days at sea, respectively, before returning to Singapore.

Nearly 30 new sailings are currently scheduled to take place between October 2026 and January 2027.

Currently under construction at MV Werften in Germany, the Disney Adventure is scheduled to enter service later this year.

As the largest ship ever built for Disney Cruise Line, the 208,000-ton vessel was designed to serve the Asian market.

After departing Germany, the ship is scheduled to deadhead to Singapore ahead of welcoming its first paying guests on December 15, 2025.

During the 2025-26 season, the Disney Adventure will sail from its homeport in Southeast Asia for a series of three- and four-night cruises to nowhere.

The itineraries feature only days at sea and will continue to be offered during the summer of 2026 as well.

Originally ordered as Dream Cruises’ Global Dream, the vessel was acquired by Disney Cruise Line after its operator ceased operations in 2022.

In addition to the Disney Adventure in Singapore, Disney’s 2026-27 season will include itineraries in the Caribbean and on the West Coast.

The deployment is highlighted by capacity increases in Texas and California, with the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic offering more cruises from San Diego.

In Galveston, the Disney Magic is set to offer an extended season that includes itineraries to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Three ships are scheduled to sail from Port Canaveral during the season: the Disney Treasure, the Disney Wish and the Disney Fantasy.

The Disney Destiny and the Disney Dream will offer cruises from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades.

Disney Adding More Cruise Capacity to San Diego and Galveston

Disney Adding More Cruise Capacity to San Diego and Galveston

Disney Magic in Liverpool, UK, photo credit Spacejunkie2, Flickr

Disney Cruise Line has released its full fall 2026 and spring 2027 itineraries, offering West Coast and Texas families more sailings from San Diego and Galveston, as the Disney Wonder will leave Australia in favour of a winter program in North America.

Early bookings open Aug. 25, 2025, for select Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club members, and general bookings open Sept. 2, 2025. For additional information, visit disneycruise.com.

For the first time, San Diego will welcome two Disney Cruise Line ships.

The Disney Magic will set sail in California for two months with three-, four-, five-, six- and seven-night voyages in October and November 2026, before transitioning to Texas on a 14-night voyage from San Diego to Galveston featuring stops in Puerto Vallarta, Cartagena and Grand Cayman.

Joining the Disney Magic for seven months in San Diego, the Disney Wonder will offer three- and seven-night cruises between October 2026 and April 2027, stopping at Catalina Island in California, as well as Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Late 2026 and early 2027 will welcome an extended season of Disney cruising from Texas. The Disney Magic will set sail from the Lone Star State with four-, five- and seven-night voyages from November 2026 to April 2027. Several itineraries also include a Bahamian vacation with time at Disney Castaway Cay and Nassau.

Keel Laid for New Disney Treasure at Meyer Werft

Keel Laid for New Disney Treasure at Meyer Werft

Disney Cruise Line reached a significant milestone in the construction of its next ship, the Disney Treasure, with the keel laying ceremony at Meyer Werft shipyard.

The ship is scheduled to enter service in 2024.

The ceremony, which follows maritime tradition and brings good fortune, was celebrated with the placement of a newly-minted coin under the keel of the ship, according to a statement.

The commemorative coin used in the ceremony featured an etching of Captain Minnie Mouse donning a new look that embodies the ship’s adventure motif. The theme of adventure, inspired by Walt Disney’s love of exploration, will pave the way for captivating onboard experiences that immerse guests in some of the company’s most legendary stories.

First Look at Disney Wish at Meyer Werft

First Look at Disney Wish at Meyer Werft

The new Disney Wish has left the covered building hall at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany.

The new Disney Cruise Line ship will be powered by LNG when she debuts at Port Canaveral this summer into revenue service.

The Wish is part of a three-ship new build lineup from Disney, with more ships expected in 2023 and 2025 from Meyer Werft.

They will join the company's existing fleet of Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. 

Disney Wish Delivery Pushed Back Six Weeks

The introduction of the new Disney Wish has been pushed back six weeks, with the company citing delays at Meyer Werft.

"The shipyard has notified us that despite their very best efforts, they will need more time to finish our ship in part due to the pandemic and particularly the arrival of the Omicron variant in Germany at a critical point in the process," said a letter sent to guests from Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Cruise Line.

The new maiden voyage date is July 14, 2022. The company is said to be reaching out to booked guests to help them reschedule.

While it's true, we are shifting the timing a bit our teams are making incredible strides. This ship is going to be everything, Absolutely everything we envisioned, a majestic new member of our family, complementing our other ships while bringing to life incredible new spaces, experiences and entertainment," Malzoum said in a video sent to booked passengers.

"During my visits to the shipyard, I've been absolutely amazed by the innovation and ingenuity our teams are bringing to their work. The future is bright indeed. And you will see a whole new dimension of Disney magic when the Disney Wish launches.," he said.

Disney Cruise Line’s Float Debuts at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Disney Cruise Line’s ship float – named the Magic Meets the Sea – has debuted in New York City as part of the 95th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 25.

The float was inspired by the Disney Wish, which sets sail in summer 2022.

The Magic Meets the Sea’s participation in the parade was accompanied by a special performance by actor and singer-songwriter Jordan Fisher.

The float featured 15 Disney characters that represent the stories and experiences on the Disney Wish – including Captain Minnie Mouse who adorns the ship’s bow, Princess Tiana who's part of an interactive adventure aboard the ship, Aladdin and Jasmine whose story has been reimagined into a stage show onboard, and Cinderella whose bronze statue will stand in the Grand Hall.

The Magic Meets the Sea featured design elements including a Mickey Mouse-inspired colour palette, towering red funnels and a filigree motif along the hull.

Disney Fantasy Returns to Service

The Disney Fantasy is now back in action, having sailed on Saturday from Port Canaveral, and becoming the second Disney Cruise Line ship to resume service in North America.

Following the Disney Dream, which returned to guest operations on August 9, the 2,500-guest vessel is offering a series of short cruises to the Bahamas. The four-night voyages include one day at sea and two stops at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island destination.

According to Disney Cruise Line, Castaway Cay is consistently rated by its guests as their favourite port of call.

Located on a 1,000-acre island, the destination features one-of-a-kind areas and activities for every member of the family, according to Disney, while celebrating its natural beauties – which include crystal-clear turquoise waters, powdery white-sand beaches, palm trees and lush landscapes.

After the initial Bahamas sailings, the Disney Fantasy is resuming seven-night and longer voyages on October 9. Sailing from Port Canaveral, the itineraries feature stops in Mexico, The Bahamas and more.

Currently the newest ship in Disney’s fleet, the Disney Fantasy entered in service in 2012. Christened by the singer Mariah Carey, the vessel was built in Germany by the Meyer Werft shipyard.

Among Fantasy’s highlights is the AquaDuck, a 765-foot long, twisting-and-turning suspended water coaster; and the Animator's Palate, a dining room that comes alive with scenes from Disney movies with characters such as Mickey Mouse, Jiminy Cricket, Cinderella and Snow White.

For the adults, the vessel features Europa – and entertainment district of high-energy, sophisticated clubs and lounges.

With the Disney Fantasy, three of the four Disney Cruise Line vessels are now back in action.

On July 15, Disney Magic was the first ship to resume revenue operations for the brand, with a series of domestic “staycations” in the United Kingdom. The vessel is now wrapping up the local season before returning to the United States.

Beginning on October 28, the Disney Magic will be based in Miami, offering four- and five-night sailings to The Bahamas and Mexico.

While the Disney Dream continues offering short cruises from Port Canaveral through December, the Disney Wonder is set to welcome guests back on October 1. The vessel is resuming operations on the West Coast, sailing three- and four-night cruises from San Diego.

Disney Gets Approval for 'Test Cruise' with Volunteers

Disney Cruise Line will conduct a test and simulation cruise for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with volunteer guests aboard the 2010-built Disney Dream out of Port Canaveral for a two-night cruise.

Disney follows Royal Caribbean International as the second cruise line to get CDC approval for the test cruise option, which will lead to letting a ship operating with non-vaccinated passengers under health and safety protocols. 

For cruise lines opting to require 98 per cent of guests and 95 per cent of the crew to be vaccinated for COVID-19, there is no test cruise requirement and fewer regulations. However, some brands appear to be set to have some ships go through CDC certification to have more non-vaccinated guests to target family travel.

In a letter sent out Thomas Mazloum, President of Disney Signature Experiences announced the news in a letter.

"We now have the green light to conduct our two-night simulation cruise aboard the Disney Dream from June 29 to July 1, sailing from Port Canaveral. The ship will sail with volunteer passengers and test our newly developed health and safety protocols, which have been meticulously tailored to the current public health environment. All of these protocols are essential to cruising responsibly, and Disney Cruise Line couldn’t be more committed to making vacation dreams come true as it prioritizes the wellbeing of all who step aboard our ships," Mazloum wrote.

"Today, as we move closer to restarting our U.S. cruises, I want to spotlight the tremendous resilience and positivity of the team. Your collaboration and continued enthusiasm throughout the pandemic have been nothing short of amazing, as we’ve researched, drafted, revised and refined our comprehensive roadmap for cruising again. It has been no small feat – and I’m extremely proud of everyone."

Disney Delays Launch Dates of 2 Ships by 2 Years

Disney Wish postponed.

Disney Cruise Line will be postponing the launch of its sixth and seventh ships from 2022 and 2023 to 2024 and 2025, respectively.

This was announced by CEO Bob Chapek during the question and answer part of the Nov. 12 financial results conference call.

Chapek blamed the delay on having to go through and adapt to “quite thorough” latest CDC guidelines.

“They really entail some really high hurdles in terms of not only testing by the potential guests that we host on the ships but also a process that has to happen in order to certify our first sailings,” he said. “Those will necessarily result in delays beyond what we had hoped in terms of getting our ships back in service and making magic for our guests.”

Chapek also reminded that the launch of the Disney Wish, the cruise line’s fifth ship, was postponed from the end of 2021 to summer 2022.

Pandemic-related issues at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany were cited as the reason for the six-month delay back in mid-October when it was first announced.

Chapek added that the cruise line sees a “very, very strong demand” for its new cruise ships.

“We hope and expect that the world will back to normal by then, and anticipate having a fine time trying to fill up the demand of those ships. And we think there's going to be so much pent-up demand that we don't expect to have many issues given the love that our guests have for Disney Cruise Lines,” Chapek said.

New Disney Wish Set to Debut in Summer 2022

Disneys Tangled Rapunzel painting the stern of the New Disney Wish cruise ship.

Disney Cruise Line has announced the Disney Wish will debut later than expected, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and confirming the ship will enter service in summer 2022.

"Originally planned to sail in early 2022, the Disney Wish is now scheduled for its maiden voyage in summer 2022 due to pandemic-related delays at the Meyer-Werft shipyard in Germany," the company announced.

"As previously announced, the Disney Wish will be powered by liquified natural gas or LNG, one of the cleanest-burning fuels available. At approximately 144,000 gross tons and 1,250 guest staterooms, the ship will be slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy."

  

Disney CEO Confident on Cruise; New Ships Could Be Delayed

Speaking on the company's second-quarter earnings call, Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek was bullish on the future of Disney Cruise Line but admitted cruises may be among the company's last businesses to come back online.

"And in terms of the cruise ship business, we agree that that will probably be the last of our travel-oriented businesses to come back online," Chapek said.

"Interestingly enough long term all of our data and our research shows that our guests will be just as interested in cruising with us long term. Obviously not in the next few months but much more resilient than any of the competitive businesses because of that love for Disney and assurance that they feel, that they trust our business to act in a responsible way to help to the extent possible protect them against some of the woes that have plagued the industry since COVID has hit."

Disney Cruise Line operates four ships: the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy.

The brand has three more ships on order for introductions in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

The company is also anticipating delays to its newbuild schedule, according to an SEC filing.

"The company has credit facilities to finance three new cruise ships, which were to be delivered in 2021, 2022 and 2023 although delays are now expected as a result of the COVID-19 impact on the shipyard," Disney stated.

Disney Cruise Line's fifth: Disney Wish

The Disney Wish's stern will feature Rapunzel.

Disney Cruise Line's fifth ship will be called the Disney Wish. At its D23 Expo on Sunday, Disney revealed the name of the ship as well as renderings of its stern design and atrium. 

Disney described the three-story atrium as "bright and airy, inspired by the beauty of an enchanted fairytale."

The stern design features Rapunzel with a paintbrush in hand, suspended by her enchanted blond hair. Her sidekick chameleon, Pascal, holds the easel while Rapunzel paints.

"Spirited, smart, curious and -- above all -- adventurous, Rapunzel embodies the wish and desire to see and experience the world," Disney said.

The Disney Wish is scheduled to enter service in January 2022.

The Disney Wish's three-story atrium will be inspired by an enchanted fairytale.

"There couldn't be a better name for our incredible new ship because making wishes come true is part of the Disney DNA and is at the heart of so many of our cherished stories," said Bob Chapek, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

The Wish will be powered by liquefied natural gas. At approximately 144,000 gross tons and 1,250 guest staterooms, it will be slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

Also at D23, Disney revealed new information about Lighthouse Point, its second private destination in the Bahamas, located on the island of Eleuthera.

Disney said Joe Rohde, whose work includes the design of Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park in Orlando and the Aulani resort Hawaii, has taken a cultural tour of the Bahamas to meet with local artists and cultural experts. 

"The Lighthouse Point site is so beautiful and so full of nature that we want to preserve this and use our designs to call attention to the extraordinary quality of the place itself -- a place of natural beauty with a rich and fascinating cultural tradition," Rohde said. "We will be directly involved in conservation efforts to preserve and protect the environment that creates this beauty, and we will be working with artists of every kind, much like we did with Aulani in Hawaii, to create a unique destination that is rooted in Bahamian culture and imbued with Disney magic."

Disney said Lighthouse Point guests can look forward to an island experience that celebrates nature and the spirit and culture of the Bahamas.

Disney Cruise Line completed its purchase of Lighthouse Point earlier this year, committing to develop less than 20% of the property and build an open-trestle pier that eliminates the need to dredge a ship channel.

Construction at Lighthouse Point will begin after an environmental impact assessment and environmental management plan are reviewed and accepted by the government of the Bahamas, Disney said. The company said construction could begin in 2020 with completion in late 2022 or 2023.

14 Cruise Ships Received a Perfect 100 Health Score

PHOTO: Disney Fantasy by Disney Cruise Line. (photo via Marina113 / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus)

According to the CDC, 14 cruise ships earned a perfect health score during their surprise inspections in the last year.

The ships can be found among 10 different cruise lines and include Celebrity Summit, Rhapsody of the Seas, Norwegian Gem, Disney Wonder, Seabourn Quest, Viking Star, Auroa, Disney Fantasy, Noordam, Sea Princess, Disney Dream, Amsterdam, AIDAVITA and Emerald Princess.

All cruise ships that sail to or from the U.S. must undergo a surprise health inspection by the VSP or Vessel Sanitation Program.

Everything from the medical facilities to the swimming pools, portable water systems, child centres, rooms, ventilation systems and common areas of the ship are inspected.

There are 44 items on the VSP’s checklist, so to get a score of 100, the cruise ship had to receive perfect scores on every single item.

Alternatively, a score of 85 or below is considered failing which occurred with the following ships: Ocean Insignia, Ocean Dream, Silver Spirit, Safari Endeavor and Le Boreal.

Disney Offers Unique Halloween at Sea

Disney Cruise Line announced it will transform its ships for Halloween activities with "frightfully fun events and activities, special decorations, unique menu items in the restaurants and themed parties" on cruises this fall.

Halloween on the High Seas takes place on most voyages aboard the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wonder and Disney Magic from September through October.

The festivities include lively entertainment and elaborate décor, including The Pumpkin Tree, which magically transforms throughout the cruise.

Other special experiences include:

Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party, a celebration with games, dancing and candy! Beloved Disney characters, wearing special Halloween costumes just for the occasion will join guests for a costume party.

A Nightmare Before Christmas—Sing and Scream: an interactive movie experience where guests are part of the action, followed by a meet-and-greet with Jack Skellington and Sally.

Haunted Stories of the Sea, where guests gather under the stars to hear tales of the sea told by a mysterious sea captain storyteller.

Creepy Cabaret: a Halloween-themed music performed live in the atrium by a band of ghostly musicians.

Halloween Isn’t Just For Kids: For adults, the nighttime entertainment district becomes the ghoulish setting for a costume contest and a Villainous Takeover on the dance floor.

Spooky Movies: To get guests into the spirit of the season, Halloween-themed movies will be shown on Funnel Vision by the family pool and in staterooms.

Ghoulish Delights: Disney Cruise Line chefs will prepare some special treats for Halloween, including chocolate cake with pumpkin filling, spider cakes and “Spooky Juice.”

More spooky fun includes mask-making and a ghostly takeover of ship announcements, Disney said. 

The First Look at Disney's Newest Ships

PHOTO: A new era of Disney Cruise Line ships (Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line).

Disney Cruise Line has drawn the curtain back on its three new vessels.

Set to debut in 2021, 2022 and 2023, the line promises that the ships will take family cruise vacations to a new level.

Newly-released renderings reveal a few details. Namely, the ships will carry on the Disney Cruise Line style, evocative of elegant ocean liners of the past.

The ships, which brings the “golden age of cruising” into the digital era will feature high-tech innovations, new technology, and immersive entertainment experiences. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Disney Cruise Line voyage without a surfeit of iconic stories and characters to infuse the experience.

The new vessels will be approximately 140,000 gross tons in size and hold about 1,250 guest staterooms.

Star Wars and Marvel Return to Disney Cruises in 2019

PHOTO: The “Summon the Force” deck party, part of Star Wars Day at Sea. (photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line/Amy Smith)

Sailing with Star Wars and Marvel characters promise to be an unforgettable experience for young cruisers.—Mia Taylor, TravelPulse Senior Writer.

In 2019, epic adventures at sea will return to Disney Cruise Line with special engagements of two popular itineraries.

Spanning two Disney cruise ships sailing across the Caribbean and Bahamas, Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea cruises will bring Disney and fan-favourite fun for families and guests of all ages.

Star Wars Day at Sea

From January to early March 2019, special seven-night Disney Fantasy sailings will transport guests to the Caribbean and a galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars Day at Sea is an experience unlike any other where guests can celebrate the legendary adventures and iconic characters from the Star Wars saga with Jedi, Wookiees, droids, Stormtroopers, and others during the special day-long celebration.

The cruise features a full day of Star Wars activities including a deck party spectacular with an extraordinary fireworks display, encounters with the galaxy’s most formidable and heroic characters, Star Wars-themed family and youth activities, unique food and beverage offerings and special merchandise.

Star Wars Day at Sea will only be offered on nine Disney Fantasy seven-night Caribbean cruises sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Departing January 5, 19, February 2,16 and March 2, 2019, the western Caribbean itinerary includes Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica, and Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.

Departing January 12, 26, February 9 and 23, 2019, the eastern Caribbean itinerary includes Tortola, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay.

Marvel Day at Sea

From January to early March 2019, special five-night Disney Magic sailings will take guests to the Caribbean and Bahamas, along with an action-packed, day-long celebration of the Marvel Universe.

Marvel Day at Sea combines the thrills of renowned Marvel comics, films and animated series, with the excitement of a Disney Cruise to summon everyone’s inner superhero for adventures that lie ahead during this unforgettable day at sea.

Occurring on one action-packed day during each of the select Disney Magic sailings, Marvel Day at Sea transports guests to a new realm of possibilities when the largest collection of Marvel Super Heroes and Villains assemble on a cruise ship.

The event features all-day entertainment including interactions with some of the mightiest Marvel Super Heroes and the menacing foes who oppose them, an extraordinary deck show spectacular, Marvel-themed youth activities, special merchandise and unique food and beverage offerings.

Marvel Day at Sea will only be offered on 10 Disney Magic Caribbean and Bahamian cruises sailing from Miami, Florida.

Departing January 6 and 20, 2019, the western Caribbean itinerary includes George Town, Grand Cayman and Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.

Departing January 11, 25, February 8, 22 and March 8, 2019, the Bahamian itinerary includes Key West, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas, and Castaway Cay.

Departing February 3, 17 and March 3, 2019, the western Caribbean itinerary includes Cozumel, Mexico, and Castaway Cay.

Star Wars makeovers coming to Disney Fantasy cruises

Guests on the Disney Fantasy can be made over into their favourite Star Wars characters at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique during Star Wars Day at Sea sailings.

Kids (and adults, too) can get costumes, makeup and hairstyling in a 30-minute makeover to re-create them as Poe Dameron, Princess Leia, Rey and Kylo Ren, among others.

Children ages 3-12 can sign up for a $99.95 package that includes exclusive Star Wars Day at Sea merchandise, such as a personalized name tag, lanyard with medallion and magnet set. They also receive a cinch bag to take home.

Adults get a Star Wars-themed tee and face painting--along with accessories including a name tag, lanyard, medallion and stateroom magnet, for $54.95.

Star Wars Day at Sea returns to the Disney Fantasy from January to April 2018.

Disney to Expand San Diego Season in 2019

Disney Cruise Line will offer an expanded two-month season from San Diego in 2019, sailing to Baja and the Mexican Riviera as the company today announced some of its 2019 deployment.

There are also cruises to Southern Caribbean from San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to the company. From January to May, all cruises departing from Florida feature a stop at Castaway Cay.

Bookings open to the public on Nov. 2, 2017.

More details on 2019 itineraries can be found on the Ports and Itineraries for 2019 page of disneycruise.com.

The Disney Wonder returns to San Diego for an extended season from March to May 2019, with a variety of cruises to Mexico, including two-, four-, five- and seven-night voyages.

Most sailings to Mexico’s Baja peninsula call on Ensenada. Two-night cruises to Ensenada boast Friday departures from San Diego for a weekend experience. 

Four- and five-night Baja options include a visit to Cabo San Lucas.

Seven-night sailings to the Mexican Riviera call on Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlán. 

In January, three special Disney Wonder cruises from San Juan sail to the Southern Caribbean. The Disney Wonder arrives in San Juan after a five-night journey departing Jan. 9 from Galveston, Texas, with a stop in Falmouth, Jamaica.

On Feb. 3, a four-night cruise aboard the Disney Wonder takes guests from San Juan to Port Canaveral, Florida.

The Disney Fantasy continues to sail seven-night Caribbean voyages, with Eastern Caribbean itineraries visiting the Virgin Islands of Tortola and St. Thomas, and Western Caribbean cruises calling on Cozumel, Mexico, Grand Cayman and Falmouth.

The Disney Dream embarks on three- and four-night Bahamian cruises to Nassau and Castaway Cay and the Disney Wonder will alternate similar three- and four-night itineraries throughout February.

To kick off 2019, the Disney Magic continues sailing from Miami with four- and five-night voyages to the Bahamas, plus five-night Western Caribbean cruises.

Hurricane-Hit Caribbean Cruise Ports Anticipate Reopening

PHOTO: The Disney Fantasy and MSC Divina docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (photo by Jason Leppert)

As far as cruise itineraries are concerned, the Caribbean is not quite back to business as usual.

However, following recent hurricane destruction, things are starting to look better. There is a glimmer of light now emerging at the end of the tunnel for St. Croix, St. Thomas, Tortola and even San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Like the recent reopening of Key West, Florida to cruise ships, the U.S. Virgin Islands are hoping to be up and running soon, according to Seatrade Cruise News. While cruise lines would like to begin returning to St. Croix and St. Thomas as early as October 15, based on Governor Kenneth Mapp’s assessment, the end of the month is more likely.

Priorities now are to reopen famed Magens Bay as well as ensure operational restaurants, stores and other beaches in addition to security infrastructure.

Seatrade Cruise News reports the British Virgin Islands are on a similar track. Even though the destination took a toll, the cruise facilities managed relatively well. Tortola Pier Park received minor damage according to Mark Vanterpool, minister of communications and works.

At least half of the pier-side shops and restaurants are looking to open by November 1. Outside the port, restoration is also underway on roadways, electricity, water and telecommunications. A status report regarding beaches and other attractions is still forthcoming.

Cruise Fever reports Royal Caribbean International’s Adventure of the Seas will return to home-porting from San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 7. Jose Izquierdo, Executive Director of Puerto Rico Tourism Company, announced the news on Twitter.

Royal Caribbean’s website still indicates all other calls on San Juan are still being replaced with different destinations. In fact, the line is also continuing to bypass St. Croix and St. Thomas, as well as St. Maarten for the time being.

Meanwhile, Princess Cruises is already anticipating being able to return with its Regal Princess to St. Thomas and San Juan for its December 17 sailing. Off limits also to Princess, though, is St. Maarten in addition to Dominica and Virgin Gorda.

Though Grand Turk and St. Barts remain closed according to USA Today, the latter is expected to be ready to accept its next scheduled call on October 30. Grand Turk, on the other hand, is still being replaced by Carnival Cruise Line.

The future for Dominica, Grand Turk, St. Maarten and Virgin Gorda remains unknown.

At least the entire industry is banding together to assist the Caribbean at large and it is all helping bring the bulk of the destinations back up to their usual paradise conditions. In the meantime, less frequented islands are seeing increased cruise ship traffic and visitor love as well.

Disney to Add to Meyer Order, Three LNG Ships

Disney fans attending D23 in Anaheim got a huge surprise today. They were the first to hear that Disney Cruise Line is planning not two, but three new ships in the next phase of expansion. By the time these three ships are sailing, we’ll have nearly doubled the size of our fleet! That means more families than ever before will be visiting spectacular destinations around the globe and creating magical memories at sea!

Last year, we told you that two new ships were going to be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany with scheduled completion dates of 2021 and 2023. This additional ship will be built at the same shipyard and is scheduled to be completed in 2022.

“We decided two ships wouldn’t be enough to hold all of the exciting new experiences we have been dreaming up to take family cruise vacations to a whole new level with immersive Disney storytelling, world-class family entertainment, and imaginative innovations that are fantastically fun and uniquely Disney,” Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said.

All ship names, design plans and itineraries are still in development, with each of the ships expected to have their own unique experiences. The three new ships will be powered by clean-burning liquefied natural gas and be the same size – approximately 135,000 gross tons with about 1,250 guest staterooms planned – which is slightly larger than the newest Disney Cruise Line ships, the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

With a legacy of revolutionary design, Disney Cruise Line’s new ships will usher in the next generation of innovative cruise experiences designed especially for families that will transform the art-of-cruising and take guests on adventures in a way never dreamed of before.