Fall 2026 itineraries

[goofystitch]

Since I have nothing useful to add, what do you guys think is the reason for the delay:

1. Something new and really exciting
2. Realizing how out of touch the prices are and trying to adjust
3. Just trying to build anticipation so that when they do release the same old itineraries, we are still excited?

I'll take numbers 1 or 2, but unfortunately it's probably #3.

 

[JAM9842]

I'll take numbers 1 or 2, but unfortunately it's probably #3.

Exactly!

 

[Scalemaster34]

Since I have nothing useful to add, what do you guys think is the reason for the delay:

1. Something new and really exciting
2. Realizing how out of touch the prices are and trying to adjust
3. Just trying to build anticipation so that when they do release the same old itineraries, we are still excited?

#1 NO, I expect repeats of what they have done in the past.
#2 General Economics has clearly slowed travel and is forcing DCL to offer discount that fall below even opening day price, they know they need to adjust...
#3 NO

More trying to fill ships and itineraries that are already upcoming.
Do have to figure out what to do with Wonder (if only Wonder, they could/should just release it later...)
Concerns that Destiny might further dilute their niche of their market even more.
I have not seen discounting this widespread, outside of COVID times. Granted it's not nearly that cheap, but just a sign something is off - too many ships for their Family market? prices too high for where the competition is? Just fewer people sailing - Internationally or Domestically?

 

[Disneyworldlocal]

Since I have nothing useful to add, what do you guys think is the reason for the delay:

1. Something new and really exciting
2. Realizing how out of touch the prices are and trying to adjust
3. Just trying to build anticipation so that when they do release the same old itineraries, we are still excited?

It’s crazy to think but it could be all three or Just #3.
With the Wonder no longer down under I have to bet they come up with something to cover that ship. Maybe east coast for a month or two ??
The prices are out of line and the fact that even holiday sailings are getting GTY rates this early means DCL has to know something is up. Maybe the economy is slowing down and it’s catching up to DCL ( not attempting to go political here ) but if you aren’t filling ships at current $$ rates you should adjust to generate more bookings early to get people’s money into your bank account ).
Lower rates and new itineraries will surely spark more interest!
#3. Wonder what the backlash will be if they keep everything status quo.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

In 2017 we did a 7night out of Galveston that went to Nassau, Castaway Cay, and Key West. I would do that again in a heart beat!

We would absolutely consider sailing out of Galveston if we could make it to one of the private islands— no interest in flying to TX to do a visit to Mexico — we would rather just do a sail from FLL or MCO, it’s not that much longer of a trip from LAX. We might consider for a nice beach down in Belize or an interesting port in Panama/Costa Rica, but it would surprise me if either of those countries are on Disney’s radar.

 

[Mommb]

Since I have nothing useful to add, what do you guys think is the reason for the delay:

1. Something new and really exciting
2. Realizing how out of touch the prices are and trying to adjust
3. Just trying to build anticipation so that when they do release the same old itineraries, we are still excited?

I would love to have it be option 1, but I suspect it's actually:
4. Trying to get confirmation for new and exciting ports but being closed out by other ships.

It may have a relatively recent decision not to have the Wonder in Australia and New Zealand, resulting in the need for other itineraries.

 

[AquaDame]

If it were "just" the Wonder with a ? on her they would have released the other ships, I bet. They've held one back in the past with no drama like this.

Another week, another deeper feeling how crazy it is my April '26 plans aren't finalized... sometimes its not about the booking you'd be making, but the one you'd be leaving behind.

 

[SL6827]

This really has my attention and I doubt very seriously we will sail DCL again, but never say never. (I have been looking) It seems like Disney is in a spot they haven't ever found themselves in, maybe except in Covid? More ships than they need, prices set too high and can't peel them back and/or a new island that is just not commanding demand?

 

[Cfabar1]

Since I have nothing useful to add, what do you guys think is the reason for the delay:

1. Something new and really exciting
2. Realizing how out of touch the prices are and trying to adjust
3. Just trying to build anticipation so that when they do release the same old itineraries, we are still excited?

I don't think it is any of these things expressly, but I think the delay is this:

They don't know where to send a couple of their ships
They see demand is softening so they are putting an artificial lid on supply in the short term
They pulled out of a major market they eyed for future expansion and saw it couldn't work

I think they could actually manage pricing more easily than the other issues. My hunch is that as DCL expands they understand they will need to be more promotional than when they had four ships... Even something as simple as not having a wild escalation of prices from opening day would be manageable and help increase bookings.

 

[WB1971]

Not sure I buy the concern over demand. If that were the case they wouldn’t have contracted for and just cut the steel for a fourth Wish class ships that their old guard clientele doesn’t really like in big percentages. It’s also false to say cruise demand in general is falling. Industry is growing by significant numbers.

 

[dreamer17555]

Not sure I buy the concern over demand. If that were the case they wouldn’t have contracted for and just cut the steel for a fourth Wish class ships that their old guard clientele doesn’t really like in big percentages. It’s also false to say cruise demand in general is falling. Industry is growing by significant numbers.

It was way too late to pull out of Wish 4 but I do wonder what we are looking at moving forward (especially with the promised smaller ships)

 

[croschek05]

NYC make it happen!!!!!!!

 

[dreamer17555]

The website is super crash-y tonight. I think we’re getting them tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

 

[DCLMP]

Not sure I buy the concern over demand. If that were the case they wouldn’t have contracted for and just cut the steel for a fourth Wish class ships that their old guard clientele doesn’t really like in big percentages. It’s also false to say cruise demand in general is falling. Industry is growing by significant numbers.

As long as the ships sail full it really doesn't matter how they got there. Cruise demand is slowing from post pandemic levels, but it still semi robust. I think the all inclusive factor has a lot to with that. As mediocre as cruise food is at least it's included. Eating out these days is insane.

 

[Moonspinner]

We would absolutely consider sailing out of Galveston if we could make it to one of the private islands— no interest in flying to TX to do a visit to Mexico — we would rather just do a sail from FLL or MCO, it’s not that much longer of a trip from LAX. We might consider for a nice beach down in Belize or an interesting port in Panama/Costa Rica, but it would surprise me if either of those countries are on Disney’s radar.

Dh refuses to do any more cruises that just go to Mexico/western Caribbean.

 

[scroogie]

It was way too late to pull out of Wish 4 but I do wonder what we are looking at moving forward (especially with the promised smaller ships)

I don't think they'll cancel the order for the smaller ships, or at the very least not the entire class. Sadly, I can see them opting to retire the Magic and Wonder instead. The newbuilds will have the benefit of being LNG-powered, having a heap of new technology and being cheaper to maintain. It also plays into Disney's philosophy of offering "new and magical" experiences for guests.

 

[holula]

I don't think they'll cancel the order for the smaller ships, or at the very least not the entire class. Sadly, I can see them opting to retire the Magic and Wonder instead. The newbuilds will have the benefit of being LNG-powered, having a heap of new technology and being cheaper to maintain. It also plays into Disney's philosophy of offering "new and magical" experiences for guests.

I agree. I can see them maybe pushing back the order a few years or only ordering two ships instead of three but at some point they will need to replace the Magic and Wonder anyway. So they could build two new ships and then retire the Magic and Wonder pretty much right away (or have them go on a final season tour which would sell.)

 

[asgur5]

It’s crazy to think but it could be all three or Just #3.
With the Wonder no longer down under I have to bet they come up with something to cover that ship. Maybe east coast for a month or two ??
The prices are out of line and the fact that even holiday sailings are getting GTY rates this early means DCL has to know something is up. Maybe the economy is slowing down and it’s catching up to DCL ( not attempting to go political here ) but if you aren’t filling ships at current $$ rates you should adjust to generate more bookings early to get people’s money into your bank account ).
Lower rates and new itineraries will surely spark more interest!
#3. Wonder what the backlash will be if they keep everything status quo.

Its not the economy. Its that they increased the supply of ships too quickly.

 

[Amunet]

Its not the economy. Its that they increased the supply of ships too quickly.

Yes, the economy plays some factor, hence all the discounts available, but i think its most likely both economy AND quick increase of ships.

 

[MartinoHeat]

More cynical reason for the delay is so more people pass their paid in full dates for 2025 and don't move them to 2026.