DCL Announces Restart of Disney Fantasy with Major Itinerary Changes

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Yesterday, Disney Cruise Line announced the Disney Fantasy will resume sailing on September 11, 2021. This was welcome news to hopeful cruisers. However, the announcement comes with significant changes to the itinerary.

Changes to Disney Fantasy Sailings

First of all, the September 4 sailing was completely canceled. DCL is offering those guests a future cruise credit or full refund.

The remaining September and early October scheduled sailings will proceed as 4-night cruises instead of 7-night cruises. The ship will only visit Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in The Bahamas.

Guests who decide to keep their reservation will receive a pro-rated refund for the shorter itinerary as well as a $400 on-board credit and 25% off a future cruise. The future cruise discount must be used by September 30, 2022. Guests also have the option of a full refund or cruise credit.

For now, DCL has not announced any 3-night sailings during the Fantasy’s “break” days after these new 4-night sailings.

When 7-night sailings resume on October 9, unvaccinated guests will be tested for Covid prior to disembarkation. Guests 12 and over will be charged $65 for this test (in addition to the previously announced $65 for embarkation tests). Vaccinated guests who show proof of vaccination can bypass these tests.

Unanswered Questions About Future Sailings

Disney Cruise Line’s current policy of allowing unvaccinated guests on board creates issues for visiting certain ports. Right now, the U.S. Virgin Islands only allows vaccinated visitors. Canada also just announced that it will require vaccinations for cruise visitors for years to come.

I am interested to see how the situation develops over the next few months. The only thing I know for sure is that policies, protocols and itineraries will keep changing.

Are you affected by these changes to the Disney Fantasy?