Disney Cruise Ship Rerouting to Different Countries Due to Storm

Poor weather can really wreak havoc on a cruise itinerary, cancelling ports, causing delays, or just putting a damper on destinations. For Disney Fantasy‘s next sailing, the entire itinerary and even the countries visited must be changed for smoother sailing.

Disney Cruise Line reached out to booked guests to alert them to the change two days before embarkation. The ship is currently homeported in Southampton, UK, and the planned itinerary was to have been a 7-night British Isles cruise.

Unfortunately, that itinerary along the west coast of the UK is no longer possible, and the ship will be unable to visit the planned ports in Ireland, England, and Scotland.

“The safety and well-being of our Guests and Crew Members is our highest priority,” the cruise line explained.

“Given the anticipated strong winds and adverse sea conditions, we must revise the itinerary and will be visiting Norway and Belgium instead, where conditions are forecasted to be more favorable.”

The newly revised itinerary for Disney Fantasy is as follows:

• Monday, September 8 – Depart Southampton
• Tuesday, September 9 – Day at sea
• Wednesday, September 10 – Haugesund, Norway (previously Cobh, Ireland)
• Thursday, September 11 – Olden, Norway (previously Liverpool, England)
• Friday, September 12 – Stavanger, Norway (previously Glasgow, Scotland)
• Saturday, September 13 – Day at sea
• Sunday, September 14 – Zeebrugge, Belgium (previously Portland, England)
• Monday, September 15 – Return to Southampton
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The ship’s time of departure and return to Southampton is not affected, only the direction she will be setting sail and her port visits along the way.

The 129,750-gross-ton, Dream class Disney Fantasy can welcome 2,500 guests onboard at double occupancy or up to 4,000 guests when fully booked. Also onboard are more than 1,400 crew members to ensure everyone has a truly fantastic cruise vacation.

The ship only has three sailings left from Southampton for the season. After her September 8, September 15, and September 22 sailings, Disney Fantasy will be entering dry dock for several weeks for refreshment.

On November 3, 2025, she will depart Southampton on a 13-night transatlantic cruise to Port Canaveral, calling on La Coruna and Vigo in Spain as well as Funchal, Portugal along the way.

From Port Canaveral, Disney Fantasy will offer primarily 4- and 5-night Bahamas cruises at least through September 2026.

Weather-Related Changes Not Uncommon

It doesn’t take a hurricane or a tsunami to create weather conditions severe enough to alter a cruise ship’s itinerary.

Not only do cruise lines monitor for high winds and swells that can make the ship uncomfortable, but they must also take into consideration how safe it can be to dock without causing damage to the ship or port facilities.

Furthermore, if a harbor has rough swells or winds, it may be unsafe for guests to use tender boats or unstable gangways when visiting a port of call.

While simple rain will not stop a port visit, cruise lines are not unmindful of the type of port experience guests would like. Very heavy rains make for poor port visits, and can even cause cancellations of different shore tours.

Ultimately, all itinerary adjustments are made to provide the safest and best possible experience for guests.

“We appreciate your understanding regarding this necessary itinerary change,” Disney Cruise Line said. “We know this revised itinerary will provide you with an experience Guests have come to know and expect from Disney Cruise Line.”

While Disney Fantasy may not be visiting the ports guests had hoped for, she will still be sailing safely and giving guests an amazing cruise vacation to make lifelong memories.

Melissa Mayntz

Melissa has been offering her expertise on cruises since 2017 and reporting on cruise news since 2021. Her work has been featured in newspapers, blogs, and websites on a wide range of subjects, but cruises remain her favorite topic to cover. She has been on more than 40 voyages to the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, and more, and always has at least one more sailing booked on the horizon.