Disney Issues Notices to Thousands of Guests, Will Change All Vacations

Disney guests know plans don’t always stay fixed. Weather, maintenance, and safety concerns can lead to last-minute adjustments that alter attractions, entertainment, or entire itineraries with little notice.

For example, this week has seen Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Kali River Rapids shift their operations due to cold weather at Disney World. In the past, we’ve seen Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion abruptly closed after an oil spill. A toxic spill previously impacted Disneyland Resort. A wandering black bear even forced closures inside a Disney park in 2023.

Cruise ships face even more unpredictability. Unlike land-based parks, sailings depend on open water. Weather systems, winds, and port congestion can change plans instantly. Guests often learn about itinerary shifts through letters delivered straight to their stateroom doors.

This weekend, two ships encountered exactly that scenario.

Both Disney Cruise Line vessels — the Disney Wish and Disney Dream — adjusted their Bahamas sailings ahead of strong winds and rough seas forecast across the region.

Disney Wish itinerary extended in Nassau

Disney Wish departed Port Canaveral on a three-night cruise with stops planned for Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney’s exclusive 1,000-acre private island in the Bahamas. However, that schedule soon changed.

Guests received a letter explaining that strong winds and adverse sea conditions would make Sunday’s Castaway Cay visit unsafe.

“Given the anticipated strong winds and adverse sea conditions predicted in The Bahamas overnight on Saturday and during the day on Sunday, we will not be able to visit Disney Castaway Cay on Sunday,” the notice read (via Reddit).

Disney Wish itinerary change for this weekend’s sailing
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Instead, the ship will remain longer in Nassau, spending Saturday night and Sunday morning docked there.

All prepaid Castaway Cay Port Adventures were automatically cancelled and refunded. Replacement tours in Nassau, along with extra onboard activities, became available through the Navigator app and the Port Adventures desk. The change effectively turned a private-island day into additional city time.

Disney Dream Takes a Different Route

Disney Dream, sailing a separate three-night Bahamas itinerary, faced a different complication.

The ship departed Port Everglades with plans to visit Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, followed by Nassau. Guests were later informed Nassau would no longer be possible.

Port traffic likely played a role. According to Cruise Hive, six ships are scheduled for Nassau on Sunday, creating a crowded harbor. Limited docking space can force cruise lines to reshuffle stops, especially during challenging weather. The Disney Dream’s Fort Lauderdale homeport also allows the ship to reposition more easily, potentially steering farther from rough conditions at sea rather than remaining near the storm’s path.

Forecasts support the decision. Steady winds near 20 miles per hour are expected, increasing to 30 mph overnight into Sunday. Strong gusts can create heavy swells and dangerous docking conditions, even without significant rain.

Disney framed both changes as precautionary. Safety remains the company’s priority, even if it means replacing a beach day with extra time in port. For thousands of guests, the weekend became a reminder that cruises rarely follow a perfect schedule.

Have your Disney cruise plans ever changed at the last minute?