Guests planning to sail on Disney Fantasy’s 2025 European cruises may have received notifications about revised itineraries. Disney Cruise Line announced changes due to the North-West Mediterranean Sea being designated a Particular Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Impact on Mediterranean Cruises
Five Mediterranean cruises between May 24, 2025, and July 31, 2025, are affected. The IMO designated the North-West Mediterranean as a PSSA in July 2023, highlighting its need for protection due to ecological and socio-economic vulnerabilities.
The PSSA designation requires ships to reduce speeds by 10 to 13 knots to avoid collisions with marine life and protect local fisheries. Disney Cruise Line is adhering to these voluntary speed reductions, resulting in itinerary changes for Disney Fantasy.
Itinerary Adjustments for Disney Fantasy
The first affected cruise, departing from Barcelona on May 25, 2025, is a 7-night Mediterranean round trip. The port of Toulon, France, is replaced with Palermo, Italy, and Naples and Livorno in Italy have switched their scheduled visits.
The second cruise, departing from Rome on June 30, 2025, and ending in Barcelona on July 12, 2025, has a minor change. Instead of Naples, the ship will visit Palma de Mallorca, Spain, as the final port.
The third sailing, a 7-night round trip from Barcelona starting on July 12, 2025, replaces Cannes, France, with Palermo, Italy, and swaps the days for visiting Naples and Livorno.
Additional Changes Due to Speed Restrictions
A 5-night Mediterranean round trip from Barcelona on July 19, 2025, originally planned to have one sea day, now includes a second sea day by skipping the port of Marseilles, France. The ship will still visit Livorno and Rome as scheduled.
Lastly, a 7-night Western European cruise departing from Barcelona on July 24, 2025, and concluding in Southampton, UK, on July 31, 2025, now includes an extra sea day. The planned stop in Cartagena, Spain, has been canceled.
Disney Cruise Line addressed these changes in an email to passengers, expressing regret for any disappointment and reassuring guests of the high-quality experience they expect.
Environmental Responsibility and Passenger Experience
This is not the first time Disney Cruise Line has modified itineraries for environmental reasons. Disney Dream, the sister ship to Disney Fantasy, had similar adjustments for summer 2024. Other cruise lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, have also faced delays and changes due to whale zone speed restrictions.
The cruise industry’s compliance with IMO’s recommendations reflects a commitment to protecting marine environments while balancing passenger expectations. Despite the itinerary adjustments, Disney Cruise Line assures guests that their experience aboard Disney Fantasy will remain exceptional.