Disney Fantasy accidents and incidents

15 April 2024Coast Guard Medevacs

On April 15, 2024, a 35-year-old pregnant woman (American citizen) was medevaced/airlifted and flown to a hospital due to health complications requiring advanced medical attention. The operation was conducted when the ship was ~180 mi/~290 km northwest of Aguadilla (Puerto Rico).

For the medical evacuation, the USCG/Coast Guard dispatched a Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk (medium-range helicopter) crew. The aircraft landed on the bow (forward on deck 5) and hoisted the patient with a stretcher. The woman was flown to Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (aka Isla Grande Airport) in San Juan (Puerto Rico), from where she was ambulanced to Centro Medico Hospital.

The incident occurred in the beginning of the 7-day "Eastern Caribbean Cruise" (itinerary April 13-20, roundtrip from Port Canaveral/Orlando, Florida) visiting BVI (Tortola Island/Apr 16), USVI (St Thomas Island/Apr 17) and The Bahamas (Castaway Cay/Apr 19).

08 September 2023Propulsion / Power Loss

On September 8, 2023, due to engine issues, the scheduled visit to Disney’s private island Castaway Cay (Bahamas) was canceled.

According to Disney Fantasy's Master (Captain Michele Intartaglia), the engine problem affected the ship's max speed and Castaway Cay was skipped in order to allow time for the return to Port Canaveral on September 9th by schedule.

As compensation, all guests on the current voyage received 25% FCC (Future Cruise Credit) plus US$250 in OBC/onboard credit per stateroom.

The next voyage was not affected.

The accident occurred during the 7-day "Eastern Caribbean Cruise With Silver Anniversary At Sea" (itinerary Sept 2-9, roundtrip from Port Canaveral/Orlando Florida) with call ports in the UK Virgin Islands (Road Town, Tortola Island BVI/Sept 5), the US Virgin Islands (Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas Island USVI/Sept 6) and The Bahamas (Castaway Cay/Sept 8, canceled).

September 2021Crew / Passenger Crimes

(sexual) In late-September 2021 was announced that the parents of a 3-years-old girl filed a lawsuit against DCL-Disney Cruise Line accusing the company of failing to intervene and prevent sexual assault. The incident happened on January 9, 2020, during a 7-day roundtrip Caribbean voyage on Disney Fantasy (departing January 4th) from Port Canaveral.

According to the Orlando court filings, the lawsuit (for USD 20 million / ~EUR 17M / GBP 14,6M) claimed that an older girl "excessively groped and sexually touched in her private parts" the toddler. DCL's statement said that the plaintiffs' allegations were reported to the FBI and determined (thru Brevard County's police investigation) as "unfounded".

The incident happened at the Oceaneer Club's Lab Media Lounge and was captured on the CCTV camera, allegedly in the presence of Disney's counselors (dedicated youth staff supervising the facility). The CCTV footage allegedly showed the attacker (~10-year-old girl, wearing Princess Leia costume) sexually abusing the minor for ~20 minutes, who suffered emotional anguish and mental trauma during the attack, which the counselors failed to recognize as an assault.

20 January 2020Propulsion / Power Loss

On January 20, 2020, following the departure from Mexico (Puerto Cozumel) and while en-route to Grand Cayman, the liner experienced propulsion issues resulting in reduced cruising speed and significant itinerary changes with cancelled call ports. During the dock at Castaway Cay, a dive team managed to fix the problem.

The accident occurred during 7-day Western Caribbean Cruise (itinerary January 18-25) roundtrip from homeport Port Canaveral to Mexico (Cozumel, Jan 20), Grand Cayman Island (George Town port stay Jan 21, 10:30 am - 5:30 pm / cancelled), Jamaica (Falmouth port stay Jan 22, 7:30 am - 4:45 pm / cancelled) and Bahamas (Castaway Cay, Jan 24, port stay 08:30 am - 4:45 pm).

(CruiseMapper email from Mari Mendez / External Communications Manager Disney Cruise Line) The Disney Fantasy was unable to call on Georgetown, Grand Cayman on Tuesday, January 21, and Falmouth, Jamaica on Wednesday, January 22, due to high wind gusts and unfavorable ocean conditions.  Please note that a technical issue that occurred on Thursday afternoon, January 23, did not impact the January 18 sailing and the divers observed were conducting a routine inspection of the ship’s hull.

06 April 2019Coast Guard Medevacs

On April 6, 2019, due to a medical emergency, just ~1 hour after departure, the liner had to return to homeport Port Canaveral. After re-docking, the ship was met by medical personnel who boarded through the gangway with an empty stretcher.

The incident occurred at the beginning of 7-day Eastern Caribbean Cruise (itinerary April 6-13) roundtrip from Port Canaveral to BVI (Road Town, Tortola Island), USVI (Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas Island) and Bahamas (Castaway Cay Island).

09 September 2017Other Incidents

In September 2017, one Eastern Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral (itinerary Sept 9-16 / 7-day to Tortola BVI, St Thomas, and Castaway Cay) was canceled due to hurricane Irma. All canceled bookings received full refunds plus 25% future Disney cruise credit. All booked shore excursions were fully refunded.

19 May 2017Propulsion / Power Loss

On May 19, 2017, while en-route from Castaway Cay (Bahamas) back to homeport Cape Canaveral (Orlando Florida), the vessel suffered a propulsion problem resulting in reduced speed and late arrival in Florida. The accident occurred during a 3-night Bahamas cruise (itinerary May 17-20).

05 February 2016Propulsion / Power Loss

On February 5, 2016, the vessel suffered a mechanical issue (portside engine failure). The incident resulted in reduced cruising speed (17 kN / 20 mph / 31 kph as opposed to 22 kN / 25 mph / 41 kph) and itinerary change – call port Castaway Cay (Disney private island) was skipped. The ship was on 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise (itinerary Jan 30 – Feb 6) from Port Canaveral to Tortola BVI, St Thomas USVI, Castaway Cay Bahamas.

28 February 2015Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On February 28, 2015, a male passenger nearly drowned on the Disney Cruise Lines private island in Bahamas Castaway Cay. The incident occurred at the island’s family beach, where a lifeguard found him in the water unresponsive. The man was wearing snorkeling gear. He was brought ashore, given life-saving procedures, then medevaced via USCG helicopter to Miami.

20 February 2014Coast Guard Medevacs

On February 20, 2014, a 21-year-old male passenger suffering chest pains and breathing difficulties was medevaced via USCG helicopter. The incident occurred ashore when the ship was docked in call port Key West Florida. The young man had just finished 2 scuba diving sessions. When he returned to the ship, he complained of chest pains. At the infirmary, the X-rays scan showed one of the lungs was partially collapsed.

07 April 2013Coast Guard Medevacs

On April 7, 2013, the ship left homeport Port Canaveral (Orlando) Florida at ~5 pm but had to return back to port at ~8:30 pm due to 2 medical emergencies. The reported emergencies were a 77-year-old male passenger with a heart condition and a  6-year-old boy with diabetes. Both passengers were disembarked and transported at a local hospital for treatments.

30 March 2013Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On March 30, 2013, a 4-year-old kid nearly drowned at the family swimming pool (Donald’s Pool on Lido Deck 11). The incident occurred at ~3:30 pm, after the little boy’s family had just boarded the ship for a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise from homeport Port Canaveral Florida.

The little kid (Chase Lykken, from Minnesota) was found in the pool unresponsive, but with a pulse and breathing. His parents (Chris and Lisa) were not at the pool but arrived after the rescue. He was immediately airlifted to the emergency room of the Cocoa Beach’s Cape Canaveral Hospital, then flown by medical ambulance to Orlando’s Arnold Palmer Hospital.

The incident caused a ~1 hour delayed departure. Major news media reported later that the kid may suffer serious brain damage due to the continued lack of oxygen to the brain. On April 1 was reported that after initially being in a coma, the kid became alert and his condition was stable.

26 October 2012Ship Listing

On October 26, 2012, the vessel sustained serious interior damages after being hit by the Hurricane Sandy. The ship was severely listing and rocking in rough waters through the whole night. This weather-related incident occurred during 7-day roundtrip cruise from Port Canaveral FL.

The storm picked up at ~8:30 pm, followed by progressive tilting. The most intense moments were after ~2 am when the ship’s violent rocking/listing caused TVs and furniture damages, broken glassware, and dishes, emptied swimming pools, partially flooded Atrium Lobby and hallways. The Captain commanded all passengers to remain in their cabins. The ship’s specialty restaurants (“Remy” and “Palo”) also sustained serious damages. Storm’s power that night exceeded what was forecasted for the area.

28 February 2012Other Incidents

On February 28, 2012, the cruise ship arrived in the USA for the very first time, docking in NYC New York. The vessel’s christening ceremony took place on March 1. Its godmother was the American singer Mariah Carey, who also made several live performances at the ship’s theater.

09 December 2011Structural and Technical Issues

On December 9, 2011, during the construction at the shipbuilding yard in Papenburg Germany, several waterlines on the vessel (in drydock) were found open. The incident resulted in a total of 48 passenger cabins being flooded, which cost the German shipbuilder Meyer Werft  ~EUR 1 million in damages.

13 September 2011Other Incidents

On September 13, 2011, Disney Cruises, at the company’s official FB page announced the stern character on the Fantasy ship will be the Flying Elephant Dumbo.