Speaking at the Bank of America "Virtual 2020 Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference", an excerpt from Christine McCarthy (Walt Disney Company's Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer) has confirmed the cruise line's next newbuild will not be delivered on time.
"COVID has had an impact on lots and lots of businesses and lots and lots of supply chains and the shipyard we utilize for our cruise ships Meyer Werft was impacted and we encountered a delay we’re in negotiations and discussions with the shipyard to finalize dates but as soon as we have those will let, well make an announcement when the fifth ship, which is the first of the three to be a delivered, but it is delayed from what we originally anticipated."
The cruise line's fifth ship will be called Disney Wish and was announced at D23 Expo in August 2019.
Prior to this announcement, Disney Wish was scheduled for delivery in 2021-Q4 and planned for inauguration in January 2022.
At 144,000 GT and 1250 passenger staterooms (max passenger capacity 3500), Disney Wish will be slightly bigger than the fleetmates Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. The newbuild will be LNG-powered (by liquefied natural gas).