UPDATES ADDED TO END OF ARTICLE

We are following a developing story this afternoon after learning of mechanical issues aboard the Disney Fantasy from Heather Keller of Storybook Destinations who is currently aboard the ship. Keller tweeted that the Disney Fantasy’s port engine is not operational at this time.

The left engine isn't working. I am heartbroken — Heather (@hkeller) February 4, 2016

As a result, the Disney Fantasy is sailing at a reduced speed. According to data from MarineTraffic.com, the Disney Fantasy current speed is 17.2 knots. This is compared to 22 knots which is the typical cruising speed on this stretch of the 7-Night Eastern Caribbean sailings.

The Disney Fantasy embarked from Port Canaveral on Saturday, January 30th and is on day 6 of her 7-Night Eastern Caribbean voyage. Previous stops included St Thomas, and Tortola. Passengers were notified around the lunch hour that the scheduled stop at Castaway Cay on February 5th would be skipped to ensure an on-time arrival to Port Canaveral early Saturday morning.

The Disney Fantasy is experiencing a mechanical problem and will not be able to dock at Castaway Cay tomorrow 😭 @TheDCLBlog — Heather (@hkeller) February 4, 2016

Wow, ongoing mechanical "challenges" prevent Fantasy from stopping at Castaway Cay tomorrow. Straight to Port Canaveral. 💩 /cc @TheDCLBlog — This Is Our Next (@thisisournext) February 4, 2016

As a result of this ongoing mechanical issue aboard the Disney Fantasy, Disney Cruise Line is offering guests $200 onboard credit to use on the current sailing and 20% off a future cruise.

DCL is giving us 20% off a future cruise. Not helping at the moment but it will at some point. — Heather (@hkeller) February 4, 2016

@TheDCLBlog nothing more than @hkeller already mentioned. 20% off future cruise, $200 onboard credit plus a mountain of disappointment. — This Is Our Next (@thisisournext) February 4, 2016

We reached out to Disney Cruise Line via email for comment, but have not heard back. We specifically asked if this would impact Saturday’s departure. We realize this is a developing story and will update this post as we learn more. If you see any info please share in the comments or tweet at @TheDCLBlog.

UPDATE 1 : As of this afternoon the next cruise is still scheduled as normal.

@thedclblog — we have a group going on Fantasy 2/6 – have been advised they do not expect a departure delay at this time. — Beci Mahnken (@BeciMahnken) February 4, 2016

UPDATE 2: Disney Cruise Line “Statement”

We did not hear back from DCL, but we did receive a copy of the letter delivered to the staterooms.

The contents of the letter are transcribed below.

February 4, 2016 Dear Guests, We truly appreciate you sailing with us this week. Onboard the Disney Fantasy, we make ever effort to ensure that our shipboard operation runs smoothly and efficiently at all times. Although the ship is operation safely, it is necessary to reduce speed of Disney Fantasy due to a mechanical challenge. For this reason, we must modify our itinerary in order to reach Port Canaveral on time on Saturday. As a result, we are unable to call at Castaway Cay during this week’s itinerary. Instead we will spend the next two days at sea with onboard events and activities. As a goodwill gesture, each stateroom will receive a $200 onboard credit as well as a 20% discount on a future three, four or seven night cruise vacation with us when taken within the next 24 months. In order to redeem the discount, please feel free to contact us (or have your travel agent contact us) after Monday, February 8, 2016 at 407-566-7000 or 1-866-7416. All you have to do is simply reference your current reservation number to receive the 20% discount off of the voyage fare of your next cruise taken within 24 months. We would also like to not that this offer is non-transferable, valid for only those guests who cruises on this voyage, excludes holiday sailings an is not combinable with any other discounts (including the Onboard Sales offer). We appreciate your understanding and are dedicated to ensuring that you and your family have an enjoyable vacation onboard the Disney Fantasy. Sincerely, Cast & Crew

Disney Cruise Line

UPDATE: Friday Feb 5, 2016 – Notable Passenger Tweets

Updates from the Fantasy-we will make it to PC at 6:15- which is 15 min late then we have to wait on other ships arriving on time to pull in — Christy ✨ Pack Your Pixie Dust (@PackYrPixieDust) February 5, 2016

Re the Disney Fantasy- the engine is actually fine but it's the shaft that the issue.Check previous text for the arrival info @TheDCLBlog — Christy ✨ Pack Your Pixie Dust (@PackYrPixieDust) February 5, 2016

No Castaway Cay stings, but this is still way way better than being home pic.twitter.com/ZEdJQ8Jw9o — Heather (@hkeller) February 5, 2016

@terryweaver @TheDCLBlog No report yet of a late departure or an adjusted itinerary for next week. If I hear more, I will report back. — Christy ✨ Pack Your Pixie Dust (@PackYrPixieDust) February 5, 2016

UPDATE February 5, 2016 Clarification of Issue: “Broken Shaft”

We still have not heard back from Disney Cruise Line, nor do we expect to at this point. We have learned via two separate passengers (one I know personally) currently aboard the ship, that the Disney Fantasy’s issue is a broken shaft. Captain Thord reported the issue to passengers early today during the noon announcements.

Specific details on what “broken shaft” mean are not clear. I would imagine if the shaft actually sheared then we’d probably be hearing from passengers scheduled on the next cruise about a delay. In this case, I suspect it may be something that is repairable in port with appropriate parts after reading Ex Techie’s comment below mentioning an issue with bearings.

In fact, Seatrade-Cruise.com received the following response from DCL.

The [DCL] spokeswoman said repairs are scheduled to take place Saturday, and no impact to the next sailing is anticipated.

As you can see in the photo below, the Disney Fantasy propulsion has been reduced to a single prop.

UPDATE: February 6, 2016

Disney Fantasy returned to Port Canaveral later than usual today pushing the normal turnaround day back a few hours.

The Disney Fantasy is arriving back at Port Canaveral now 🙁 pic.twitter.com/ttVoHJkGhf — Heather (@hkeller) February 6, 2016

Work to resolve the issue was done while docked.

Just after 7PM, the lines were dropped and the Disney Fantasy began to leave Port Canaveral. She is due in Cozumel on Monday. Considering the Disney Fantasy returned to port late this morning leaving at 7:15 is not a bad turnaround all things considered.