Disney Fantasy itinerary change to avoid Hurricane Erin

Published on Aug 22, 2025, 4:04 pm CDT

6 min read

Disney Cruise Line has adjusted the Monday, August 25, 2025 Disney Fantasy sailing to steer clear of Hurricane Erin in the Bay of Biscay. The 4-night Spain cruise from Southampton will no longer call at Bilbao, Spain, and will instead visit Zeebrugge, Belgium, on Wednesday, August 27. Port Adventures booked for Bilbao will be removed, with new options available for Zeebrugge in the Navigator app and at the Port Adventures Desk once the ship departs.

Key Points

Why it matters: A Disney Fantasy itinerary change helps the ship avoid Erin's rough seas in the Bay of Biscay.
Travel impact: The Bilbao call on August 27 is replaced by Zeebrugge, with excursions rebooked onboard or in the app.
What's next: Erin is transitioning as it moves across the North Atlantic, so additional routing tweaks remain possible.
Guests embark and debark in Southampton as planned, August 25 to August 29.
Disney recently altered a separate Disney Treasure cruise due to Erin, underscoring the storm's wide footprint.

Snapshot

The revised plan keeps the Disney Fantasy on a safer, more northerly track. The schedule now reads, Monday, August 25, Southampton departure, Tuesday at sea, Wednesday, August 27, Zeebrugge, Thursday at sea, Friday, August 29, Southampton. Disney informed guests that previously booked Bilbao excursions will be canceled automatically, with Zeebrugge activities opening for reservation through the Navigator app and at the Port Adventures Desk after sail away. The change follows National Hurricane Center guidance showing Erin's evolution and the potential for hazardous seas in the Bay of Biscay early next week, conditions that could affect comfort and on time operations if the original course were maintained.

Background

Disney planned two late August Spain short breaks from Southampton in summer 2025. The August 25 departure was a 4-night Spain cruise featuring a single port day in Bilbao between sea days, with embarkation and debarkation in Southampton. That lineup, promoted on Disney's site and by multiple retailers, placed the ship directly along a corridor that can be influenced by North Atlantic systems funneling swell into the Bay of Biscay. With Hurricane Erin's track and size sending long period waves across broad distances, Disney's shift to Zeebrugge lowers weather exposure while preserving a European port call and the overall cruise length. Guests should expect automatic cancellation of Bilbao Port Adventures and the opening of Zeebrugge options once onboard, consistent with Disney's notice.

Latest Developments

Disney Fantasy swaps Bilbao for Zeebrugge to stay clear of Erin

Disney Cruise Line messaged booked guests on August 22 that the Bilbao call would be replaced by Zeebrugge, Belgium, on Wednesday, August 27. The rest of the 4-night schedule is unchanged, with at sea days on Tuesday and Thursday, and Southampton as the turnaround port on August 25 and August 29. The operator stated that Bilbao excursions will drop from guest accounts automatically, and that Zeebrugge offerings will be available in the Navigator app and at the Port Adventures Desk after departure. The adjustment mirrors earlier hurricane season practice seen this month when Disney Treasure pivoted from an Eastern to Western Caribbean route to avoid Erin, highlighting routine, safety first planning during volatile marine weather.

Forecast context, swells and comfort considerations in the Bay of Biscay

As of the National Hurricane Center's late morning advisory on August 22, Erin is weakening and undergoing a post tropical transition while moving away into the North Atlantic. Despite that change, large wind fields and long period swells can persist and propagate far from the center, which is why operators preemptively re route to keep ships, crews, and travelers out of the roughest patches. This is especially relevant for a short cruise with limited schedule padding and a single port day. Guests should watch Disney's in app updates, since additional, minor timing adjustments can occur when systems are evolving over broad ocean areas.

Analysis

From a traveler standpoint, this itinerary change trades a northern Spain culture day for time in Belgium's gateway to Bruges and Brussels. Zeebrugge offers easy rail links to Bruges for canals and medieval squares, and to Brussels for museums and chocolate workshops, which softens the disappointment for guests who booked Bilbao. Practically, the reroute minimizes time in the Bay of Biscay, where Erin's residual swell and winds could make for an uncomfortable ride, even as the storm transitions. It also preserves the cruise length and the Southampton logistics, important for those with fixed rail or flight plans. If you pre booked private tours in Bilbao, contact providers promptly to discuss refunds or changes, and rebook Zeebrugge activities as soon as the app opens them after sail away. Pack for cooler, potentially damp weather compared to northern Spain, and consider ship provided shuttles or rail to Bruges' historic center.

Hurricane season has already rippled through multiple sectors this week. In aviation, transatlantic flows have seen tactical adjustments, which can cross connect with cruise operations and crew movements. For a wider operational view, see our coverage of North Atlantic traffic shifts in FAA closes North Atlantic route L453. The through line is clear, safety and schedule reliability improve when operators preemptively sidestep marine hazards, rather than chasing a published port at all costs.

Final Thoughts

The move from Bilbao to Zeebrugge is a textbook example of risk management during an active Atlantic pattern. By staying north of Erin's influence, Disney keeps a European port day on the calendar, reduces motion discomfort risk, and preserves the short break's pacing. Watch the Navigator app after departure for Port Adventure openings in Belgium, and plan simple rail or shuttle moves to Bruges for a relaxed day ashore. If you held independent Bilbao plans, act quickly on cancellations. The bottom line is a safer ride and a still satisfying itinerary, which is the goal of any Disney Fantasy itinerary change.