Disney Cruise Line will no longer have a ship homeported in Australia after the next season, after the company confirmed the 2025-26 Disney Magic at Sea sailings on board Disney Wonder will be its last Down Under.
After cruise experts picked up Disney Wonder’s omission from port schedules beyond the 2025-26 season, a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson told Yahoo that “it will not return for the 2026-27 season”.
“Sailings from Australia and New Zealand remain on our list for future consideration, however, since future itineraries have not been released past the 2026/2027 season, we’re not able to make any comments on that regrettably.”
Disney Magic at Sea sailings from Australia and New Zealand debuted in October 2023 to much local fanfare with record-breaking bookings and sold-out subsequent seasons.
It’s speculated that increasing fares and limited itineraries led to a decline in demand for the line amid a highly competitive market, contributing to its exit from local waters.
Disney Destinations Vice President, Marketing & Sales International Jeff van Langeveld told Karryon last year that Australia and New Zealand have a very high Disney and cruise affinity.
“[Disney Magic at Sea sailings] started as a strategic approach to bring some Disney post-pandemic but we quickly realised the demand and sold out very quickly,” van Langeveld said.
However, the show still goes on in the Asia-Pacific region. The newest cruise ship, Disney Treasure, will homeport from Singapore from December 2025, offering an alternative to Aussie cruisers who want Disney whimsy at sea.
The largest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the 6,000-passenger Disney Treasure will continue the ANZ strategy with short three- to four-night round-trip cruises at sea and no port stops.
“Disney Treasure is going to be an amazing great opportunity to live Disney and Disney Cruise Line in a whole new way with new stories that will be told aboard,” Disney Destinations Senior Vice President Worldwide Sales & Events Javier Moreno told Karryon last year.
The company also recently announced its ambitious fleet expansion strategy, more than doubling its current lineup with seven more ships planned by 2031.
Disney Wonder’s final Down Under itineraries from Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland start on 19 October 2025 and will conclude in February 2026.
Disney Cruise Line currently has a limited-time deal with 50 per cent off the third and fourth guest on select Australia and New Zealand 2025-26 sailings on sale until 12 October 2025.
For more info, head to disneycruiseline.com/aunz
