MS Disney Wonder arrived in Sydney Harbour on Friday morning, October 27, in anticipation of her inaugural Australian season.
This marks the first time a DCL-Disney Cruise Line ship has sailed in Australian waters since the brand DCL was established in 1998.
Starting on Saturday, October 28, the 2700-passenger liner will begin a series of voyages departing from ports along Australia's eastern seaboard.
The itineraries are with durations ranging from 2 to 6 nights and based on homeporting in/departures from Sydney NSW, Melbourne Victoria, Brisbane QLD, as well as Auckland NZ, commencing with a 4-night roundtrip from Sydney.
Ahead of this inaugural cruise in Australia, Thomas Mazloum, President of Disney Signature Experiences, mentioned that Australian and New Zealand fans can expect an enhanced version of Disney's previous cruises. These voyages will place a special focus on the "at sea" experience.
While the Australian sailings won't mirror Disney's North American itineraries, which famously include visits to Disney's private island in the Bahamas, they provide an accessible way for fans in the region to enjoy Disney without the need to travel overseas to one of its theme parks, according to Mazloum.
In addition to meeting Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse, passengers will have the opportunity to interact with characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars films. Younger guests can enjoy playing in a multi-level replica of Andy's Room from Toy Story or partake in superhero training at the Marvel Super Hero Academy.
Disney's sailings in Australia and New Zealand were initially introduced as a limited offering last year. Due to significant demand, the cruise line added a second season, scheduled from October 2024 to February 2025.
Mazloum reported that sales for the second cruise season, which includes ports of call at Hobart in Tasmania, Eden in New South Wales, and Noumea in New Caledonia, have had a strong start.
Stateroom prices for the Disney Wonder start at US$1486 for two passengers on a 2-night voyage.
Disney Cruise Line won't be the only newcomer to the Australian cruise scene. Virgin Voyages and Scenic will also be deploying ships in the region for the first time, promising an exciting season.
In the 2023-2024 season, ~70 ships from 27 different companies/brands will sail in Australian waters, surpassing the levels seen before the COVID crisis.