Disney Cruise Line Announces The Disney Wonder Will Sail To Australia

Disney fans will be able to immerse themselves in all things Mouse when the entertainment giant brings one of its luxury cruise liners to Australia for the first time next year.

From October 28, 2023, the Disney Wonder - one of the five ships operated by the Disney Cruise Lines - will sail for a limited season from ports on the eastern seaboard of Australia including from Station Pier, Port Melbourne.  

It's the first time a Disney ship will cruise Australian waters since the entertainment company launched its cruise line service in 1998.

Cruises range from between two and six days of Disney magic, and guests will get to hang out with characters such as Captain Mickey Mouse, Captain Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Pluto, as well as characters from the Star Wars and Marvel universes. As you'd expect with Disney, there will be plenty of entertainment, including musical performances and original theatrical shows.

Josh D'Amaro, chairman of parks and experiences, said "the ship is the destination" on these trips, as guests "are immersed in their favourite stories".

The cruises will depart from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland. Bookings open Thursday, September 29, 2022.

The announcement is a further vote of confidence in the Australian cruising market, which is rebounding after international ships were banned from Australian waters in 2020 due to COVID-19 outbreaks.

Over the peak summer cruise period this year, 46 ships are set to sail our waters. 

Richard Branson's adult-only cruise line, Virgin Voyages, will also send a ship to Australia for the first time in 2023, with the 2770-passenger Resilient Lady to be based at Station Pier, Port Melbourne from late next year.

The first of these magical cruises will set sail from Sydney Harbour on October 28, 2023. There will only be a few opportunities, as Disney only plans to run the cruises from Australia until February 2024.