Disney Cruise Line to Exit Australia, Is This Why?

Hey, friends! It looks like Disney Cruise Line’s Australian adventure will be a short-lived chapter in the company’s story. After much excitement surrounding the arrival of the Disney Wonder in 2023, fans were hoping this ‘Down Under’ debut would become a permanent fixture in the cruise calendar. Sadly, that dream has hit rough seas. Speaking to Yahoo News over the weekend, Tristan from Disney Cruise Line’s Shoreside Guest Services leadership team confirmed, “We are currently going to be sailing in the Australia and New Zealand region up until February 2026. We will not return for the 2026/2027 season.” For many local Disney fans, it’s a gut punch, especially after just getting a taste of the magic at sea, even though we all saw it coming.

The news leaves plenty of unanswered questions. Was it low demand? Logistical hurdles? Or simply Disney testing the waters before deciding to focus elsewhere? While Disney hasn’t provided an official reason, the timing is curious. The Australia and New Zealand sailings were met with considerable fanfare and quick bookings when first announced. Still, competition in the cruise market here is fierce, and itineraries have reportedly been heavily seasonal. Pair that with the underlying disgruntlement over the suboptimal destination options, and the result seems inevitable. Still, for those who were already planning a second or third voyage, it’s hard not to feel like the magic carpet just got yanked out from under them.

If you’ve been dreaming about sailing the surrounding Australian / New Zealand waters with Captain Mickey, you’ve now got an apparent countdown clock. With the final season wrapping in February 2026, this is your last chance (for the foreseeable future) to enjoy the Disney Cruise Line Australian experience. Book early, pack your Minnie ears, and savor every second on board, because once the Disney Wonder sails out of Australian waters for the last time, there’s no telling when she’ll be back.

Where could the Disney Wonder be headed next? Let us know your wishes and best guesses!