The question now is: will they be the only ones to pull the plug?
It was revealed over the weekend that after just three seasons Down Under, Disney Cruise Line will end its operations in Australia and New Zealand after February 2026.
In her article for Traveltalk, cruise expert Honida Beram said the writing had been on the wall.
“Despite all the magic, Disney Cruise Line’s departure was foreshadowed by several signs,” she wrote.
“The Disney Wonder vanished from Melbourne’s 2026/27 schedule, raising early speculation.
“While Disney usually announces new seasons in June, its silence by August hinted at cancellation.”
Limited port stops, premium pricing and expensive onboard costs charged in U.S. dollars may also have influenced the withdrawal.
Yet Disney’s decision is something that senior cruise executives have long been predicting could happen.
“CLIA has consistently warned that the complex regulatory environment and high operating costs in Australia and New Zealand are putting the region at risk of losing cruise capacity to other markets,” said Joel Katz, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director in Australia, in a statement to Traveltalk.
“Demand for cruising remains strong internationally, however without action we risk losing valuable tourism revenue, jobs and investment to countries with more competitive conditions.
“There is an urgent need for globally competitive policy settings that provide certainty for long-term planning – and recognise the enormous economic benefits that cruise delivers – to secure the full potential of this vital sector of tourism.”
The effect of Disney’s announcement has also been felt across the Tasman.
“It’s just another blow on countless blows we’ve had,” said Debbie Summers, Deputy Chair, NZ Cruise Association.
“We are going to show them a great season this season so they leave with the best memories and hopefully come back one day when the operating environment for cruise is favourable, because right now it just isn’t.”
No-one from Disney would go on the record or make an official statement regarding the future of the cruise line in Australia when approached by Traveltalk.
However, we understand that the launch of Disney Adventure from Singapore this December prompted the cruise line to reposition Disney Wonder to another part of the world after it concludes its 2025/2026 season in Australasia.
The new Disney Adventure will launch on December 15. This larger vessel, with capacity for 6,000 guests, promises new experiences including Marvel Style Studio and shows starring Captain Jack Sparrow.
In recent times both Cunard and Virgin Voyages have decided not to homeport ships in Australia after testing the waters.
While Disney Wonder won’t return to Australia after next February, it’s believed that Australia remains on the cruise line’s list of future considerations. Whether they have the desire to return remains to be seen.
It would seem that it’s going to take a rather large chunk of cheese to entice Mickey back to our shores.
