This was published 1 year ago
Disney cruise ship heading to Australia for the first time
By Karl Quinn
The Disney Wonder will become the first Disney cruise ship to sail Australia in October next year.
Disney fans will be able to immerse themselves in all things Mouse when the entertainment giant brings one of its 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 company - will sail for a limited season from ports on the eastern seaboard of Australia, and from Auckland in New Zealand.
It's the first time a Disney ship will cruise Australian waters since the entertainment company launched its cruise line in 1998.
Guests will be able to mingle with a range of characters from the Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar libraries.
Cruises will be available for between two and six nights, with onboard entertainment packaged around characters and experiences from the Hollywood company's vast array of content.
As well as Captains Mickey and Minnie Mouse, guests will be able to mingle with a range of characters from the Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar libraries. Adults can take in a Broadway-style show, while kids can enjoy Frozen and Toy Story-themed experiences.
Disney Wonder was the company's second cruise ship, first setting sail in 1999. The ship can accommodate up to 2400 passengers across 875 staterooms.
The ship can accommodate up to 2400 passengers across 875 staterooms.
The Australian offering was announced at Disney's huge D23 convention and expo in Anaheim, California on Sunday, and drew an enormous cheer from a crowd of more than 6000 fans packed into the main hall. The event was as much stage show - complete with musical numbers and appearances from Marvel studios boss Kevin Feige and Disney Animation chief Jennifer Lee - as it was a press event.
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 in Melbourne from late next year.
The writer travelled to D23 as a guest of Disney.
See also: The coolest cruise ships heading to Australia this summer
See also: Where to now? The future for cruising
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