Disney Cruises 2026/2027 – Australia and New Zealand season preview
What we know
- Port schedules show Disney plans a return to Australia from October 2026 to February 2027
- Sydney, Eden and Melbourne have provisional dates so far
- Australian listings are for Disney Wonder despite rumours of the Disney Magic
- UPDATE - 10 June: Port of Auckland has added Auckland dates with ports in Wellington, Lyttelton and Tauranga
Disney Wonder docked in Eden, NSW
Disney Cruise season 2026/2027: what we know so far
While we patiently wait for the 2025/2026 season to roll around, we’re already looking ahead to 2026 and 2027. Will Disney Cruises return to Australia? If provisional port schedules are anything to go by, the answer seems to be yes.
Rumours had swirled that Disney, which has been sending the 27-year-old Disney Wonder down under, wouldn’t be back for a fourth season. Some reports pointed to declining sales, while others cited the upcoming Disney Adventure sailings out of Singapore. But then the rumour mill changed course when Disney Magic shifted its 2026 summer itinerary to the West Coast of the US—routes traditionally covered by the Wonder.
Which ship will be sailing?
So, is Disney preparing to send the Disney Magic to Australia and New Zealand? According to the Port Authority of New South Wales, the Disney Wonder is currently scheduled to return to Sydney and Eden between 22 October 2026 and 1 February 2027. Melbourne has also added some provisional dates.
It’s worth noting that port schedules don’t necessarily confirm a new season—and they don’t rule out the Magic either. These could simply be placeholders from Disney Cruise Line. At this stage, Brisbane, Hobart and Auckland haven’t released their timetables yet.
Bluey and Bingo began appearing on the Disney Wonder in 2025. Will they be back too?
Ports and itineraries
Sydney
The dates below indicate itineraries ranging from 3 to 5 nights. As usual, cruises will alternate between the Overseas Passenger Terminal and the White Bay Cruise Terminal.
22 October (Arr) - 23 October (Dep) 2026 - White Bay Cruise Terminal
26 October 2026 - Overseas Passenger Terminal
30 October 2026 - White Bay Cruise Terminal
2 November 2026 - White Bay Cruise Terminal
5 November 2026 - White Bay Cruise Terminal
29 December 2026 - Overseas Passenger Terminal (New Year’s Eve cruise)
3 January 2027 - White Bay Cruise Terminal
7 January 2027 - White Bay Cruise Terminal
10 January 2027 - White Bay Cruise Terminal
15 January 2027 - White Bay Cruise Terminal
18 January 2027 - Overseas Passenger Terminal
22 January 2027 - White Bay Cruise Terminal
25 January 2027 - White Bay Cruise Terminal
29 January 2027 - White Bay Cruise Terminal
1 Feb 2027 - White Bay Cruise Terminal
Eden
It’s also worth noting that Eden in southern NSW has the Wonder scheduled for 25 & 28 October, 1 & 4 November, 30 December 2026 and the 9, 14, 17, 24 and 31 January 2027. Given that those dates all align with the Sydney ports, this would indicate that 10 out of the 15 (or about 67%) Sydney departing cruises have a stop in Eden.
Disney Wonder sailing past the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Melbourne
Ports Victoria has posted their provisional cruise ship schedule for Station Pier. Based on date of arrival, the Wonder is currently listed in that break between the first and second half of the Sydney schedule. The dates indicate a mixture of 3 and 4 night cruises.
8 November 2026
12 November 2026
15 November 2026
19 November 2026
22 November 2026
26 November 2026
29 November 2026
New Zealand
UPDATED: 10 June
Disney Wonder will visit New Zealand ports throughout December 2026. Using the 2025/2026 itineraries as a guide, this has included cruises ranging from 3 to 10 nights. If the pattern holds, Disney will likely depart Melbourne in late November, sail around Auckland and the surrounding islands, sounds, and fiordlands, and return to Sydney in time for the New Year’s Eve cruise. Dates listed on Port of Auckland include:
25 November - Queens Wharf - Next port: Wellington
30 November - Queens Wharf - Next port: Wellington
4 December - Queens Wharf - Next port: Auckland
11 December - Queens Wharf - Next port: Auckland
14 December - Princes Wharf - Next port: Wellington
19 December - Queens Wharf - Next port: Tauranga
Tips for booking early
If past years are any indication, Disney Cruise Line typically releases itineraries for the upcoming Australia–New Zealand season around mid to late June, roughly 12–15 months before departure. Booking opens in stages based on Castaway Club status:
Platinum members get first dibs,
followed by Gold,
then Silver,
and finally, first-time guests.
To maximise your chances of securing your preferred itinerary and stateroom, it pays to be ready when bookings open — especially if you're eyeing school holiday dates or verandah rooms. We'll be updating this post as soon as the full 2026/2027 schedule drops, and there's a good chance we'll be booking right alongside you.
That said, as we recently discovered, waiting can pay off too — last-minute deals and occasional discounts do pop up if you’re flexible with dates and cabin types.
Be sure to check back when the full schedule is announced. There’s a pretty good chance we’ll be booking something as soon as they go on sale.
