Sneak preview of Disney Cruises departing Australia: 2026/2027 season

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

  • Listings are for Disney Wonder despite rumours of the Disney Magic

Disney Wonder docked in Eden, NSW

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.

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?

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

Auckland

There’s nothing listed on the Port of Auckland website at the time of writing. However, based on the dates above—and using the 2025/2026 itineraries as a guide—it’s likely the Disney Wonder will visit New Zealand ports throughout December 2026. In previous years, 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.

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.

Previous
Previous

Nerdy but practical: Six unusual things we always pack

Next
Next

A Visit to Pavillon Le Corbusier in Zurich