Disney in Australia – are we about to get a new ship?

• Disney’s first Australian season sold-out, but its second didn’t have quite as much success.
• An analysis of Disney’s scheduling shows the possibility that Aussies could see a new Disney ship for the 2026/2027 season.
• Disney is hugely expanding its plans across Asia, leaving doubt as to where Australia fits into the plan.

After a brilliant sold-out first season, Disney’s second Australian season prompted its largest sales worldwide in Australia, cutting prices up to 30%. 

But some are suggesting Disney might use another method to reignite sales.

Forward cruise schedules reveal one strategy that Disney might employ to get the momentum back on their side. This would be bringing a new Disney ship to Australia.

Forward cruise schedules show that Disney Magic would be in position to pivot to Australia for the 26/27 season, offering Aussie cruisers something fresh and exciting, potentially bringing in more repeat Disney cruisers as well. While Disney Magic, like Disney Wonder which has been sailing in Australia so far, is one of the older ships in the fleet, it also has plenty of distinct differences that would make it an exciting switch-up for Aussie cruisers.

The reason for this speculation, is that both Disney Wonder and Disney Magic will be sailing Alaskan itineraries out of Vancouver in 2026, during the Australian winter. This is the route that Disney Wonder has been alternating with Australian sailings. 

Normally it’s only Disney Wonder that does this route, but the two ships sailing there together offers the opportunity for Disney to send a new ship to Australia, and by then, Disney Wonder will have already sailed three seasons in Australia. 

Disney Wonder is already listed as visiting Australia for the 2026/2027 season in Sydney’s cruise schedule, however, it’s not unusual for cruise lines to list a ship as a placeholder and then switch it out for another. For example, Voyager of the Seas is listed to visit Brisbane during the 26/27 season despite confirmation that it’s actually heading to Los Angeles. 

Disney Cruises is at an interesting cross-roads with its Australian market, especially as it hugely bolsters its presence across Asia. The massive, 6000-passenger Disney Adventure is soon to debut out of Singapore, and Disney has confirmed it will be basing a ship out of Japan as well. 

Disney Adventure’s massive size has also allowed it to release cruises at lower price points, meaning Aussies could even save money by cruising in Singapore instead.

With Disney’s fleet expanding it does appear likely they’ll keep visiting Australia, but it remains to be seen if changing ships will be the strategy they implement to keep Aussie’s happy and cruising. 

Disney expands across Asia 

Disney Adventure, the new ship set to sail out of Singapore will become Disney’s biggest ship by far. The massive ship will sail three to four-day itineraries out of Singapore, with the cruise line signing a five-year deal with the port, signalling their long-term intent for Disney Adventure to lead their Asian presence.

The vast ship will also have a different design compared with other Disney ships, mirroring the Royal Caribbean Icon Class design, with distinct ‘neighbourhoods’ on the ship that will be known as different themed lands.

The ship will feature seven of these themed lands: Disney Imagination Garden, Marvel Landing, Toy Story Place, San Fransokyo Street, Town Square, Wayfinder Bay and Disney Discovery Reef. 

Each of the themed lands will have attractions unique to the theme, such as a huge Ironman rollercoaster in the Marvel section and a waterpark filled with Toy Story characters in Toy Story Place. 

There’ll also be a first-of-its-kind Marvel Studio, where guests can go and get full makeovers, including clothing and make-up, to look like their favourite Marvel characters. There will also be a studio where kids can go and get makeovers to look like their favourite Disney prince and princesses.

While Disney Adventure is undoubtedly set to make a splash, this is just one of Disney’s moves in the region. It’s also been confirmed that from 2028 onwards, Disney will sail a ship out of Tokyo, hosting about 4000 passengers.

Oriental Land Company, who operates Tokyo Disneyland commented: “This decision was based on the potential growth of the cruise market in Japan, the experience the company has gained in its theme park and hotel operations, and its strong relationship with the Disney company, which will serve as a great advantage for this business opportunity.”