DCL not returning to Australia/NZ

[BecBennett]

It's starting to look like DCL won't be returning to Australia after the 25/26 season, and I'm pretty bummed.

Obviously there's no official word yet, but The Wonder has been removed from the Melbourne port schedule, and I've read of a few people contacting the call centre to confirm it.

So after February the closest Disney cruise will be Singapore

Sorry, just having a little pity party.

 

[kirstyfly]

I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't return as the price is lot of dollars for us down here to sail again on the same boat.

We went first season on a 3 day magic at sea cruise in December and it was to short, didn't get to a lot of things as those lines to met characters were insane. They also pulled Pirate night after advertising it for 3 night and longer cruises to then be for 4 night or longer cruises. ( even after they pulled it all their promo stuff was still saying 3 nights or more for weeks).

We are going on a 5 night cruise this December as I wanted to experience some Christmas decorations and theme. I did look at the 10 night to Sydney cruise over Christmas put couldn't justify the price, as would then need accommodation at the end and flight back to New Zealand.

I also booked this cruise to experience things we missed/didn't do last time.
Fire works
Marvel show (since been replaced with Bluey appearance)
Pirate night
Watch a movie in the theater
Use the pool
Eat at Cabanas
Pixie dust staterooms
Silent disco
Bingo
Palo

I'm sure there are more but that is what comes to mind.

I'm not against visiting Singapore (although the Adventure size is off putting). I would make a trip out of it to visit Singapore or use it as a stop over to somewhere else.

 

[asgur5]

Mismanagement by disney at its worst.

 

[Girl of the South]

The Disney cruises seemed to be incredibly expensive from Australian ports. Wanted to send some Aussie friends on one but the price was insane.

 

[Staceycs]

Just called DCL Aus to check on some special requests for this season, and at the end I asked about 26/27 for the Wonder. The Cast Member confirmed the Wonder won’t be coming back, and “she is being sent somewhere else in the world”. I asked if the Magic would possibly replace her, and he said they have no information on that.

Edited to add- As the Magic is showing on the Galveston schedule at that time, then I guess that answers that!!

 

[Royal Consort]

I would  like to feel saddened by this, but I don't. The enterprise here was bungled. We took one cruise to New Zealand, five sea days, and I've never been so bored. American trivia? Really? Lol. It just wasn't a good marketing fit.

If DCL took me around NZ (I know theres one cruise at xmas by I am not paying that) and into the south pacific I would have booked.

 

[AussieNSW]

Just checked and it is still on the port authority schedule for Sydney harbour and Eden and it is there for the 2026/2027 season. I don't know what this means but at least at the moment there is some hope. Although i couldn't find it the Hobart schedule.

 

[yowcruiser]

Just called DCL Aus to check on some special requests for this season, and at the end I asked about 26/27 for the Wonder. The Cast Member confirmed the Wonder won’t be coming back, and “she is being sent somewhere else in the world”. I asked if the Magic would possibly replace her, and he said they have no information on that.

Edited to add- As the Magic is showing on the Galveston schedule at that time, then I guess that answers that!!

...to add, it has also been said that DCL is trying to avoid high speed long crossings for the Magic as it is putting a real strain on her. Panama is manageable, but the days where she crosses either large oceans with multiple days at sea are most likely behind.

 

[yowcruiser]

....interesting to hear that the CMs are now confirming the information. I have heard from people who know people that know people that know other people that are potentially, maybe in the know... but never straight from a DCL CM

 

[Dreams&wishes]

I mean so expensive for what it is. I booked the adventure for four day for less than a three days Sydney to nowhere cruise.
With so many ports around Australia I don't understand why they didn't give a better offer.

 

[DCLMP]

Maybe this is why it's taking so long for them to release next years Fall cruises. Is the Wonder showing up anywhere else? If I had to guess the Wonder will just be in California. I'm not expecting anything unique out of DCL.

 

[yowcruiser]

Maybe this is why it's taking so long for them to release next years Fall cruises. Is the Wonder showing up anywhere else? If I had to guess the Wonder will just be in California. I'm not expecting anything unique out of DCL.

That is ny guess as well... more or less going back to an extended San Diego season - but staying the entire time out West without a Panama crossing. I do recall a few months ago that Thomas Mazloum hinted of a west coast announcement when he was still head of that division...

Now, (and this is definitely not happening for so many reasons), they could always lend the Wonder to OLC and ship the Wonder to Japan for "trial runs"...

 

[holula]

That is ny guess as well... more or less going back to an extended San Diego season - but staying the entire time out West without a Panama crossing.

I did those cruises in 2022 and they had to heavily discount even before PIF date. It was the cheapest DCL I’d sailed in about 10 years.

If they are going to keep a ship in California over the Winter, if I was Disney I’d make it the Magic. The Wonder hasn’t been through the canal is ages, it would mean both coasts get a different ship than the one they are used to. (I know the Magic has sailed from California before.)

 

[yowcruiser]

I did those cruises in 2022 and they had to heavily discount even before PIF date. It was the cheapest DCL I’d sailed in about 10 years.

If they are going to keep a ship in California over the Winter, if I was Disney I’d make it the Magic. The Wonder hasn’t been through the canal is ages, it would mean both coasts get a different ship than the one they are used to. (I know the Magic has sailed from California before.)

...and I absolutely do recall the deep discounts out of SD... it was very tempting to book one these sailings.

Now, the Wonder would also be due for dry dock in the Fall of 2026 if it is on a 3-year schedule and they usually take care of the Wonder in Victoria, so that may dictate which ships stays where...

 

[ljhayes]

...and I absolutely do recall the deep discounts out of SD... it was very tempting to book one these sailings.

Now, the Wonder would also be due for dry dock in the Fall of 2026 if it is on a 3-year schedule and they usually take care of the Wonder in Victoria, so that may dictate which ships stays where...

The Wonder already has a break in its schedule, presumedly for dry dock, in August.

 

[yowcruiser]

The Wonder already has a break in its schedule, presumedly for dry dock, in August.

True - forgot about that...

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Not surprised as they can’t fill the ship..

It really needs to be an every 3-5 year thing to keep it special than yearly

 

[happycamper47]

Mismanagement by disney at its worst.

I don't think the cruises are selling.

 

[Chipmunkmaniac]

On the Fantasy crew was sending the same information into the world about the Wonder: no more Australia and staying in San Diego over the Winter
Glad I did my b2b SPC and Hawaii this year then

 

[tvguy]

Remember, Australia was one of the last markets to reopen to cruising during the pandemic, nearly two years after most other cruise ports. Environmental restrictions have been a hassle for cruise lines. And a family member who live in Australia put it this way....."some in Australia are questioning whether the negatives of allowing cruise ships outweigh the positives". Disney may have just thrown in the towel.