New dates for 2026 staring to appear

[Lillebelle]

I was not expecting for them to have both the Magic and Wonder in Alaska. Was really hoping one of them would being going of San Diego summer of 2026 so we could do a more affordable cruise that we could drive to.

Big +1 to that. I know the Alaska cruises are popular so I guess they figure this will make them more money but there's such an untapped cruise market of Disney-loving people in California. I don't think it's fair to gauge demand when they only sail during the school year out here (other than Alaska which is just so expensive).

 

[DCLMP]

Big +1 to that. I know the Alaska cruises are popular so I guess they figure this will make them more money but there's such an untapped cruise market of Disney-loving people in California. I don't think it's fair to gauge demand when they only sail during the school year out here (other than Alaska which is just so expensive).

I don't think they needed the Magic in the Caribbean or Bahamas with three other ships there...but Alaska with a bad itinerary? They have been offering discounts on Alaska sailings so I don't think the market is that gang busters.

Why didn't they put the ship in New York or San Diego.I think that what have been a much better market. I would be booking a San Diego cruise as soon as they opened. I've done three cruses out of San Diego in the Spring they were sold out. I think those of us that think this was a bad decision will end up being right

 

[holula]

It will be the Wonder for AUS, I'm certain. Magic ends Alaska on Sept 17, Wonder doesn't end til Sept 28 and the first time she appears on the Sydney port schedule is Oct 22, which pretty much lines up with the Van to Hawaii cruise followed by the trans Pacific. Having said that we are planning to book the Van to Hawaii cruise for Fall 2026 and I'd be happy with either the Wonder or Magic

I’m surprised at Disney’s short sightedness with this honestly, you’d think a new ship would attract more bookings since the shows and restaurants are different.

 

[o&smom]

What were thinking about doing?

We always look for “the deal”. We have been talking about doing the British Isles cruise for years. Ended up booking Alaska for this year because DD was only 15 months old last time we did it. Was very interested in multiple options in September, 2025. Then another Panama Canal cruise popped up. Could not miss out on that, so now 2027 is the year to go back to Europe. I did end up finding that the 2026 western repositioning cruise was “only” $1000 more and DD would not miss any school. Hopefully, it stays similar for next year. Fingers crossed.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

That may change with two ships.

I would agree to that.

 

[DCLMP]

We always look for “the deal”. We have been talking about doing the British Isles cruise for years. Ended up booking Alaska for this year because DD was only 15 months old last time we did it. Was very interested in multiple options in September, 2025. Then another Panama Canal cruise popped up. Could not miss out on that, so now 2027 is the year to go back to Europe. I did end up finding that the 2026 western repositioning cruise was “only” $1000 more and DD would not miss any school. Hopefully, it stays similar for next year. Fingers crossed.

I like long cruises in Europe. Disney doesn't offer much anymore. I would have liked to see DCL put one of the older ships in Europe for the summer with some unique itineraries. That what other cruise lines do. They give the older ships the best itineraries. The new ships get the traditional ones. If they priced them in line with other cruise lines they would sell.

 

[holula]

I like long cruises in Europe. Disney doesn't offer much anymore. I would have liked to see DCL put one of the older ships in Europe for the summer with some unique itineraries. That what other cruise lines do. They give the older ships the best itineraries. The new ships get the traditional ones. If they priced them in line with other cruise lines they would sell.

I’m hoping one year they try two ships in Europe - one based from the UK and one in the Med. It would give them so many more itinerary opportunities especially since the bulk of the UK cruises are now 3/4 nights and aimed at UK guests. I’m actually surprised they have tried two ships in Alaska before two in Europe.

 

[o&smom]

I like long cruises in Europe. Disney doesn't offer much anymore. I would have liked to see DCL put one of the older ships in Europe for the summer with some unique itineraries. That what other cruise lines do. They give the older ships the best itineraries. The new ships get the traditional ones. If they priced them in line with other cruise lines they would sell.

100% agree! We love long cruises as well, especially in Europe. We have been lucky to have cruised three long Mediterranean cruises and the first long cruise that went to Iceland. The price is just so crazy! We cruised the 12 night in 2023 because we had 50% off from being cancelled on two of the initial sailings on the Wish. We also love the older ships and are happy to be sailing on both the Wonder this Fall and the Magic next spring. Was happy to see that Disney has added back in Malta and Corsica recently. Hopefully they will actual go back to Kusadasi at some point. We went to Tunisia on our first cruise with Disney. Totally understand why they have not returned there.

 

[Flossbolna]

I’m hoping one year they try two ships in Europe - one based from the UK and one in the Med. It would give them so many more itinerary opportunities especially since the bulk of the UK cruises are now 3/4 nights and aimed at UK guests. I’m actually surprised they have tried two ships in Alaska before two in Europe.

That’s exactly what I was thinking and hoping for.

 

[DCLMP]

100% agree! We love long cruises as well, especially in Europe. We have been lucky to have cruised three long Mediterranean cruises and the first long cruise that went to Iceland. The price is just so crazy! We cruised the 12 night in 2023 because we had 50% off from being cancelled on two of the initial sailings on the Wish. We also love the older ships and are happy to be sailing on both the Wonder this Fall and the Magic next spring. Was happy to see that Disney has added back in Malta and Corsica recently. Hopefully they will actual go back to Kusadasi at some point. We went to Tunisia on our first cruise with Disney. Totally understand why they have not returned there.

Did you notice the price dropped in 2026 for the 12 night med. Rooms start at around 9k instead of 11k. It's still a lot more than other cruises I've looked at. I'm looking at a Princess Baltic cruise minus St Pete 12 nights 5k for Balcony. 60 a day per person for wifi, drinks and gratuities. Not a bad deal. I'm also considering a 10 night on the NCL viva out of Istanbul ending in Venice. 7k for an Oceanview with gratuities, wifi and drinks. If cruise lines are pulling out of that region it may not be doable.

 

[LandonM170]

I’m hoping one year they try two ships in Europe - one based from the UK and one in the Med.

THIS! It's shocking that the Magic & Wonder are basically doing the same itinerary (Ward Cove is just another docking site for Ketchikan) from the same departure port at the same time!

Europe is so much bigger than the Eastern Alaskan panhandle. Disney having three departure ports in Europe with one ship do it all in three/four months is crazy. Have one ship do Northern and Western Europe from Southampton (and maybe add Copenhagen back too), while another doing Mediterranean and Greek Isles from Barcelona and Civitavecchia. It would allow for more than two 7 night sailings to each European destination (some like British Isles only getting one). Also, would allow for maybe Iceland to come back!

I would think Disney having a second ship in the region (either Alaska or Europe) would lower prices for the destination since the quantity has increased. If they actually did that, it would be great for business, I feel, as more people would consider a Disney cruise, and probably get hooked. But looks like they are not doing that since they only care about increasing profits (which I get every company does, but I wish it wasn't the case).

 

[AgentMama]

We would have thought if they were running 2 ships in Alaska they would have one doing northbound or southbound itineraries with Vancouver and Seward and the other sailing out of Seattle. It doesn't seem like their itineraries or price point is good enough for 2 ships. It'll be interesting to see how they sell.

Other than new ships, DCL itineraries for summer 2026 seem like same old same old.

 

[Dug720]

What is most amusing to me is these same conversations happen on at least the Royal and Celebrity boards on Cruise Critic when new scheduled come out. It's not just a DCL thing.

 

[Mommb]

We would have thought if they were running 2 ships in Alaska they would have one doing northbound or southbound itineraries with Vancouver and
Other than new ships, DCL itineraries for summer 2026 seem like same old same old.

The European cruises include several ports that Disney hasn't visited at all or has not visited frequently:

Corfu, Greece will have 2 cruises visiting. DCL last visited in 2014.
Dubrovnik, Croatia will have 1 cruise visiting. DCL visited once in 2022 and before that, in 2014.
Valletta, Malta will have 2 cruises visiting, including one 2-day stop. DCL had a visit in 2024 and will have one in 2025, and before that, in 2014.
Cagliari, Italy will have 3 cruises visiting, the first stops for Disney.
Ajaccio, France will have 1 cruise visiting. DCL visited once in 2019 and before that, in 2011.
Rotterdam, Netherlands will have 2 cruises visiting. DCL visited once in 2023.
Malaga, Spain will have 1 cruise visiting. All previous DCL stops were on Transatlantic cruises.
Skagen, Denmark will have 1 cruise visiting. DCL visited once each in 2022 and 2023.

I am guessing DCL will look at how these new or new-ish ports do before determining to send another ship to Europe. In the 2023 Northern European cruise which stopped at some new and new-ish ports, there are many issues with excursions starting late (or even not at all) and excursions that didn't work out as described. Because Disney relies on local companies and doesn't have a lot of experience in Europe compared to other cruise lines, they may be reluctant to make a large investment until they are confident guests will have a good experience in additional ports.

 

[LandonM170]

I agree on the European itineraries. I thought they were good, especially with seeing some ports we haven't gotten in a minute. We won't get actual, unique itineraries until they get a second ship in Europe.