Disney Wonder Cruising From Sydney 2023

[springaussie]

Disney Wonder is going Down Under–LITERALLY!

Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, Josh D’Amaro, confirmed that the Disney Wonder will be going to Australia beginning October 2023!

The Wonder will also offer South Pacific destinations like Figi and Samoa.

We at Disney Fanatic originally broke the story that Disney Cruise Line had registered in Sydney, Australia, earlier this year, but it was not until now that we got full confirmation.

Disney Cruise Line is able to expand their sailings thanks, in part to the addition of their fifth and first Triton-Class ship, the Disney Wish, and the upcoming addition of a sixth ship called the Disney Treasure–the name of which was also announced at the D23 Expo! Click the link below to read more of our coverage there.

The announcement of Australian cruises was followed by more information on Disney Cruise Line’s new “Private Island” destination in Eleuthera named Lighthouse Point.

 

 

[arxcards]

The unnamed vessel/line shows up in Sydney Ports from 27th October 2023,  so anyone wanting to book can track those dates to pencil in some holiday plans.

[geoff2802]

8 minutes ago, springaussie said:

Disney Wonder is going Down Under–LITERALLY!

Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, Josh D’Amaro, confirmed that the Disney Wonder will be going to Australia beginning October 2023!

The Wonder will also offer South Pacific destinations like Figi and Samoa.

We at Disney Fanatic originally broke the story that Disney Cruise Line had registered in Sydney, Australia, earlier this year, but it was not until now that we got full confirmation.

Disney Cruise Line is able to expand their sailings thanks, in part to the addition of their fifth and first Triton-Class ship, the Disney Wish, and the upcoming addition of a sixth ship called the Disney Treasure–the name of which was also announced at the D23 Expo! Click the link below to read more of our coverage there.

The announcement of Australian cruises was followed by more information on Disney Cruise Line’s new “Private Island” destination in Eleuthera named Lighthouse Point.

 

 

Great news for Disney fans and another choice for cruisers.   

Sydney OPT at full capacity, NSW government has been quiet on the third terminal.  OPT will be chockers.  

[arxcards]

2 minutes ago, geoff2802 said:

Great news for Disney fans and another choice for cruisers.   

Sydney OPT at full capacity, NSW government has been quiet on the third terminal.  OPT will be chockers.  

It seems that Disney Wonder can also use White Bay - not so chockers over there. The bookings for the "unnamed vessel" are split between OPT and White Bay.

[springaussie]

Are people going to pay the prices they get in the USA for these cruises in Oz?

It will will be interesting to see if they combine gratuities in the fare. 

[Kiwi_cruiser]

From Cruise Weekly:

https://cruiseweekly.com.au/news/cw-breaking-news-disney-wonder-to-cruise-from-australia-and-new-zealand/71026

[Kiwi_cruiser]

Its great news for family's and Disney fans!

[Chiliburn]

27 minutes ago, arxcards said:

It seems that Disney Wonder can also use White Bay - not so chockers over there. The bookings for the "unnamed vessel" are split between OPT and White Bay.

Disney wonder comes in at 52.3 meters and I believe the bridge is 53.

 

I don’t think Disney would use White bay though,Disney doesn’t do things second best . Everything is perfect, what would Walt say.

[arxcards]

3 minutes ago, springaussie said:

Are people going to pay the prices they get in the USA for these cruises in Oz?

It will will be interesting to see if they combine gratuities in the fare. 

I fear they will be even dearer. I think there will be plenty of US Disney devotees also looking forward to cruising out of Sydney.

[Chiliburn]

12 minutes ago, springaussie said:

Are people going to pay the prices they get in the USA for these cruises in Oz?

It will will be interesting to see if they combine gratuities in the fare. 

They certainly know how to charge but probably a alternative to taking a family on a long flight.

I have heard the parks are get so busy that some are limiting admission to people only staying at one of their hotels.

[arxcards]

3 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

Disney wonder comes in at 52.3 meters and I believe the bridge is 53.

 

I don’t think Disney would use White bay though,Disney doesn’t do things second best . Everything is perfect, what would Walt say.

Somebody forgot to ask Walt then, as there are bookings at White Bay.

Being able to retract their forward comms mast will give them an extra metre or so of clearance.

[springaussie]

[Porky55]

The only shame about this is the seemingly coincidental continued relocating to the Australian market of the “older ships”. Disney Wonder definitely is NOT a current cruise ship - Built in 1998 and probably full of the same plumbing and wear problems that accompany this era. This isn’t to say it won’t be a wonderful ship - but why didn’t we get Disney Dream or Fantasy?

Source: Wikipedia

Disney Wonder docked at Nassau
History
Bahamas
Name	Disney Wonder
Owner	The Walt Disney Company
Operator	Disney Cruise Line
Port of registry	Bahamas[1]
Ordered	1995
Builder	Fincantieri Marghera shipyard, Italy[2]
Laid down	May 5, 1997
Launched	February 23, 1998
Sponsored by	Tinkerbell and Mickey Mouse
Christened	October 1, 1999
Completed	June 18, 1999
Maiden voyage	August 15, 1999
In service	1999–present
Identification	IMO number: 9126819
Status	in active service
General characteristics
Class and type	Magic-class (Disney) cruise ship[2]
Tonnage	83,000 GT[2]
Length	964 ft (294 m)[2]
Beam	106 ft (32 m)[2]
Draft	25.3 ft (7.7 m)[3]
Decks	11
Installed power	43,000 kW (57,600 hp)
Propulsion	Diesel-Electric; 5 × Sulzer16ZAV40S; two shafts
Speed	Cruising 21.5 knots (39.8 km/h; 24.7 mph), Maximum 23.5 knots (43.5 km/h; 27.0 mph)[3]
Capacity	2,400 passengers[2]
Crew	945

Edited September 11, 2022 by Porky55

[arxcards]

11 minutes ago, springaussie said:

Ouch!!

[Chiliburn]

16 minutes ago, arxcards said:

Somebody forgot to ask Walt then, as there are bookings at White Bay.

Being able to retract their forward comms mast will give them an extra metre or so of clearance.

Here’s a picture of Walt pointing to white bay ,the happiest place on earth.

 

[buchhalm]

1 hour ago, springaussie said:

Disney Wonder is going Down Under–LITERALLY!

Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, Josh D’Amaro, confirmed that the Disney Wonder will be going to Australia beginning October 2023!

The Wonder will also offer South Pacific destinations like Figi and Samoa.

We at Disney Fanatic originally broke the story that Disney Cruise Line had registered in Sydney, Australia, earlier this year, but it was not until now that we got full confirmation.

Disney Cruise Line is able to expand their sailings thanks, in part to the addition of their fifth and first Triton-Class ship, the Disney Wish, and the upcoming addition of a sixth ship called the Disney Treasure–the name of which was also announced at the D23 Expo! Click the link below to read more of our coverage there.

The announcement of Australian cruises was followed by more information on Disney Cruise Line’s new “Private Island” destination in Eleuthera named Lighthouse Point.

 

 

Is "Figi" far from here?

[arxcards]

1 minute ago, buchhalm said:

Is "Figi" far from here?

Their new private Pacific island, next door to Lepala.

 

Still Figi didn't come from Disney, but the recycled announcements. This is the PR release from Disney at D23 Expo.

 

At D23 Expo 2022, Chairman Josh D'Amaro Shares a Boundless Future for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products (prnewswire.com)

[arxcards]

Just noticing via the dates above, I can't see how the ship will be going to Samoa or Fiji apart from Pacific crossings. All of the cruises are short, maxing out with a 6 night NYE cruise, so looks like all are domestic or cruises to nowhere.

[Hammer61]

Wonder which format they will take with pricing onboard? As Carnival Corp do using $A when in this region or as RCI do and its $US and will Gratuity be included in the fare? All bar Cunard and HAL do so when in this part of the world, well for those passengers who booked in Australia or NZ at least, and the UK I believe.

 

Still a welcome addition to the choice from Australia, more competition will only see more competitive pricing and all brands on their toes when it comes to maintaining standards and value for money………hopefully!!!.

[springaussie]

Rough Guide for Disney :

3 Oct 23 YVR-HNL 10 Nights - Hawaii
13 Oct 23 HNL-SYD 14 Nights - Transpacific
28 Oct 23 SYD-SYD 4 Nights - Hobart
1 Nov 23 SYD-MEL 2 Nights - Open Jaw
3 Nov 23 MEL-MEL 2 Nights - Nowhere
5 Nov 23 MEL-MEL 4 Nights - Hobart
9 Nov 23 MEL-MEL 3 Nights - Nowhere
12 Nov 23 MEL-MEL 4 Nights - Hobart
16 Nov 23 MEL-AKL 5 Nights - Open Jaw
21 Nov 23 AKL-AKL 4 Nights - Nowhere
25 Nov 23 AKL-AKL 3 Nights - Nowhere
28 Nov 23 AKL-AKL 3 Nights - Nowhere
1 Dec 23 AKL-AKL 3 Nights - Nowhere
4 Dec 23 AKL-BNE 4 Nights - Open Jaw
8 Dec 23 BNE-BNE 3 Nights - Nowhere
11 Dec 23 BNE-BNE 4 Nights - Sydney Port Call
15 Dec 23 BNE-BNE 5 Nights - Sydney Port Call
20 Dec 23 BNE-BNE 2 Nights - Nowhere
22 Dec 23 BNE-SYD 2 Nights - Open Jaw
24 Dec 23 SYD-SYD 4 Nights - Hobart
28 Dec 23 SYD-SYD 6 Nights - Noumea
3 Jan 24 SYD-SYD 2 Nights - Nowhere
5 Jan 24 SYD-SYD 3 Nights - Eden
8 Jan 24 SYD-SYD 4 Nights - Hobart
12 Jan 24 SYD-SYD 2 Nights - Nowhere
14 Jan 24 SYD-SYD 6 Nights - Noumea
20 Jan 24 SYD-SYD 3 Nights - Eden
23 Jan 24 SYD-MEL 3 Nights - Open Jaw
26 Jan 24 MEL-MEL 4 Nights - Hobart
30 Jan 24 MEL-MEL 3 Nights - Nowhere
2 Feb 24 MEL-MEL 3 Nights - Eden
5 Feb 24 MEL-MEL 4 Nights - Hobart
9 Feb 24 MEL-SYD 3 Nights - Open Jaw
12 Feb 24 SYD-SYD 4 Nights - Hobart
16 Feb 24 SYD-HNL 14 Nights - Transpacific

[Tripmode33]

1 hour ago, arxcards said:

Just noticing via the dates above, I can't see how the ship will be going to Samoa or Fiji apart from Pacific crossings. All of the cruises are short, maxing out with a 6 night NYE cruise, so looks like all are domestic or cruises to nowhere.

Might be a five nighter on 16 November between Melbourne and Auckland but no time to duck up to Samoa or Fiji.

[losfp]

1 hour ago, Porky55 said:

why didn’t we get Disney Dream or Fantasy

 

It's like you're shocked that we get sent an older ship. How unprecedented 😄 😄

 

More choice for families is a great thing.  We sailed on Disney Fantasy in 2015 and loved it, however we have not been back on DCL since then because of pricing... and it looks like that will not change in a hurry. I would love to go on more DCL cruises, but not for that price, and not for uninspiring 2-4 night cruises.

 

I suspect this will be very popular with Disney fanatics who aren't particularly cruise-savvy, so they will easily sell out the sailings IMO.  I just hope that they come back in future years with longer cruises that are better value.

[Tripmode33]

I'd like to see pricing on the Transpacifics.....

[SinbadThePorter]

Better hope the Aussie dollar starts appreciating. 🤑

[arxcards]

5 minutes ago, Tripmode33 said:

I'd like to see pricing on the Transpacifics.....