DISNEY Cruise Line is set to depart Australian shores, with the company confirming it will not be returning next season (CW breaking news yesterday).
The confirmation ends months of speculation within the cruise industry, with the line seemingly not booking any port calls for Disney Wonder (pictured) in Sydney or Melbourne for 2026-27 after three years of local sailing.
However Disney has not closed the door on possibly returning to Australia one day, with a spokesperson saying the destination remains in the cruise line’s future calculations.
The company is preparing to debut its new Disney Adventure in the Asia-Pacific region in Dec, which will be based in Singapore (CW 22 Apr).
Australian Cruise Association (ACA) Chief Executive Jill Abel told CW it was “disappointing” to see Disney leave local waters.
“The [ACA] remains committed to working in partnership with governments, destinations, and suppliers to ensure Australia is an attractive and competitive destination, supporting jobs and businesses across the country,” she said.
“We hope to welcome Disney back in the near future.”
Cruise Lines International Association Managing Director Joel Katz said the organisation has consistently warned of Australia’s complex regulatory environment and high operating costs, which make the market less attractive to international brands.
“Demand for cruising remains strong internationally, however without action we risk losing valuable tourism revenue, jobs, and investment to countries with more competitive conditions,” he told Cruise Weekly.
“There is an urgent need for globally competitive policy settings that provide certainty for long-term planning – and recognise the enormous economic benefits that cruise delivers,” Katz said – more from Disney on page 2. MS
