I’m so EXCITED! Disney Cruise Line is bringing the Disney Wonder cruise ship to Australia for the very first time! You might have noticed that the price of a Disney cruise is a little more than others currently sailing in Australia, so I thought I would break it down for you and let you know exactly what is included and everything you need to know about cruising with Disney Cruise Line in Australia.
Yes, a Disney cruise is more expensive than others available (I call that the Disney tax) and here is why. Firstly it's Disney; everything Disney attracts a higher price, but behind the Disney name comes that Disney magic at sea that can't be matched by other cruise lines. If you have ever visited a Disney Park, you will know exactly what I'm talking about when I say "Disney magic".
Disney Cruise Line is all about families, and everything on board has been designed and planned with families in mind. From having split bathrooms with bathtubs (say what?) to the activities and food choices on board. Disney is a 5-star cruise line with the magic starting the second you check in for your cruise.
I’m beyond excited about this announcement, and I will be online with thousands of you trying to secure a spot on one of the Disney cruises out of Brisbane. If you’re trying to secure a spot, I recommend you jump online to the Disney Cruise Line website and sign your account before the cruises are released on September 29th at 8 am AEST or 11 am NZDT to increase your chances of securing a booking.
Here is Everything you need to know about Disney Cruise Line in Australia
What's included on a Disney Cruise in the price?
- All food including breakfast, lunch and dinner AND room service (hello, to the famous Mickey shaped ice cream bars delivered straight to your cabin!)
- Soft drinks, coffee, tea and water are served at meals and at each of the ship’s beverage stations
- Snacks and ice cream throughout the ship
- Entertainment including live Broadway-style productions at the Walt Disney Theatre as well as Disney movie classics and current first-run films at the Buena Vista Theatre
- Kids Club (except the "It's a Small World" nursery)
- Waterslides and pools
- Use of the Disney app where you can make changes, book activities, view schedules and use the chat feature on board. This is handy to keep in touch with your family on board
- Just about everything you could ever think of……
What's not included in the price
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities/tips (this can be removed if requested at guest services though customary to tip in America)
- Port Adventures excursions
- Spa and salon services
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Babysitting in the ship’s nurseries
- Photography service
- Palo restaurant
- 24-hour self-service guest laundry facilities equipped with washers and dryers, along with detergent and complimentary ironing equipment. No coins are needed―pay using your Key to the World card
Pricing
Disney has just released prices with the focus of the ship being the “destination”.
SYDNEY
Cruises sailing from Sydney AUD prices start from (for 2 nights on 01/11/23, based on a family of 4):
* Inside Stateroom: $2,273
* Oceanview Stateroom: $2,397
* Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah: $2,660
* Concierge Stateroom with Verandah: $4,141
MELBOURNE
Cruises sailing from Melbourne AUD prices start from (for 2 nights on 01/11/23 based on a family of 4):
* Inside Stateroom: $2,273
* Oceanview Stateroom: $2,397
* Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah: $2,660
* Concierge Stateroom with Verandah: $4,141
BRISBANE
Cruises sailing from Brisbane AUD prices start from for 2 nights on 20/12/23, based on family of 4):
* Inside Stateroom: $3,877
* Oceanview Stateroom: $4,107
* Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah: $4,634
* Concierge Stateroom with Verandah: $7,331
The Rooms
Disney Cruise Line ships have been designed with families in mind. Rooms have curtains to separate the sleeping area, which is perfect for the young ones. All rooms also have a split bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower and bathtub on one side, and a toilet and sink on the other side.
Base Inside Staterooms - featuring a classic nautical motif, porthole mirror and no exterior view:
- Deluxe Inside Stateroom (sleeps 3 -4)
- Standard Inside Stateroom (sleeps 3 -4)
Oceanview Rooms - Enjoy more space than standard and scenic vistas through a real porthole window—or possibly 2!
- Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom (Sleeps 4)
Verandah - The most spacious non-Concierge staterooms, each with a private verandah, some with partial views.
- Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah The room you want to book for a family of 5! (sleeps 4-5)
- Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (sleeps 4)
- Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Navigator’s Verandah (sleeps 4)
Concierge - The most luxurious rooms and most expensive, each with a large private verandah and premium amenities and services.
- Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah (sleeps 5)
- Concierge 2-Bedroom Suite with Verandah (sleeps 7)
- Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah (sleeps 4)
The Food
Disney Cruise Line works on ‘rotating dining’ with 3 main dining rooms. There are also casual dining options. Disney's rotating dining means that you will rotate between the three main dining rooms during each night of your cruise, and your servers rotate with you. You will have to reserve your dining time when you book, with the main seating at 5:45pm and the second seating at 8:15pm.
Animator's Palate
Animator's Palate celebrates the art of storytelling with an interactive dinner. The restaurant will change from black and white images to colour masterpieces throughout your dining experience. Guests can draw characters and see them come to life in animation. It's a fun and interactive dinner that will soon become one of your favourites.
Tiana's Palate
Tiana's Palate is a themed restaurant based around the story of the Princess and the Frog. The style of this restaurant is a New Orleans style party with live music to keep everyone entertained. It's fun and entertaining, but loud with the live music. You can expect Southern style cuisine from steak, chicken to fish and the kid's menu will not disappoint.
Triton's
Triton's is named after Ariel's father from The Little Mermaid and is the most upscale restaurant on rotational dining aboard the Disney Wonder. It's themed ‘under the sea’ with a French and American menu. Triton's is the only dining room to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Palo (extra charge)
Palo is a paid upscale restaurant that is adults only serving up Italian cuisine. It makes the perfect date night dining experience without the kids. Palo also serves brunch. You can expect to pay an extra $40USD ($60AUD) per person to dine here. You can read reviews online to see if it's worth it for you.
Casual Dining
Pinocchio's Pizza - Grab a slice of pizza throughout the day whenever you're hungry!
Eye Scream Treats - The perfect spot to grab a soft serve ice cream (eat as much as you want!)
Pete's Boiler Bites - You will find classic American food like hot dogs, tacos and burgers.
Daisy's De-Lites - Grab a salad, sandwich, wraps or some fresh fruit here
Cabanas - Cabanas serve a buffet style breakfast and lunch (hello Mickey waffles) and at dinner, transform to table service where you can enjoy a 4 course meal
Room Service - Included in the price of your cruise, room service is available 24 hours a day, for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Any room service gratuity/tips are at your discretion and should be around $1 per item
Bars and Lounges
French Quarter Lounge - A perfect stop to grab a coffee or cocktail while listening to some live music. During the day, it turns into a family friendly spot with games and activities plus character meets
Crown & Fin Pub - This is an adult only bar that resembles a British pub. You can enjoy watching sporting events and live music
Cove Cafe - This is another adults only bar that offers cocktails, wine and specialty drinks
Cadillac Lounge - Adult only exclusive in an intimate piano bar with a 1950's theme
Signals - This is located right next to the Cove pool, so it makes it the perfect place to grab a drink while lounging around the pool area
The Kids Club
The Disney Wonder has 5 options when it comes to kids clubs on board. When I say kids club, it's not your typical kids club. Disney Cruise Line kids clubs are world class with themed play areas. Kids will even have the chance to meet their favourite characters!
Oceaneer Club - Disney's Oceaneer Club is suitable for ages 3-12 years old (must be fully toilet trained). It's all about fantasy here with Andy's Room multilevel playground, Marvel Superhero Academy, Disney Junior games and a Frozen Adventure area.
Oceaneer Lab - suitable for ages 3 - 12 years old (must be fully toilet trained). With four lands to explore in the Oceaneer Lab, your kids won't want to leave (connected to the Oceaneer Club so kids can move between the 2). It's all about fun and learning with an animator's studio, captains workshop, craft studio and the wheelhouse where kids can steer the ship in any direction they please.
Edge - Suitable for ages 11-14 years old, edge provides a hangout spot for tweens to have fun and make new friends. Tweens can play video games, take selfies on the dedicated wall, do scavenger hunts, karaoke and dance on the dance floor.
Vibe - Suitable for ages 14-17 years old and is a teens only hangout! Teens will find video games, board games, dance parties and a coffee bar to serve up non alcoholic drinks.
It's a Small World nursery - Suitable for ages 6 months - 3 years old and an extra charge. Disney's trained staff will take care of the little ones and keep them entertained.
Make sure you register your children for the kids club on the first day of the cruise.
Entertainment
Mickey's Sail A Wave Party - To kick off leaving the dock, you will enjoy the most magical party to celebrate with dancing, singing and character visits
Pirate night - This one is a favourite night to celebrate! Dress up as a pirate and enjoy dinner with your pirate bandana and end the night with a celebration on deck (some cruises have fireworks)
Outdoor movies on the big screen - You can enjoy an ice cream or cocktail by the pool while watching one of the Disney classics
Live shows - You won't get bored with the range of musicals and shows on board in the theatre
Fireworks - It hasn’t been announced if fireworks will be included on the Australian cruises, but we can all cross our fingers for this experience
Character meets - Meet, greet and strike a pose with some of your favourite Disney Characters! Kids of all ages can share hugs with Cinderella or goof around with Goofy. Take pictures with Mickey, Minnie and Peter Pan or collect autographs from that lovable but ever-mischievous duo, Chip 'n Dale
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique - Book an appointment at this enchanted salon where kids arrive as themselves and leave as a princess, knight or sea captain (paid)
Adults Only
Now I know when you hear Disney cruise you think kids cruise, but Disney caters to the big kids too!
- Nightclubs and lounges featuring cocktails, entertainment and dancing
- Quiet Cove pool is a tranquil oasis where you can swim, enjoy whirlpool spas or soak in the sun
- Fitness centre, offering workout equipment, exercise and toning classes
- Spa and salon offering the ultimate in serenity, pampering and personal attention
- Adults-only dining at Palo, a Northern Italian-themed restaurant
Inspired by all things Disney travel? Check out my Disney travel posts.
- HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GO TO WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2022?
- HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GO TO DISNEYLAND IN 2022 FROM AUSTRALIA?
- OUR STAY AT AULANI, DISNEY RESORT HAWAII
- PLANNING A TRIP TO DISNEYLAND? HERE IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW!
I hope this post helps you plan your Disney Cruise in Australia! If you have any questions, feel free to ask or join my Disney Mums and Dads Facebook group.
Angela
Thanks so much for clarifying so much in this post. I'm amazed to discover while yes there are cheaper cruise options out there, this is still affordable for a family if placed on a payment plan. I only wish Stitch was on board as that would seal the deal for my little family.
Kim
Do you need passports and proof of vaccination
ohsobusymum
I'm not sure yet. Maybe contact Disney Cruise for this information.
Claire
How do I book? Is there a web address? Thank you.
ohsobusymum
You can book on directly on the Disney website here: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com
Marie
Hi. Do you know vaccination requirements please? Thanks
ohsobusymum
No I don't.
Darla Connaughton
Can you go for more than 2 nights?
ohsobusymum
Yes you sure can! Check out their website for cruise details and dates.
Lauren
If we have a family of 5 does it cost for the baby who would be 2 at time of travel if he sleeps in the parents bed?
ohsobusymum
I think so. Jump on their website and do a quote to see.
Sheridyn
Hi. I was looking at the 2- night cruise departing Melbourne 3 nov 2023. Where does this sail to? Any idea why it’s considerably more expensive than the 2- night cruise departing Sydney on the 1st? Thanks for your detailed post- it’s very helpful!
ohsobusymum
I have no idea about that one either. Brisbane is more expensive than all of them.
C
Hi, thanks so much for the great information... we have booked for the 2024 season and are so excited. I'm just wondering if the times shone for on board means that's when they let you on or everyone should be on already?
So ours says 4.45pm on-board and 7.15am off .... surely we're on the boat before 4.45? And don't have to be off by 7.15? Any advice would be great 🙂 thank you in advance
ohsobusymum
When you check in via the Disney Cruise Line App, you will be able to select a boarding time. Priority boarding is always first and around 11am, so I recommend that you select the earliest time available so that you can get on board and start enjoying the ship and have lunch etc. 4:45 would be the the time that everyone has to be on the ship by, not boarding time.