Disney Wonder Celebrates 25 Years of Sailing

The Disney Wonder recently celebrated 25 years of sailing with Disney Cruise Line. This ship, which can hold 1,750 guests, first set sail on August 15, 1999, as Disney’s second cruise ship.

Built in 1999 at the Fincantieri shipyard in Venice, Italy, the Disney Wonder is a sister ship to the Disney Magic, which was launched in 1998. After its construction, the Wonder made a trans-Atlantic journey without passengers before arriving at its homeport in Port Canaveral, Florida.

During its first season, the Disney Wonder offered three- & four-night cruises to the Bahamas, including stops at Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. The ship was officially christened on October 1, 1999, with Disney characters Tinkerbell and Mickey Mouse serving as its godparents.

Until 2011, the Wonder continued to sail short trips to the Bahamas before the new Disney Dream took over. The Wonder then moved to the West Coast, offering cruises to the Mexican Riviera and Alaska. In 2012, it also began sailing from Miami, launching some of the first Disney cruises from this port.

After a significant refurbishment in 2016, the Disney Wonder resumed summer trips to Alaska and seasonal voyages from ports like San Diego, Port Canaveral, San Juan, and Galveston. In late 2023, the ship embarked on Disney Cruise Line’s first-ever season in Australia and New Zealand, with departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Auckland.

Following its summer season in Alaska, the Wonder will return to the South Pacific in late October. Looking ahead to 2025, the ship plans to offer cruises to destinations such as Baja California, the Mexican Riviera, and Hawaii, in addition to Alaska, Australia, and New Zealand.