Disney Cruise Line Lands Exclusive Deal For Prime Access To Catalina Island

Published on October 23, 2025

Disney Cruise Line has entered into a preferential access agreement with the City of Avalon for Catalina Island, which allows it exclusive scheduling benefits when visiting the island. Avalon City Council approved the agreement, which allows Disney’s ship, including the Disney Treasure, preferred scheduling access on Tuesdays and select Saturdays. This agreement runs until mid-September 2030 with the option to renew for two additional five-year terms.

This agreement shows the growing interest in cruise visits to Catalina Island, which Disney Cruise Line is responding to on the West Coast. Avalon’s cruise tourism is expected to improve with this new agreement, while Disney will continue to have preferential scheduling access at one of their most popular destinations. Disney will provide Avalon with a guaranteed 120,000 annual passenger visits.

A New Era for Avalon and Catalina Island

The newly signed preferential access agreement marks progress for Avalon and Catalina Island, and for the first time, the Islands will use a written policy regarding the scheduling of cruise visits, which Avalon has used an ad hoc approach for a long time, scheduling cruise visits without a written policy. Avalon city officials only started negotiating access agreements with cruise lines after one city official said, “That’s where the business is, why not to Avalon?” Disney Cruise Line, Avalon officials said, was the first cruise line to make official arrangements with Avalon.

Since Disney signed the agreement, Avalon has had predictable yearly cruise passengers for the first time. Other cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line, have signed preferential access agreements with Avalon, but Disney was the first to sign. Disney has a direct partnership with Avalon, and for Avalon, this partnership will guarantee yearly passengers for the city. Avalon will grow as a cruise destination, while Catalina Island will grow as an Island destination for cruise line passengers.

Details of the Preferential Access Agreement

Because of the contract, Disney Cruise Line will pay a Cruise Line Fee based on the City Wharfage Rate, and an additional Passenger Service Charge equal to 20 percent of the Wharfage Rate for every passenger on the manifest. The contract mandates Disney guarantee Avalon 120,000 passenger visits for Disney cruises a year. If Disney does not meet this guarantee for a year’s contract, Disney will pay the difference at the current wharfage rate and any other taxes that apply.

This contract is also about Disney cruise ships, Avalon is trying to build a cruise tourism industry that is cruise tourism for Avalon. Disney will help Avalon tourism and help Avalon cruise tourism grow, and promote Catalina Island and Avalon.

Impact on Disney’s West Coast Operations

This agreement continues to be a part of Disney Cruise Line’s expansions in the West Coast cruise market. Disney Cruise Line will have Avalon to Disney Wonder. Disney Wonder will now be in San Diego during the 2026-27 season. During the summer of 2026, Disney Wonder will be in Alaska along with Disney Magic, which doubles Alaskan operations.

Disney now frequents popular West Coast destinations such as Catalina Island. They now lead the West Coast cruise tourism industry. The Avalon agreement offers Disney more cruise tourism experiences to its customers in the U.S. and the world.

New Traveler Experiences for Catalina Island

Guests taking Disney Cruise Line ships to Avalon will have this new setup for an improved experience. Travelers get to board one of California’s most beautiful islands while cruising on Disney Cruise Line ships, which have excellent accommodations, food, and services. Disney has its sights on Avalon; customers will have smoother access to Avalon and Disney magic.

On Catalina Island, travelers get to choose from many shore excursions like sightseeing, diving, and even historical excursions. New and repeat customers will be able to enjoy cruise experiences. Customers will enjoy more structured cruise schedules and Avalon access, knowing their time will be fun and Avalon will be memorable.

The Future of Cruise Travel to Catalina Island

The start of an expansion of Disney Cruise Lines allows Avalon to cater to Disney Cruise Lines and will improve the Disney Cruise Lines experience and ease the flow of Avalon city. The addition of Avalon to the route is an extremely beneficial strategy since Avalon will be able to expand their tourism and Disney will be able to further increase their presence in the region.

Furthermore, the strategic partnership with Disney allows Catalina to become even more well-known across the United States and leads to increased traffic. The long-term impacts on the region, the cruise industry, and Disney will be significant and will help expand cruise routes to California islands. Since Avalon holdings will be able to sustainably expand their tourism.Conclusion

The agreement between Disney Cruise Line and the City of Avalon is an important step in building cruise tourism for Avalon and Catalina Island. With Avalon building cruise tourism infrastructure and Disney bringing 120,000 cruise passengers every year to Avalon, the island is positioned to become an important cruise destination in the United States. Avalon is going to do really well.

The partnership with Avalon and the cruise line’s Disney West Coast expansions serve as proof of Avalon’s growth influence, and unique offerings. With this new agreement, Disney and Avalon both enjoy the anticipated future of elevated cruise experiences to Catalina Island for many years.