Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its presence in Australia, integrating four ships by 2026-27, following the closure of P&O Cruises Australia. The move sees Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter joining the existing fleet of Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa.
- The expansion will see Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter sailing from Sydney and Brisbane, exploring destinations including Moreton Island, the South Pacific, and the Great Barrier Reef.
- Carnival Splendor will run itineraries ranging from two to twelve days, with focus on Moreton Island, Tasmania, and New Zealand’s scenic ports, among others.
- The expanded deployment features Carnival Adventure offering extensive itineraries including destinations like Fiji and the Great Barrier Reef, with special cruises to the Melbourne Cup.
- Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Encounter, based in Brisbane, will cover the Great Barrier Reef and South Pacific regions, enhancing the travel options available to Australian guests.
Carnival Cruise Line has announced a significant expansion of its operations in Australia, set to coincide with the 2026-27 cruise season. This strategic move follows the incorporation of the P&O Cruises Australia brand, resulting from the brand’s closure in March 2025. By 2026, Carnival will seamlessly integrate four vessels into its Australian roster, marking a noteworthy increase in their regional offerings.
Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter will join the existing Carnival fleet in Australia. These ships will operate alongside Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa, sailing from the ports of Sydney and Brisbane. The itinerary includes an exciting variety of destinations such as Moreton Island, the South Pacific, and the iconic Great Barrier Reef.
Carnival Splendor’s itineraries offer a diverse range of experiences from brief two-day excursions to more extensive twelve-day journeys. Travellers can embark on captivating short trips to Moreton Island, while longer voyages will explore Tasmania’s attractions, including the historic sites of Hobart and Port Arthur. Notably, the ship will also conduct 10-day cruises to New Zealand, visiting several prominent ports such as Wellington and Dunedin, with the natural beauty of Fiordland National Park as a highlight.
Meanwhile, Carnival Adventure will focus on similarly varied voyages, reaching destinations like Moreton Island and the Great Barrier Reef. A highlight on its itinerary is a 12-day journey to Fiji, scheduled for April 2027, including stops at Lautoka and Dravuni Island. Additionally, both Carnival Adventure and Carnival Splendor will feature special voyages to Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup, a prestigious Australian horse race.
Carnival Luminosa, based out of Brisbane, will provide cruises ranging from three to fourteen days, specifically targeting the unparalleled attractions of the Great Barrier Reef with visits to Airlie Beach and Cairns. Carnival Encounter will offer itineraries covering the broader South Pacific region, ensuring travellers have abundant options to experience the maritime and cultural richness of these areas.
Fred Stein, vice president of itinerary planning at Carnival, emphasised the importance of this expansion, stating, “As we expand our fleet to four ships in Australia and enrich our overall deployment plan, our 2026-27 itineraries significantly increase the options available for the Carnival experience from Sydney and Brisbane.”
Carnival’s strategic deployment in Australia promises enriched cruise options for travellers, leveraging regional beauty and diverse itineraries.
