Carnival doubles the fun Down Under

Carnival Cruise Line is promising four times the summer fun Down Under, doubling sailings to more than 200 in 2026-27.

Carnival’s fleet will expand to four Australia-based vessels for the 2026-27 cruise season with the integration of two ships — Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter — from Australian subsidiary P&O. These ships will sail under the Carnival brand from next March.

Carnival says its expanded program means more choices to sail from Australia on short and longer cruises to popular destinations including Queensland, the South Pacific, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

The rebranded Carnival Adventure (currently sailing as P&O’s Pacific Adventure) joins Carnival Splendor for year-round sailings from Sydney, while Carnival Encounter (Pacific Encounter) and Carnival Luminosa will operate from Brisbane for a total of 201 sailings in 2026-27.

A CCL insider tells me short getaway cruises are becoming more popular as a convenient quick break or to test the waters for those new to cruising.

Kara Glamore, vice-president of Carnival Cruise Line Australia, says: “We’re excited to provide a wider selection for Aussie travellers. In response to market demand, we’ve increased our short getaway options with two-to-four-day sailings, allowing everyone from first timers to time-poor travellers to enjoy unforgettable holidays at sea.”

The company’s research commissioned this year found one-third (33 per cent) of Aussies felt refreshed after a holiday of just three to five days. In response, Carnival is more than doubling this season’s short sailing options from Sydney and Brisbane in 2026-27.

Spruced-up after a drydock in Singapore, Carnival Splendor returned to the Harbour City in early September. It’s looking sleek and sporting a Southern Cross motif — a signature element of P&O Cruises Australia — in a nod to the line’s 90-plus-year heritage of cruising in Australia.

The refurbishment included updates to dining with the new Mad Sizzle (kebabs and satays with slow spit-roasted meats); refurbished staterooms; and revamps to the gym, spa, mini golf course, water park and other amenities.

The ship, with a guest capacity just over 3000, is not mega-sized but large enough to accommodate big-ticket entertainment features like a water park with superfast water slides and splash zone, a poolside outdoor film theatre, gaming arcade and theatre for Broadway-style musicals.

P&O’s Adventure also spent time in drydock this year for a major revamp which included new day beds on the poolside decks and new furniture. Also added were exclusive Byron Beach Club Cabanas for guests booked in suites, offering an indulgent retreat for up to four guests that includes a private outdoor pool and whirlpool spas on the top deck. Among Adventure’s other main features are the Twin Racer water slides, four pools and 21 dining venues.

“As we expand our fleet to four ships, our commitment to Australia has never been stronger,” Kara says, “with our 2026-27 itineraries offering four times the fun.”

Itinerary Highlights in 2026-27

From Sydney

Carnival Splendor offers a diverse range of itineraries from two to 12 days, including to Moreton Island off Queensland’s southern coast near Brisbane; Tasmania; the South Pacific; and multiple longer sailings to New Zealand.

+ The four-day Tangalooma-Moreton Island cruise departs August 3, 2026 (from $574 per person). Mix sea days with an island adventure such as snorkelling around shipwrecks or a scenic helicopter flight on an optional extra shore tour.

+ The 10-day New Zealand voyage leaves November 7, 2026 (fares from $1319 person). Visit pretty Wellington, Lyttelton (Christchurch) and Dunedin, and take a scenic cruise in Fiordland National Park including Milford Sound.

Carnival Adventure has many options from weekend getaways and short cruises that visit Moreton Island to longer sailings that feature the Great Barrier Reef and other spectacular destinations like Fiji:

+ The 12-day Fiji Adventure voyage departs April 26, 2027 (from $1494 per person). This cruise combines sea days to relax and indulge aboard the ship with visits to tropical Mystery Island, Lautoka and Noumea, New Caledonia.

+ The Melbourne Cup cruise over six days leaves on October 31, 2026 (prices from $1324 per person). The fare includes general admission to Flemington Racecourse and transfers to and from the races — a premier-themed cruise for racing enthusiasts and fashionistas.

From Brisbane

Carnival Luminosa is smaller than its sister ship at 2260 guests and is seasonally homeported in Brisbane for our summer seasons. The ship’s itineraries in 2026-27 will range from three to 14 days and among its destination highlights will be tropical northern Queensland and the South Pacific.

+ The six-day Great Barrier Reef cruise departs January 24, 2027 (from $919 per person) where guests can explore Airlie Beach and Cairns, and spot wildlife on board including seabirds as the ship sails near Willis Island.

+ The three-day Getaway leaves March 4, 2027 (from $504 per person) and could be a short break option or sample cruise.

Carnival Encounter has amenities and entertainment options suited to couples, small groups and families including a nice variety of dining venues. Its 2026-27 schedule features new sailings in various destinations in the South Pacific and in areas around the Great Barrier Reef.

Its longer voyages are between six and 10 days and include South Pacific islands and Papua New Guinea. There are also 12 and 14-day options to the Fiji islands:

+ The 14-day Bounty Adventure departs August 1, 2026 (from $1974 per person) and stops in six ports including Norfolk Island and Nuku‘alofa — the capital of Tonga, and features mutiny on the Bounty scenic cruising.

+ The eight-day Pacific Island Hopper leaves March 13, 2027 (from $1014 per person) and visits Mystery Island, Port Vila in Vanuatu, and tiny limestone island paradise Lifou.

There are scores more itineraries available to book on the four ships for the 2026-27 season. Booking early can secure your preferred cabin and itinerary at the time you prefer to travel.

New era for an old favourite

The shock announcement that Carnival had decided to fold the homegrown P&O brand into the Carnival Cruises business from March 2025 came in early June.

CCL said at the time that due to the high costs of operating a cruise business in Australia, a change in strategy was needed to further leverage the economies of scale of its Carnival brand in the Australia-South Pacific region.

So while the days of the much-loved P&O name are numbered, a CCL spokesperson tells me the transition to Carnival will preserve key elements of the P&O experience.

“Guests can still enjoy the uniquely Australian cruising experience they’ve come to love,” the spokesperson says.

“This includes Australian-inspired entertainment, a wide array of dining options and the warm, welcoming atmosphere reflective of local culture.

“Additionally, both ships will continue using Australian-dollar currency on board, ensuring consistency with other Carnival ships homeported in Australia.”

In the meantime, P&O guests will be invited to participate in Carnival’s loyalty program, VIFP, with benefits including member-only fares and priority boarding; and have access to Carnival’s Hub app for dining and excursion reservations, food and beverage deliveries and to chat with other guests.

Carnival is Australia’s largest cruise line and the addition of P&O’s two ships brings its global fleet to 29 ships.

To book or find out more about the 2026-27 program visit carnival.com.au or pocruises.com.au, or contact a specialist cruise travel agency.