Per a press release shared on October 2nd, Carnival Cruise announced its Australian expansion, as it adds two ships from sister line P&O Cruises Australia in March 2025, Carnival Cruise Line is opening its 2026/27 Australia itineraries. With the addition of Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter to the fleet next spring, guests will enjoy more choices from Australia than ever, with four Carnival ships delivering fun and memorable cruise vacations.
The expanded program includes sailings from Sydney on Carnival Adventure and Carnival Splendor and from Brisbane on Carnival Encounter and Carnival Luminosa (seasonally) with itineraries that feature popular destinations such as Moreton Island, the South Pacific, and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea.
“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,” said Fred Stein, vice president of itinerary planning. “Guests interested in a cruise from Australia are bound to find the perfect itinerary, whether they’re looking to explore a new region or revisit key vacation destinations – all showcasing the diverse beauty of the South Pacific.”
Cruise from Sydney on Carnival Splendor and Carnival Adventure
From Sydney, Carnival Splendor offers a diverse range of cruise itineraries from two to 12 days, catering to every travel preference. Four-day cruises include Moreton Island and five- and six-day cruises to Tasmania allow guests to explore Hobart and Port Arthur, with the latter offering an overnight stay in Hobart. Nine- and 10-day South Pacific cruises visit Mystery Island, Port Vila and other spectacular island destinations. The ship will also offer several additional longer sailings, including 10-day New Zealand itineraries with multiple departures, offering opportunities to explore vibrant ports such as Wellington, Lyttelton (Christchurch), and Dunedin, along with scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park.
Carnival Adventure from Sydney features two- to 12-day itineraries. From weekend getaways and short cruises that visit popular Moreton Island to longer sailings that feature the Great Barrier Reef, the ship will sail a wide variety of options throughout the 2026/27 cruise season. A 12-day sailing to Fiji is also set for April 2027 that will take guests to exotic destinations like Lautoka and Dravuni Island. Both ships will also offer cruises to Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup, Australia’s most popular horse race.
Cruise from Brisbane on Carnival Encounter and Carnival Luminosa
Carnival Luminosa will offer a variety of three- to 14-day itineraries departing from Brisbane during its seasonal deployment. A six-day Great Barrier Reef cruise allows guests to explore Airlie Beach and Cairns, with an onboard experience at Willis Island that gives guests glimpses of amazing wildlife as the ship sails near the island. Week-long South Pacific cruises visit destinations such as Mystery Island, Port Vila and others and an eight-day option includes multiple stops in Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Also available is a 14-day Carnival Journeys cruise that highlights the locations where Mutiny on the Bounty took place in 1789 featuring unique ports like Norfolk Island and Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
New sailings for Carnival Encounter from Brisbane feature a variety of destinations in the South Pacific and Great Barrier Reef regions. Guests can enjoy multiple short three-day getaway trips and four-day cruises with stops at Airlie Beach. Longer voyages, ranging from six to 10 days, include ports such as Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and other beautiful South Pacific islands. A 12- and 14-day option each visit the picturesque islands of Fiji.
