Karryon Luxury talks to Peter Little, Chair of CLIA Australasia, and Carnival’s SVP and Country Manager, about the ever-evolving cruise industry, juggling two of the most high-profile roles in cruise and why sailing into Sydney never fails to thrill.
Congratulations on your appointment as Chair of CLIA. How do you divide your time between CLIA and Carnival Corporation?
Thank you. I’m delighted to have been appointed to the Chair role at CLIA. The organisation is the world’s largest cruise association, leading the way with advocacy and the promotion of cruising and all its benefits. The CLIA team in Australia continues to play a key role in the fabric of cruising in this region.
When it comes to CLIA, I work with CLIA leadership to ensure they get the support they need, when they need it. So that means structured time and sometimes non-structured. We find a way to make it all work.
My day-to-day job resides with Carnival, of course. We have an amazing team here supporting the business, backed up by a world-class organisation spread across the globe. That makes my job much easier!
What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in cruise since you’ve been involved in the industry?
Almost 32 million people took a cruise last year. This growth has naturally led to a continuous pipeline of newer ships to meet the demand, delivering experiences that probably could not have been imagined when I started my career back in 1991.
The demographic of cruise guests has also shifted. The average age of a cruise guest in Australia is now lower than ever, at 48. Between 2019 and 2023, P&O Cruises saw an almost 20 per cent increase in the number of 18-35s sailing on our ships.
We’ve also seen big changes in cruise sustainability. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made toward a sustainable future for cruising while understanding we still have a way to go.
Carnival Corp’s standout achievement is a 10 per cent reduction in total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2023, compared to our peak in 2011. That’s despite growing guest capacity by more than 30 per cent during that time. We are pursuing net zero GHG emissions from ship operations by 2050.
What are some of the highlights and challenges of your roles with Carnival Corporation?
A highlight would definitely be the return to service after the pandemic.
Seeing Pacific Explorer sail into Sydney Harbour in April 2022 after a complete two-year industry shutdown was a relief, and very rewarding. And to see Australians return to cruising in the way they have since then, in record numbers, has been a real joy.
Obviously, we’re facing a big challenge now, with Australia one of the most expensive places in the world to operate cruise ships.
The decision to retire P&O in March 2025 wasn’t easy, but the reality of high operating and regulatory costs means it was necessary for us, so we can operate a sustainable and profitable business in Australia.
Has Carnival received a lot of feedback from P&O passengers and crew following the announcement that the line is closing next year?
Yes, the response from our guests was quite overwhelming.
P&O has played an important role in Australia’s maritime history, so we understand their disappointment. It’s important to understand that while the brand name is being sunset, Adventure and Encounter will still be sailing with a very similar look and feel to what they have now.
When P&O’s two ships Adventure and Encounter begin sailing as Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter in March next year, Carnival will be the only cruise line offering year-round sailing from Sydney and Brisbane.
This is a significant investment by Carnival in the Australian market, and we are committed to providing Australians with memorable and fun holidays at sea.
How many countries have you visited or lived in – approximately?
A life in the maritime industry certainly provides the opportunity to live, work and travel around the world. I couldn’t put a number on how many countries I’ve visited, but it’s probably more than 80.
One of my most special experiences was the round-world cruise onboard P&O Cruises World Voyages, which I did about five or six times. A voyage that began and ended in Southampton, but each year took a slightly different route. One of the constants though, was Sydney, which was always one of the highlights.
As Carnival Corporation is a global organisation, I have been fortunate to work at some of our various head offices and have lived in Miami, Southampton and Sydney – the latter being home for the past 16 years.
Do you have any personal favourites among those places, or destinations you still have on your travel wish list?
There are so many fascinating, diverse places around the globe that it’s hard to pick a favourite! If I had to pick a few, then it would be those with a strong personal connection and a story attached. So, on that basis, Sydney is up there.
I never lose sight of the fact that before I lived here, Sydney was a place I always longed to return to. Sailing in through the heads is always magical and that ability to berth the ship downtown is a prize that other places around the world can only dream of.
The Conflict Islands in Papua New Guinea is one of the most pristine, untouched paradises I’ve ever visited. The personal connection came from seeing the conservation work being done to protect the turtle population. My two boys got to adopt a turtle and then witness them being released back into their natural habitat. Amazing stuff!
I should also add that PNG is one of the final frontiers of the South Pacific and certainly one of the most exciting to visit.
Still on my travel list is Antarctica. The remoteness of the continent and the wildlife fascinate me. Everyone I know who has visited has said that it’s an amazing experience and that I must go.
What do you see as the key trends in the cruise industry over the next few years?
Cruising’s popularity will only increase over the next few years.
As Australians struggle through a cost-of-living crisis, they still want to be able to plan affordable holidays and cruise will always be more affordable than a land-based vacation because of the inclusive nature of our voyages.
A key trend is the boom in new-to-cruise guests. Short-break cruises will continue to increase in popularity and they’re perfect for new-to-cruise.
We’ll also see the continued rise in popularity of expedition cruises – people wanting an adventure and to visit unspoilt destinations while sailing on a luxury cruise ship. You only have to look at the success of Seabourn Pursuit’s maiden season in the Kimberley region this winter. It’s a brilliant way to see that stunning part of Australia.
For more information about cruising, visit CLIA.
