Carnival Cruise Line is prepped for major growth from March 2025 to become Australia’s largest cruise line, swelling its Down Under fleet to a total of four with the addition of two P&O Cruises ships and upping its sailings by almost 100 per cent.
Carnival Australia will feature 201 sailings in 2026-27, an increase of 99 per cent on the 2024-25 season, across the four ships.
The expanded program includes year-round sailings ex-Sydney on Carnival Adventure and the newly revamped Carnival Splendor and ex-Brisbane on Carnival Encounter and Carnival Luminosa (seasonally).
Now available to book, Carnival Australia’s 2026-27 itineraries feature destinations such as Moreton Island, the South Pacific and Great Barrier Reef as well as New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
Carnival Australia ups short sailings for 2026-27
In response to the growing popularity of short getaways, Carnival has expanded its selection of two- to four-night cruises, ideal for first-time cruisers or for those wanting to make the most of a long weekend.
Carnival Australia will offer 78 short sailings from Sydney and 43 from Brisbane for more than double the options available in the 2024/25 season.
Two- to four-night cruise destinations from Sydney include Tangalooma-Moreton Island while Brisbane short sailings will venture to Airlie Beach.
Carnival Cruise Line Australia Vice President Kara Glamore said: “As we expand our fleet to four ships, our commitment to Australia has never been stronger with our 2026/27 itineraries offering four times the fun.”
Carnival Corporation announced earlier this year that P&O Cruises Australia will consolidate into Carnival Cruise Line, effective in March 2025.
The addition of the two ex-P&O Cruises Australia ships will swell Carnival’s global fleet to 29.
For more info, head to carnival.com.au
