Cruising with Carnival this July was effortless, fun, and full of little surprises. Swapping Sydney’s frosty mornings for Queensland sunshine, Karryon’s Brooke McRae boarded Carnival Encounter with her partner and two kids (10 and 8) for a four-night Brisbane to Airlie Beach for a return family cruise.
Escaping to sunnier climes is the perfect winter school break, affording a few days to relax, explore, and make core memories together. Our family of four was joined by over 3,000 other passengers, and more than 1,000 crew—plus some very special guests: The Grinch, Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2.
The kids’ verdict: non-stop fun
My eight-year-old had her priorities sorted before we even left port. One bite of cake from the Sugar Bar at The Pantry and she declared, “This is what I’m here for.”
Her favourite moment came on the last day during the Grinchmas Games—a mix of towel races (Santa’s sleigh style), a frantic ‘present-off’ to find a hidden medal, and a wacky Dr Seuss spelling challenge where being creatively wrong was often the right answer. She walked away with a medal and the proudest grin.
For my ten-year-old, cruising is all about trivia and live shows. Four nights wasn’t enough for her to squeeze in as many quizzes as she wanted. Apparently, we “managed our entertainment schedule better” on our last 10-day P&O cruise, but we still caught Seven and Musicology. We’d seen both before, but the energy this time felt sharper—the singers and dancers received an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
Both kids were equally thrilled by Carnival’s edible straws—a fun, eco-friendly touch—and loved nightly photo sessions with professional photographers. Choosing their favourites the next day felt like a mini event.
And in true kid fashion, they also declared the free pizza from the Trattoria (served daily between 11 am and 4 pm) to be one of the cruise’s best secrets. Grabbing a few slices between activities quickly became a family cruise ritual.
My highlights: whales, Christmas jumpers & ridiculous breakfasts
As for me? Waking up on our first morning to see whales gliding past our balcony was unforgettable. We’ve always booked interior cabins before, so having our own balcony made it feel extra special.
The warm Queensland weather was exactly what we needed, but as a big kid at heart, I also loved Carnival’s signature silliness—the Ugly Christmas Sweater Deck Party, complete with glowing green tubes and a surprise visit from the Grinch, was a highlight.
Then there was the Sea Day Grinch Breakfast. The menu was delightfully over-the-top: “Horton Hatches Your Egg,” “Who-Ville Red Velvet French Toast,” and my personal favourite, “Oh, the Omelettes You’ll Love—we’ll crack ‘em, shuck ‘em and chuck ‘em in pans.” The breakfast doubled as a birthday party for Thing 1 and Thing 2, finishing with a huge shared cake that the kids devoured.
Evenings were for live music at Piano Bar 88, where Cassidy Rae performed regularly—her incredible voice alone felt worth the cruise fare.
The final word: fun for all ages
Carnival has nailed the ‘fun for all ages’ formula. From Grinchmas Games and themed breakfasts for kids to live music and balcony whale-watching for adults, it’s an easy recommendation for parents wanting a family cruise getaway in the school holidays that keeps everyone happy—without blowing the budget.
For more info, visit carnival.com.au or speak to your local travel agent.
