Sarah Bretz, ContributorCarnival Cruise Line has announced its 2026-2027 Australia schedule, which will include four ships sailing in the region. As the cruise line absorbs sister brand P&O Cruises Australia, it will welcome two of that brand’s ships into the fleet next spring — Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure — which are being renamed Carnival Encounter and Carnival Adventure.
The expanded 2026-2027 program includes sailings from Sydney on Carnival Adventure and Carnival Splendor. Carnival Encounter and Carnival Luminosa (seasonally) will sail from Brisbane. Itineraries will include popular destinations such as Moreton Island, the South Pacific, the Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea.
Carnival Splendor
From Sydney, Carnival Splendor will offer a diverse range of cruises ranging from two to 12 days long. Four-day voyages include Moreton Island and five and six-day sailings 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 and Port Vila, among other island destinations. The ship will also offer several longer sailings, including 10-day New Zealand itineraries with multiple departures visiting ports including Wellington, Lyttelton (Christchurch), and Dunedin, with scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park.
Carnival Adventure
Also from Sydney, Carnival Adventure will also offer two to 12-day itineraries. From weekend getaways and short cruises that visit Moreton Island to longer voyages that visit the Great Barrier Reef, the ship will sail a wide variety of cruises throughout the 2026-2027 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 sailings to Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup, Australia’s most popular horse race.
Carnival Luminosa
Carnival Luminosa will offer a variety of three to 14-day itineraries departing from Brisbane during its seasonal deployment there. A six-day Great Barrier Reef cruise allows passengers to explore Airlie Beach and Cairns, with an onboard experience at Willis Island that gives guests glimpses of wildlife as the ship sails near the island.
Weeklong South Pacific cruises visit destinations such as Mystery Island, Port Vila, and others, while 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.
Carnival Encounter
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 sailings, ranging from six to 10 days, including ports such as Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and other South Pacific islands. 12 and 14-day options each visit the islands of Fiji.
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Have you ever taken a cruise in/around Australia and/or New Zealand? Would you consider taking one of these Carnival voyages in the region? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!
