Carnival Cruise Line has announced a significant expansion of its operations in Australia, with plans to double its fleet to four ships starting March 2025. The expansion includes the addition and rebranding of two P&O Cruises Australia vessels, Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter, which will be renamed Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter respectively.
The newly rebranded ships will maintain popular P&O features while introducing Carnival’s signature experiences. Guests will continue to enjoy established favorites such as the Byron Beach Club, Edge Adventure Park, and specialty restaurants including Luke’s Bar & Grill, Angelo’s, and Dragon Lady. New additions will include Carnival’s Iconic Fun Squad, a Turtles Kids Club for children under two, and complimentary daily pizza service.
The expansion will see Carnival Adventure operating year-round from Sydney alongside Carnival Splendor, while Carnival Encounter will be based in Brisbane, joined by Carnival Luminosa during the summer season. This strategic deployment is expected to serve nearly 600,000 guests from Sydney and Brisbane throughout 2025.
According to VP Sales and Marketing Kara Glamore, this transition represents a unique opportunity to merge the best elements of both cruise lines as Carnival strengthens its presence in Australia. The company has positioned itself as the only cruise line globally maintaining a year-round presence in Australia, contributing to local employment while providing vacation experiences in Australia and the South Pacific.
Both vessels will undergo a two-week renovation in March 2025 before beginning operations under the Carnival brand. Until then, bookings for the Adventure and Encounter can be made through P&O’s website, while reservations for Carnival Splendor and Luminosa are available through Carnival’s Australian website.
