Carnival Cruise Line’s 2026/27 itineraries have been revealed. The cruise line will have two additional ships from P&O Cruises Australia, which will be absorbed into the line in March 2025.
The new Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter, previously the Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter will be sailing Sydney and Brisbane.
Sydney will have two Carnival ships sailing year-round, while Brisbane will have one, with Carnival Luminosa sailing seasonally.
Carnival Cruise Line’s 2026/27 itineraries feature calls to destinations such as Moreton Island, the South Pacific, and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and more, perfect for those looking to explore or revisit key holiday hotspots.
The line has also increased its number of short cruises ranging from two to four-night cruises.
Carnival Cruise Line’s 2026/27 itineraries will offer 78 short sailings from Sydney, and 43 from Brisbane—more than double the options available in the 2024/25 season.
“As we expand our fleet to four ships, our commitment to Australia has never been stronger. With Carnival Cruise Line’s 2026/27 itineraries offering four times the fun,” said Kara Glamore, vice president of Carnival Cruise Line Australia.
“We’re excited to provide a wider selection for Aussie travellers. In response to market demand, we’ve increased our short getaway options with two-to-four-day sailings, allowing everyone, from first timers to time-poor travellers, to enjoy unforgettable holidays at sea,”
Highlights of Carnival Cruise Line’s 2026/27 itineraries
Cruise from Sydney on Carnival Splendor and Carnival Adventure
From Sydney, Carnival Splendor offers a diverse range of cruise itineraries from two to 12 days, catering to every travel preference.
Four-day cruises include Moreton Island and five- and six-day cruises to Tasmania allow guests to explore Hobart and Port Arthur, with the latter offering an overnight stay in Hobart.
There are also nine- and ten-day South Pacific cruises visit Mystery Island, Port Vila and other spectacular island destinations. The ship will also offer several additional longer sailings, including ten-day New Zealand itineraries with multiple departures, offering opportunities to explore ports such as Wellington, Lyttelton (Christchurch), and Dunedin, along with scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park.
- 4-Day Tangalooma – Moreton Island cruise departing Sydney on 3 August 2026, from $659* per person
- 9-Day South Pacific cruise departing Sydney on 31 August 2026, from $949* per person
- 10-Day New Zealand cruise departing Sydney on 7 November 2026, from $1,319* per person
Meanwhile, the Carnival Adventure has an array of cruises from weekend getaways and short cruises from Sydney that visit places like Moreton Island.
The ship will also have longer sailings to the Great Barrier Reef and a 12-day sailing to Fiji set to depart in April 2027, visiting Lautoka and Dravuni Islands.
Both ships will also offer cruises to Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup.
- 12-Day Fiji Adventure cruise departing Sydney on 26 April 2027, from $1,494* per person
- 6-Day Melbourne Cup cruise departing Sydney on 31 October 2026, from $1,324* per person
Cruise from Brisbane on Carnival Encounter and Carnival Luminosa in 2026/27
Carnival Luminosa will offer a variety of three- to 14-day itineraries departing from Brisbane during its seasonal deployment.
A six-day Great Barrier Reef cruise allows guests to explore Airlie Beach and Cairns, with an onboard experience at Willis Island where guests can learn about the wildlife of the region.
Week-long South Pacific cruises visit destinations such as Mystery Island, Port Vila and others and an eight-day option includes multiple stops in Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
Another highlight of Carnival Cruise Line’s 2026/27 itineraries includesls 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.
- 6-Day Great Barrier Reef cruise departing Brisbane on 24 January 2027, from $919* per person
- 3-Day Getaway departing Brisbane on 4 March 2027, from $504* per person
New sailings for Carnival Encounter from Brisbane feature a variety of destinations in the South Pacific and Great Barrier Reef regions.
There are multiple short three-day getaway trips and four-day cruises with stops at Airlie Beach.
Longer voyages, ranging from six to 10 days, include ports such as Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and other South Pacific islands. A 12- and 14-day option each visit the picturesque islands of Fiji.
- 14-Day Bounty Adventure cruise departing Brisbane on 1 August 2026, from $1,974* per person
- 8-Day Pacific Island Hopper departing Brisbane on 13 March 2027, from $1,014* per person
