Ultimate Guide: Carnival Splendor

Table of Contents
Carnival Splendor is a regular guest out of Sydney Harbour, sailing year-round out of Sydney. The ship has been a regular fixture of Australian cruises after Carnival announced it would be sending the ship Down Under. She previously sailed the Eastern and Western Caribbean before heading Down Under.
It was actually once Carnival Cruise Line’s biggest cruise ship, fitting 3012 people at double occupancy and weighing in at 113,000 gross tonnes. However, this was in 2008 and as one might imagine, was surpassed soon after.
It’s well known that Carnival Luminosa, which sails out of Brisbane, was originally designed for Costa Cruises and then transferred to Carnival Cruises. It’s less known that Carnival Splendor was also being constructed for Costa Cruises, but was reassigned to Carnival during construction.
Splendor serves an important role, as the longest-running Carnival Cruise Line ship in Australia, and the first Carnival ship to return to Australia after the cruise ban.
The ship recently underwent a dry-dock, where it had some new livery painted, as well as some onboard tweaks.
Whether you’re weighing up whether to sail on Splendor or already have your cruise booked, here’s everything you need to know about what to do onboard: where she sails, how to eat and indulge onboard, and plenty more.
Splendor in action.
At a glance
If you’re sailing out of Sydney with Carnival Cruise Line, your other option is Carnival Adventure. It’s also a great ship but Splendor is the larger and more modern of the two options.
Splendor has a large range of short and well-valued cruises for those looking to get away for a shorter amount of time. However, Splendor also has a range of New Zealand itineraries, therefore if you’re looking to go Across the Ditch with Carnival, you’ll likely end up on the Splendor. Additionally, Carnival offers longer enrichment voyages known as carnival journeys, featuring unique itineraries with special cultural and culinary events, as well as themed seminars.
Carnivalships generally have more of a lively atmosphere than other cruise lines, it’s a great option for group or family trips, with plenty happening both during the day and also at night, with theme nights and night clubs that stay open into the early hours.
Carnival specialises as a family line, making it perfect for those who want a great kids club to entertain their kids, as well as plenty of family friendly activities onboard like movie nights, water parks, and more. Carnival can still be a great option for those without kids, but you should be prepared to see plenty of kids and for a family atmosphere.
But even if adults are looking for some time on their own, check out the Serenity adult-only Retreat where you can sit back and and relax.
2025/2026 itineraries on Carnival Splendor
- Eight-day Vanuatu & New Caledonia – multiple departures – This eight-day sailing starts from just $575, visiting Lifou, Mystery Island and Noumea. You’ll have a mix of five sea days and three port days to explore the ship and the beautiful South Pacific waters.
- Five-day Tasmania – multiple departures – Cruises to Australia’s Southern states are becoming a bit rare, making this five-day trip to Tasmania a good deal, starting from $539. The cruise departs from Sydney will visit Hobart and Port Arthur, offering two chances to get out and place the state.
- Three-day getaway from Sydney – multiple departures – Starting from just $289, these quick getaway cruises are the move if you’re looking for a quick and fun unwind from work. They won’t visit a port but you can expect a lively atmosphere onboard.
- 10-day New Zealand – multiple departures – If you’re looking to sail to New Zealand with Carnival, starting from just $884, this will be the way to do it. Guests will visit Wellington, Lyttelton, Port Chalmers and Fiordland National Park.
- 12-day Fiji & South Pacific – departs July 20, 2025 – For a slightly different flavour of South Pacific cruise, this cruise, starting from $991, departing from Sydney, visits New Caledonia, but Fiji as well. Guests will visit Noumea, Mystery Island, Port Denarau and Dravuni Island.
Head to the South Pacific on Carnival Splendor.
Things To Do at Carnival Splendor
Carnival lists 25 activities and amenities for the Carnival Splendor, with plenty more to discover once onboard. Some activities are included with the price of your cruise fare and others you’ll have to pay a bit extra if you want to join in on the fun.
There are plenty of sports on offer with pickleball, basketball, volleyball, mini-golf, and more all free to play.
Beyond all the entertainment, bars, kids clubs, and more, the following activities can be found onboard.
Included activities
- Pickleball
- Mini Golf
- Art Exhibitions
- Games
- Art seminars
- Volleyball
- Library
- Art auctions
- Art games
- Basketball
- Grand Piano Bar
Activities at an additional cost
- Sky Zone
- Cooking class
- Build-a-bear workshop
- Bingo
- Portrait studio
- Martini tasting
- Video arcade
Always prime time for a dip.
Spa, Fitness, and Serenity Adult Only Retreat
The Spa on Carnival Splendor offers a wide range of services, however, these are not included in your cruise fare, meaning you will have to pay extra for a relaxing spa treatment. Guests can pay for massages, the thermal suite, the hydrotherapy pool, facial treatments, a specialised menu spa, a hair & beauty salon, and more. There is also a thalassotherapy pool in the spa.
In terms of fighting against the buffet and drinks package to keep fit onboard, there are plenty of fitness options as well.
Carnival Splendor operates fitness classes, but you can also get fit solo or with your travel party in the fitness centre, a modern gym with plenty of equipment and machines.
If you want to get your heart pumping, there’s a jogging track around the perimeter of the ship, where you can go for a run and enjoy luxuriously panoramic views of the ocean.
Kids Activities at Carnival Splendor
Carnival Splendor has three kids clubs, Camp Ocean, for kids aged from two to 11, Circle C for kids aged 12 to 14 and CLUB 02, a teens lounge for those aged 15-17.
Each kids club has designated activities for its age group, with younger kids receiving more of an educational focus, whereas teens have a space to hang out, as long as some planned activities and parties.
Furthermore, very early infant care, for kids younger than two years old also incurs an extra cost.
What to do with your kids at night time?
As outlined in the Carnival Luminosa guide, you will have to incur an additional cost if you want childcare for your children during the nights.
“Most kid’s clubs are included in the price, but if you want your younger kids to be taken care of in the later hours, you’ll have to send them to ‘Night Owls’, where additional costs will be incurred. There are plenty of other activities onboard like the video arcade, build-a-bear workshop, Dr Seuss story time, arts and crafts stations, pools, sports courts, and more that are great for kids.”
It’s a good life for kids onboard Carnival Splendor and there are plenty of amenities to keep the little ones entertained.
Included kids activities
Zumbini
- Considered Zumba for kids, all kids aged two to five years old on Carnival sailings get a free 30-minute Zumbini class, where they’re encouraged to dance, move and exercise.
Seuss-a-palooza Story Time
- In this special activity for kids, Dr Seuss characters come to life and tell stories from famous Dr Seuss books.
- Kids can even become part of the stories themselves as they get called on to participate.
Dive-in movies
- To catch a movie underneath the stars families can head to Dive-In movies at the seaside theatre, here movies can be enjoyed that are specifically programmed to be family friendly.
Waterworks
- Carnival’s waterworks waterpark is included in the cost and includes waterslides, waterslide racing, the Speedway Splash race, other Carnival favourites like the DrainPipe and Power Drench and more. Adults can also join the fun and play with their kids.
Arts and crafts
- Arts and crafts classes are included, with opportunities for painting, jewelry-making and more. These are generally included as part of the kids clubs.
Activities for kids at an additional cost
- There is a build-a-bear workshop, where children can use accessories and creativity to design their very own build-a-bear.
- The video arcade provides plenty of opportunities for child and family fun and is open 24 hours, however, the games have their own prices.
- If your kids have an extra hankering for Dr Seuss activities, a special Dr Seuss-themed breakfast can be purchased for those wanting to celebrate birthdays or simply just being on vacation.
Dining Onboard Carnival Splendor
Carnival has plenty of dining options including dining venues and specialty dining venues that incur an extra cost and sometimes require reservations. One of the main dining venues is the Gold Pearl Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The majority of dining venues on Carnival Splendor are included. In the main dining room, there are rotating menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, especially come dinner time there are three-course meals and Lido Marketplace offers up another chance to simply check what’s around.
Some cruiser favourites of the other available venues are Guy’s Burger Joint, a restaurant by celebrity chef Guy Fieri.
Carnival also has good dinner options across Asian cuisine, with two notable dining venues on Splendor being the Mongolian Wok which serves up dishes such as Szechuan mussels and Thai barbecue, or another favourite is the Naan bread, tandoor chicken and other Indian dishes cooked up in a traditional clay oven over at Masala Tiger.
As far as specialty dining goes, a restaurant worth noting is the new Mad Sizzle, which focuses on kebabs and satays cooked in a slow-spit-roasted style.
For premium seafood and steak, the Seafood Shack and the Steakhouse will have what you’re looking for, with the food coming at higher prices but with more premium ingredients and meticulous preparation.
Mad Sizzle, a new eatery onboard.
Included Dining
- Black Pearl Restaurant (main dining room)
- Lido Marketplace
- Pizzeria del Capitano
- Seaday Brunch
- Swirls
- Mongolian Wok
- The Carnival Deli
- Sweet Spot
- Masala Tiger
Specialty Dining
- Steakhouse
- Seafood Shack
- Pizza Delivery
- JavaBlue Cafe
- Mad Sizzle
Bars and Lounges
Carnival Splendor offers a range of bars and lounges, as well as other alcohol-based experiences, such as tastings. The bars are generally lively and exciting, and you can always find music and dancing deep into the night, with the ship living up to the fun ship reputation.
Bars
1. RedFrog Rum Bar
A Carnival classic is RedFrog Pub and Rum Bar. While the pub offers a more traditional place to grab a drink, the Rum Bar offers something a bit more tropical.
2. Alchemy Bar
The Alchemy bar is all about cocktails and inventive creations, chat to the mixologists and see what they can whip up for you.
3. Blue Iguana Tequila Bar
To get a buzz going with a bit of a Mexican twist, head to BlueIguana Tequila Bar where margaritas and palomas are aplenty.
4. Sports Bar
For a classic sports bar vibe, whether you want to catch a game or just enjoy the atmosphere, Sports Bar is everything you would expect it to be.
5. Piano Bar
A classic cruise experience is heading to the Piano Bar, where shouting song requests, impromptu dancing, sing-a-longs and more are all part of the fun.
6. The Casino Bar and Royal Flush Casino
The Casino Bar offers an option for a drink before or after visiting the Royal Flush Casino.
Other alcohol experiences
Other onboard experiences such as the Cruise the Vineyards wine tasting, the pour-your-own-beer station and Martini Tasting offer a few different options for those looking to enjoy the booze on their cruise.
Splendor from above.
Entertainment
Plenty of entertainment has already been mentioned in the sense of activities and other experiences like martini tastings or movies under the stars, but Carnival Splendor also packs in a range of curated entertainment.
All of the below entertainment is included in the price of your cruise on Carnival Splendor, except for Deal or No Deal, which you’ll have to fork out a bit extra for.
Beyond the below, live music can often be found in bars all over the ship and you’ll be able to get more info or an exact program once you’re onboard or before your cruise.
Playlist Productions
This is the number-one show on Carnival Splendor.
It takes place in the main theatre, taking your favourite songs and adding musical theatre twists, infusing them into full-production shows.
You can expect shows across genres like rock, soul, pop, and plenty more, generally standing out as one of the main attractions on Carnival Splendor.
Be sure to make your reservations early to secure a spot for yourself.
The Punchliner Comedy Club
In a classically designed comedy club, you can enjoy local and international comedians aboard Splendor. Generally, there is a family-friendly show, for if you want to bring the kids along, and adults-only shows for those looking for humour slightly spicier.
Karaoke
Without paying any extra guests can sing their heart out at ship karaoke, a staple of a Carnival cruise.
The Nightclub
The Nightclub serves not just as the go-to destination to dance the night away, but also the setting for Carnival’s famous themed parties, where you might be asked to don 80s or all-white attire to dress up and get the party going.
Deal or No Deal
For an extra sum, guests can live out their dreams of being on Deal or No Deal. You buy a special game card and can participate, with the game being carried out in a similar style to bingo.
Safety and Security
Carnival security expands across navigational features to keep guests safe from adverse weather events, to onboard safety initiatives to limit any problems onboard.
It is true that Carnival sometimes has an online reputation for fights breaking out, but the truth is that this is very rare in general, and nearly non-existent in Australia on ships like Carnival Splendor and Luminosa.
You can read here for full details on Carnival’s security features, but the best thing you can do for your safety onboard is pay close attention during safety advisories, familiarize yourself with the ship, and maintain personal hygiene.
Accessibility and special needs
Carnival Splendor has special accessibility features, including accessible cabins that be easily reached by wheelchair. Within these cabins, there is a 32-inch entryway, 60 x 60-inch turning space, and a roll-in shower with a fold-down seat.
There are a few different categories for cabins with specialised accessibility features, if you will require this, it is advised to speak with the cruise line or a knowledgeable travel agent before booking, and you can confirm that the cabin will suit your needs. However, generally, the ship has good accessibility features and it should be possible to cruise for everyone.
This page on the Carnival website offers specific advice for those in wheelchairs or with other mobility issues.
Accommodations
Carnival Splendor has four available stateroom categories, and each of these categories has different sub-categories. They are interior, ocean view, balcony, and suite.
The first three cabin categories, interior, ocean view, balcony, and suite, all have options to upgrade your cabin to a Cloud 9 Spa version of the room. These rooms come with a range of perks, most notably complimentary spa access to some features, fitness classes, a complimentary body composition analysis, other spa discounts, upgraded in-room toiletries, a special Cloud 9 Spa bathrobe and pair of slippers, and plenty more.
Interior Rooms
There are five other types of interior cabins or rooms, each differing by the ‘view’ offered and where they’re positioned on the ship, these are interior with picture window, interior standard, porthole, interior upper/lower (porthole) and interior upper/lower.
Ocean View Rooms
Ocean View rooms similarly has a few different options. If you don’t opt for the Cloud 9 upgrade, you can opt for a standard ocean-view cabin, a scenic ocean view cabin or an ocean view cabin with an obstructed view.
Balcony Rooms
Balcony category cabins function similarly, guests may opt for a standard balcony or the Cloud 9 Spa balcony, but there are also two more premium options.
The Aft-View extended balcony offers a larger balcony with stern-side views, and the premium vista balcony isn’t larger, but generally offers a better view. Some of the larger balcony cabins will have a walk-in closet which also has great closet and drawer space.
Suites
There are five categories of suites, starting with the junior suite and ranging through the ocean suite, Cloud 9 Spa Suite, Grand Suite, and the Captain’s Suite. As you’d imagine, each category of suite brings with it a few extra perks and a more spacious, luxurious suite. These suites will come equipped with a king-size bed and walk-in closet. There is also great closet and drawer space for cruisers on longer voyages.
If you splash out all the way to the Captain’s Suite, you’ll have a sizeable balcony, two full bathrooms, one of which has a whirlpool tub, a separate living room that sleeps three people, VIP check-in, and more perks.
A premium view cabin will let you soak in views like this one.
Carnival Splendor Deck Plans?
Straight from the Carnival Splendor website, here you can see the full deck plans for the ship. Download
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Carnival Splendor have waterslides?
Yes, the Carnival Splendor features two waterslides:
- Green Lightning: This thrill-slide begins with an 11.3-meter free-fall drop as the capsule floor opens, followed by a slingshot curve that twists and slides guests into a giant swirling bowl.
- Twister Waterslide: A gentler ride suitable for a wider range of guests, including children over 1.1 meters tall.
Where does the Carnival Splendor dock in Sydney?
In Sydney, the Carnival Splendor docks at the Overseas Passenger Terminal located at Circular Quay.
How big is the Carnival Splendor?
The Carnival Splendor is 290 meters (951 feet) in length, with a beam of 38 meters (125 feet), and has a gross tonnage of 113,573.
How old is the Carnival Splendor?
The ship was built in 2008, making it 17 years old as of 2025.
Hi,
We are booked to sail to Cairns from Sydney leaving 14 March 2025. When do we receive our tickets? What is the dress code and what suggestions do you have about what clothes to bring?
How do I arrange a birthday for my friend on board ?
Regards
Peggy levy and Shirley Thompson