- A Cruise Passenger survey shows the changes that cruisers are hoping for as Encounter and Adventure enter dry dock.
- Encounter will enter dry dock in February, and Adventure the following year in 2027.
- Carnival is yet to reveal what changes will or won’t be made.
Carnival’s bold decision to dissolve P&O Cruises Australia and bring two ships into the Carnival fleet, now Carnival Encounter and Carnival Adventure, appears to have paid off.
The line has managed to keep prices low, attract more of the new to cruise market and a previous Cruise Passenger survey showed that 70% of passengers are enjoying the new ships.
But an exclusive poll by Cruise Passenger on what guests want now reveals the depth of feeling about the upcoming dry-dock changes on the ships.
Over a thousand Carnival cruisers were surveyed on what changes they want to see on the ships post dry dock. It became clear that one demand lies above all else for the new ship changes, which is that the converted P&O ships change to offer all the perks that Carnival ships do.
Over half, 55% of all votes cast in the survey, were asking for more perks to be included, these include things like 24-hour pizza and soft serve, included cordial, extra drink options, other options for burritos and burgers, but also include other things, like that Carnival offers a larger range of activities that are included in the fare.
It appears that the number one desire of Aussie Carnival cruisers is that Adventure and Encounter offer everything in the fare that other Carnival ships offer around the world, which would appear to be a fair request.
Some want to see their favourite Carnival venue’s on the new ships, such as Guy’s Burgers and Carnival’s Deli.
Modernising facilities and doing overall maintenance was also a popular pick, picking up about 20% of votes. This seems to show that really cruisers’ expectations are quite simple, to get the perks they believe their fare deserves, and for a tidier and cleaner ship.
A previous Cruise Passenger review of Carnival Encounter definitely clocked that cabins were ‘showing their age’. As mentioned, these are not new ships, and it does show. The review noted a lack of modern conveniences in cabins, such as interactive TV’s, as well as cabins spotted with outdated decor. This makes sense as the cabins haven’t been renovated since 2018.
It would seem that if post dry dock, the ship’s perks are brought in line with other Carnival ships, and cabins and facilities are given a little refresh, cruisers will be more than happy.
What’s the plan for these ships?
Another question is, what is the long-term vision for these ships?
Today, they remain what are essentially P&O ships with some Carnival branding and tweaks. It’s unclear if Carnival wants to transform the ships into full-on Carnival products or keep the P&O flavour.
The dry-dock schedules of under three weeks don’t give an awful lot of time for a complete overhaul of venues, but anything is possible.
The ships aren’t exactly new; at 24 and 25 years in service respectively, they’ve been around a long time, and it probably doesn’t make much sense to give them a huge overhaul. While the other Carnival ships are newer in comparison, they’re also not exactly shiny new ships. Carnival Splendor has 18 years in service and Luminosa has 17 years in service.
The ships make sense as budget options for Australian cruising, and offer great value for those looking for it; however, some cruisers do want to make sure they’re getting all the value they deserve.
With the dry-dock not too far away for Encounter, we should find out soon enough what exactly will be done to the new ships, with anything from a slight touch-up to a complete overhaul possible. The transition of the two ships into Carnival appears to be a success so far, but any updates will undoubtedly be scrutinised for cruisers.
Carnival’s recent decision to return to home porting out of places like Auckland, Melbourne and Adelaide showed that they are keyed into what their customers are saying, and hopefully they can make as many people as possible happy as they update the new ships.
What do you think? How should Carnival refresh the older P&O ships?
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This all great asking for ships to call good destinations home but how about your state governments put their hands in their pockets and upgrade so ships can dock and not have to tender every port which get cancelled due to rough weather, I would love to see Newcastle as a added port in the future.
Last time we went on a Carnival Cruise it was terrible 13 nights of boredom it was the same every night very little entertainment only a show every second night if you could gat a seat, only 2 bands on board then one band disembarked and was replaced by a juggler. The food was very ordinary unless you paid extra for a restaurant and the kids where left to run amok while the parents were nowhere to be seen and the staff just ignored them, at one stage I had trouble get to the bar because all the bar stools were taken by the kids and the pool was a disgrace with dirty scum accumulating all day untill a staff member skimmed it.
If this is what you get for the money then never again
I let Carnival know I had a dietary needs before I travelled on the Adventure earlier this year.I needed lactose free skim or lactose free low fat milk. I don’t drink alcohol. Unfortunately I had to drink soy milk the whole time on the cruise. There would have been other people too in my position. I was very disappointed. How can I ever go on the Adventure or any Carnival ship again not knowing my fate!.
After recently travelling to Melbourne on Carnival Adventure I was looking forward to again travelling with carnival but was really disappointed with trip due to very poor quality of the Carnival ship. You had to pay for entertainment, pizza, burgers, ice creams, no soft serves, the menus were the same every night including the buffet which was definitely sub standard. Whilst the ship was old and needs a refurb it was ok. The ship seemed under staffed with the current staff just coping with the demand. But had a few instances with bar staff yelling at customers to get out of the Black Diamond room because they had food. A quiet word would have been more appropriate instead of yelling from afar at the bar. The overall cruise has made me decide not to travel with Carnival again!!
Rather than added perks, and updating rooms (except for adding USB ports), just give us more options from Melbourne at a reasonable price. I love the layout and amenities of both the ships. To cruise from Sydney isn’t an option for many cruisers. It adds way too much to the cost so we can’t do it. Just comfort, nice food and good destinations from Melbourne is needed. Once onboard, I don’t pay an extra cent. I’d like that to continue. Budget travel for those who want it, and the others can pay for extras if they want to.
Why bother anymore. Suite with sofa that had dead springs .. they tied. Spring s back up. Not fixed. For. the price And lost perks. Club no meaning anymore. If l ever go cruise ing again. Will not be devoted to who cares cruise lines
P&O before carnival used Australia as gods waiting room for their buggered old ships carnival has taken over the mantel and Australian’s still ply there gangways l haven’t for 8 years and no longer intend to cruise
In response to Erin E. I would also wish that Cairns Qld be considered for home porting. It isn’t that hard surely when you realise that a home port can be shared say 3 months in Sydney and the other in Cairns. As far as cruiser loyalty is concerned it would be nice also. As said something rather than nothing would be nice.
The rooms are great as they are. The service is better than it was with P&O.
I’d prefer that Carnival should leave the cabins / rooms as they are instead of renovating and then increasing prices.
My option please don’t give use to much India food heard we get a lot of Indian food due to lots if Indian people crusie but thats not aussie food.. less paid option like sizzle & sea food ect on Splendor being back the barito bar like on Spirit as it had breakfast options too.. hope they keep the edge something different…
Why can’t Elite passengers
still have same Perks on Carnival?
It is owned by same company, seems very unfair that all our cruises with P.O & thousands spent count for nothing but still apply with Princess look for to an Answer
Please bring back the music cruises from Melbourne, especially thr Elvis cruises.
a return to the days of friendly four as per P&O for singles is in order and if they can’t find someone to share with us solo cruises we get a free upgrade no extra charge.
We have only travelled P& O in the very beginning of our cruising years ago.
Now we travel Princess, Royal Carribean & Carnival lines.
The last P & O cruise was a small 3 day cruise with the grand kids and even though they enjoyed the first cruise experience, we thought it does not even compare favourably with our other cruise lines.
Glad P & O is finally finished.
Upgrade your new ships or scrap them.
Not only Carnival people should get past passenger recognition as an Ex P&O passenger we have to start at the bottom level
In my case I did 27 cruises and over 300 days
People on carnival are saying what they want how about looking after P&O passengers as well
Look all this is very good for the cruise industry but what about passengers that choose to travel solo we are still supporting your cruise line why should we pay more( single supplement ) and this varies so much I know because I travel solo a lot a charge yes but please with in reason and not just inside cabins I wish to choose where u bunk down
How about a home port in Perth (Fremantle) again???? We are starved for options, except the very expensive 26/27 Princess offerings, and when you sail in a family (2A and 2C), that’s not really a viable option. Also be nice to recognise loyalty from other Carnival brands… something rather than nothing would be nice.