Carnival Splendor v Carnival Adventure: how rebadged P&O ships will differ from Carnival classics 

P&O Australia’s merger with Carnival Australia creates a new and enlarged player in the homeported year-round Australian fleet. But the biggest question for fans of both lines is: what will the P&O ships be like when they become “fun ships”, renamed Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter.

While we await the full rollout of amenities, we’ve put together what we know so far about the food and beverage options, the activities and entertainment.

P&O Cruises Australia will be absorbed into Carnival Cruise Line Australia in March, and the ships will be sent to Singapore for refurbishment. They will be given new livery and the interior of the ships will also be reimagined.

The converted ships will have a similar feel to a classic Carnival ship, but the differences will lie in some of the amenities and services, as well as some P&O restaurants and shows that will be retained to placate the P&O cruisers.

So potential passengers will need to trade-off some Carnival Splendor or Luminosa amenities for P&O classics such as waterparks or Luke Magnan’s burgers. 

To illustrate these differences, we’ve comparing the two Carnival ships that will be sailing out of Sydney, the long-established Carnival Splendor with the about to be converted Carnival Adventure.

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Carnival Splendor 

The numbers 

Carnival Splendor fits in 3012 people at double occupancy and weighs 113,000 gross tonnes. The ship has 13 decks, 1150 crew members and was built in 2007. 

Food and drink

Carnival Splendor has a range of different included dining options. For a classic cruise feast you can head to the main dining room for a three-course meal, or Lido Marketplace as another if you don’t have a particular craving and want to check what’s around. 

A Carnival favourite is Guy’s Burger Joint, by Guy Fieri and Pizzeria Del Capitano is often thought to have one of the best pizza slices at sea by Carnival cruises. 

Asian food is another big hit on the Splendor with Mongolian Wok and Masala Tiger offering two distinct options. The full list of included and non-included dining can be found below. 

But nothing beats the Baked Alaska on Carnival Ships’ main dining room – once upon a time served flaming from the kitchen by scores of waiters in a conga line, but nowadays flamed in the kitchen. While my experience was several years ago, the wait staff the sang and danced on the side tables while we ate!

Included dining

• The 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

Accommodation

Carnival Splendor has four main categories of staterooms, being interior, ocean view, balcony view, and suite. Then within these, these are further subcategories, based around where you are on the ship, how good your view is, and so on.

However, a key feature of Carnival Splendor accommodation is that the accommodation category also has a Cloud 9 Spa upgrade available. If you opt for this your room will have a range of extra amenities, upgraded toiletries, more premium linens, and more, as well as a range of onboard perks. For example, you’ll have complimentary spa access, access to fitness classes, discounts to other services and more.

Entertainment 

The biggest show on Carnival Splendor is Playlist Productions, where classic songs take on a musical theatre life and get transformed into Broadway-esque shows. Classic Aussie and international songs across rock, pop, disco and more get transformed into all-out spectacles. The Punchliner Comedy club is another classic spot to head for an entertaining night out, with both family-friendly and adults-only shows on offer. 

Plenty of other entertainment can be found from live music and dancing across the ships nightclubs and bars, free karaoke, movies under the stars, and more. 

Activities/Facilities 

Carnival Splendor is home to a huge range of activities, of all types. More recreationally guests can try their hand for free at pickleball, mini-golf, volleyball, basketball and plenty more. Or for an extra cost guests can also check out Sky Zone, cooking classes, bingo, martini tastings, and more. 

For those looking to enjoy the finer things, there’s also a decked-out spa with massages, thermal suites, hydrotherapy, facial treatments, and plenty more on offer. These aren’t included in the cruise fare. 

There’s always plenty happening for kids with three different kids clubs available free of cost, and the possibility of paid care for children less than two years old. Carnival Splendor has build-a-bear workshops, science labs, movie nights, the waterworks waterpark, Dr Seuss story time, and plenty more for kids.

There is also a range of bars and lounges, from the tequila-infused cocktails and Blue Iguana to the classic cruise sing-a-longs at the Piano Bar. 

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Carnival Adventure

The numbers

Carnival Adventure fits in 2636 guests, across 12 decks. The ship weighs 108,865 gross tonnes, has 1100 crew members, and was built in 2001. 

Food and drink

A number of classic P&O eateries will be staying on Adventure, most notably Luke Mangan’s restaurants, Luke’s Bar & Grill and Luke’s Burgers. These will be specialty dining options.

Three more restaurants will be coming over, Angelo’s, Dragon Lady and Waterfront restaurants, these are included in the cruise fare.

It’s not yet confirmed which Carnival eateries will be present on the ship.

Unlike Carnival’s all-day free pizza and soft serve, Adventure will have free pizza just from 11am to 4pm, and New Zealand Natural Ice Cream as a paid option for soft serves or other desserts. 

Accommodation

It hasn’t yet been revealed exactly how or if the current P&O cabins will be changed. However, it has been confirmed that the Byron Beach Club, an exclusive space for those in suites and some min-suites will continue to be available.

Entertainment 

It’s confirmed the Carnival ‘Fun Squad’, crew members who facilitate parties, activities and more, will be on Carnival Adventure. Furthermore, Carnival’s theme nights such as the 80s Rock-n-Glow Party and Elegant Night will be coming over to Adventure as well. 

Guest favourite show Blanc de Blanc, an extravagant adults-only show will be staying on Adventure. 

It’s not confirmed what other entertainment will come over from Carnival or stay with P&O.

Activities/Facilities 

Edge Adventure Park, including P&O’s famous zip lines and climbing walls, will be coming to Adventure. 

Adventure will also be getting Carnivals Turtle Program childcare, for kids two years and younger, as well as other activities for kids from Carnival such as Zumbini, Build-a-Bear, Conga for kids, and more.