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[title]Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa are the ideal way to dip your toe into the world of cruising. These two cruise ships depart from Sydney and Brisbane to destinations including Hobart, Airlie Beach, Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand, Singapore, Vanuatu and Noumea. What's more, these ships are loaded with onboard activities to pack every moment on the water with fun times.
Carnival Cruise Line are affordable while still offering all the creature comforts that go into a great holiday. Whether you require quiet and seclusion or a more social escape; couple-focused activities or family-oriented fun; three days to unwind or an adventure spanning week or more – Carnival have got you covered.
Need the inside scoop on seafaring in 2023? Below, we’ve compiled ten top tips that not only will answer your questions, they’ll give you the edge on planning your perfect on-board escape. Bon voyage!
Return to Cruising Through 2023 page.
Photograph: Supplied/Carnival Cruise Line
1. Book the room that’s right for you.
The most affordable rooms on Carnival Cruise Line are Interior cruise rooms (also called inside cruise rooms), whereas Oceanview rooms give you a view of the ocean. Balcony rooms come with your own personal balcony, allowing you to make the most of views, sea breezes and natural light. Suites are the roomiest rooms, with extra space for everyone, and a balcony as well. Cloud 9 Spa cruise rooms are in close proximity to the Cloud 9 spa with bonus access to the spa’s facilities, and they continue that relaxed atmosphere inside.
2. Make sure to check the nighttime itinerary before you pack your bags.
There is normally at least one themed deck party you'll want to have an outfit for (ie ’80s night – you won't be able to buy an outfit for this on board, so pack that power suit and big hair wig in your luggage!).
Photograph: Tim Frawley
3. Plan your arrival and check-in carefully.
Boarding a cruise ship isn’t like boarding a plane – it’s far quicker since you can pre-book a check-in time and simply arrive when you’re scheduled to board. If flying into the departure city, ensure your flight arrives no later than four hours before your cruise departure time. If you are flying home on the day you leave the cruise, ensure your flight departs no earlier than five hours after arrival.
4. Bring a lanyard to keep your room key in.
Your room key (or Sail & Sign Card) is as good as money on the ship and you'll need it for every purchase, not just to enter your room! A handy lanyard around your neck means you can go about your day and not have to keep reaching into your wallet or pocket. All prices on board are in Australian dollars, and there’s no obligation to tip anyone.
Photograph: Supplied/Carnival Cruise Line
5. You can keep costs down by eating at restaurants included in your ticket.
Carnival Splendor has multiple restaurants where the food is at no extra cost, spanning pizza, Indian, burgers and diner classics, pan-Asian plus casual dining at Lido Marketplace. Carnival Luminosa has multiple restaurants including Mexican food and toasted sandwiches like steak and cheese. In the evening, both ships have dining rooms that are open for a three-course sit-down dinner, plus you can enjoy a long brunch on sea days.
Carnival Splendor is a 14-deck cruise ship with 113,573 gross tonnage and capacity for 3,012 guests. It sails to Australia, Asia, New Zealand and the South Pacific
Photograph: Carnival Cruise Line
6. Pack a change of clothes and bathers in your carry-on bag.
When you board it can take a few hours for all your luggage to arrive in your room, and you might want to wait it out by the pool. Both ships have an aft pool with sea views, midship pools and ‘dive-in movies’, and Splendor also has waterslides and Waterworks water park.
7. Bring aqua shoes too.
Many islands are rocky, not sandy. so walking through the water can be a challenge without proper footwear.
Photograph: Supplied/Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Luminosa is a 12-deck cruise ship with gross tonnage of 92,720 and capacity for 2,260 guests. It sails to Australia, Papua New Guinea, South Pacific and Alaska
8. Take motion sickness pills with you, just in case.
Seasickness isn’t as common as you’d think, but it’s better to have medication with you and not need it – especially if this is your first time on the water. The ship’s doctor can also help you, but there are charges for using their services.
Little Niche Nosh | Photograph: Cassandra Hannagan
9. If you have kids, you can leave them to enjoy fully supervised activities all day long.
Carnival Cruise Line have a ‘Camp Ocean’ kid’s club offering for kids 2-11 years old to stay active and have fun enjoying supervised ocean-themed activities and entertainment. Ages 2 to 5 join the Penguin colony and engage in activities like Musical Icebergs and Ocean Bingo. The 6-8-year-olds are the Stingrays, who might be found enjoying Pirate Game Night, making sea salt art or even designing their own aquarium. Big fish 9-11 years old are the Sharks who play Marine Life Trivia, create a giant ocean mural, and play sea-themed volleyball or soccer. Camp Ocean’s counsellors all have education or childcare experience for your peace of mind.
For the older kids aged 12-17, they also have their own hangout spaces, supervised by staff with activities including disco, meet-ups, gaming battles and more.
10. There are fun and games for grown-ups too.
With more than 45 activities onboard every ship, getting to the destination is a holiday in itself. Choose from mini golf, massage and spa services, several bars for mingling, comedy club, theatre and video arcade. There’s also a fitness centre and running track to keep you active and trim – a cruise is only as sedentary as you want it to be!