Why should we cruise with Carnival?
We asked Carnival why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
Over the years P&O Cruises led the Australasian cruise industry, and established themselves as the region’s only home brand and experts in delivering memorable cruise holidays. On every cruise, their guests are treated to a range of amazing onboard cruise activities, plenty of dining options, spectacular entertainment, and a wide range of shore tours that offers something for everyone.
In March 2025, P&O Cruises Australia joined Carnival Corportation and it's two ships joined the fleet as Carnival Adventure® and Carnival Encounter®. Onboard, read more guests can expect a seamless blend of Carnival’s signature Fun Ship experience, plus many of the much-loved P&O features, giving guests the best of both worlds.
What destinations are Carnival exploring this season?
Asia Australia New Zealand South PacificCarnival snapshot
Total No. Cruises
Departures
Avg. cruise length
No. of Ships
All-Inclusive level
Onboard currencyWho cruises with Carnival?
Families, couples and groups of friends looking for fun-focused, good-value cruising, with a particularly strong appeal to Australian families and multigenerational groups.
What are Carnival known for?
Fun-focused, family-friendly cruising with extensive entertainment, kids clubs, waterslides, pools, comedy, deck parties and casual dining. Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter retain popular elements of the former P&O Cruises Australia experience.
Are Carnival's fares all-inclusive?
No. Cruise fares include accommodation, main meals, entertainment, many onboard activities and kids clubs, while a range of optional experiences and services cost extra.
What extras will we need to pay for, on top of the cruise fare?
Shore excursions, WiFi, specialty dining, alcoholic and some non-alcoholic beverages, spa and salon treatments, arcade games, selected adventure activities and bingo.
Are gratuities included?
For cruises departing from Australian ports, gratuities are not required.
Are shore excursions included?
No. Shore excursions are available to purchase separately.
Is there WiFi on board?
Yes. WiFi is available throughout the ships for an additional charge, with internet packages available for purchase.
Does Carnival have a loyalty program?
Yes. Carnival's VIFP Club rewards repeat guests with increasing benefits and members-only offers.
Is Carnival a family friendly cruise-line?
Yes. Carnival is strongly family-focused, with family accommodation, kids and teens clubs, pools, waterslides, family entertainment and activities for a wide range of ages.
Are any onboard activities included?
Included activities include pools, waterslides, sports, trivia, deck parties, cooking demonstrations, stage shows, live music, comedy, karaoke, Dive-In Movies and kids clubs. Activities vary by ship.
Are there casinos on board your ships?
Yes. Casinos are available on Carnival's Australian ships.
Are there any onboard activities that cost extra?
Yes. Additional charges apply to activities such as arcade games, bingo, selected Edge adventure activities and spa experiences.
Are there specialty restaurants on board Carnival's ships?
Yes. Ships offer specialty dining for an additional charge alongside included restaurants. Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter retain included venues such as Waterfront, Angelo's and Dragon Lady, with specialty options including Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse.
Are there dining packages for purchase?
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Are non-alcoholic beverages included?
Some basic non-alcoholic beverages are included, while soft drinks, specialty coffees, bottled water and other beverages cost extra.
Are alcoholic beverages included?
No. Alcoholic beverages are an additional cost.
Do Carnival sell any beverage packages?
Yes. Carnival offers prepaid beverage packages including CHEERS!, with availability and inclusions varying by ship and sailing.
Do Carnival offer room service?
Yes. Room service is available, with charges and inclusions varying by ship and accommodation category. Selected suites on Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter include complimentary room service.
Are spa and salon services available?
Yes. Spa and salon facilities are available onboard, with treatments and services charged separately.
Are there gyms onboard Carnival's ships?
Yes. Fitness centres are available onboard.
Are fitness classes available onboard Carnival's ships?
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Do Carnival offer personal training?
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Are there self-service laundry facilities?
No.
Do Carnival offer a laundry service?
Yes. Laundry services are available, with complimentary wash-and-fold laundry included for selected suite categories on Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter.
Recent Carnival reviews
Carnival's most popular trips this month...
Why should we cruise with NCL?
We asked NCL why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
No schedules. No stipulations. Just award-winning entertainment and diverse dining options from the only cruise line built for versatile vacationing. NCL's award-winning ships are designed for you to enjoy as you choose while cruising to beautiful destinations around the world. Add a wide range of superb dining options and spectacular entertainment and you'll experience your best holiday ever.
What destinations are NCL exploring this season?
Alaska Asia Australia & New Zealand Canada & New England Caribbean Central America & Panama Europe & Med Greek Islands More...NCL snapshot
Total No. CruisesDeparturesAvg. cruise lengthNo. of ShipsAll-Inclusive levelOnboard currencyWho cruises with NCL?
Couples, solo travellers and families; freestyle cruisers who like to holiday on their own schedule.
What are NCL known for?
Freestyle Cruising with no fixed dining times, award-winning entertainment and top-deck innovation including racetracks at sea.
Are NCL's fares all-inclusive?
No.
What extras will we need to pay for, on top of the cruise fare?
Guests need to pay for shore excursions, WiFi, specialty dining, spa and salon services, selected onboard activities, some entertainment and certain beverages and services.
Are gratuities included?
Gratuities are included for Australian and New Zealand passengers. They are not included for North American passengers.
Are shore excursions included?
No.
Is there WiFi on board?
Yes, charges apply or is included in NCL’s Free At Sea™ package.
Does NCL have a loyalty program?
No. Latitudes Rewards only.
Is NCL a family friendly cruise-line?
Yes. NCL are a popular family option with family-friendly accommodation, comprehensive youth programs and family-friendly amenities.
Are any onboard activities included?
Sports court games, outdoor pools and hot tubs, select onboard presentations, the ropes course and ziplining.
Are there casinos on board your ships?
Yes, except on Pride of America.
Are there any onboard activities that cost extra?
Specialty onboard seminars, go-kart sessions, laser tag, video arcade games and bowling incur additional charges.
Are there specialty restaurants on board NCL's ships?
Yes. Specialty restaurants are available and charges apply. Upgrade to NCL’s Free At Sea™ to add premium beverages, specialty dining, shore excursion credit and Wi-Fi.
Are there dining packages for purchase?
Yes. Upgrade to NCL’s Free At Sea™ to add specialty dining.
Are non-alcoholic beverages included?
No.
Are alcoholic beverages included?
No.
Do NCL sell any beverage packages?
Yes. Upgrade to NCL’s Free At Sea™ to add premium beverages, specialty dining, shore excursion credit and Wi-Fi.
Do NCL offer room service?
Yes. Complimentary 24/7 room service is available; charges apply for alcohol orders.
Are spa and salon services available?
Yes. Spa and salon services are available for an additional charge.
Are there gyms onboard NCL's ships?
Yes.
Are fitness classes available onboard NCL's ships?
Yes. Charges apply.
Do NCL offer personal training?
Yes. Charges apply.
Are there self-service laundry facilities?
No.
Do NCL offer a laundry service?
Yes. Charges apply.
Recent NCL reviews
I liked the variety of food at the buffet and at Indulge. Dined at Hudson twice, it was very nice, beautifully decorated, gracious service - no one ever made me feel uncomfortable as someone dining solo.
Shore Excursions - Belfast to the Giant’s Causeway (I was on a waitlist - which never “officially” cleared, but there were some available seats at the last minute so I got on. I’d recommend booking those excursions ASAP) Cork — ship had to skip that port of call b/c stormy weather. Halifax - I went on excursion to Peggy’s Cove - cute, very New England, enjoyed a delish lobster roll.
Service - Cabin steward was efficient, friendly, helpful. Staff at dining establishments also very nice. Buffet got crowded but seating could always be found in the Palomar. Some of the staff for booking excursions or dealing with wi-fi were somewhat disorganized so definitely follow-up on questions or issues.
Downside: Ehe upselling! Starting from when I booked, all through the cruise. e.g. I missed getting daily itineraries and notices on paper delivered to my cabin - encouraged to always check on-line, but that wasn’t always up to date. Yes, it saves paper, but somehow the promos for pricey spa services and “art” auctions etc *were* delivered on paper to the cabin. I could barely hear announcements from the Captain but the announcements from the cruise director about opportunities to buy buy buy were always loud and clear. A friend had sent me a gift for the cruise — a 12-pack of bottled (actually canned) water, which I never received. And then it took weeks to get a refund (alto NCL reps kept calling back — to try and sell her a cruise). The nickel-and-dime-ing is annoying, but it’s probably the same on many other cruise lines.
Overall, I’ve learned to ignore the upselling, and enjoyed the cruise. I’d do it again (if the price hadn’t tripled since last year). There is an active FB group for NCL passengers, lots of reviews pros/cons there.
The $450 for the Internet cafe was expensive and the cheap, food and beverage package at $900 American dollars was outrageous - but at least it saved us the compulsory tip of 20% on every drink purchased.. The food on the ship was plentiful and filling but nothing special and the specialty restaurants at an additional cover charge of $120 American for the one specialty we took, was overpriced and over valued. And $610 USD for simple medical services that in Australia would've cost about $30 was a rip off and a packet of common antibiotics which in Australia would cost $24, was on the ship, $240 that is 8 USD s a pill!
And the crowning disappointment was with the one shore excursion we decided to buy from Norwegian. Immediately we paid for it my knee gave way making it impossible to do the walking on that tour, but there was no chance of getting a refund, - so that was another $140 American wasted. The cruz director and his deputy were absolutely hopeless and at the morning television presentation they told us little about what we should be doing that day but comprised mainly banal chatter between the two of them that we only watched once because we couldn't believe how bad it was. We saw mention of a turndown Service which never occurred in our mini suite, and the movies offered were awful.
But on the positive note, their tender operations were better than other lines, and nearly all of their wait staff were helpful and friendly although some had very little understanding of English. The couple of production shows were very ordinary and most of the entertainment seemed to consist of single or duo artists, or the cruz director interviewing and embarrassing guests, or yet another Trivia, which of course would cost the cruz company next to nothing! We would only cruise Norwegian again if it was the only ship going where we wanted to go at the time we wanted.
