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
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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 Royal Caribbean?
We asked Royal Caribbean why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
Royal Caribbean International is known for driving innovation at sea and has continuously redefined cruise holidays since its launch in 1969. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel and pushes the envelope of what is possible on a cruise ship. Onboard, the global cruise line has debuted countless industry 'firsts' – such as rock climbing, ice skating and surfing at sea – to capture the imagination of families and adventurous holiday-makers alike. Throughout, guests sail on exciting itineraries to some of the world’s most-popular read more destinations and enjoy Royal Caribbean’s friendly and engaging service.
What destinations are Royal Caribbean exploring this season?
Alaska Asia Australia Canada & New England Caribbean Central America Europe & Med Greek Islands More...Royal Caribbean snapshot
Total No. CruisesDeparturesAvg. cruise lengthAvg. price per day (by cabin type)No. of ShipsAll-Inclusive levelOnboard currencyWho cruises with Royal Caribbean?
Families and couples, including semi-retired and retired travellers.
What are Royal Caribbean known for?
Entertainment-packed ships, state-of-the-art onboard experiences and thrills.
Are Royal Caribbean's fares all-inclusive?
No.
What extras will we need to pay for, on top of the cruise fare?
Budget for alcoholic beverages, WiFi, specialty dining, shore excursions and selected onboard activities or experiences.
Are gratuities included?
Yes for Australian and New Zealand guests only.
Are shore excursions included?
No.
Is there WiFi on board?
Yes. Charges apply.
Does Royal Caribbean have a loyalty program?
Yes. Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Azamara offer reciprocal benefits to members enrolled in their loyalty programs.
Is Royal Caribbean a family friendly cruise-line?
Yes. Royal Caribbean is a genuinely family-friendly cruise line with comprehensive children’s programs and facilities for families, including accommodation for large groups.
Are any onboard activities included?
Sports courts, rock-climbing walls, waterslides, surf riders, language, dance and craft classes, select onboard thrills, skydiving simulators, observation capsules and on some ships - games spaces and ice-skating rinks. Activities vary by ship.
Are there casinos on board your ships?
Yes.
Are there any onboard activities that cost extra?
Specialty onboard seminars may incur a charge. Video arcade games incur a fee, and some onboard thrills may offer only one complimentary use. Some themed dinners and in-suite movies also cost extra.
Are there specialty restaurants on board Royal Caribbean's ships?
Yes. Specialty restaurants are available; charges apply and the range may differ between ships.
Are there dining packages for purchase?
Yes.
Are non-alcoholic beverages included?
Basic non-alcoholic drinks are included for free in your cruise fare, but specialty non-alcoholic beverages like soda, mocktails, and premium coffee cost extra unless you buy a drink package.
Are alcoholic beverages included?
No. All alcoholic beverages must be purchased.
Do Royal Caribbean sell any beverage packages?
Yes. Packages are available for non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages.
Do Royal Caribbean offer room service?
Yes. A convenience charge applies to each order except continental breakfast items. Grand Suites and higher categories do not pay the convenience fee.
Are spa and salon services available?
Yes. Spa and salon services are available and charges apply.
Are there gyms onboard Royal Caribbean's ships?
Yes.
Are fitness classes available onboard Royal Caribbean's ships?
Yes. Group fitness classes are complimentary, although selected special training classes may incur additional charges.
Do Royal Caribbean offer personal training?
Yes. Charges apply.
Are there self-service laundry facilities?
No.
Do Royal Caribbean offer a laundry service?
Yes. Charges apply.
Recent Royal Caribbean reviews
As happens, Mother Nature rules, so we had to miss Napier, but stops including Picton (South Island), Tauranga, Auckland and Bay of Islands were great. Entertainment and other activities were terrific, especially the stage show “We Will Rock You”.
I would thoroughly recommend a cruise on Royal Caribbean and be sure to use Global Journeys.
Royal Caribbean's most popular trips this month...
The Verdict - Carnival Cruises vs Royal Caribbean
For this comparison, we’re looking specifically at Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruises in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Both offer contemporary, family-friendly cruising with plenty of dining, entertainment and activities onboard. Carnival has the stronger year-round Australian presence and delivers a more casual, value-focused experience, while Royal Caribbean operates seasonally in the region with larger ships, more headline attractions and a more resort-style onboard experience.
Which ships will suit me best?
Carnival’s regional fleet includes Carnival Splendor, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter, with a mix of pools, waterslides, entertainment, family activities and familiar resort-style facilities. Royal Caribbean currently deploys ships Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas in the region, with attractions depending on the vessel including FlowRider surf simulators, bumper cars, rock climbing, iFLY and the North Star observation capsule. Both cruise-lines are lively and family-focused, but Royal’s ships generally offer more high-profile attractions, while Carnival keeps the experience a little more casual and straightforward.
Which is better for families?
Both cater strongly for families, with dedicated youth programs, family accommodation and plenty for children and adults to enjoy together. Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean program is complemented by a broad range of family attractions that varies by ship, while Carnival also offers age-based youth programs and plenty of family-focused facilities across its regional fleet. Royal generally offers more activity-driven family experiences onboard, while Carnival provides a simpler and often more relaxed family cruise style.
Which has the better onboard experience?
Both offer complimentary and specialty dining, live entertainment, pools, bars and daytime activities, but the emphasis differs. Carnival’s regional ships focus on a casual, sociable atmosphere, with Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter retaining some venues and experiences inherited from P&O Cruises Australia. Royal Caribbean’s ships generally offer more large-scale attractions and a broader range of onboard activities, although the exact experience varies considerably by vessel. The better fit will often come down to whether you prefer Carnival’s relaxed style or Royal’s more activity-packed resort approach.
Which offers better value?
Both offer relatively affordable base fares with accommodation, selected dining, entertainment and many onboard activities included, while alcohol, Wi-Fi, specialty dining and shore excursions cost extra. Carnival often has the lower starting price and uses Australian dollars onboard for cruises from Australia, while Royal Caribbean uses US dollars onboard. Royal may therefore cost more once extras and exchange rates are considered, although the additional attractions available on its ships can add value for travellers who plan to make the most of them.
Which has the better itineraries?
Carnival has the stronger year-round presence in the region, with cruises from Sydney and Brisbane to destinations across Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, along with selected seasonal departures from other Australian and New Zealand ports. Royal Caribbean operates seasonally from Australia, with cruises through Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific aboard Anthem, Ovation and Voyager of the Seas. Carnival offers more departure dates and greater year-round flexibility, while Royal provides a strong seasonal alternative with a different mix of ships and onboard experiences.
