Carnival to redeploy two ships from Australia in 2028
Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Adventure will leave Australia in March 2028, while two other Carnival ships will continue operating from Sydney and Brisbane.
Carnival Cruise Line announced on October 15, 2026, that Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Adventure will leave Australia in March 2028 as part of its long-term fleet planning.
Carnival Luminosa is scheduled to make its final departure from Sydney on March 15, 2028. Carnival Adventure will follow with a final Sydney departure on March 20 and remain in North America rather than return to Australia as previously planned.
The company identified Australia’s regulatory environment as one factor behind the redeployments. The Australian government has extended the cruise industry’s ability to operate through the country’s ports until December 2028. Carnival Cruise Line Country Manager Peter Little characterized that extension as a temporary measure while officials develop a longer-term framework for cruise operations over the following two years.
Carnival Splendor will continue sailing from Sydney, while Carnival Encounter will remain based in Brisbane. Separately, Royal Caribbean plans to bring Anthem of the Seas to Sydney in October 2027 for voyages lasting three to 17 nights, including itineraries to the South Pacific and New Zealand.
