Carnival Splendor ship is en route to Singapore for a drydock refurb project in preparation for the upcoming 2024-2025 Australian season.
Currently year-round homeported in Sydney (NSW Australia), the vessel will return on September 9th with refurbished spaces, updated amenities, and additional enhancements.
CCL-Carnival Cruise Lines has scheduled the Splendor to enter drydock on August 5th, where it will remain for ~3 weeks. The company plans to introduce new dining options, expanded amenities, and improved experiences for both children and adults during this period. The ship is set to head back to Sydney on August 24th.
This drydock is part of the preparations for the integration of P&O Australia into Carnival Cruise Line, announced in June. The P&O AU ships Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure will be rebranded and operated by CCL, while the Pacific Explorer has exited the fleet.
Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise shipowner, stated that in March 2025, the P&O Cruises Australia brand will be retired, with its operations merged into Carnival Cruise Line. Carnival President Christine Duffy attributed the closure to Australia and New Zealand’s regulatory environment and rising costs.
This transition marks a significant change for the Australian cruise industry, where P&O Cruises Australia has been a longstanding favorite. Despite the rebranding, Duffy assured that the updated ships will maintain a familiar feel for loyal P&O Cruises Australia guests.
This move is part of a strategic effort to increase guest capacity for Carnival Cruise Line, the flagship brand and highest-returning brand in Carnival Corporation’s global portfolio. The timeline for updating the Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure to align with the Carnival Cruise Line brand has not been specified.