Carnival reveals new ship coming to stay in Sydney

Carnival Cruise Line has this morning revealed that Carnival Splendor will join its Australian fleet in Sydney next year, making it the newest and largest ship to homeport in Australia year-round.

Her arrival into Sydney is slated for December 2019, with Carnival Cruise Line’s President, Christine Duffy saying the announcement “reflects Carnival’s serious commitment to the Australian market”.

“We’ve had over 800,000 Australians cruise with Carnival since we launched in Australia just five years ago – a number that would fill the Sydney Cricket Ground 17 times over,” Duffy said.

“The arrival of Carnival Splendor to Sydney represents a 66 per cent capacity increase for Carnival Cruise Line in Australia, meaning we will be in the best position to give even more Australians the opportunity to enjoy the fun of a Carnival cruise.”

Symbolic of the brand’s ongoing partnership and support for The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Carnival today also announced that Sydneysider, 6-year-old Matilda Jenkins, a patient at the hospital, is the very first Goddaughter of a Carnival ship.

On board sister ship Carnival Spirit, docked in Sydney today, Silverdale resident Matilda was officially welcomed into the Carnival family by Duffy and the crew, as she was formally announced as the Goddaughter of Carnival Splendor.

Captain Adriano Binacchi, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, Matilda Jenkins (Westmead) and Cat in the Hat

Duffy added that the arrival of Carnival Splendor to Aussie shores will see considerable benefits passed on to local businesses and the wider economy through the increased number of guests sailing in and out of Sydney Harbour.

“We estimate up to $1 million is contributed to the Australian market each time a ship of this size turns around in Sydney. This includes items like the fresh produce we source from local growers and farmers,” Duffy said.

“For example, for a 10-day cruise, we’ll purchase almost 20,000 locally grown tomatoes and over 3,000 melons – just two of the many produce we source from across the country.”

Following in the footsteps of sister ship Carnival Spirit, which was recently announced as Australia’s favourite year-round cruise ship (as rated by Australian travellers) Carnival Splendor will get a significant bow-to-stern upgrade before she sails into Sydney.

She’ll score some of the features Australian passengers love the most, such as fresh dining experiences that are tailored to the local tastebuds of Aussie guests, as well as a brand-new waterpark.

With a capacity of 3900 guests, the 113,300 gross tonnage cruise liner will make her maiden voyage from Sydney in December 2019 after her repositioning cruise from Singapore.

From there, she’ll be sailing year-round from Sydney, with bookings for Carnival Splendor’s 2019 sailings opening in March this year, while sailings for 2020 will open in May/June this year.

Carnival Cruise Line Crew

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