Getting into the Carnival Spirit
“Three, two, one,” a robotic voice counts out loudly in my ear. I’m standing in a glass capsule, with ten storeys between me and the Pacific Ocean as Sydney Harbour retreats towards the horizon.
The floor falls from beneath my feet and I plummet downwards in a watery whirl of green. A gargled wail escapes my lips as my stomach leaps into my throat.
This is Green Thunder, the world’s steepest and fastest waterslide at sea, on board Carnival Spirit. And I must be mad.
After just a couple of seconds, I suddenly splosh to a halt at the bottom, water spurting from my nose and mouth as I pull my bikini back into place.
Adrenaline pumping, we decide to try the other waterslide, but it’s nothing compared to the white knuckle thrills of Green Thunder.
The thrills offered by the cocktail menu almost come close though. We ditch the wet zone to dry off in the comfort of a hammock in the Serenity adults-only area with a strawberry daiquiri in hand.
Many of the ship’s features have been “Aussified” to help the US cruise firm’s product appeal to the Australian market – barista coffee, a barbeque and vegemite are a few of the touches. But the drinks measures are certainly American – these cocktails pack a punch.
It’s perfect cruising weather – endless blue skies and blazing sunshine – meaning all 2,680 guests packed onto Spirit can make the most of what’s on offer from mini golf to swimming pools and live music.
But instead, we opt for another daiquiri.
Rumbling stomachs are the only reason we eventually leave our spot. We wander from the hamburger kitchen, to the sandwich joint and then finally settle on the pizzeria. The chef rolls the dough freshly in front of us and makes our pizza to order. Just five minutes later and we’re tucking in.
We wash it all down with desserts of all shapes and sizes. And another daiquiri.
Despite our mid-afternoon snack, by the time dinner comes around, we manage to make room. Bring on beef carpaccio and escargots, followed by lobster ravioli in fancy restaurant Nouveau, with a slice of cheesecake the size of my head for dessert.
The last few mouthfuls are an ordeal, but it seems such a shame to let any of the food go to waste. It squeezes down my gullet, packing down tightly on the previous courses until it is no longer physically possible to push any more down.
The cheese cart circulates, but I can’t even look at it.
Instead, we take to the ship’s deck to try and walk off some of the food in the balmy evening breeze. There’s still a hell of a lot of the ship to explore – its 18 bars and lounges, and its nightclub too.
It’ll take some serious dance moves on that illuminated dance floor to burn off some of this excess, that’s for sure.
{^widget|(useupdatepanel)False|(disableviewstate)False|(wherecondition)FileName+not+like+%27%2525_60%27+and+FileName+not+like+%27%2525_90%27+and+FileName+not+like+%27%2525_120%27|(widget_displayname)RBI+Media+Gallery+Viewer|(noofcolumns)4|(selecttopn)100|(fileidquerystringkey)fileid|(transformationname)Penguin.Product.CustomGallery|(visible)True|(name)RBI.MediaGalleryViewer_1|(libraryname)%7b%2525cmscontext.currentsite.sitename%2525%7dML|(disablemacros)False|(hidecontrolforzerorows)True|(showgroupfiles)False|(thumbnailsize)90|(sitename)%7b%2525cmscontext.currentsite.sitename%2525%7d|(filepath)images%2ftravel_matrix%2fCarnival%2f%2525|(checkpermissions)True|(width)|(height)^}
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
cruiseLatest News
Linkd appoints Carolyn Nightingale and Lawson Dibb to new roles
Linkd Tourism sings praises of Carolyn Nightingale and dubs Lawson Dibb as Kyushu Tourism Office guru.
Celebrity Ascent makes its European debut
Choosing to cruise this northern summer? Celebrity Ascent promises to raise the bar.
NCL opens sales for Norwegian Sun’s APAC debut, announces 14 new voyages
It was to be 13 new voyages we heard, but given the numbers unlucky nature, an extra had to be thought up.
Inside Travel Group appoints Tom Welland Global Trade Marketing Manager
Heidi's Tom Welland heads to Inside Travel Group as its new Global Trade Marketing Manager.
Federal Government rolls out $1.4m program to promote careers in tourism across regional NSW
The Government taking a break from some of its pointier issues with some work in our incredible industry!
Australian visitors to South Korea surge
Japanned out? Aussies are adding South Korea to their bucket list.
G Adventures celebrates Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th with new wildlife-focused trips
Fancy yourself as a bit of a conservationist? Put your skills to the test on the Jane Goodall collection.
Virgin Australia says suspended flights to Bali result of Boeing MAX delays
If only we had a company like Boeing to blame our mistakes on. Any takers? Get in touch!
Airline Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – A380-800
The iconic Singapore Airlines' A380-800 is in a class of its own - business class that is.
South African Airways to relaunch Joburg – Perth flights as economic ties strengthen
Bringing two of the world's most distinctive accents closer together, for good or for bad is yet to be determined.
My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse
Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse? ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]
Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport
We've also been looking into our future. It involves plenty of famils, we hope.
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]