The world’s largest cruise line, Carnival Cruise Line, announced today that Carnival Splendor will join its Australian fleet in Sydney next year, catering for the unprecedented demand for fun, family-friendly cruise holidays.
On her arrival through Sydney Heads in December 2019, Carnival Splendor will be the newest and largest ship home ported year-round in Australia.
Announcing the news in Australia today, Carnival Cruise Line’s President, Christine Duffy said, “Today’s 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.
“The arrival of Carnival Splendor to Sydney represents a 66% 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 Ms. Duffy and the crew, as she was formally announced as the Goddaughter of Carnival Splendor.
Ms. Duffy notes that the arrival of Carnival Splendor Down Under 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. 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” said Ms. Duffy.
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 receive some of the features Australian passengers love the most, including a range of new dining experiences tailored to the local tastes of Australian guests and 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. Thereafter, she will sail year-round from Sydney. Bookings for Carnival Splendor’s 2019 sailings will open in March of this year and sailings for 2020 will open in May/June this year.
SOURCE: Carnival Cruise Line