Here’s why Aussies are going crazy for cruises

Australia has always been famous for its sun, sea and golden strands but now there’s even more reason for Aussies to be pumped up. The Carnival Splendor, the 3006-passenger mega-ship, is set to base Sydney as its home in 2019, making it the newest and largest ship to be based year-round in Australia.

This is a major feat for the country and according to Carnival Cruise Line’s President, Christine Duffy, “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 added.

“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.”

Duffy noted that the arrival of the mega-ship means that residents Down Under will see considerable benefits passed onto local businesses through the increase of tourism in and out of the harbour.

“This includes items like the fresh produce we source from local growers and farmers” she adds. “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”.

It’s estimated that up to A$1 million is contributed to the Australian market each time a ship of this size turns around in Sydney.

The 113,300-ton vessel will make her maiden voyage from Sydney in December 2019 following a repositioning cruise from Singapore. Bookings for Carnival Splendor’s 2019 sailings will open in March and sailings for 2020 will open in May/June.