Carnival’s decision to remove TWO ships from its Australian programme is raising some BIG questions about the future of cruising Down Under
Carnival Adventure and Carnival Luminosa are leaving the Australian programme in 2028, and Cruise Passenger estimates the loss of capacity could affect around 200,000 cruisers
But while Carnival is cutting back, Princess Cruises is TRIPLING its South Australian port calls — and Royal Caribbean is putting China at the centre of its growing Asian cruise strategy
So is Australian cruising in trouble, or are cruise lines simply choosing different markets?
We’re unpacking all of this LIVE tonight on Deb & Matt Chat — Life, Cruise & Travel!
PLUS Disney has revealed some enormous news about TWO upcoming ships, MSC is changing its loyalty status match programme, and Carnival has announced when Christmas decorations will appear across its fleet!
🇦🇺 CARNIVAL’S AUSTRALIAN FLEET CUTS — THE REAL COST
Carnival Adventure and Carnival Luminosa are leaving the Australian programme in March 2028
Carnival Splendor and Carnival Encounter are expected to remain year-round in Sydney and Brisbane
Cruise Passenger estimates approximately 200,000 cruisers could be affected by the reduced capacity and highlights potential fare differences of $2,300 when switching cruise brands
What does this mean for Australian cruise passengers, regional tourism, travel agents and the future of our cruise industry?
And is the Coastal Trading Act exemption until December 2028 enough to restore confidence?
🇦🇺 PRINCESS CRUISES TRIPLES SOUTH AUSTRALIAN VISITS
While Carnival reduces its Australian presence, Princess Cruises is increasing its commitment to South Australia
Princess plans to TRIPLE Adelaide port calls during the 2028–29 season, with an estimated $22 million economic boost
With Melbourne homeporting also returning, could Adelaide be next?
🌏 ROYAL CARIBBEAN GOES BIG ON ASIA
Royal Caribbean is strengthening its Asian strategy, with China at the centre of its plans
Spectrum of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas all feature in Royal’s expanding regional programme
New itineraries, multiple homeports and greater connections between Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and other Asian destinations
But why is Royal investing so heavily in Asia while Australia faces uncertainty over cruise capacity?
🏰 DISNEY BELIEVE — THE BIG REVEAL!
Disney Believe debuts in December 2027, and Disney has revealed some incredible new onboard experiences!
🎭 The world’s first Disney Encanto musical at sea
❄️ Oaken’s Table: A Frozen Family Feast
🌊 A Moana-inspired Grand Hall
🦊 New Zootopia entertainment
🍹 New themed lounges and dining venues
Is Disney Believe shaping up to be the most exciting Wish-class ship yet?
🇯🇵 DISNEY IMAGINATION IS COMING TO JAPAN!
Disney has officially named its first Japan-based cruise ship — Disney Imagination!
Scheduled to begin sailing from Tokyo in spring 2029, the new ship will be operated by Oriental Land Co., the company behind Tokyo Disney Resort
With Ariel and Sebastian decorating the stern, could Disney Imagination become a must-do cruise for Australian Disney fans?
💎 MSC ENDS STATUS MATCH IN FOUR COUNTRIES
MSC Cruises has ended new loyalty status match applications in Italy, France, Spain and Portugal
But this is NOT a worldwide cancellation
Australia and other participating markets have not been included in the announced change
Is loyalty status matching a brilliant way to attract customers, or does it devalue benefits earned by regular cruisers?
🎄 CARNIVAL CHRISTMAS AT SEA!
Carnival has revealed when Christmas decorations will appear aboard all 29 ships!
And guess which ship gets decorated FIRST?
🇦🇺 Carnival Encounter — 22 November
🇦🇺 Carnival Splendor — 28 November
🇦🇺 Carnival Adventure — 30 November
🇦🇺 Carnival Luminosa — 14 December
Would you spend Christmas aboard a cruise ship?
⚡ PLUS — 30 SECOND QUICK QUESTIONS!
Our favourite rapid-fire questions are back, along with your live comments, cruise questions and plenty of Deb & Matt banter!
💬 TONIGHT’S BIG QUESTIONS
🚢 Is Australia doing enough to attract and retain cruise ships?
🇦🇺 Should Adelaide become a regular cruise homeport?
🌏 Would you fly to Asia for a Royal Caribbean or Disney cruise?
🏰 Disney Believe or Disney Imagination — which interests you more?
💎 Should cruise lines continue offering loyalty status matches?
🎄 Christmas at sea or Christmas at home?
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Deb & Matt Chat — Life, Cruise & Travel
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