Carnival Cruise Line sails directly from the Port of Brisbane, so if you’ve been imagining what life on the high seas might look like, we have rounded up the best family cruises on offer.
Brisbane to the South Pacific with Carnival Cruise Line
It’s amazing to think that after just two days at sea, you can be snorkelling or swimming in the warm and crystal clear waters of New Calendonia, Fiji or Vanuatu.
Carnival Cruise Line offers seven, eight, nine and 11-day itineraries, all departing Brisbane, that show you the best of the region. On the 11-day cruise, you can visit three different countries in the South Pacific – Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia. The shorter Carnival cruise visits two countries.
Each is rich in tradition, history, culture and natural beauty, and will allow your child to experience a different way of life. Practise your rusty French when ordering a coffee in Noumea, make sandcastles on the white sandy beaches of Fiji, or play on an uninhabited island in Vanuatu (Mystery Island). It’s hard to beat a visit to the tropics for that “I truly feel like I’ve had a holiday” vibe.
Brisbane to Great Barrier Reef with Carnival Cruise Line
If you’re not yet ready to dip your toes in international waters, then a Carnival cruise to the Great Barrier Reef is the perfect choice for an Australian holiday destination.
There are seven-day options with stops at Airlie Beach, Cairns, Port Douglas and a cruise around Willis Island (the six-day option doesn’t visit Port Douglas).
There is also the option of excluding Airlie Beach, and instead spending longer in Cairns.
For those days at sea, there are age-appropriate and fully-supervised kids clubs, catering for children aged between two – 11 years (Camp Ocean), 12 – 14 years (Circle C) and for teens (Club O2). Our pick of the activities is the Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea where your kids will enjoy using their creativity to bring a new stuffed animal to life!
Brisbane to New Zealand with Carnival Cruise Line
We don’t really need an excuse to visit our cousins in the south, but Carnival make a very convincing case for getting there by water, rather than air.
After three days on board Carnival Luminosa, you will arrive in Wellington, with a day set aside to explore the nation’s capital on the north island. The next day, you’ll wake up in Christchurch on the south island, thanks to the hardworking crew that keeps the ship moving overnight. The following day, you’ll find yourself at the southern end of the south island in beautiful Dunedin, known as a university town with must-see wildlife like seals and penguins. But then they save the best to last – a day cruising the stunning Fiordland National Park.
With scenery like this, it will be hard to leave, but after three more days at sea, you’ll be safely home in Brisbane, bringing the total cruising time to 11 days.
Brisbane to Papua New Guinea with Carnival Cruise Line
It’s not every day you hear someone say they’re going to Papua New Guinea, despite the country being one of our closest neighbours. Perfect for families looking for adventure, this 11-day cruise will take you to a pristine island located 152 km from the top of Papua New Guinea – one of the most remote locations in the world.
It’s also breathtakingly beautiful. The cruise then continues on to Alotau, Rabaul and Kiriwina Island – each a fascinating and picturesque place in its own right. The PNG locals are known for their laid-back approach to life so you’ll be feeling chill in no time.
Brisbane to Brisbane OR Brisbane to Airlie Beach with Carnival Cruise Line
If you’re yet to discover the joys of cruising and want to test the waters, these shorter trips are ideal. The three-day option means you will be cruising at sea the whole time, so you can make the most of the onboard activities, including the pools, Dive-in Movies, basketball court and kids’ clubs.
Of all the family activities, we recommend the Green Eggs and Ham breakfast, which brings to life the wonderfully whimsical world of Dr Seuss. As you would expect, the kitchen serves a feast of green eggs and ham, fruit, gravity-defying pancakes, French toast, “moose juice,” as well as regular breakfast offerings. There’s also the opportunity to hang out and have your photo taken with the colourful characters of Dr Seuss.
If you’re ready to heave-ho, check out the full range of family-friendly cruises departing Brisbane with Carnival Cruise Line.
This article is sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line
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