About two months ago, P&O Australia sailed her last cruise, ready to embark on a new journey under a new brand, Carnival. The remaining P&O ships, Adventure and Encounter, underwent a hurried spit and polish, crowned with a new logo and thrust upon Australian cruisers, promising a same-same but different experience.
The message was confusing; some Carnival features would be adopted on the former P&O ships; some after a comprehensive dry dock. Pizza, an included dining option on Carnival, would only be offered ‘free’ a few hours a day on Adventure and Encounter. Similarly, there would be no Guy’s Burgers nor soft serve available – two popular inclusions on Carnival ships. What were cruisers to expect? P&O on steroids or a watered-down version of Carnival?
The reality is a lot sadder. The former P&O ships have been trans-downed into ‘Carnival-lite’, a Temu of the Seas perhaps. Not living up to the standard cruisers have come to expect from either brand but playing dress-ups and providing a mediocre experience while still expecting passengers to pay full, and now inflated, prices.
On a recent 3-night cruise on Carnival Adventure, this downgrading was evident across all departments. Dining, beverages, service and entertainment. Minor cosmetic changes and new uniforms failed miserably in convincing cruisers that Carnival – who now have a monopoly in the Australian cruise market – was the better choice.
The included food options were mediocre at best with inconsistent quality served even on the same table. More paid options were now offered in the ‘free’ restaurants Angelo’s, Dragon Lady and Waterfront, including a $6 fruit plate.
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The buffet, or ‘Pantry’ had limited dishes that varied from woeful to almost inedible. Hygiene standards were very low, with the two of the four basins at the Pantry’s entry (for passengers to wash their hands), clogged with dirty water for over a day and the other two operating basins providing a trickle.
Dirty plates were seen being wiped on aprons and returned to the clean plate stack and tables remained uncleared.
Prior to the changeover, Carnival Adventure stated that 90% of P&O crew would be retained. However, crew encounters aboard the cruise ranged from good to lacking any semblance to service. Many seemed overwhelmed, lacked friendliness, seemed new or generally disinterested.
Observations include crew members in groups of three or four chatting for extended periods in the Pantry oblivious to the dirty tables. Wait staff in the Waterfront pointing passengers to their table and walking away. Drink service taking an extraordinarily long times and drink orders of half of the table ignored. Certain soft drinks ‘ran out’ on the second day at some bars and the advice given was to try to “find a Sprite elsewhere”.
It appeared that crew did not have either that well-known P&O warmth nor the ‘Fun’ vibe of Carnival. The majority seemed unhappy. They also seemed lost, unable to correctly explain new procedures (such as the corkage fee) or complete drink package transactions.
While it was a Comedy Cruise, the general vibe on board was less laughs and more Footy. For most of the three days, football was screened on the outdoor screen.
Australian cruisers on social media have expressed strong thoughts, ranging from “let’s wait and see” to “I’ll never cruise on Carnival again”. Some are hoping that post dry-dock, the new additions to the fleet will have all the bells and whistles promised. But, with dry dock still quite some time away, (Carnival Encounter in February 2026, and Carnival Adventure in February 2027), Carnival might have failed in keeping loyal P&O cruisers AND simultaneously failed to attract loyal Carnival cruisers to Adventure and Encounter.
Now, with the recently announced surprise axing of Carnival Cruise Line Australia’s Vice President Kara Glamour and the Senior Director Sales & Marketing Anton Loeb reporting directly to Miami, the question is whether more jobs will be cut in the Carnival Australia office and if the future of Australian cruising will indeed still be able to sustain four Carnival ships in our waters.
Australians deserve a better cruise experience.
Carnival Australia was contacted and offered the opportunity to comment but declined to provide any comment.
