Carnival commits to Queensland as Luminosa kicks off third season homeporting from BNE

Carnival commits to Queensland as Luminosa kicks off third season homeporting from BNE
Edited by Travel Weekly


Carnival Luminosa docked at Brisbane’s International Cruise Terminal today marking the start of her third summer season homeported in Brisbane.

With a capacity of 2,260 guests, the ship is set to embark on 24 voyages between November 2024 and April 2025, taking more than 70,000 holidaymakers to destinations like Far North Queensland, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Papua New Guinea.

In a show of Carnival’s continued commitment to Queensland, Carnival Luminosa’s seasonal return will soon be joined by a second Brisbane-based ship. In March 2025, P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Encounter will rebrand as Carnival Encounter, expanding Carnival’s Queensland fleet. Together, the two ships are projected to inject nearly $800 million into the state’s economy over the next year, doubling the $406 million generated during the previous financial year.

“The decision to keep Carnival Encounter based here in Brisbane year-round is an indication of how much Queenslanders love cruising from their capital city,” Carnival Cruise Line Vice President, Kara Glamore said. 

“As we expand our fleet, Carnival’s commitment to the Sunshine State has never been stronger.”

Regional Queensland destinations also play a key role in Carnival’s itineraries, with Carnival and P&O Cruises Australia ships expected to visit Moreton Island 50 times, Airlie Beach 52 times, and Cairns 28 times in 2025.

A fresh lineup of itineraries has been announced, allowing guests to book cruises as far out as the 2026/27 season.

Carnival’s growth in Australia will peak in March 2025, with the addition of a fourth ship when P&O’s Pacific Adventure rebrands as Carnival Adventure, operating year-round from Sydney. Together, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Encounter, and Carnival Adventure will offer an unmatched array of itineraries across Australia and the South Pacific, further strengthening Carnival’s presence and impact on Queensland’s tourism economy.

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