Carnival Adventure Headed to North America in Surprise 2028 Shift
In a move few saw coming, Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed that Carnival Adventure will leave Australia for part of the year and begin sailing seasonally in North America starting in April 2028.
The deployment shift marks a notable change for Carnival’s Australian presence and raises important questions about what U.S. guests can expect from a ship that has had a very different history than the rest of the fleet.
A Ship With a Complicated Past
Carnival Adventure did not begin life as a Carnival ship.
The vessel originally debuted in 2001 as Golden Princess for Princess Cruises. After nearly two decades in that fleet, the ship was transferred in 2020 to P&O Cruises Australia and renamed Pacific Adventure.
When Carnival Corporation folded P&O Cruises Australia into the Carnival brand in 2024, Pacific Adventure was rebranded again as Carnival Adventure.
That layered history matters because, unlike most of Carnival’s current fleet, the ship was not purpose-built for the Carnival experience.
Not Quite the “Fun Ship” Standard
Carnival has spent years standardizing its fleet around signature venues and experiences. Today, most ships feature:
- The signature red funnel
- Guy’s Burger Joint
- BlueIguana Cantina
- Alchemy Bar
- Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse
- All day included pizza
- Complimentary soft serve ice cream
Carnival Adventure has none of those. As of now, there are no announced plans to add Guy’s Burger Joint or BlueIguana Cantina to Carnival Adventure before it begins North American service. The ship will go in for a dry dock in 2027, where it will receive Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi, but other enhancements have not yet been announced.
That is significant. These venues are cornerstones of the modern Carnival brand and are often highlighted in marketing materials and guest reviews. Without them, Carnival Adventure may feel more like a hodgepodge of old elements from its previous lives.
Carnival’s Lowest Rated Ship
Another troubling thing about Carnival Adventure is that it is currently Carnival’s lowest rated ship on Cruise Critic, getting only 2 out of 5 stars. While all reviews should be taken with a grain of salt, Carnival’s other ships are usually 4 to 4.5 stars.
Bringing the lowest rated vessel in the fleet into the highly competitive North American market could present a branding challenge.
Why Move the Ship?
Carnival’s decision appears tied to broader capacity adjustments in Australia and global fleet optimization. The Australian market has faced increasing competition and evolving demand patterns, while North America continues to represent Carnival’s strongest revenue base. Regulations in the country are also stifling the cruise industry, with other lines like Disney and Virgin Voyages pulling out of Australia completely.
Seasonal repositioning allows Carnival to:
- Balance supply with demand in Australia
- Increase capacity in higher yield North American markets
- Maximize year round fleet utilization
From a corporate strategy standpoint, the move makes sense. From a guest experience standpoint, it introduces uncertainty.
What Needs to Happen Before 2028
If Carnival Adventure is to compete successfully in the U.S. market, several upgrades would likely be necessary:
- Addition of Carnival’s signature dining venues
- Enhanced entertainment offerings aligned with current fleet standards
- Public space refreshes to match newer “Fun Ship 2.0” style upgrades
- Marketing repositioning to reset guest expectations
Without those changes, the ship risks feeling out of step with guest expectations shaped by newer vessels like Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.
A Big Opportunity or a Risk?
We have written before how Carnival’s addition of ships from other fleets risks diluting the brand. If the vessel arrives largely unchanged, guests accustomed to Carnival’s modern fleet may notice the difference. At a time when many loyal Carnival cruisers are already upset with the brand after loyalty program changes, it is a big risk for the company.
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