Wondering what to expect onboard Carnival Adventure? Here’s our take on what works and what doesn’t on Carnival Australia’s newest ship, including the best value Carnival Adventure dining options, Carnival Adventure rooms and what to expect when you look for a Carnival Adventure theme cruise.
Carnival Adventure itinerary changes
One major Carnival Adventure itinerary change (and it’s the same for Carnival Encounter) is the ship will no longer be offering theme cruises from early next year, like an Elvis cruise or country music cruise which were common when the ship was sailing as Pacific Adventure. However, if you like the 80s, the 80s Rock and Glow Party happens on every cruise and is a lot of fun.
Carnival Adventure will now be offering a choice of weekend getaways and short cruises from Sydney that are either a ‘cruise to nowhere’ or visit places like Moreton Island. There are also longer sailings like trips up the Queensland coast to the Great Barrier Reef and cruises to the South Pacific.
Carnival Adventure cabins
Carnival Adventure rooms are a nice size but they haven’t been renovated, aside from new carpet, linens, and soft furnishings. As the furniture and bathroom haven’t changed from ship’s Golden Princess days, it may seem a bit tired compared to the ship’s otherwise modern décor but a major refurbishment is scheduled for 2027.
Carnival Adventure offers the usual inside, ocean view and veranda cabins, plus a selection of suites. There is an excellent choice of family cabins onboard this ship, such as quad-share cabins with one set of bunk beds plus an adjoining cabin with a single bed and a sofa bed that can be booked as interconnecting. Triple berth cabins with a single sofa bed and double bed, plus a family suite with two separate bedrooms that sleeps eight people, are also available.
Carnival Adventure suites are excellent value as they’re larger than a standard-sized ship suites on many lines. They also have a spacious bathroom with a separate shower and tub with spa jets, plus a large balcony with a dining table for four and two sun loungers. The room’s fold-out couch can be separated from the main sleeping area with a privacy curtain, a bonus for those with kids.
The balcony cabins along the sides of Carnival Adventure on Decks 9 and 10 also have limited or no cover overhead, meaning people in the above cabins can see you when they look down and there is limited shade and cover from the rain.
Interconnecting cabins can be noisy if your neighbours are loud, snore or are watching TV late, all of which might keep you up. Cabins near lift areas and the laundry are also often busy and noisy.
Carnival Adventure deck plan and getting around
The Carnival Adventure deck plans are easy to follow, especially for anyone who has already been on Pacific Adventure or Golden Princess (as this ship was previously known when it was sailing for P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises).
Boarding on Deck 5, you’re greeted with The Lobby lounge and a glittering atrium that extends up to Decks 6 and 7. Also located in this area is the Avalon Café for morning coffee and the two bars, Lilly’s and Charlie’s. You’ll also find the ship’s main restaurant, the Waterfront main dining room on this deck.
Deck 6 is home to the free specialty restaurants, Angelo’s and Dragon Lady (which is only accessible from the aft stairs or elevators), plus the shops, casino and theatre. Most of the bars and paid dining options, like Luke’s Bar and Grill, are on Deck 7. The Pantry is buffet is on Deck 14, along with the pools and the adults-only Oasis. Deck 15 has the Byron Beach Club and the kids’ clubs. The top deck has all the waterslides, then you’ll need to go up one more level to access the Altitude Nightclub.
Carnival Adventure free dining
Carnival Adventure has pre-booked rotational dining, so everyone on the cruise can experience the two complimentary specialty restaurants, Dragon Lady and Angelo’s, and the main Waterfront Restaurant. When you book your cruise, you can choose early or late dining and your rotational dining will be booked accordingly.
Upon boarding, you’ll find the booking times in a letter in your stateroom. If you wish to change your bookings or make a booking at one of the for-fee specialty restaurants, visit Dragon Lady on Deck 6 to have your restaurant bookings changed or new ones made. On boarding day, there are staff members with a computer here to assist with booking specialty and non-specialty restaurants for your cruise. You can also book restaurants via the Carnival Cruises app which sends a message when your table is ready.
Carnival Adventure offers a variety of dining options onboard, including several complimentary venues such as the Waterfront Restaurant and The Pantry, a buffet-style food court. Angelo’s is open for breakfast on sea days for everyone, not just those staying in a Byron Beach Club room (although these guests have a special entrance and get extra complimentary hot dishes like eggs Benedict and minute steak and eggs).
One significant change compared to when the ship was sailing for P&O Cruises is that the Waterfront Restaurant is no longer open on boarding day. The Pantry can get very, very busy on boarding day, so head to Trattoria for free pizza to avoid the crowds. The Trattoria serves free pizza until 4 pm daily but it often gets very busy so prepare to wait.
Carnival Adventure restaurants that cost extra
Extra-cost restaurants on Carnival Adventure include Luke’s Bar & Grill, plus the Trattoria which is priced a la carte in the evenings, including an expanded pizza menu. The Chef’s Table is available for a set price and includes a degustation dinner and a tour of the galley. Two other paid dining options that are available are a High Tea offering in Angelo’s which is available at a set price. Yum Cha at Dragon Lady is available on selected sea days and is priced a la carte.
Quick eats are available at Luke’s Burger Bar on the pool deck, the top deck Pizzeria, and you can buy cones and other treats at the New Zealand Ice Cream outlet as well. All these casual venues are chargeable. Luke’s Bar and Grill serves lunch on sea days but the menu is the same as the one at dinner. It would be nice to have a dedicated lunch menu here with a smaller selection and some cheaper lunch dishes.
Carnival Adventure bars
On Deck 14 you’ll find the sun lovers’ drinking spots like the Pool Bar and Oasis Bar at the stern. The Oasis is an adults-only area on the ship with its own pool and sun deck and is a popular hangover recovery zone in the morning. Later in the day, people get into the cocktails and go for a dip in the pool. Deck 15 has the Sky Bar which overlooks the main pool and big screen. The Byron Beach Club is on Deck 16 and has its own pool, sun deck, bar and cabanas.
Piano Bar 88 is ideal for late afternoon and pre-dinner drinks or a late evening nightcap. There is entertainment here in the afternoon and evening with cool tunes, but there are no seats around the piano like you’ll find on other Carnival ships like Carnival Splendor.
Luke’s Bar on Deck 6 is a small but elegant drinking spot outside the Marquee Theatre quiet early in the cruise before everyone finds it. The Casino Bar is located in the casino is a bit too bright to be very appealing unless you’re playing the tables or the pokies.
The Adventure Hotel on Deck 7 has a dance floor and afternoon/evening entertainment. Across the way, you can buy coffee at the Ocean Bar which also had pleasant seating with ocean views.
The ship’s ‘spoiler’ incorporates the Altitude Nightclub which is also a great spot to chill out and read during the day with 180 degree views. It’s perfect for watching the sunset if you can get a seat (but you’ll need to bring a drink with you as the bar isn’t open this early). Altitude turns into a disco and late night party hangout at around 10pm.
Carnival Adventure shows and entertainment
The Black Circus Theatre onboard Carnival Adventure features Blanc de Blanc Uncorked, a strictly 18+ show that combines, comedy, circus and burlesque. The other big show on board is Musicology, a Broadway-style production of major music hits over the decades. It is very entertainment and suitable for all ages.
More high quality entertainment is provided by guest performers in the theatre and lounge and bar areas throughout the ship. More things to do on board include daily activities such as trivia, game shows and bingo that take place in the Adventure Hotel or Black Circus Theatre. All of these are popular so get in early for seats. The ship also has a spa and a gym, and a studio for yoga and free stretch and other (paid) classes.
Carnival Adventure activities and things to do
Entertainment is a fundamental aspect of this ship, from the giant-screen movies on the lido deck to live shows, themed parties, ziplining and daily games for children and adults. The ship is also home to the Fun Squad activities team who are enthusiastic. Whether you’re young, older or anything in between, there are activities to please every age group. If you’re travelling with older kids, an Edge Adventure Park pass is good value as they can go on things like the zipline as many times as they like during the cruise.
Carnival Adventure pool deck and waterslides
On Deck 14, there’s a main pool and a separate kid’s pool which has a retractable roof for weather protection. Families will also love the two water slides that let you race against each other and the clock. The last pool on Deck 14 in the Oasis which has a good view of the ship’s wake and is adults-only (and free to use).
Deck 15 has the Byron Beach Club pool which is accessible via the entrance on Deck 16, but only for Club guests. We’ve written a detailed Byron Beach Club review if you would like to know more about whether the Byron Beach Club is worth the cost.
Carnival Adventure kids club
Carnival Cruises’ children’s program caters to five different age groups which is more than some other lines. Breaking groups into smaller age groups makes it easier for the younger kids in each group to make friends and the older kids don’t get frustrated.
The Carnival Adventure Turtles Kids Club provides care for children under two so you can get some adult time out. Nappy changing is included here if you provide nappies for your child. Turtle Kids Club costs AU$ 8 per hour, but it’s worth it for a little me time.
Carnival Adventure laundry
Happiness is clean clothes (without having to pay a fortune), so the self-service laundry is on each cabin deck from level 8 to 12 is a winner. These are especially great for longer cruises, but make sure you select a cabin that’s well away from them, as they get busy and can have noise-related issues. All the laundry rooms have ironing boards and irons for pressing your clothes. There’s a small charge for using the machines and dryers.
Carnival Cruises Australia loyalty program
For those who are frequent cruisers, Carnival offers a loyalty program, the Carnival VIPF Club on Carnival Adventure. This program allows you to earn points and accumulate status upgrades. The program provides minimal benefits for first-time users. However, it offers some attractive perks for regular cruisers in the higher membership tiers, like complimentary drinks, laundry, and other benefits.
Want more great cruise advice? Check out our tips for choosing the perfect cruise, cruising with grandchildren, cruising with tweens and cruising with kids of all ages, solo cruising, the best activities on Ovation of the Seas, doing a Transatlantic cruise with kids, cruising in Australia or Papua New Guinea, Iceland cruise tips, cruising on a megaship, scoring a bargain cruise fare, cruising the Mediterranean, making the most of a cruise ship kids club, luxury cruising with kids, and the Byron Beach Club on Carnival Cruises. We have also reviewed Disney Wonder, Carnival Encounter, Celebrity Edge, Carnival Adventure, Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, Carnival Splendor, Voyager of the Seas, Pacific Adventure, Nieuw Statendam, Viking Helgrim, Pride of America, Coral Expeditions in Tasmania and the Great Barrier Reef, Celebrity Solstice, and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth.
