Set to enter service in early November, Carnival Luminosa will offer a full schedule in Australia for its debut season.
Carnival Cruise Line’s new ship is set to sail itineraries to New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific from Brisbane. The vessel most recently operated for Costa as Costa Luminosa.
Cruise Industry News took a closer look at the ship’s inaugural season:
Seven-Night Great Barrier Reef
Date: Five departures during the 2022-2023 season
Length: 7 nights
Home gate: Brisbane (Australia)
Full itinerary: Airlie Beach, Cairns, Port Douglas and Willis Island (Australia)
For its maiden voyage, Carnival Luminosa will offer a Great Barrier Reef cruise. Sailing to four destinations in Australia, the seven-night voyage is also set to be repeated during the season, with four additional departures in November, December and January.
As well as port visits to Airlie Beach, Cairns and Port Douglas, the cruise features scenic sailing around Willis Island. According to Carnival, the hour-long cruise offers a perfect opportunity to experience the local wildlife, which includes wedge-tail shearwaters and sooty gravels.
District of New Zealand
Date: November 20, 2022
Length: 11 nights
Home Gate: Brisbane (Australia)
Itinerary: Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Fiordland National Park (New Zealand)
With a single departure during the ship’s inaugural season, this 11-night cruise circles New Zealand’s South Island. Sailing round-trip from Brisbane, the voyage includes visits to Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, in addition to six full days at sea.
The itinerary also includes a four-hour scenic cruise to Fiordland National Park, which, according to Carnival, takes guests inside some of the world’s most impressive wilderness areas and landscapes.
Seven Nights South Pacific
Date: Eight departures during the 2022-2023 season
Length: 7 nights
Home Gate: Brisbane (Australia)
Full itinerary: Lifou and Noumea (New Caledonia); and Mystery Island (Vanuatu)
In addition to ports in New Zealand and Australia, Carnival Luminosa will also visit destinations in the South Pacific during her first schedule.
Set to repeat eight times during the season, this seven-night cruise includes visits to Lifou Island and Mystery Island. Before returning to Brisbane, the ship also pays a visit to Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia.
Gone for three nights
Date: Seven departures during the 2022-2023 season
Length: 3 nights
Home Gate: Brisbane (Australia)
Full itinerary: Sea days only
Luminosa is also offering a series of short cruises during the inaugural season in Australia. Among the getaways are several three-night cruises to nowhere.
Offering guests a chance to fully enjoy the ship’s facilities and features, the cruises include two full days at sea before returning to Brisbane. In total, seven departures are available between December 2022 and March 2023.
22-Night Repositioning Trip
Date: April 13, 2023
Length: 22 nights
Home Gate: Brisbane (Australia) to Seattle (United States)
Full itinerary: Noumea (New Caledonia); Suva (Fiji); Papeete and Moorea (French Polynesia); and Honolulu (United States)
As it concludes its first season in Australia, Carnival Luminosa will offer a three-week repositioning voyage to the United States.
Sailing from Brisbane to Seattle, the 22-night trans-Pacific voyage includes visits to South Pacific favorites including Tahiti, Fiji and Noumea. As well as over 15 days at sea, the cruise features a 14-hour stopover in Honolulu before reaching its final destination.
