Cruise · 6 nights

2027 Great Southern Sounds Festival at Sea

Includes a festival keepsake and wristband souvenir to take home
Food stalls serve local treats and snacks between live sets
Unwind onboard at the Cloud 9 Spa or Serenity Retreat

From

$3,200 pp twin share

$4,650 pp solo share

6 nights

Enquire

1/ 6

Great Southern Sounds

Artist Line Up

Noumea, New Caledonia

New Caledonia - Grand Terre Noumea Sunset

Noumea - New Caledonia

Cruise Snapshot

6 Nights

A Celebration of Australian Music - at Sea!

Your Festival, Your Way – pick the artists that match your mood and music taste.
Live Music & Unique Experiences – headline acts, local talent, workshops, and themed events.
Connect & Celebrate – community vibes, interactive activities, and unforgettable moments.

Trip Details

Departs: 21 January 2027
Returns: 27 January 2027
Ship: Carnival SplendorInterior Cabin

The Cruise

This brand-new festival at sea is dedicated to celebrating the rich legacy, diversity, and cultural impact of Australian music. Depart from Sydney on 21 January 2027 and travel to Noumea, New Caledonia for 6 nights aboard Carnival Splendor.

Bringing together the best of the best, Great Southern Sounds unites legendary performers, acclaimed songwriters, and crowd favourites from across generations and genres. This new cruise concept blends the electrifying atmosphere of Rock the Boat, the heartfelt spirit of Cruisin’ Country, and the nostalgia of Cruise N Groove and Flashback, creating a single immersive event that pays tribute to Australian music in all its forms. This is your chance to escape to a floating Aussie music paradise packed with epic live performances, themed dress-up nights, ice-cold cocktails, immersive activities, trivia and much more. But what truly sets this apart? It’s an intimate, up-close atmosphere where the line between artist and fan blurs. You’re not just watching the bands — you’re on holiday with them! From catching them side-stage to sharing a laugh at the bar or spotting them in the buffet line, anything can happen at sea on a Choose Your Cruise music cruise!

The Ship

A floating paradise packed with non-stop excitement, world-class entertainment, and unforgettable adventures. This magnificent ship boasts a sprawling Serenity Pool and Hot Tubs, a thrilling WaterWorks waterslide park, and diverse dining options, from sizzling steakhouse delights to international flavors. Mosh the night away at vibrant live music venues, nightclubs, enjoy non-stop entertainment, or relax in the Cloud 9 Spa.

Carnival Splendor brings the flavour with a massive range of food and drink options to satisfy every craving while you cruise. From the endless variety at the Lido Marketplace buffet including salad bars, deli classics, gluten-free and vegan-friendly options to 24/7 pizza, poolside burgers, ice cream, and specialty dining, there’s something for every appetite. Sip cocktails in the many themed bars and lounges or grab a casual bite between sets. With specially trained chefs ready to accommodate different dietary needs, Carnival makes it easy for everyone to enjoy delicious meals throughout their cruise.

Please note – The central pool on deck 9 will be unavailable during Great Southern Sounds 2026, as it will be covered to transform the main stage dance floor area. You can access the Serentiy Pool, however, throughout the voyage on deck 9 back of the ship.

The Artists Line-Up

Jimmy Barnes
Jon Stevens
Kate Ceberano
Daryl Braithwaite
Lee Kernaghan
Kasey Chambers
Troy Cassar-Daley
Marcia Hines .
Glenn Shorrock
GANGgajang
1927
Furnace & The Fundamentals

Also featuring: Ted Mulry Gang (TMG) ★ The Filthy Animals ★ The Whispering Jack Show – A Tribute to the Music of John Farnham ★ We Honestly Love You – Celebrating the Music of Olivia Newton-John ★ Big Red Fire Truck ★ Bill Chambers ★ Bourbon Street ★ Buddy Goode ★ Danny Spencer Dirty Deeds ★ Jak Housden & Robyn Lou ★ JesseBeau Duo ★ Saltheads ★ Simon Ross ★ The Angels & The Oils – A Tribute ★ The Little Steely Brothers ★ The Rocking Byrds ★ X Mentals ★ Additional artists to be announced – Over 35 acts on board!

$3,200

pp twin share

$4,650

pp solo share

Enquire

Refundable until 90 days before departure. No pressure.

Share this holiday with your friends!

Click any button to send this voyage to a travel buddy.

Email Facebook WhatsApp X

When & how much

Departures & Pricing

Departs

21 January 2027

Returns

27 January 2027

Duration

6 nights

From pp twin share

$3,200 pp

From pp solo cabin

$4,650 pp

Departs Sydney on 21 January 2027 for 6 nights aboard Carnival Splendor

Interior Cabin from $3,200 pp twin share / $4,650 pp sole use*
Ocean View Cabin from $3,565 pp twin share / $5,348 pp sole use*
Balcony Cabin - Sold Out
Suite - Sold Out

Enquire now to secure your place on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Noumea, New Caledonia

Known as the ‘Paris of the Pacific’, Noumea enjoys more sunshine than any other Pacific Island capital and has a wonderfully easy-going, sun-soaked vibe. With beautiful white beaches, clear blue waters and a lively mix of cultures, cruising to New Caledonia’s capital makes for a perfect tropical getaway. Spend your time soaking up the atmosphere along the waterfront, browsing local markets, or joining one of our shore excursions to see more of the island. You’ll also have the chance to connect with Kanak culture through traditional music, dance and crafts – a colourful and welcoming window into New Caledonia’s rich heritage.

*Prices and cabin availability are subject to change without notice. All fares are per person, and include government taxes, port charges, and gratuities.

Please note itinerary may change without prior notice.

Cabin grades, balcony upgrades and pre-cruise hotel options are quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.

Life in transit

Carnival Splendor

Details · Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Splendor

Carnival Splendor entered service in 2008 and has been Sydney-based since 2019, carrying around 3,012 guests. Australia's largest year-round cruise ship for several seasons, she features the Green Lightning waterslide, WaterWorks aqua park and a full spread of Carnival dining and entertainment.

Guests: 3,012
Gross tonnage: 113,300
Speed: 21 Knots
Beam: 116 Feet

Day by day

Itinerary

1
Depart Sydney, Australia
Sydney's Central Station is the historic departure point for cross-country rail journeys, including the celebrated Indian Pacific line.
2
At Sea
3
At Sea
4
Noumea, New Caledonia
Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, is a French Pacific city known for its lagoon views, beaches and lively waterfront dining.
5
At Sea
6
At Sea (Australia Day)
7
Arrive Sydney, Australia

What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

Live headline performances 🎶
Colourful themed decorations & carnival vibes 🎪
Interactive workshops & fun activities 🎨
Food stalls & local treats 🍴
Evening party with DJs & surprise acts 💃
Festival keepsake & wristband 🎟️

Not included

Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Optional excursions & activities
Alcoholic beverages (unless specified)
Visa fees (if applicable)

Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

ABOUT THE SHIP: CARNIVAL SPLENDOR

Carnival Splendor offers an impressive collection of facilities and entertainment spaces, making it an ideal floating venue for a music festival at sea. Guests can look forward to multiple live performance areas, from intimate lounges suited for unplugged sets and late-night shows to the pool deck stage which transforms the ship into a vibrant festival ground, bringing music to life under the sun and stars.

Between performances, guests can enjoy a wide variety of dining options, ranging from specialty restaurants to casual international eateries. The ship’s Cloud 9 Spa provides a relaxing escape with its thermal suites and full menu of wellness treatments, while the Serenity Retreat offers adults a quiet place to unwind. Families and thrill seekers will enjoy the WaterWorks aqua park, complete with slides and splash zones. With its bars, lounges, casino, shops, and recreational activities, Carnival Splendor delivers a complete holiday experience both day and night.

Gross Tonnage: 113,573
Guest Capacity: 3,000+
Length in Feet: 952
Onboard Crew: 1,150

Carnival Splendor

Ready to lock in?

Book this cruise

Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

Enquire about this cruise

The fine print

Terms & conditions

Read the operator’s full booking conditions

ARTIST LINE-UP

Great Southern Sounds has entered into an agreement with each performing artist on Great Southern Sounds to be present on board the Cruise and to perform in accordance with terms specified therein. However, neither Choose Your Cruise nor Carnival Cruise Line shall be liable or responsible for the failure of any artist/musician to appear on board or to perform under its agreement. Please be fully aware that whilst many headline artists will perform more than once, some headline artists will only perform a singular show – no refunds, credits or otherwise will be offered in lieu of any artist performing once.

In the event of any failure of contracted artists to perform during the cruise, Great Southern Sounds/Choose Your Cruise in its sole discretion, may engage a replacement artist or artists or may change, postpone or terminate any part of the Cruise or the entertainment program or change itinerary. In such case, Great Southern Sounds/Choose Your Cruise, shall have no liability to any guest for any loss, damage, cost or expense whatsoever by reason of such change.

Artist line-up is correct at the time of printing and is subject to change. In the unlikely event that any band/performer cancels or cannot fulfill their performance obligations for any reason, there will be no refunds. The ticket is for the overall cruise experience, not the individual acts.