Cruise · Carnival Cruise Line · 9 nights

Great Barrier Reef Explorer

All main meals and snacks included throughout your cruise
Full access to pools, lounges, fitness centre and leisure facilities
Onboard entertainment, shows and activities included throughout the voyage

$1,158 pp twin share

$2,295 pp solo share

9 nights

Enquire

1/ 10

Great Barrier Reef

Sydney Harbour, Australia

Sydney, Australia

Willis Island (Scenic cruising), Australia

Cairns, Australia

Airlie Beach, Australia

Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia

Tangalooma wrecks on Moreton Island, Australia

Tangalooma - Moreton Island, Australia

Cruise Snapshot

9 Nights

A 10-day round trip from Sydney taking in Willis Island, Cairns, Airlie Beach and Tangalooma

Discover the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and tropical coast
Explore iconic island and seaside destinations
Roundtrip sailing from Sydney aboard Carnival Splendor

Trip Details

Departs: 28 February 2028
Returns: 8 March 2028
Embarks
Ship: Splendor
Operator: Carnival Cruise Line

Experience Australia’s tropical coastline aboard the Carnival Splendor on a 10-day Great Barrier Reef escape departing from Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney. Enjoy a unique scenic pass by Willis Island from the comfort of the ship before arriving in tropical Cairns, gateway to reef adventures and lush rainforest landscapes. Continue to Airlie Beach, where relaxed coastal charm meets access to the spectacular Whitsundays, then unwind at Tangalooma with its crystal-clear waters and island atmosphere. Blending iconic reef scenery, unforgettable coastal destinations and relaxing days at sea, this round-trip voyage delivers the ultimate Australian tropical escape before returning to Sydney.

Destinations

Sydney (Overseas Passenger Terminal), Australia ► Willis Island (Onboard Experience) ► Cairns, Australia ► Airlie Beach, Australia ► Tangalooma-Moreton Island, Australia ► Sydney (Overseas Passenger Terminal), Australia

$1,158

pp twin share

$2,295

pp solo share

Enquire

Refundable until 90 days before departure. No pressure.

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When & how much

Departures & Pricing

Departs

28 February 2028

Returns

8 March 2028

Duration

9 nights

From pp twin share

$1,158 pp

From pp solo cabin

$2,295 pp

Cruise Departing From Sydney on 28 Feb 2028

Interior - from $1,158 pp twin share* | $2,295 pp sole use*
Oceanview - from $1,428 pp twin share* | $2,835 pp sole use*
Balcony - from $1,938 pp twin share* | $3,855 pp sole use*
Suite - from $3,059 pp twin share* | $6,097 pp sole use*

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

*Please note: prices are subject to availability at the time of booking and may change or be withdrawn at any time without notice.

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

Day by day

Itinerary

1
Sydney (Overseas Passenger Terminal), Australia
Sydney is Australia's largest city, its sweeping harbour framed by the sail-shaped Opera House and the arch of the Harbour Bridge.
2
At Sea
Days 2–3
4
Willis Island (Onboard Experience)
Willis Island is a tiny, remote coral outpost in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, home to thousands of seabirds and a small weather monitoring station.
5
Cairns, Australia
Cairns sits where the Great Barrier Reef meets the Wet Tropics of Queensland, one of the few places on earth where two World Heritage sites overlap.
6
Airlie Beach, Australia
Fringed by palm trees and golden sand, Airlie Beach sits on the Queensland coast opposite the Whitsundays, a scatter of island's ringed by the Coral Sea.
7
At Sea
8
Tangalooma - Moreton Island, Australia
Tangalooma is a small settlement on Moreton Island, a large sand island off the coast of Brisbane in Queensland.
9
At Sea
10
Sydney (Overseas Passenger Terminal), Australia
The city's waterfront precincts and beaches give it a relaxed, outdoor character, matched by a lively dining and cultural scene.
Please note: cruise itineraries are not guaranteed and are subject to change at any time by the cruise company.

What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

10-day cruise aboard Carnival Splendor.
Accommodation in your selected stateroom category.
All main meals and snacks onboard.
Onboard entertainment, shows, and activities.
Access to pools, lounges, fitness centre, and leisure facilities.

Not included

Shore excursions and optional island activities.
Specialty dining, beverages, spa treatments, and personal purchases.
Travel insurance and any passport/visa requirements (if applicable).

Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

CARNIVAL SPLENDOR

She's big on size and big on FUN. Say hello to the newest and largest ship based in Sydney, Carnival Splendor. Whether you want to race down the Green Lightning Waterslide, relax at the Cloud 9 Spa™, or indulge your taste buds in an array of cuisines, Carnival Splendor has all the ingredients needed to make a holiday you'll remember forever.

El Morocco Lounge hosts comedy shows, musical performances, karaoke and more… and wears its 1930s namesake clearly on its nameplate. The words “Royal Flush Casino” incite visions of winning, while our onboard jazz club — The Cool — simply says it all without saying a word. And Fahrenheit 555™ can be found not only at the height of elegant dining, but at the actual apex of the ship.

If you like your fun to flow, there are options aplenty. If you list “splishing” and “splashing” among your favourite things to do, there’s Carnival WaterWorks™. Those into sitting and sliding are invited to try the all-new Green Lightning thrill-slide. How about floating or swimming around? Carnival Splendor has pools all over the place, including the midship pool featuring a retractable roof that makes any day a pool day. So whether you splish or splash, you’ll find hydro-excitement galore.

If getting up and making the crowd go wild with your dance moves is your idea of a good time, Lip Sync Battle™: Carnival is our idea of a great idea. Or if relaxation is more your thing, Serenity Adult-Only Retreat™ is more your place. Or if you’re looking to take relaxation to the extreme, direct your attention to the Cloud 9 Spa™, featuring more (and better) ways to kick back than just about anywhere else, on land or at sea. You haven’t lived until you’ve relaxed in a Thalassotherapy pool, or chilled — so to speak — in a dry heat chamber.

Carnival Splendor

From the operator

Common questions about this voyage

Where does the cruise depart from?

Your cruise departs and returns to Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney.

How long is the cruise?

This is a 10-day roundtrip cruise featuring tropical destinations, scenic cruising, and relaxing days at sea.

Which destinations are included?

The itinerary includes a scenic onboard experience at Willis Island and visits to Cairns, Airlie Beach, and Tangalooma.

Can guests go ashore at Willis Island?

No. Willis Island is a scenic cruising experience viewed from the ship and is not a port stop for disembarkation.

What is included in the cruise fare?

Cruise fares generally include accommodation, main dining venues, onboard entertainment, pools, and a variety of activities. Optional extras may include specialty dining, beverages, Wi-Fi, spa treatments, and shore excursions.

Can I experience the Great Barrier Reef during the cruise?

Yes. Ports such as Cairns provide opportunities to join reef excursions, snorkelling experiences, and sightseeing tours.

What should I pack?

Pack lightweight clothing, swimwear, reef-safe sun protection, comfortable footwear, evening attire, and essentials for warm tropical weather.

Are shore excursions available?

Yes. Guests can typically choose from island experiences, reef adventures, sightseeing tours, and local cultural experiences.

Is Wi-Fi available onboard?

Wi-Fi packages are generally available to purchase while onboard, with availability depending on location at sea.

Ready to lock in?