Spectacular arrival in Sydney Harbour as Carnival Splendor returns with P&O escortSpectacular arrival in Sydney Harbour as Carnival Splendor returns with P&O escort

In single file the two ships paused momentarily as they passed Fort Denison and the Sydney Opera House, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge making a stunning backdrop.

Carnival Splendor will be home-ported in Sydney, where she was based in December 2019.

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy and Marguerite Fitzgerald, president of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia, were on hand to welcome her home.

Cruising’s rapid recovery

‘We are seeing the rapid recovery of cruise tourism in Australia and Carnival Australia’s brands are set to make an important contribution during the 2022-23 summer cruise season,’ Fitzgerald said.

‘The resurgence of cruising and the revitalisation of the A$5b-a-year cruise industry has happened at a faster rate than could have been expected after more than two challenging years,’ she said.

Fun cruising back in Aussie waters

‘After an extremely successful restart in the US, we’re thrilled to bring our signature brand of fun cruising back into Aussie waters,’ Duffy said.  

‘The return of Carnival Splendor to Sydney is a milestone achievement, not just for us, but for the Australian cruising industry as a whole,’ she said. 

‘Her arrival marks the first cruise ship to enter Australian waters with international passengers in nearly three years.

‘Splendor’s return also kick-starts an exciting time for Carnival Cruise Line as it celebrates 10 years in Australia in October.’