CatDiego257

Thank you - I very much appreciate the link to the school holidays! So for a GBR cruise I would look to the Queensland schedule, yes? If so we are in good stead, as we plan to take the Sept. 27 - Oct. 6 Carnival cruise out of Syndey.

Thanks for this comment, I didn't realize one of Splendor's main attractions was a water slide. That will definitely mean more families with kids, which is something to consider. Splendor looks to have more dining choices and of course the port would be gorgeous.

Interesting to consider, thank you. We have cruised on Royal Carribean, and Norwegian, and are very surprised to prefer Carnival. I say "surprised" because at the low price point we weren't expecting that much when we took a short Mexican Riveria cruise with friends a few years ago. We lived in San Diego at the time - the cruise port was only an hour away, so why not. Turned out to have a very charismatic cruise director (MarQ), good food, and a house band so fun and talented that my husband hung out with them and they are still FaceBook friends all these years later and stay in touch. Our balcony room was spacious and quiet, service was great. I will say that my research indicates that the Luminosa is inferior to the Splendor in some ways so we will definitely book Splendor.

We are planning our first Australian cruise in 2024 to celebrate our 25th anniversary. I was all set to book a Carnival cruise for April but then saw the same cruise offered at the end of September/first of October. I know what is our Fall is AU's summer, so wondering if it's worth it to postpone and book the Sept cruise? TIA!