Frequently Asked Questions

Great Southern Sounds departs from Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) located on the corner of Argyle and George streets, Circular Quay West, The Rocks NSW 2000 on a return trip back to Sydney from Thursday January 21 – Wednesday January 27, 2027

For information on the Overseas Passenger Terminal as well as facilities & services, please click here.

Great Southern Sounds is a 6-Night cruise from Thursday January 21 – Wednesday January 27, 2027.

Thursday 21 January 2027 Sydney, Australia Departs 3:30pm
Friday 22 January 2027 At Sea
Saturday 23 January 2027 At Sea
Sunday 24 January 2027 Noumea, New Caledonia
Monday 25 January 2027 At Sea
Tuesday 26 January 2027 At Sea
Wednesday 27 January 2027 Sydney, Australia
For guests flying to Sydney for this cruise: we recommend booking flights the night before on Wednesday, 20th of January 2027 into Sydney to avoid any possible delays or flight cancellations.
Check in will operate for three hours, and commence from approximately 11am, closing 30 minutes prior to departure, with no guests allowed on board after this time. If you need to fly in the day of the cruise, we strongly recommend the earliest flight available to avoid missing the ship in the event of unexpected delays.

Flights home on Wednesday, 27th of January are recommended any time from 11am. While the ship will arrive back to Sydney at 6:30am, port authorities will need to clear the ship before guests can disembark, and this is a staggered process. It is expected that all guests will be off Carnival Splendor by 9:30am, so please take this into consideration when booking your flights home as you may not make it to the airport for earlier flights in the event of any delays getting off the ship or getting to Sydney airport

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CLICK HERE for a complete list of Staterooms and per person pricing.

The cruise cost for Great Southern Sounds aboard the Carnival Splendor includes your accommodation, access to standard dining options, entertainment, and all general gratuities. You’ll enjoy all main meals onboard from the ship’s complimentary venues, along with a full lineup of entertainment including all Great Southern Sounds artist performances. Port charges and government taxes are also covered in the price.

While standard dining is included, please note that specialty restaurants and certain premium dining experiences come at an additional cost. Prices are listed in Australian dollars ($AUD) and based on twin share, with options available for triple and quad occupancy. Solo travellers are required to pay 150% of the full twin share price. All pricing is subject to change without notice.

The cruise fare does not include airfares or transfers to the ship, travel insurance, or personal expenses such as merchandise, laundry, phone calls, alcoholic and specialty beverages, or optional shore excursions in Sydney. It also excludes any additional artist-related experiences beyond the scheduled performances. If you leave the cruise early—due to illness, personal choice, or government action—any related travel or accommodation expenses will be your responsibility.

Guests with accessibility requirements aboard the Carnival Splendor have several options to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable cruise experience. The ship offers a range of accessible cabins, including interior, ocean view, and balcony staterooms that are specifically designed to accommodate guests with mobility limitations. These cabins feature wider doorways, grab bars, roll-in showers, and other accessible features to meet various needs.

Please note: Accessible cabins must be booked directly through Choose Your Cruise by calling 08 8277 3444 to ensure these cabins are allocated appropriately and to support your requirements on board. We kindly ask that guests requesting accessible accommodation provide brief information about their needs with our team upon booking. This assists us with understanding your individual requirements to provide all guests with an equal opportunity to enjoy their time on board.

In addition, a dedicated viewing area on the Pool Deck main stage will be provided for guests with limited mobility aids such as wheelchairs.

Find out more about Carnival’s Accessibility features here: https://www.carnival.com.au/about-carnival/special-needs.

Click here to view a full deck plan of the ship, along with an accessible deck plan noting our accessible cabin options.

Cabins are booked directly through our Booking Site. Just choose your preferred cabin type, enter guest information, and select your payment plan. Once your payment is processed, you’ll get a confirmation email with your cabin allocation, noting any specific medical and dietary requests.

Yes! We offer flexible payment plans that let you pay a deposit upfront and spread the remaining balance across monthly or quarterly payments. Payments made with a credit or debit card are processed via STRIPE and automatically debited on the due date on your payment schedule. No need to remind yourself each month to make the payments!

Please note, for guests wishing to pay in full using our EFT/Bank Transfer option, if payment is not received within 5 days, your booking will be automatically cancelled as we do not hold cabins – we only facilitate confirmed bookings due to the unique nature of our products.

Yes, as soon as your payment is successfully processed, your booking is confirmed. You’ll receive a confirmation email with all your reservation details. If it doesn’t arrive within 24 hours, be sure to check your spam/junk folders and. Our support team is here to help should you require further assistance.

You’ll need to provide the full legal name, date of birth, and contact information for each guest, along with any medical or dietary requirements. If you don’t have all the info right away, you can update it after booking.

Definitely. We offer complimentary name changes, so if a guest can’t attend, you can transfer their spot to someone else without any added fees.

No physical tickets are issued. Everything is digital. Your boarding documents and cruise info will be emailed to you before the cruise, so be sure to use a suitable email address for booking.

Once you have completed your online check in, you will receive a boarding pass and luggage tags, we strongly recommend printing these off before you get on board to avoid delays on departure day.

We accept all major credit and debit cards. Please note, all payments made via credit or debit will incur a 1.8% processing fee. If you wish to avoid these fees, we offer a pay in full option via EFT (Bank Transfer).

Yes. All transactions are processed through a secure, encrypted platform to protect your personal and financial information.

All standard rooms and suites (aside from single occupancy cabins) can sleep up to two guests – however not all rooms can accommodate 3 or 4 guests. If you plan to book a cabin for yourself, then add 2 or more guests later, make sure you book a room that can accommodate more than two at the time of booking.

Guests booking one or two guests per cabin will have the choice of a king size bed, or two single beds (twin beds). When you have three or four guests in the same room, you will have the standard choice of 1x king or 2 x single beds for the first two guests, and depending on your cabin choice your fellow travellers will have these bedding configuration options depending on the symbol noted on your stateroom via the deck plan.

▲ Twin Bed and Single Sofa Bed (Maximum Capacity – 3)

★ 2 Twin Beds (convert to King) and Single Sofa Bed (Maximum Capacity – 3)

• 2 Twin Beds (convert to King) and 1 Upper Pullman Bunk (Maximum Capacity – 3)

： 2 Twin Beds (convert to King) and 2 Upper Pullman Bunks (Maximum Capacity – 4)

∎ 2 Twin Beds (convert to King), Single Sofa Bed and 1 Upper Pullman Bunk Bed (Maximum Capacity – 4)

✝ 2 Twin Beds (convert to King) and Double Sofa Bed (Maximum Capacity – 4)

= 2 Twin Beds (convert to King), Single Sofa Bed with Convertible Bunk (Maximum Capacity – 4)

Yes! If you’re booking multiple cabins or coordinating a larger group, contact our team for assistance and we can help you find the right cabins for your travelling party.

All payments are non-refundable, but since we offer free name changes, you can transfer your reservation to someone else. For extra protection, we highly recommend travel insurance. Cancellations will be confirmed with an insurance letter to supply to your insurer to receive repatriation on your booking in the event of a full cabin cancellation.

Updates will be sent to you via email periodically between booking and sailing. Final documentation, will be emailed to you 6-8 weeks before departure.

New Caledonia requires that all guests hold valid international travel insurance and printed proof must be presented at embarkation. Guests may also be requested to present it during the cruise.

Even if you don’t plan on going ashore in New Caledonia, you are still required to have insurance.
Your travel insurance should be valid for the duration of the cruise and should provide coverage for all the countries included in your itinerary, including New Caledonia.

If you intend on using insurance provided through your credit card, please ensure the insurance coverage has been activated and bring a copy of the policy. Alternatively, written confirmation of insurance from your bank may be presented.

While we will do our best to provide you with as much information as possible, you should always ensure that you follow all travel and documentation requirements for this cruise. As indicated above, guests who do not show the required documentation on embarkation day will not be able to sail and no compensation will be provided.

We strongly recommend all guests secure their policies for a Full Comprehensive, International Travel Insurance for a Multi-Night-Stay-Cruise & Cancellation Coverage for their booking. The destination to enter when quoting a policy is the South West Pacific Region. Medical and repatriation costs onboard can be significant and are not covered by Australian Medicare, as Carnival Cruise Line vessels are internationally registered and staffed by internationally practising doctors. You may obtain a quote via your preferred travel insurance provider, your travel agent, or Choose Your Cruise if booking directly with us online. Ensuring your policy is in place early helps protect your investment and provides valuable support should the unexpected occur.

Please follow our link to obtain a quote from our trusted affiliate partners CoverMore here.

For additional peace of mind, we also suggest considering adding Cancellation Coverage Plus to your policy, which you can exclusively secure through our affiliates at Cover More. This offers guests up to 75% reimbursement of their booking costs in the event of a change of mind or if unforeseen circumstances.

Please note: For the full financial value of your booking to be covered under any cancellation policy, the policy must be secured within 48 hours of your initial payment. Policies purchased outside this timeframe may only cover travel dates and not financial loss due to cancellations prior to departure.

As with any travel arrangement, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Yes, all guests must have a passport that is valid for 6 months after the date of the cruise return.

Australian residents do not require a visa for travel on Great Southern Sounds. If you are travelling from an international country to join, it would be best to check with your travel agent at time of booking just in case a visa is required for entry into Australia or New Caledonia.

All deposits and payments made toward Great Southern Sounds 2027 are non-refundable.

Due to the exclusive nature of this event, all cabin reservation cancellations will result in the forfeiture of all payments, regardless of the reason. There are no exceptions to this policy.

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing.

However, if you are no longer able to travel, we offer complimentary name changes so that someone else may take your place in your reservation. This allows you to transfer your booking to a friend, family member, or fellow fan at no additional cost.

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in case of unexpected circumstances. Travel insurance may cover cancellations, trip interruptions, medical emergencies, and more.

Yes, you can. While all payments made toward Great Southern Sounds 2026 are non-refundable, we do offer complimentary name changes if you’re unable to travel. This means you can transfer your reservation to a friend, family member, or another guest at no additional cost.

All we ask is that you submit the name change request in writing. It’s a great way to ensure your booking doesn’t go to waste if your plans change.

We also strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for additional protection in case of unforeseen circumstances.

All guests must provide a physical copy of their Passport to board Great Southern Sounds, along with a copy of their boarding pass and proof of travel insurance. Scanned copies of documents or digital copies on your phone will not be accepted.

Legal Guardians: Adults who are not the parents or legal guardians of any minor child (aged 17 years or under) who are travelling with them will be required to present the child’s birth certificate or certified copy in addition to their passport for entry onto the ship.

The authorisation letter must be an original letter signed by one of the parents or legal guardians, authorising the minor to travel on that specific cruise. This letter must state the travelling adult’s name, and that they are authorised to travel with this particular minor on this particular cruise and date (January 21-27, 2027). This letter must authorise them to supervise the child, sign applicable waivers and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If such evidence is not produced the minor will not be allowed to travel.

Guests become eligible for online check-in 14 days prior to sailing (7 January 2027). To check-in online please go to the Carnival Website: here.

You will need to enter your booking confirmation and last name to complete online check-in.
Final documentation which includes your Carnival Booking number will be provided to you 6-8 weeks prior to sailing, and only available once your cabin booking is fully paid

We recommend arriving early to avoid any delays, because if you miss the ship on departure day, you miss Great Southern Sounds!

Carnival Splendor will depart Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal at 3:30pm on January 21, 2027.
Check in times will be staggered in 30 minute increments and you will be given a time slot to choose once check in opens 14 days prior to departure.

If you wish to drop your bags at the pier early, bag drop will be available from approximately 9am so you can grab some breakfast at a nearby café or enjoy what Sydney has on offer before your boarding time is called.

For guests flying to Sydney for this cruise: we recommend booking flights the night before on Wednesday, 20th of January into Sydney to avoid any possible delays or flight cancellations. Check in will commence from approximately 11am on day of departure and close 30 minutes prior, with no guests allowed on board after this time. If you need to fly in the day of the cruise, we strongly
recommend the earliest flight available to avoid missing the ship in the event of unexpected delays

Pack comfortable clothes, swimwear, sunscreen, toiletries, a light jacket, and any medications. Here’s a handy packing list of what to pack and what not to pack:

WHAT TO PACK

• Passport
• Boarding Pass
• Proof of Travel Insurance for Check In
• Credit / Debit Card or Cash for onboard expenses
• Personal Medication
• Theme Night Costumes
• Sunscreen
• Universal Power Adaptor (If wanting more than 1 Australian outlet per room)
• Toiletries
• Swimwear
• Sunglasses & Hat

WHAT NOT TO PACK

• Drugs or illegal substances (Including medicinal Cannabis)
• Drones
• Fresh Items (E.g., Fruit, vegetables, dairy products, flowers etc.)
• Dangerous weapons
• Power Boards
• Irons and hand steamers

No, you do not. Artist Performances onboard Great Southern Sounds are General Admission and are included in your ticket fare. Additional events such as artist experiences will be available closer to sailing which will require a ticket to attend; however these events are add-ons to your experience, there is still plenty of entertainment around the ship throughout our dedicated venues for you to enjoy what is on offer, at your own pace

All artist performances, onboard activities and entertainment is included in your ticket price. Please Note: Additional shipboard activities on Carnival Splendor will incur additional charges such as spa treatments and specialised fitness classes. You can refer to your daily FUN TIMES Newsletter or Carnival App for further information whilst onboard.

Yes, opportunities to meet some of our incredible artists on board will be available to guests on Great Southern Sounds.

By paying your deposit, you are purchasing the cruise experience as a whole and not for specific individual performers. If in the event of a cancellation or change in the artist line-up, where suitable, a replacement artist will be arranged.

The Carnival Splendor is a large cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line, currently homeported in Sydney, Australia. It boasts a gross tonnage of 113,300 and stretches approximately 290 meters in length, accommodating over 3,000 passengers with a crew of around 1,150.

Designed to offer a wide range of amenities and activities, Carnival Splendor features numerous accommodation options, including interior cabins, ocean view rooms, and balcony staterooms. Some premium options include wrap-around balconies at the aft corners of the ship and extended balcony cabins at the stern, offering panoramic ocean views. The ship’s dining scene is equally diverse, offering everything from buffet-style eateries to specialty dining such as steakhouses and international cuisine.

Onboard facilities include the two-deck Cloud 9 Spa, which provides a variety of wellness treatments and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Entertainment options abound, with live shows, comedy performances, themed parties, and activities for all age groups.

In 2024, the ship underwent significant upgrades. These included new dining options like the “Mad Sizzle” steakhouse and a refreshed Masala Tiger, an expanded gym, an upgraded Cloud 9 Spa, and a bold new red, white, and blue hull design. Technical improvements were also made in the engine room. The enhancements have been well-received, reinforcing the Carnival Splendor’s reputation as a versatile and enjoyable cruise experience for travellers of all kinds.

You can view the deck plan on our booking page when picking your cabin, or you can visit the Carnival Australia website hereto view a full deck plan of the ship, along with an accessible deck plan noting our accessible cabin options.

Pregnancy Policy: Any Guest who has entered, or who will at any time during the cruise enter, the 24th week of estimated gestational age in her pregnancy, agrees not to book a cruise or board the ship as outlined in clause 21 of Carnival’s Cruise Ticket Contract.

Accordingly, due to the limitations in medical care, pregnant guests who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy at any time during the time of the cruise will not be allowed to board or sail with the ship. Any pregnant guest who attempts to board the vessel who has entered her 24th week of pregnancy, or who will enter her 24th week of estimated fetal gestational age at any time during the cruise, risks denial of boarding and/or disembarkation without compensation or refund.

Your onboard gratuities are included in your cruise cost – this covers tips for stateroom attendants and all dining room staff.

Currency: Once onboard, all purchases will be made with your Sail & Sign card as Carnival ships are cashless. Pricing for purchases made on board is Australian Dollars ($AUD).

Wi-Fi packages will be available to purchase on Great Southern Sounds. Multi-device packages are available, and plans start at AUD$17.00 per person, per day.

The minimum age requirement is 18 to purchase and consume alcohol onboard Great Southern Sounds. When ordering drinks whilst on board Carnival Splendor, your Sail & Sign Card will be swiped, and costs will be automatically added on to your cabin account. All charges to your Sail & Sign account will need to be signed for.

Guests over the age of 18 on Great Southern Sounds are permitted to bring personal wine with them at the beginning of the cruise (in Sydney). This is limited to one (1) bottle per adult traveling per stateroom. If you wish to bring wine with you onboard, please bring this with you in your hand luggage upon embarkation.

When consumed in any shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, each bottle shall be subject to a corkage fee of AUD$25.00. This wine brought on board can be consumed free of charge in guest staterooms. No open liquor bottles will be permitted to be brought into the dining areas or public areas. On embarkation day, a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk), packaged in cans or cartons, may be brought on board and must be in the guest’s carry-on luggage. A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 375-ml each or less, per person.

If you need to bring specific food or drink on board for medical reasons, please contact your travel agent or Choose Your Cruise to ensure proper clearance is done at least 30 days prior to departure. To view Carnival’s full Alcohol Policy, click here.

Carnival understand the diversity of passengers’ food requirements, if you have any specific food requirements, such as lactose/gluten intolerance, veganism etc, you can note this when completing your booking online or tell your travel agent when booking. There are vegetarian and gluten free options on every menu.

Children over the age of 12 months at the time of sailing are welcome on-board Great Southern Sounds! However please note, our music festivals at sea tend to lean toward a more adult-focused demographic, so certain youth programs may be combined to accommodate a smaller number of children onboard compared to standard sailings.

Carnival’s youth experience provides activities and entertainment for all children Ages 17 and younger. It is broken down into specific age groups as follows:

• Penguins: Ages 2-5
• Stingrays: Ages 6-8
• Sharks: Ages 9-11
• Circle “C”: Ages 12-14
• Club O2: Ages 15-17

Carnival’s Youth Programs provide daily fun filled and age-appropriate activities for children and teenagers between the ages of 2 to 17. In addition, there is supervised ‘free play’ and Night Owls services for those children 11 years and under.

A variety of Shore Excursions will be available to purchase for Noumea. These shore excursions will be available to purchase prior to sailing via your Cruise Planner once you receive your Carnival Booking Number (Sent via email 6-8 weeks before departure) or at the Carnival Adventures desk once on board.

Yes, themed parties are a major feature on our cruises! Guests often go all out with costumes, so be sure to get involved! Theme nights will be announced closer to sailing.

It sure is! Great Southern Sounds is a fully chartered, professionally managed cruise operated by Choose Your Cruise. We work directly with Carnival and all artist programming, ship accommodations, and logistics are handled with the same standards you’d expect from any major
festival or cruise provider.

We totally get the concern; Great Southern Sounds almost seems too good to be true! But we can assure you, it is real. Choose Your Cruise have hosted over 40 sold out music festivals at sea, welcoming over 100,000 guests since our inception in 2009 – also earning ourselves the prestigious title of Charter Partner of the Decade by Royal Caribbean in 2012.

You can look up past events we’ve hosted here, and for extra piece of mind, we are also a certified member of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) which unites the global cruise community, including prestigious ocean, river, and specialty lines, maritime leaders, ports, destinations, shipyards, and the largest network of cruise travel professionals.

Our booking system uses industry-standard encryption and secure card processing via STRIPE. You’ll receive an immediate email confirmation once you complete your booking, with final documentation regarding your cruise ticket closer to sailing (approximately 6-8 weeks prior to departure). If you ever have questions, our support team is just a call or email away.

After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your reservation details, cabin assignment and instructions for completing your booking if paying in instalments. Closer to the cruise date, you’ll get information about boarding, schedules, and themed events (the fun stuff!)

Yes. All payments are processed securely, and we offer flexible payment plans. We do not store any sensitive information such as credit card details. You can also opt to purchase travel insurance for additional peace of mind and protect your fare in the event you are unable to travel.

Absolutely! We offer payment plans with monthly or quarterly (25%) payment options. You’ll see all the payment terms clearly before checkout.

Think of it as a floating music festival with hotel accommodations, food, and travel built in! No need to worry about camping accommodations or Ubers to and from the venue each night. Once you’re onboard, everything is handled—meals, activities and entertainment. We’ll guide you step-by-step before the cruise with packing lists, tips, and what to know before you go guides.

We have a dedicated support team that can assist you by email or phone with anything from booking questions to accessibility needs. No question is too small! You can call Choose Your Cruise on 08 8277 3444 Monday – Friday (9:30am – 5:30pm Sydney Time) or email
[email protected]

While it’s possible to experience motion sickness, rest assured that Great Southern Sounds will be sailing in relatively calm waters between Australia and New Caledonia. You may experience some movement while we make the crossing between countries, but our ship stabilisers will assist with making the journey as smooth as possible.

If you’re prone to motion sickness or just want to be extra prepared, it’s a good idea to bring along motion sickness remedies such as ginger tablets, wristbands, or prescription patches. Choosing a cabin mid-ship and on a lower deck can also help reduce any sensation of movement.

Keeping our guests wellbeing, safety and enjoyment is important to us – so we will never pair you with someone you don’t know! If you book a cabin on your own, that room will solely be yours, with no unexpected guests joining you.

We work in direct partnership with our friends at Artist Network regarding the artists, and Carnival Cruise Line to ensure the experience is safe, professional, and one-of-a-kind.