Carnival Adventure
A Grand-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line, previously known as Golden Princess and Pacific Adventure.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Carnival Adventure is a Grand-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. The vessel entered service in 2001 as Golden Princess for Princess Cruises, was later transferred within Carnival Corporation's portfolio to P&O Cruises Australia as Pacific Adventure, and was renamed Carnival Adventure in March 2025 after P&O Cruises Australia was absorbed into Carnival Cruise Line. The ship was ordered from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in the late 1990s as one of two additional Grand-class vessels. It was constructed at Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard and floated out in August 2000 before beginning its maiden voyage in May 2001. Although initially planned to be christened by actress Jane Seymour, the formal naming ceremony took place in April 2002 in Saint Thomas and was conducted by Merlisa George, Miss US Virgin Islands 2002. As Golden Princess, the vessel operated an unusually broad range of itineraries. It began with European service from Southampton and subsequently undertook seasonal deployments in the Caribbean and Europe. In 2007 it circumnavigated South America and began operating from the west coast of the United States. Later deployments included voyages in Asia and Oceania, allowing the ship to visit ports around much of the Pacific. It also sailed to all seven continents during its Princess Cruises career. The ship is approximately 109,000 gross tons and measures about 290 metres in length, with a beam of roughly 36 metres and a draught of approximately 8 metres. Its diesel-electric propulsion system uses six Sulzer engines driving two propellers, with a reported maximum speed of about 23 knots. The original configuration included 1,299 passenger cabins and 627 crew cabins, with a maximum combined passenger-and-crew capacity of approximately 4,160. Later modifications increased the advertised guest capacity to about 2,636 and added five-berth cabins. Carnival Corporation announced in 2017 that the ship would leave Princess Cruises for P&O Cruises Australia as part of a fleet realignment. It was renamed Pacific Adventure and planned to operate Australian and South Pacific itineraries, including voyages to New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. P&O announced the new name after an online public naming process and planned a 2020 debut. The COVID-19 pandemic suspended Australian cruising, however, and the ship's entry into service was delayed until 2022. Renovation work in Trieste introduced accommodation and facility changes intended to support a more family-oriented P&O experience, including an adults-only lounge and a recreational park. Pacific Adventure experienced several significant operational incidents. In March 2020, during a voyage from Melbourne to New Zealand, passengers with respiratory symptoms were isolated while the ship anchored near Akaroa for medical assessment. The tests were negative, but the voyage was cancelled in accordance with Australia's pandemic-era cruise restrictions. In May 2023, a balcony fire occurred while the ship was sailing off Australia's east coast; passengers were mustered and the fire was extinguished. In May 2024, a passenger went overboard near Sydney Heads. Search operations involved aircraft, emergency-service helicopters and another Carnival vessel, and a body was later recovered. In June 2024, Carnival Corporation announced that P&O Cruises Australia would cease as a separate brand and be integrated into Carnival Cruise Line in March 2025. Pacific Adventure consequently became Carnival Adventure. The ship received Carnival exterior branding and internal updates, including technology improvements intended to support Carnival's onboard application. It continues to operate from Sydney on a year-round basis, with a planned temporary deployment from Melbourne in 2027.
History
Carnival Adventure was built as Golden Princess for Princess Cruises, a Carnival Corporation brand. Princess announced in January 1998 that it had ordered two additional Grand-class ships from Fincantieri, with each vessel costing approximately US$425 million at the time. Golden Princess was constructed at Monfalcone, Italy, floated out on 31 August 2000 and began her maiden voyage on 16 May 2001. Her formal christening took place in Saint Thomas on 17 April 2002, with Merlisa George, Miss US Virgin Islands 2002, serving as godmother. The ship shared the principal dimensions and general design language of the Grand class but incorporated several changes from Grand Princess. Both ships were approximately 109,000 gross tons and around 290 metres long. Golden Princess used flatter bulkheads around the navigation-bridge area and a lighter stern structure, including changes to the section that housed the nightclub. Her diesel-electric plant consisted of six Sulzer engines, and the propulsion arrangement used two diesel-electric propellers. During her Princess Cruises career, Golden Princess operated across multiple regions. She debuted from Southampton in 2001, then served seasonal markets in Europe and the Caribbean. In 2007 she undertook a circumnavigation of South America and began west-coast United States operations. Subsequent voyages included routes in Asia and Oceania. The ship eventually sailed to all seven continents, making her one of Princess's widely deployed large vessels. The 2019–2020 season was her final period as Golden Princess. She operated Alaska voyages during the summer of 2019 before repositioning to Melbourne. In March 2020, during a Melbourne–New Zealand sailing, three passengers were quarantined after developing symptoms that raised concern about COVID-19. The vessel anchored near Akaroa so medical personnel could assess the passengers. Tests were negative, but the remaining itinerary was cancelled and the ship returned to Melbourne on 19 March 2020 amid Australia's cruise-ship restrictions. Planned 2020 Alaska and transpacific voyages were suspended. Carnival Corporation first identified Golden Princess for transfer to P&O Cruises Australia in 2017. The move formed part of an effort to renew P&O's fleet and expand its Australian proposition. P&O selected the name Pacific Adventure following an online naming contest and planned to introduce the ship in October 2020. Planned itineraries included Australian departures and calls in New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and other parts of Oceania. The pandemic prevented the scheduled debut. Although the ship transferred in October 2020, Australian cruise operations remained suspended until restrictions were lifted on 17 April 2022. Renovation work completed in Trieste in autumn 2021 adapted the ship to P&O's product, including additional five-berth cabins, an adults-only lounge and a recreational park. Pacific Adventure eventually entered service in 2022 with a published guest capacity of approximately 2,636. The P&O period included two prominent safety-related events. On 28 May 2023, a fire began on a passenger balcony while the ship was off Australia's east coast. Passengers were mustered and the fire was extinguished. On 6 May 2024, a passenger was reported overboard shortly after 4:00 a.m. near Sydney Heads. The ship's arrival was delayed while helicopters, police aviation resources, Westpac helicopters and Carnival Splendor participated in the search. A body was subsequently recovered. Carnival Corporation announced in June 2024 that P&O Cruises Australia would be closed and integrated into Carnival Cruise Line. The transition took effect in March 2025, when Pacific Adventure became Carnival Adventure. Carnival applied its funnel branding and updated selected interior areas, while also completing technology work to support the Carnival Hub application. The vessel remains an active Carnival ship, operating primarily from Sydney and serving Australian and nearby international destinations.
- 2025
Renamed Carnival Adventure
[1]The ship entered the Carnival Cruise Line fleet under the name Carnival Adventure.
- 2024
P&O Cruises Australia closure announced
[1]Carnival Corporation announced that P&O Cruises Australia would be integrated into Carnival Cruise Line.
- 2023
Balcony fire
[1]A passenger-balcony fire occurred during a voyage off Australia's east coast and was extinguished after passengers were mustered.
- 2022
Pacific Adventure enters service
[1]After pandemic delays and refurbishment, the ship began operating for P&O Cruises Australia.
- 2020
Pandemic interruption
[1]A New Zealand itinerary was cancelled after medical concerns and Australian cruise restrictions suspended operations.
- 2018
Pacific Adventure name revealed
[1]P&O announced the ship's new name and its planned Australian and South Pacific deployment.
- 2017
Transfer to P&O Cruises Australia announced
[1]Carnival Corporation announced the ship would move from Princess Cruises to P&O Cruises Australia.
- 2007
South America circumnavigation and West Coast debut
[1]Golden Princess circumnavigated South America and began serving the US West Coast.
- 2002
Official christening
[1]The ship was christened in Saint Thomas on 17 April.
- 2001
Maiden voyage
[1]Golden Princess began her maiden voyage on 16 May from Southampton.
Products and positioning
A large, mainstream cruise ship positioned for regional Australian and South Pacific cruising, with family accommodation, entertainment, dining and resort-style onboard facilities.
Grand-class cruise ship · 2001
Carnival Adventure
A large passenger cruise ship built by Fincantieri and delivered in 2001. The vessel offers accommodation, dining, entertainment, recreation and organized itineraries. Its design includes approximately 109,000 gross tons, a length of about 290 metres, diesel-electric propulsion and more than 1,200 passenger cabins in its original configuration.
Australian cruise operation · 2022
Pacific Adventure
The ship's operating identity under P&O Cruises Australia from 2022 until its March 2025 transfer to Carnival Cruise Line. Its itineraries centered on departures from Australian ports and destinations including New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the wider South Pacific.
Brand decisions
2024
Integration into Carnival Cruise LineM&ABackground
Carnival Corporation decided to discontinue P&O Cruises Australia as a standalone brand and consolidate its Australian cruise business.
Action taken
P&O Cruises Australia was folded into Carnival Cruise Line, and Pacific Adventure was renamed Carnival Adventure in March 2025.
Aftermath
The ship received Carnival branding and technology updates and continued operating from Sydney under the Carnival brand.
2020
Voyage suspension during the COVID-19 pandemicOtherBackground
A suspected onboard illness and government restrictions on cruise operations affected the ship's scheduled New Zealand, Australian, Alaska and transpacific voyages.
Action taken
The active voyage was cancelled, guests disembarked in Melbourne, and planned subsequent sailings were suspended.
Aftermath
Pacific Adventure's intended 2020 debut was postponed until Australian cruise operations resumed in 2022.
2017
Transfer from Princess Cruises to P&O Cruises AustraliaStrategyBackground
Carnival Corporation was restructuring its cruise fleet and seeking to support P&O Cruises Australia's fleet renewal and regional expansion.
Action taken
The company announced that Golden Princess would be transferred to P&O Cruises Australia and later renamed Pacific Adventure.
Aftermath
The transfer was delayed by the COVID-19 shutdown, and the vessel eventually entered P&O service in 2022.
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