Carnival Luminosa: 22 Nights in a Balcony Cabin from Seattle to Sydney for $1,206/€1,027 pp

In September 2025, the Carnival Luminosa from the US cruise line Carnival will embark on a longer repositioning cruise. Over the course of 22 nights, the ship will be transferred from Seattle to Sydney. You can currently book this special cruise starting from €885 (~US$1,039) per person in an inside cabin. Oceanview and balcony cabins are available from €956 (~US$1,122) and €1,027 (~US$1,206) per person respectively.

The following services are already included in the cruise price with Carnival:

• All meals in the main and buffet restaurants
• Coffee, water, tea, and iced tea during buffet opening hours
• Entertainment program and onboard events
• Complimentary cabin service for breakfast (from 6:00 to 10:00 am)

The Route

Your Pacific crossing starts in the West Coast metropolis of Seattle. After leaving port, the ship sets course for Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, where you will arrive on day 7 of your journey. After that, it continues into the South Pacific, with exotic ports like Moorea and Papeete on the itinerary. Here, you can spend the day relaxing on one of the many dream beaches.

On day 20, after crossing the International Date Line, Carnival Luminosa reaches the port of Noumea in New Caledonia. After 22 nights, the cruise ends in Australia’s largest city, Sydney. From there, you can continue your land explorations or fly back home.

Here’s the detailed itinerary:

• September 18: Seattle (departs at 17:30)
• September 19-23: 5 days at sea
• September 24: Honolulu, Hawaii (14 hours)
• September 25: At sea
• September 26: Crossing Equator Line
• September 27-29: 3 days at sea
• September 30: Papeete (11 hours)
• October 1: Moorea (10 hours)
• October 2-3: 2 days at sea
• October 5: International dateline
• October 6-7: 2 days at sea
• October 8: Nouméa, New Caledonia (9 hours)
• October 9-10: 2 days at sea
• October 11: Sydney (arrives at 06:30)

The Ship

The Carnival Luminosa entered service in 2009 as Costa Luminosa and was Costa Cruises’ new flagship at the time. In 2022, it was decided to transfer her to sister company Carnival Cruise Line. She was partially refurbished and received new speciality restaurants, which can be used for an extra charge. Most of the changes cater to the Anglo-American market.

The onboard language is English, and the final bill is settled in US dollars. As usual, you pay onboard with your cruise card. The ship can accommodate up to 2,826 passengers.

If you have sailed with Carnival before, note that this ship does not feature all the attractions of a “typical” Carnival ship. Its past is most noticeable by the missing wings on the funnel.

Unlike many other cruise lines, many speciality restaurants on Carnival are included in the price. You only pay extra for sushi, seafood, and the steakhouse, as well as the Italian restaurant in the evenings.

Flights

One-way flights to the US are usually very overpriced, so your cheapest option would be to fly from Paris to Vancouver for €292 with WestJet, including luggage. From there, you can simply take the Amtrak train to Seattle.

To get back to Europe from Sydney, Scoot is the cheapest option. They can fly you to either Vienna for A$658 (~€370) or Athens for A$722 (~€406). Both prices are for the fare that includes luggage.

For Americans, wanting to get back to the US from Sydney, these are the prices you’d currently have to pay (incl. luggage):

• Los Angeles: US$423 (~€360) with Fiji Airways
• Atlanta: US$497 (~€423) with American/Qantas/United
• Detroit: US$498 (~€424) with American/United
• Salt Lake City: US$501 (~€427) with American/United/Delta
• Orlando: US$505 (~€430) with United/Delta/Air Canada
• Boston: US$505 (~€430) with United/Delta
• Redmond: US$505 (~€430) with United/Delta
• Las Vegas: US$505 (~€430) with United/Delta
• Cleveland: US$505 (~€430) with United/Delta
• Sacramento: US$505 (~€430) with United/Delta
• Austin: US$505 (~€430) with United/Air Canada/Delta
• Portland: US$505 (~€430) with United/Delta
• Baltimore: US$505 (~€430) with United/Delta
• Seattle: US$505 (~€430) with United/Air Canada/Delta/Qantas
• Pittsburgh: US$506 (~€431) with United

Feel free to use our search form to find out how much flights would cost from/to your home city:

Cover Picture: Carnival Luminosa Sunset Bar | © Carnival Cruise Line