Carnival Cruise Line Sets 2026 Christmas Decorating Schedule
Professional Christmas Decorators will board each ship at its homeport, while Christmas music joins the onboard rotation after displays are installed.
Carnival Cruise Line has released its 2026 Christmas decorating schedule for all 29 ships. Installations begin in late November and continue into mid-December. The dates shared by Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald identify the first departure on each vessel that will feature seasonal decorations.
Two Brisbane-based ships sit at opposite ends of the rollout: Carnival Encounter will be decorated first, while Carnival Luminosa will be the last to receive its displays.
“The fleet’s decorations will not be done by the crew but by ‘Professional Christmas Decorators’,” Heald said. The decorators will board each ship at its homeport. Christmas music will also enter the onboard music rotation once the displays are installed.
First decorated departures by ship
- Sunday, November 22: Carnival Encounter, based in Australia.
- Friday, November 27: Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory and Carnival Firenze.
- Saturday, November 28: Carnival Magic, Mardi Gras, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Sunshine and Australia-based Carnival Splendor.
- Sunday, November 29: Carnival Celebration, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Legend, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Liberty and Carnival Pride.
- Monday, November 30: Carnival Freedom, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Breeze and Australia-based Carnival Adventure.
- Thursday, December 3: Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Valor and Carnival Elation.
- Saturday, December 5: Carnival Horizon, Carnival Dream and Carnival Vista.
- Monday, December 14: Carnival Luminosa, based in Australia.
Carnival Encounter’s first decorated voyage will be a six-night itinerary from Brisbane calling at Airlie Beach, Cairns and Willis Island.
Carnival Luminosa’s holiday debut will coincide with its first sailing from its Australian homeport after a Singapore dry dock scheduled from October 23 through late November. That return voyage will be a four-night cruise to Airlie Beach.
Displays remain for New Year’s Eve
Heald also confirmed that the decorations will remain aboard for New Year’s Eve cruises, responding to guests who asked about the removal schedule. The Christmas displays will not be replaced with a separate set of New Year’s decorations. Most ships will offer countdown celebrations and balloon drops to welcome 2027.
Some decorations may begin coming down on or after January 1. Crew members may then pack them for unloading at the ship’s next turnaround.
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