Carnival’s Grinchmas in July Returns Bigger Than Ever in Australia for 2025

Carnival Cruise Line is bringing back its popular Grinchmas in July celebrations to Australia in 2025, this time with more sailings, more festive fun, and a new ship joining the holiday party.

The themed program will run across ten sailings and three ships: Carnival Splendor, Carnival Adventure, and Carnival Encounter. For the first time, Queensland will get in on the fun, as Carnival Encounter, now homeported in Brisbane year-round, will offer four themed cruises from the city.

New South Wales will also join the celebration, with Carnival Splendor returning for its third year and Carnival Adventure offering sailings from Sydney. In total, there will be six themed voyages departing from Sydney.

Onboard, guests can expect ships fully transformed into holiday-inspired spaces, complete with Christmas trees, sparkling lights, seasonal decorations, themed drinks, and even faux snowfall in the atrium. A full line-up of holiday activities includes the Ugly Christmas Sweater Competition, carolling, deck parties, themed games, festive treats, and a live holiday stage show.

A key highlight of the experience is the presence of the Grinch himself, alongside other characters from the world of Dr. Seuss. These events are part of the ongoing Seuss at Sea partnership, which also features the Thing 1 & Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast, the Seussapalooza Parade, and Story Time.

Carnival Cruise Line VP Kara Glamore said, “Due to overwhelming demand over the past two winters, we’re thrilled to bring back our Grinchmas in July sailings in 2025, this time spreading even more holiday cheer across all three ships.”

Susan Brandt, CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, added, “These themed sailings offer families an extraordinary opportunity to experience the world of Dr. Seuss in an immersive, festive environment, combining cherished holiday traditions with the wonder of storytelling at sea.”

Grinchmas in July 2025 Itinerary Highlights:

From Sydney (return):

• Tuesday, July 1 & Monday, July 14 – 4-night Moreton Island (Carnival Adventure)
• Thursday, July 3 & Wednesday, July 16 – 4-night Moreton Island (Carnival Splendor)
• Saturday, July 5 – 9-night South Pacific (Carnival Adventure)
• Monday, July 7 – 9-night South Pacific (Carnival Splendor)

From Brisbane (return):

• Saturday, July 5 – 7-night Great Barrier Reef (Carnival Encounter)
• Saturday, July 12 – 3-night Comedy Cruise (Carnival Encounter)
• Tuesday, July 15 – 4-night Airlie Beach (Carnival Encounter)
• Saturday, July 19 – 7-night Great Barrier Reef (Carnival Encounter)

Fares for the Grinchmas in July sailings start from $560* per person.