Carnival Cruise Line has adjusted the itinerary for Carnival Splendor’s September 9, 2026 sailing after reduced channel depths made it unsafe for the ship to reach the Cairns Cruise Terminal.
Instead of docking in Cairns, Carnival Splendor will anchor at Yorkeys Knob on September 13. Guests will be transported ashore by water shuttles and will still be able to visit Cairns.
The ship will then call at Airlie Beach on September 14. The scheduled days for Airlie Beach and the Willis Island onboard experience have also been swapped, with revised arrival and departure times.
According to Carnival, the Port of Cairns advised that the channel issue would not be resolved before the ship’s planned visit. The cruise line said the changes were necessary to ensure the safe passage of the vessel.
