Carnival Spirit this Morning - Circular Quay, Sydney

Carnival Spirit - Docked This Morning at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay, Sydney

Carnival Spirit is the first Spirit-class cruise ship for Carnival Cruise Lines. She is also the first new "Fun Ship" to sail to Alaska and Hawaii. Eighty percent of the cabins are on the outside of the ship, and of these outside cabins, 80% have balconies.

In January, 2012, Carnival Spirit went to dry dock and was fitted with some of the latest that cruisers want to have, including Carnival Waterworks (Waterpark at Sea), and the steepest waterslide at sea, a new creation, Green Thunder. Her current home port Sydney, Australia is where she then sails to New Caledonia, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Zealand.

About International Fleet Review Sydney - 2013

In late 2011, the Chief of Navy (CN) - Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AO, CSC, RAN extended an invitation to over 50 nations to send a warship and/or tall ship to participate in an International Fleet Review (IFR) to be held in Sydney from 3 - 11 October 2013. The Review is being held to commemorate the centenary of the first entry of the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet into Sydney.

On 4 October 1913 the flagship, HMAS Australia, led the new Australian Fleet Unit comprising HMA Ships Melbourne, Sydney, Encounter, Warrego, Parramatta and Yarra into Sydney Harbour for the first time to be greeted by thousands of cheering citizens lining the foreshore. This was a moment of great national pride and importance, one recognised as a key indicator of Australia's progress towards national maturity.

The IFR is a high profile international event and Navy's signature commemorative event for 2013. Planned in partnership with the NSW State Government and the City of Sydney, it is anticipated that approximately 40 warships and 20 tall ships will participate in this historic event. The RAN Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Congress and Exposition, are also scheduled to take place at Darling Harbour from 7 October 2013 to coincide with the IFR.


The current plan will see RAN and visiting warships rendezvousing in Jervis Bay, NSW on 1 October 2013 to conduct final preparations and briefings. The formal aspects of the IFR will commence with all tall ships entering Sydney Harbour on Thursday 3 October 2013 and all warships entering on Friday 4 October 2013 - exactly 100 years after the first RAN Fleet entry.

To mark this historic occasion, the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, her Excellency, the Hon Ms Quentin Bryce, AC, CVO will welcome the Fleet from Bradley’s Head on 4 October, and officially review the fleet onboard HMAS Leeuwin on Saturday, 5 October, as part of the Ceremonial Fleet Review. The Review will include a moving line of seven RAN ships to further symbolise the 1913 entry. 

The day's events are also likely to feature formation fly-pasts by fixed and rotary wing aircraft, naval displays and demonstrations, naval gun salutes and naval band performances, and will culminate in a spectacular evening pyrotechnics and light show on the harbour.

Other activities being planned to occur during the week long celebrations, include a combined naval march through the Sydney CBD, ships open to the public, inter-navy sporting competitions, naval memorial and religious services, and a range of community and cultural events.

The tall ships will depart on Thursday 10 October 2013 followed by the fleet departing on Friday 11 October 2013 to participate in Exercise TRITON CENTENARY in the East Australian Exercise Areas (EAXA).

The IFR is planned to be similar in scale and public impact to that experienced during the RAN 75th Anniversary in 1986 and the Bicentennial Naval Salute in 1988.


The full program of IFR planned events can be found on our Events page.

Book Now to Enjoy the Biggest Naval Event on Sydney Harbour this Century

The biggest naval event on Sydney Harbour this century will take place from October 3-11, 2013 and Sydneysiders, regional NSW residents and interstate visitors are advised to book accommodation early to avoid missing out.

The Royal Australian Navy is celebrating 100 years since the first RAN ships sailed into Sydney Harbour to great fanfare in 1913 – and it has asked 50 nations to join the party. Called the International Fleet Review (IFR), the celebrations will see 40 warships and 20 tall ships from around the world sail into Sydney Harbour for a week-long celebration.

Commencing on Thursday 3 October 2013 and concluding eight days later, the IFR will be a harbour spectacular no Australian will want to miss. Her Excellency the Governor-General, Quentin Bryce will welcome the fleet from Bradley’s Head on October 4, and officially review the fleet onboard HMAS Leeuwin on October 5 as part of the Ceremonial Fleet Review.

With the world heritage backdrop of Sydney Harbour setting the scene, the Royal Australian Navy band will perform while fixed and rotary wing aircraft fly past in formation overhead. Military demonstrations will be held, the official ceremony will be staged on the steps of the Opera House, and the event will conclude with a fireworks display fit for the occasion.

Other activities being planned include a combined naval march through the Sydney CBD, ships open to the public, inter-navy sporting competitions and a range of community and cultural events.

Whether you’re a navy buff or just keen not to miss the amazing pageantry of this historic event, now is the time to book your accommodation in Sydney to be sure you make the most of the week-long celebrations – and Metro Hotels has a number of properties from which to choose.

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is the group’s flagship property located on the corner of Pitt and Hay Streets in the heart of Sydney’s entertainment precinct. Having recently completed a two year refurbishment, the hotel now offers 220 fully-refurbished Superior and Deluxe rooms, all priced affordably.

Metro Hotel on Pitt is a stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, within easy walking distance of Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, The Rocks, Pitt Street Mall, Queen Victoria Building, Hyde Park and Chinatown, while Metro Apartments Darling Harbour provides easy access to the popular harbour restaurant precinct of King Street Wharf and Cockle Bay, as well as IMAX, Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife World and Australian Maritime Museum and Star Casino.

For those looking for something a little quieter and out of the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Aspire Hotel Sydney in Ultimo is just a short stroll to Darling Harbour, the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Carnival Legend 2014 Sydney Arrival To Be ... Legendary

Carnival Legend

Carnival Legend, Carnival Spirit’s sister ship will be arriving in Sydney next year from the East Coast of the USA, with described by Carnival as custom built to create history making holidays, and paying tribute to some of the world’s greatest legends throughout the ages.

Carnival says that guest can take a dip in the Camelot and Avalon pools, wish for magic at Club Merlin Casino and taste iconic flavours at Truffles Restaurant, while music lovers can head for Satchmo’s Lounge and Billie’s Piano Bar, then dance the night away at Medusa’s Lair Dance Club.

Onboard features include a wide range of bars, dining choices and a variety of fun outdoor activities including the iconic Water Park and Green Thunder Waterslide, as well as indoor and relaxation options and exciting entertainment. 

Carnival Legend will sail from the East Coast of America mid-August 2014 arriving in Sydney on 22 September 2014, with itineraries on offer including a 13 day cruise from Tampa to Los Angeles sailing through the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and Mexico departing on 17 August 2014 and a 23 day cruise from Los Angeles to Sydney sailing through Tahiti, Fiji and Noumea departing on 30 August 2014.

Travel the World is also offering Carnival Legend guests the opportunity to combine the two itineraries for a legendary 36 day cruise experience sailing from Tampa to Sydney through Mexico, Tahiti, Fiji and Noumea.

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