Carnival Cruise Line’s operations in Australia are under scrutiny following a campaign by the Maritime Union of Australia (MNU), which prompted an unscheduled inspection by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Carnival claims the MNU’s actions are merely a ploy for attention and recruitment, while the union accuses the cruise line of offering low wages and poor working conditions on its Australian-based ships.
Since 2012, Carnival has operated in Australia, consolidating with P&O Australia in 2025. The cruise line rebranded two P&O vessels as Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter, each accommodating 2,500 passengers and employing over 1,100 crew members. The MNU launched its campaign in January, alleging “extreme exploitation” of crew members, particularly those from economically disadvantaged countries like India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
On January 21, the MNU staged a demonstration at the Port of Melbourne, coinciding with the Australian Open tennis match. Although Carnival maintains compliance with International Labour Organization standards, the union claims to have received numerous complaints about working conditions, including a whistleblower report that it is forwarding to authorities.
After the AMSA inspection of the Carnival Encounter in Darwin, Carnival stated that no deficiencies were found. However, the MNU contends that systemic issues persist within the cruise industry and continues to advocate for the crew’s right to organize and bargain collectively.
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