Frequently Asked Questions

Hellbound departs from Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) located on the corner of Argyle and George streets, Circular Quay West, The Rocks NSW 2000 on a return trip back to Sydney from Thursday October 22 – Sunday October 25, 2026.

For information on the Overseas Passenger Terminal as well as facilities & services, please click here or visit https://www.portauthoritynsw.com.au/cruise/cruising-faq/overseas-passenger-terminal/

Hellbound Cruise 2026 is a 3-Night cruise from Thursday October 22 – Sunday October 25, 2026.

Hellbound will depart on Thursday, 22^nd October and arrive back to Sydney on Sunday, 25^th October 2026. To facilitate the large number of artist performances on board, there are no ports of call which gives us two full days of festival programming for you to enjoy! Please see itinerary and arrival/departure times below:

• Thursday, 22 October 2026, Sydney, Australia – Departs 3:30pm
• Friday, 23 October 2026, At Sea
• Saturday, 24 October 2026, At Sea
• Sunday, 25 October 2026, Sydney, Australia – Arrives 6:30am

For guests flying to Sydney for this cruise: we recommend booking flights the night before on Wednesday, 21^st of October 2026 into Sydney to avoid any possible delays or flight cancellations. Check in will operate for three hours, and commence from approximately 11am, closing 30 minutes prior to departure, with no guests allowed on board after this time. If you need to fly in the day of the cruise, we strongly recommend the earliest flight available to avoid missing the ship in the event of unexpected delays.

Flights home on Sunday, 25^th October are recommended any time from 11am. While the ship will arrive back to Sydney at 6:30am, port authorities will need to clear the ship before guests can disembark and this is a staggered process. It is expected that all guests will be off Carnival Splendor by 9:30am, so please take this into consideration when booking your flights home as you may not make it to the airport for earlier flights in the event of any delays getting off the ship or getting to Sydney airport.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of Staterooms and per person pricing.

The cruise cost for Hellbound aboard the Carnival Splendor includes your accommodation, access to standard dining options, entertainment, and all general gratuities. You’ll enjoy all main meals onboard from the ship’s complimentary venues, along with a full lineup of entertainment including all Hellbound artist performances. Port charges and government taxes are also covered in the price.

While standard dining is included, please note that specialty restaurants and certain premium dining experiences come at an additional cost. Prices are listed in Australian dollars ($AUD) and based on twin share, with options available for triple and quad occupancy. Solo travellers are required to pay 150% of the full twin share price. All pricing is subject to change without notice.

The cruise fare does not include airfares or transfers to the ship, travel insurance, or personal expenses such as merchandise, laundry, phone calls, alcoholic and specialty beverages, or optional shore excursions in Sydney. It also excludes any additional artist-related experiences beyond the scheduled performances. If you leave the cruise early—due to illness, personal choice, or government action—any related travel or accommodation expenses will be your responsibility.

Guests with accessibility requirements aboard the Carnival Splendor have several options to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable cruise experience. The ship offers a range of accessible cabins, including interior, ocean view, and balcony staterooms that are specifically designed to accommodate guests with mobility limitations. These cabins feature wider doorways, grab bars, roll-in showers, and other accessible features to meet various needs.

Please note: Accessible cabins must be booked directly through Choose Your Cruise by calling 08 8277 3444 to ensure these cabins are allocated appropriately and to support your requirements on board. We kindly ask that guests requesting accessible accommodation provide brief information about their needs with our team upon booking. This assists us with understanding your individual requirements to provide all guests with an equal opportunity to enjoy their time on board.

In addition, a dedicated viewing area on the Pool Deck main stage will be provided for guests with limited mobility aids such as wheelchairs.

Find out more about Carnival’s Accessibility features here:  https://www.carnival.com.au/about-carnival/special-needs

Click here to view a full deck plan of the ship, along with an accessible deck plan noting our accessible cabin options.

How do I book a cabin on Hellbound?
Cabins are booked directly through our website. Just choose your preferred cabin type, enter guest information, and select your payment plan. Once your payment is processed, you’ll get a confirmation email with your cabin allocation, noting any specific medical and dietary requests.

Yes! We offer flexible payment plans that let you pay a (10%) deposit upfront and spread the remaining balance across monthly or quarterly payments. Payments made with a credit or debit card are processed via STRIPE and automatically debited on the due date on your payment schedule. No need to remind yourself each month to make the payments!

Please note, for guests wishing to pay in full using our EFT/Bank Transfer option, if payment is not received within 5 days, your booking will be automatically cancelled as we do not hold cabins – we only facilitate confirmed bookings due to the unique nature of our products.

Yes, as soon as your payment is successfully processed, your booking is confirmed. You’ll receive a confirmation email with all your reservation details. If it doesn’t arrive within 24 hours, be sure to check your spam/junk folders and. Our support team is here to help should you require further assistance.

You’ll need to provide the full legal name, date of birth, and contact information for each guest, along with any medical or dietary requirements. If you don’t have all the info right away, you can update it after booking.

Definitely. We offer complimentary name changes, so if a guest can’t attend, you can transfer their spot to someone else without any added fees.

No physical tickets are issued. Everything is digital. Your boarding documents and cruise info will be emailed to you before the cruise, so be sure to use a suitable email address for booking.

Once you have completed your online check in, you will receive a boarding pass and luggage tags, we strongly recommend printing these off before you get on board to avoid delays on departure day.

We accept all major credit and debit cards. Please note, all payments made via credit or debit will incur a 1.8% processing fee. If you wish to avoid these fees, we offer a pay in full option via EFT (Bank Transfer).

Yes. All transactions are processed through a secure, encrypted platform to protect your personal and financial information.

Yes! If you’re booking multiple cabins or coordinating a larger group, contact our team for assistance and we can help you find the right cabins for your travelling party.

All payments are non-refundable, but since we offer free name changes, you can transfer your reservation to someone else. For extra protection, we highly recommend travel insurance. Cancellations will be confirmed with an insurance letter to supply to your insurer to receive repatriation on your booking in the event of a full cabin cancellation.

Updates will be sent to you via email periodically between booking and sailing. Final documentation, will be emailed to you 6-8 weeks before departure.

We strongly recommend all guests secure their policies for a Full Comprehensive, International Travel Insurance for a Multi-Night-Stay-Cruise & Cancellation Coverage for their booking. The destination to enter when quoting a policy is the South West Pacific Region. While travel insurance is not mandatory to board, medical and repatriation costs onboard can be significant and are not covered by Australian Medicare, as Carnival Cruise Line vessels are internationally registered and staffed by internationally practising doctors.  You may obtain a quote via your preferred travel insurance provider, your travel agent, or Choose Your Cruise if booking directly with us online. Ensuring your policy is in place early helps protect your investment and provides valuable support should the unexpected occur.

Please follow our link to obtain a quote from our trusted affiliate partners CoverMore here.

For additional peace of mind, we also suggest considering adding Cancellation Coverage Plus to your policy, which you can exclusively secure through our affiliates at Cover More. This offers guests up to 75% reimbursement of their booking costs in the event of a change of mind or if unforeseen circumstances.

Please note: For the full financial value of your booking to be covered under any cancellation policy, the policy must be secured within 48 hours of your initial payment. Policies purchased outside this timeframe may only cover travel dates and not financial loss due to cancellations prior to departure.

As with any travel arrangement, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Australian residents do not require a Passport for Hellbound, as Government issued photo I.D such as a Drivers Licence will suffice.

Not an Australian resident? International guests on Hellbound must provide a passport at check in that is valid for 6 months after the date of the cruise return (minimum validity from 25 April 2027)

Children under 18 must also have a government issued ID or Passport, however a current Medicare card can also be used for passengers under the age of 18 if a Passport or Government issued photo I.D is not available.
Please ensure that you bring a physical form of ID to check-in on the day of your cruise.  Scanned copies of documents or digital copies on your phone will not be accepted.

International guests on Hellbound must have a passport that is valid for 6 months after the date of the cruise return (minimum validity from 25 April 2027)

As we are not travelling with international ports, Australian residents do not require a visa for travel on Hellbound. If you are travelling from an international country to join, it would be best to check with your travel agent at time of booking just in case a visa is required for entry into Australia.

We are thrilled to bring to Hellbound to the top deck, an innovative transformation with concert staging and festival-grade production, bringing a new level of excitement, truly a live and loud electric atmosphere. The top deck provides general admission standing areas, a dance floor/moshpit, and a mezzanine level for better viewing, ensuring an optimal concert-at-sea experience for all attendees.

Headline entertainment will be available on the top deck main stage in the day, with headliner performances scheduled nightly. This is a general admission event; all guests are welcome.  There is also multiple venues around the ship which will also feature performances by other support acts throughout the voyage. This includes the El Marocco Aft Lounge, Atrium, Nightclub (DJs) plus more. Note, The Spectacular Spectacular Main Lounge will be utilized for Q&A and other onboard experiences, however the top deck main stage will be the primary location for all headline performances.

While this cruise is all ages, we highly recommend under 16-year-olds avoid the front mosh/crowds due to potential rough play. Again there is multiple vantage points to drink/party/dance and enjoy all mainstage performances.  Headline acts will perform on the mainstage each once throughout the voyage, with other interactive experiences such as Q&A’s and other onboard experiences also expected TBA.

Please note, limited seating is available on the top deck main stage, but please note there is no reserved seating in any of the entertainment venues. Accessible viewing for guests in wheelchairs will be available on mezzanine level on deck 10 either side, in a reserved areas. Again, due to the potential rough-play the dancefloor may bring, we recommend all accessible guests refrain from joining that area for viewing, instead to utilize one of the many other potential viewing points on the top deck.

Artist line-up and host ship is correct at the time of release and can be subject to change. In the event that any band/performer cannot fulfil their performance obligations for any reason, there will be no refunds. Please remember, your cruise ticket is for the overall festival experience, not the individual acts.

All deposits and payments made toward Hellbound 2026 are non-refundable.

Due to the exclusive nature of this event, all cabin reservation cancellations will result in the forfeiture of all payments, regardless of the reason. There are no exceptions to this policy.

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing.

However, if you are no longer able to travel, we offer complimentary name changes so that someone else may take your place in your reservation. This allows you to transfer your booking to a friend, family member, or fellow fan at no additional administrative cost. Note* We do not allow resale of cabins/scalping of any kind, if this is the case the booking is subject to cancellation/void without reimbursement. Additionally, if someone is trying to board the ship and is not on the cabin booking, they will not be granted access to board.

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in case of unexpected circumstances. Travel insurance may cover cancellations, trip interruptions, medical emergencies, and more.

Yes, you can. While all payments made toward Hellbound 2026 are non-refundable, we do offer complimentary name changes if you’re unable to travel. This means you can transfer your reservation to a friend, family member, or another guest at no additional cost.

All we ask is that you submit the name change request in writing. It’s a great way to ensure your booking doesn’t go to waste if your plans change.

We also strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for additional protection in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Again as mentioned – We do not allow resale of cabins/scalping of any kind, if this is the case the booking is subject to cancellation/void without reimbursement. Additionally, if someone is trying to board the ship and is not on the cabin booking, they will not be granted access to board.

Australian residents must provide a current/valid Government issued photo I.D or a Passport to board Hellbound. Children must also have a Government issued ID or Passport, however a current Medicare card can also be used for passengers under the age of 18 if a Passport or Government issued photo I.D is not available.
Please ensure that you bring a physical form of ID to check-in on the day of your cruise.  Scanned copies of documents or digital copies on your phone will not be accepted.

Not an Australian resident? International guests on Hellbound must have a passport that is valid for 6 months after the date of the cruise return (minimum validity from 25 April 2027)

Legal Guardians: Adults who are not the parents or legal guardians of any minor child (aged 17 years or under) who are travelling with them will be required to present the child’s birth certificate or certified copy. Please note that on a domestic cruise, the child will not be permitted to board with just a Medicare card as ID, if the travelling adult is not named on that Medicare card, unless supplied with an authorisation letter from the parents or legal guardian.

The authorisation letter must be an original letter signed by one of the parents or legal guardians, authorising the minor to travel on that specific cruise. This letter must state the travelling adult’s name, and that they are authorised to travel with this particular minor on this particular cruise and date (October 22 – 25, 2026). This letter must authorise them to supervise the child, sign applicable waivers and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If such evidence is not produced the minor will not be allowed to travel.

Hellbound guests become eligible for online check-in 14 days prior to sailing (8 October 2026). To check-in online please go to the Carnival Website: here. You will need to enter your booking confirmation and last name to complete online check-in.
Final documentation including your Carnival Booking number will be provided to you 6-8 weeks prior to sailing, and only available once your cabin booking is fully paid.

We recommend arriving early to avoid any delays, because if you miss the ship on departure day, you miss Hellbound!

Carnival Splendor will depart Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal prior to 3:30pm on October 22, 2026. Check in times will be staggered in 30 minute increments and you will be given a time slot to choose once check in opens 14 days prior to departure. BE AWARE* This does not mean get to the ship at 3:30pm as  you will have missed your cruise check in, as check in much like a flight – will close prior to departure.

If you wish to drop your bags at the pier early, bag drop will be available from approximately 9am so you can grab some breakfast at a nearby café or enjoy what Sydney has on offer before your boarding time is called.

For guests flying to Sydney for this cruise: we recommend booking flights the night before on Wednesday, 21^st of October 2026 into Sydney to avoid any possible delays or flight cancellations. Check in will commence from approximately 11am on day of departure and close 30 minutes prior, with no guests allowed on board after this time. If you need to fly in the day of the cruise, we strongly recommend the earliest flight available to avoid missing the ship in the event of unexpected delays.

Pack comfortable clothes, swimwear, sunscreen, toiletries, a light jacket, and any medications. Here’s a handy packing list of what to pack and what not to pack:

WHAT TO PACK

• Government Issued Identification for Check-In
• Boarding Pass
• Credit / Debit Card or Cash for onboard expenses
• Personal Medication
• Theme Night Costumes
• Sunscreen
• Universal Power Adaptor (If wanting more than 1 Australian outlet per room)
• Toiletries
• Swimwear
• Sunglasses & Hat

WHAT NOT TO PACK

• Drugs or illegal substances (Including medicinal Cannabis)
• Drones
• Fresh Items (E.g., Fruit, vegetables, dairy products, flowers etc.)
• Dangerous weapons
• Power Boards
• Irons and hand steamers

No, you do not. Artist Performances onboard Hellbound are General Admission and are included in your ticket fare. Additional events such as artist experiences will be available closer to sailing which will require a ticket to attend, however these events are add-ons to your experience, there is still plenty of entertainment around the ship throughout our dedicated venues for you to enjoy what is on offer, at your own pace.

All artist performances, onboard activities and entertainment is included in your ticket price.
Please Note: Additional shipboard activities on Carnival Splendor will incur additional charges such as spa treatments and specialised fitness classes. You can refer to your daily FUN TIMES Newsletter or Carnival App for further information whilst onboard.

By paying your deposit, you are purchasing the cruise experience as a whole and not for specific individual performers. If in the event of a cancellation or change in the artist line-up, where suitable, a replacement artist will be arranged.

The Carnival Splendor is a large cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line, currently homeported in Sydney, Australia. It boasts a gross tonnage of 113,300 and stretches approximately 290 meters in length, accommodating over 3,000 passengers with a crew of around 1,150.

Designed to offer a wide range of amenities and activities, Carnival Splendor features numerous accommodation options, including interior cabins, ocean view rooms, and balcony staterooms. Some premium options include wrap-around balconies at the aft corners of the ship and extended balcony cabins at the stern, offering panoramic ocean views. The ship’s dining scene is equally diverse, offering everything from buffet-style eateries to specialty dining such as steakhouses and international cuisine.

Onboard facilities include the two-deck Cloud 9 Spa, which provides a variety of wellness treatments and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Entertainment options abound, with live shows, comedy performances, themed parties, and activities for all age groups.

In 2024, the ship underwent significant upgrades. These included new dining options like the “Mad Sizzle” steakhouse and a refreshed Masala Tiger, an expanded gym, an upgraded Cloud 9 Spa, and a bold new red, white, and blue hull design. Technical improvements were also made in the engine room. The enhancements have been well-received, reinforcing the Carnival Splendor’s reputation as a versatile and enjoyable cruise experience for travellers of all kinds.

You can view the deck plan on our booking page when picking your cabin, or you can visit the Carnival Australia website here to view a full deck plan of the ship, along with an accessible deck plan noting our accessible cabin options.

Pregnancy Policy: Any Guest who has entered, or who will at any time during the cruise enter, the 24th week of estimated gestational age in her pregnancy, agrees not to book a cruise or board the ship as outlined in clause 21 of Carnival’s Cruise Ticket Contract.

Accordingly, due to the limitations in medical care, pregnant guests who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy at any time during the time of the cruise will not be allowed to board or sail with the ship. Any pregnant guest who attempts to board the vessel who has entered her 24th week of pregnancy, or who will enter her 24th week of estimated fetal gestational age at any time during the cruise, risks denial of boarding and/or disembarkation without compensation or refund.

Your onboard gratuities are included in your cruise cost – this covers tips for stateroom attendants and all dining room staff.

Currency: Once onboard, all purchases will be made with your Sail & Sign card as Carnival ships are cashless. Pricing for purchases made on board is Australian Dollars ($AUD).

Wi-Fi packages will be available to purchase on Hellbound. As we will be sailing off the coast for the duration of the cruise, you may find periodically that Australian phone services will be available, but if you require a stable internet connection, we recommend purchasing a package. Multi-device packages are available, and plans start at AUD$17.00 per person, per day.

The minimum age requirement is 18 to purchase and consume alcohol onboard Hellbound. When ordering drinks whilst on board Carnival Splendor, your Sail & Sign Card will be swiped, and costs will be automatically added on to your cabin account. All charges to your Sail & Sign account will need to be signed for.

Guests over the age of 18 on Hellbound are permitted to bring personal wine with them at the beginning of the cruise (in Sydney). This is limited to one (1) bottle per adult traveling per stateroom. If you wish to bring wine with you onboard, please bring this with you in your hand luggage upon embarkation.

When consumed in any shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, each bottle shall be subject to a corkage fee of AUD$25.00. This wine brought on board can be consumed free of charge in guest staterooms. No open liquor bottles will be permitted to be brought into the dining areas or public areas.
On embarkation day, a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk), packaged in cans or cartons, may be brought on board and must be in the guest’s carry-on luggage. A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 375-ml each or less, per person.

If you need to bring specific food or drink on board for medical reasons, please contact your travel agent or Choose Your Cruise to ensure proper clearance is done at least 30 days prior to departure.

To view Carnival’s full Alcohol Policy, click here.

Beverage packages are not available to purchase on this sailing, as Carnival only offer this to sailings of 7 days or more. However, plenty of drink specials including themed cocktail of the day will be available on Hellbound.

Carnival understand the diversity of passengers’ food requirements, if you have any specific food requirements, such as lactose/gluten intolerance, veganism etc, you can note this when completing your booking online or tell your travel agent when booking. There are vegetarian and gluten free options on every menu.

Children over the age of 12 months at the time of sailing are welcome on-board Hellbound! However please note, our music festivals at sea tend to lean toward a more adult-focused demographic, so certain youth programs may be combined to accommodate a smaller number of children onboard compared to standard sailings.

Carnival’s youth experience provides activities and entertainment for all children Ages 17 and younger. It is broken down into specific age groups as follows:

• Penguins: Ages 2-5
• Stingrays: Ages 6-8
• Sharks: Ages 9-11
• Circle “C”: Ages 12-14
• Club O2: Ages 15-17

Carnival’s Youth Programs provide daily fun filled and age-appropriate activities for children and teenagers between the ages of 2 to 17. In addition, there is supervised ‘free play’ and Night Owls services for those children 11 years and under.

As Hellbound does not stop at any ports of call outside of our home port of Sydney, shore excursions are not available. However, selected tours after disembarking the ship in Sydney for guests with a late departing flight on October 25^th will be available to purchase via your pre-cruise planner or once on board. This is a great option for guests who may want to see a bit of Sydney and not have to worry about luggage storage on the day.

Yes, themed parties are a major feature on our cruises! Guests often go all out with costumes, so be sure to get involved! Theme nights will be announced closer to sailing.

Hell yes!! Hellbound is a fully chartered, professionally managed cruise operated by Choose Your Cruise in partnership Destroy All Lines. We work directly with Carnival and all artist programming, ship accommodations, and logistics are handled with the same standards you’d expect from any major festival or cruise provider.

We totally get the concern; Hellbound almost seems too good to be true! But we can assure you, it is real. Choose Your Cruise have hosted over 45 sold out music festivals at sea, welcoming over 100,000 guests since our inception in 2009 – also earning ourselves the prestigious title of Charter Partner of the Decade by Royal Caribbean in 2012.

You can look up past events we’ve hosted here, and for extra piece of mind, we are also a certified member of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) which unites the global cruise community, including prestigious ocean, river, and specialty lines, maritime leaders, ports, destinations, shipyards, and the largest network of cruise travel professionals.

We’re currently riding major momentum off the back of other flagship music cruises, including:

• Rock The Boat & Rock The Boat Vol. II (2025): Featuring iconic Australian legends like Jimmy Barnes, James Reyne, Suzi Quatro (UK), Daryl Braithwaite, Jon Stevens and more.
• Rock The Boat 2026 in early access bookings and set to release in the near future which is expected to the largest rock artist lineup ever assembled in Australian cruise history.

Our booking system uses industry-standard encryption and secure card processing via STRIPE. You’ll receive an immediate email confirmation once you complete your booking, with final documentation regarding your cruise ticket closer to sailing (approximately 6-8 weeks prior to departure). If you ever have questions, our support team is just a call or email away.

After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your reservation details, cabin assignment and instructions for completing your booking if paying in instalments. Closer to the cruise date, you’ll get information about boarding, schedules, and themed events (the fun stuff!)

Yes. All payments are processed securely, and we offer flexible payment plans. We do not store any sensitive information such as credit card details. You can also opt to purchase travel insurance for additional peace of mind and protect your fare in the event you are unable to travel.

Absolutely! We offer payment plans with monthly or quarterly (25%) payment options. You’ll see all the payment terms clearly before checkout.

Think of it as a floating music festival with hotel accommodations, food, and travel built in! No need to worry about camping accommodations or Ubers to and from the venue each night. Once you’re onboard, everything is handled—meals, activities and entertainment. We’ll guide you step-by-step before the cruise with packing lists, tips, and what to know before you go guides.

We have a dedicated support team that can assist you by email or phone with anything from booking questions to accessibility needs. No question is too small!

While it’s possible to experience motion sickness, rest assured that Hellbound will be sailing off the coast of Australia and will not be entering open international waters, which are typically rougher. The waters along the Australian coast are generally calmer, and most guests find the movement of the ship very minimal.

That said, the ship is still a moving vessel, so you may feel a bit of motion from time to time. If you’re prone to motion sickness or just want to be extra prepared, it’s a good idea to bring along motion sickness remedies such as ginger tablets, wristbands, or prescription patches. Choosing a cabin mid-ship and on a lower deck can also help reduce any sensation of movement.

Keeping our guests wellbeing, safety and enjoyment is important to us – so we will never pair you with someone you don’t know! If you book a cabin on your own, that room will solely be yours, with no unexpected guests joining you.

We work in direct partnership with our friends at Destroy All Lines regarding the artists, and Carnival Cruise Line to ensure the experience is safe, professional, and one-of-a-kind.