Carnival cruise visits bring festive cheer to Port Vila and Mystery Island

December 22, 2025 9:56 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Doddy Morris.

Carnival Adventure visited Port Vila and Carnival Splendor called at Mystery Island yesterday, bringing over 3,000 tourists on each ship and donating more than 200 toys and gifts to local children for Christmas.

Carnival Adventure docked in Port Vila with 3,281 passengers as part of a 10-day roundtrip voyage from Sydney, which also included New Caledonia. Carnival Splendor visited Mystery Island with over 3,000 guests.

Among the donations, 101 gifts were delivered to Wan Smolbag Theatre, a youth centre in Port Vila, handed out personally by Carnival crew members, including Carissa Jacobe, President of Vanuatu Women in Maritime.

Some tourists came ashore to explore parts of the town, visit shops, and enjoy local cafes, bringing festive energy to the streets. While the cruise ships were the most visible sign of their visit, the presence of tourists added a Christmas touch to the community.

However, mothers selling handcrafts near Feiawa Park told the Daily Post that they personally saw fewer tourists at their stalls. Some tourists reportedly said disembarkation took around three hours, which discouraged them from leaving the ship. Others mentioned feeling pressured by bus drivers at the temporary pontoon, used while the main wharf remains closed following the 17 December 2024 landslide, leading some passengers to remain at the exit point or return to the ship.

Despite these isolated experiences, Carnival Cruise Line’s visit brought joy to children and contributed to the festive spirit in Port Vila. More Carnival ships are scheduled to visit over the holiday season, including Carnival Encounter on 3 January and Carnival Adventure on 4 January, offering further opportunities for locals and visitors to celebrate together.