Sail the seas on Carnival Encounter cruises!

Leap into adventure through unbelievable Carnival Encounter cruises, dedicated to sailing curious Australian voyagers to jaw-dropping locales throughout the region. Previously named Pacific Encounter until March 2025 when she transitioned to her new name Carnival Encounter, this iconic ship accommodates every kind of adventurer. From the thrilling heights you can reach at the Edge Adventure Park, the exclusive and private Byron Beach Club, to the delectable cuisine at classic Carnival dining venues such as Angelo’s, Carnival Explorer caters for every member of your family or group. Pack your bags and make your next cruise on the majestic Carnival Explorer today!

Carnival Encounter will be embarking from the bustling city of Brisbane on wonderful Australia cruises touring the awe-inspiring coastline and visiting gorgeous places such Airlie Beach and Cairns. Moreover, Carnival Encounter will also boast breathtaking South Pacific cruises making stops at tropical paradises including Noumea, Lifou, and Espiritu Santo. Start planning your next dream holiday today and organise your next Carnival cruise with us at Cruise Guru!

IMPORTANT: Pacific Encounter to Become Carnival Encounter and Join Carnival Cruise Line

Yes that’s right! In 2024, P&O’s parent company, Carnival Cruises Ltd, made the hard call to rebrand the Australian P&O ship Pacific Adventure as Carnival Adventure. Having successfully transitioned in March 2025, lucky voyagers on the newly named Carnival Adventure will still enjoy the same great experience with added perks like the Carnival Hub app and participation in Carnival’s loyalty program.

Where will Carnival Encounter sail to?

With its homeport for Brisbane in the foreseeable future, Carnival Encounter plans to sail to the following destinations:

• Australia
• New Zealand
• South Pacific

Essentially, if you’re looking for the best close-to-home cruises, Carnival Encounter needs to be your number one choice, especially if you live in Brisbane or Queensland.

Some top ports of call you might expect while on a Carnival Encounter cruise may include:

• Airlie Beach
• Auckland
• Cairns
• Melbourne
• Mystery Island, Vanuatu
• Noumea
• Tauranga
• Wellington

Accommodation on Carnival Encounter

Carnival has a sublime range of Carnival Encounter cabins available for groups and families alike to book themselves into. Rooms are split into two key lodging types: staterooms and suites, which each of is further broken into different styles that offer different amenities and thoughtful features. The Inside stateroom is essential for the adventurous travellers who love to spend the majority of their time exploring Carnival Encounter or discovering their chosen destination through a shore tour. The Oceanview stateroom features an expansive window that affords guests a great view of the sea without needing to leave their comfortable room. For those who desire a private veranda to kick up their feet and escape the bustle of the Carnival ship, the Balcony staterooms are simply the best choice available.

Carnival Encounter suites enhance the experience on any journey, bringing in an abundance of space and additional complimentary services such as priority embarkation, a fresh fruit basket to enjoy, and a soft set of bathrobes and slippers to wear as you prepare or wind down for the day. The Mini-Suite is perfect for budget-minded families or travellers who want to have all the luxuries and benefits of the suite at an affordable price. The Suite boasts even further space, terrific for voyagers’ desire for a space to entertain guests. The Penthouse Suite is the executive level of elegance on any Carnival Encounter cruise, designed with the most space available on any cabin in addition to outstanding complimentary services including optional breakfast and afternoon teas served in the suite as well as priority spa, dinner, and shore tour reservations.

Dining

Every explorer on a Carnival Encounter cruise will be delighted by the amazing range of dining venues afforded to them throughout the ship. With restaurants that specialise in a variety of tantalising cuisine from across the globe, every passenger and kind of taste palate is more than accounted for. With a large number of dining options included as part of the passenger fare, embark on your next voyage on Carnival Encounter worry-free with the knowledge that every meal is sorted!

Angelo’s

Have a craving for some delightful Italian delicacies? Head straight over to Angelo’s! A favourite for many guests across all Carnival cruise ships, Angelo’s serves up classic dishes with a tantalising modern twist. Included as part of your passenger fare, Angelo’s is a splendid venue to spend an evening with your family or newfound cruise friends. Book a table at the fantastic Angelo’s and indulge in some of the finest dishes available on Carnival Encounter.

Dragon Lady

Travellers yearning for some Asian-style cuisine can head over to Dragon Lady, a fantastic Asian fusion dining venue boasting a menu with dishes from across the continent. Whether you want some Chinese rose dumplings, Marsala, or grilled snapper, guests have a plethora of dishes to choose from. Dark-lit with a contemporary design, Dragon Lady creates a deeply intimate atmosphere excellent for a romantic date with a loved one. Book into a remarkable evening at the magnificent Dragon Lady.

Other dining options:

• Luke Mangan Restaurant
• 400 Gradi
• Waterfront
• The Pantry

Onboard activities & things to do

Although the destination is the ultimate highlight of any holiday, it is often the little moments on the way that can elevate a trip into an unforgettable adventure. Carnival Australia knows this and has carefully crafted a cruise experience on Carnival Encounter that can assist in creating lifelong memories for you and your family to cherish for years to come. Scroll down below to discover a comprehensive list of exciting Carnival Encounter entertainment options, onboard activities and things to do on every voyage.

Byron Beach Club

The perfect place to kick back and relax, Carnival Encounter features the exclusive-access Byron Beach Club. This relaxing retreat offers whirlpool spas, spacious seating areas, and a private outdoor pool for guests who have booked into a Carnival Encounter suite and some mini-suites. Located in a quiet area on the top deck of the ship, the Byron Beach Club is a great place to unwind as you sail away to your destination. If available for you, be sure to head over to the Byron Beach Club on your Carnival Encounter cruise!

Edge Adventure Park

Bursting with excitement and jam-packed with exhilarating rides and activities, the Edge Adventure Park is a must for any adrenaline junkie on a Carnival Encounter holiday. Fitted with fun-filled activities such as a death-defying flying fox, an exhilarating rock climbing wall, the thrilling Walk the Plank, and many more, the P&O Edge Adventure Park will surely keep any daredevil busy for days on end. For an additional cost, you can get your hands on the nifty Edge Pass that grants you direct access to all these facilities listed!

Other onboard activities and things to do:

• The Oasis
• Nightclub
• Big Screen
• Fitness Centre (Carnival Encounter gym)
• Spa
• Pool Deck
• Youth Centre
• Terrace Pool
• Black Circus
• Blue Room
• Hotel
• The Piazza
• Casino
• Marquee Theatre
• Shopping
• Ocean Bar

Facts

• Guest Capacity: 2,600 (Double Occupancy)
• Length: 951 ft
• Beam: 118 ft
• Tonnage: 108,865
• Speed: 20 Knots
• Crew: 1,100