Carnival Encounter itinerary map for April 3, 2026
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Encounter
April 3, 2026
8 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia

Carnival Encounter April 3, 2026

The Carnival Encounter April 3, 2026 cruise departs from Brisbane, Australia. On this 8 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip) sailing, the Carnival Encounter will visit a total of 4 cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The ship sets sail on Friday, Apr 3rd and returns on Saturday, Apr 11th, 2026.

Cruise Length
8
Night Cruise
Departure Port
Brisbane
Australia
Port Stops
4
Sea Days
4
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Itinerary MapCruise PortsWeatherShore ExcursionsSafety ScoreCruise ShipCruise DirectorFAQ

Cruise Price

Carnival Encounter · April 3, 2026

The graph below tracks historic price of the Carnival Encounter cruise ship departing April 3, 2026. The most recent price for this sailing starts at $763 ($96 per night) for an Inside Cabin. Compared to the average price of $753 ($95 per night), this represents a recent increase of 1%.

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inside cabin
$763
1% vs avg: $753
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Inside Cabin
$763
1% vs avg $753
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🌊
Oceanview Cabin
$784
0% vs avg $782
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🌅
Balcony Cabin
$1,031
0% vs avg $1,028
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👑
Suite Cabin
$1,750
1% vs avg $1,726
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Cruise Itinerary Map

Carnival Encounter · April 3, 2026

The Carnival Encounter sails on April 3, 2026 for a 8 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip). The ship will depart the port of Brisbane, Australia at 3:00 PM and will return to the port of Brisbane, Australia on Apr 11th at 7:00 AM. During the 9-day journey, the Carnival Encounter will visit 3 additional ports and will spend 4 days at sea.

Cruise itinerary route

8 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip)

  • APR03
    Brisbane, Australia
    Brisbane, Australia
    A: — - D: 3:00 PM
  • APR04
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • APR05
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • APR06
    Lifou Isle, New Caledonia
    Lifou Isle, New Caledonia
    A: 8:00 AM - D: 5:00 PM
  • APR07
    Mystery Island, Vanuatu
    Mystery Island, Vanuatu
    A: 8:00 AM - D: 5:00 PM
  • APR08
    Noumea, New Caledonia
    Noumea, New Caledonia
    A: 8:00 AM - D: 5:30 PM
  • APR09
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • APR10
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • APR11
    Brisbane, Australia
    Brisbane, Australia
    A: 7:00 AM - D: —
Loading map...

Cruise Ports

April 3, 2026 · 8 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip)

Brisbane, Australia
Day 1•Friday, Apr 3

Brisbane, Australia

Arrival: —•Departure: 3:00 PM

Brisbane, Australia, offers docking at Portside Wharf. Travelers explore South Bank and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Excursions visit Gold Coast beaches. Local markets sell lamingtons. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures urban rivers and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes barramundi, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like Aboriginal crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Yuggera history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Brisbane’s urban charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic rivers, making Brisbane an engaging destination for exploration.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
At Sea
Day 2•Saturday, Apr 4

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AM•Departure: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

At Sea
Day 3•Sunday, Apr 5

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AM•Departure: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

Lifou Isle, New Caledonia
Day 4•Monday, Apr 6

Lifou Isle, New Caledonia

Arrival: 8:00 AM•Departure: 5:00 PM

Lifou Isle, New Caledonia, has docking at Easo Port. Travelers explore Jokin Cliffs and Notre-Dame de Lourdes. Excursions snorkel Jinek Bay’s reefs. Local markets sell vanilla. The peak season, May to October, brings dry weather. Photography captures coral reefs and limestone cliffs. Dining onboard includes bougna, a Kanak dish. Souvenirs, like shell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Melanesian culture. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. Snorkeling gear enhances reef exploration. Lifou’s pristine beauty offers a serene New Caledonian stop, blending marine life with island charm.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
Mystery Island, Vanuatu
Day 5•Tuesday, Apr 7

Mystery Island, Vanuatu

Arrival: 8:00 AM•Departure: 5:00 PM

Mystery Island, Vanuatu, offers docking with tenders to shore. Travelers explore coral beaches and traditional villages. Excursions include snorkeling at coral reefs. Local markets sell laplap. The peak season, September to March, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures turquoise waters and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes coconut crab, a Ni-Vanuatu favorite. Souvenirs, like shell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Melanesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Mystery Island’s tropical charm offers a vibrant Vanuatu stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of pristine beaches and marine adventures, making Mystery Island an engaging destination for exploration.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
Noumea, New Caledonia
Day 6•Wednesday, Apr 8

Noumea, New Caledonia

Arrival: 8:00 AM•Departure: 5:30 PM

Nouméa, New Caledonia, offers docking at Nouméa Port. Travelers explore Place des Cocotiers and Tjibaou Cultural Centre. Excursions include snorkeling at Amédée Lighthouse. Local markets sell bougna. The peak season, September to March, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures coral reefs and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes poisson cru, a New Caledonian favorite. Souvenirs, like shell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Kanak history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Nouméa’s coastal charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural heritage and marine beauty, making Nouméa an engaging destination.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
At Sea
Day 7•Thursday, Apr 9

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AM•Departure: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

At Sea
Day 8•Friday, Apr 10

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AM•Departure: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

Brisbane, Australia
Day 9•Saturday, Apr 11

Brisbane, Australia

Arrival: 7:00 AM•Departure: —

Brisbane, Australia, offers docking at Portside Wharf. Travelers explore South Bank and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Excursions visit Gold Coast beaches. Local markets sell lamingtons. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures urban rivers and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes barramundi, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like Aboriginal crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Yuggera history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Brisbane’s urban charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic rivers, making Brisbane an engaging destination for exploration.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link

Weather Forecast

Carnival Encounter - April 3, 2026 Weather Forecast

Average monthly weather for your cruise ports

Brisbane, Australia

⛅

April

Typical Weather

89°F

Average High

52°F

Average Low

Rainfall

0.11in

Daily average

3.3 in monthly total

Shore Excursions

Explore the most popular excursion options at each port.

From beach breaks and snorkeling to local food tours and cultural landmarks, these shore excursions help you make the most of every stop. Browse by port below to compare top-rated options and plan your day before you board.

See all Brisbane Shore Tours

Itinerary Safety Score

Based on comprehensive research of cruise port safety information, including recent crime reports, travel advisories, Global Peace Index rankings, and specific port security concerns, we've created a "safety score" for each cruise port stop. The overall rating below represents a combined score for your specific cruise itinerary.

Itinerary Safety Rank
79 / 100
safer than 79% of all cruises
79
8
/ 10
Brisbane, Australia
Brisbane
Brisbane is a safe cruise port, but travelers should stay vigilant against petty theft and secure their belongings.
8
/ 10
Lifou Isle, New Caledonia
Lifou Isle
Lifou Isle is a safe cruise destination with low crime rates, though travelers should remain mindful of local customs to avoid petty theft.
8
/ 10
Mystery Island, Vanuatu
Mystery Island
Mystery Island in Vanuatu is a secure cruise destination where travelers should remain vigilant of their surroundings and environmental conditions.
7
/ 10
Noumea, New Caledonia
Noumea
Noumea is generally safe for cruise travelers, but they should remain vigilant against petty theft and stay informed about local conditions.

Cruise Ship

Carnival Encounter

⚓ Tonnage

109,000

vs avg 121,145

🛠️ Year Built

2,002

vs avg 2,009

📏 Length (ft)

951

vs avg 992

👥 Passenger Count

2,600

vs avg 4,158

The Encounter has a construction date of 2002 and a total size of 109,000 gross tons. The ship measures 951 feet in length. Carnival Encounter is included in Carnival’s Grand class. At full capacity, the Carnival Encounter holds 2,600 passengers. That includes 1,500 cruise vacationers and 1,100 staff members. The Encounter total number of staterooms is 1,300.

Click above for more Carnival Encounter stats, tips, imagery, and more.

  • 📊Size comparison chart against other ships
  • 🍸Bars, restaurants, and venue highlights
  • 🛠️Renovation and dry-dock schedule
  • ❓FAQ's about Carnival Encounter

Also of interest:

Carnival Encounter Deck PlansCarnival Encounter Cabin SearchCarnival Encounter Health Score

Cruise Director

On duty at sail date (April 3, 2026)

Sophie Gideon

Sophie Gideon

Country: UK•Start: Feb 26, 2026•End: May 8, 2026

Sophie Gideon is a Carnival Cruise Line cruise director and former Fun Squad standout. She is known for high-energy hosting, strong crowd engagement, and vibrant onboard presence.

Sophie Gideon Full Profile

Itinerary FAQ

How many nights is the Carnival Encounter sailing on April 3, 2026?

This is a 8-night cruise itinerary departing from Brisbane, Australia.

What ports does the Carnival Encounter visit on the April 3, 2026 cruise?

This route includes brisbane-australia, lifou-isle-new-caledonia, mystery-island-vanuatu, noumea-new-caledonia.

How many sea days are included on this Carnival Encounter April 3, 2026 itinerary?

This itinerary includes 4 sea days.

Who is the cruise director for the Carnival Encounter sailing on April 3, 2026?

Sophie Gideon is scheduled as cruise director for this sailing.

How is the itinerary safety score calculated for this cruise?

The itinerary safety score combines port-level safety indicators such as travel advisories, local risk signals, and historical context into a single overall score for this specific route.

Can I track price drops for this Carnival Encounter itinerary?

Yes — use the price tracking opt-in on this page to get updates when cabin prices change for this sailing.