Carnival Encounter itinerary map for April 21, 2026
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Encounter
April 21, 2026
10 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia

Carnival Encounter April 21, 2026

The Carnival Encounter April 21, 2026 cruise departs from Brisbane, Australia. On this 10 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip) sailing, the Carnival Encounter will visit a total of 5 cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The ship sets sail on Tuesday, Apr 21st and returns on Friday, May 1st, 2026.

Cruise Length
10
Night Cruise
Departure Port
Brisbane
Australia
Port Stops
5
Sea Days
5

Cruise Price

Carnival Encounter · April 21, 2026

The graph below tracks historic price of the Carnival Encounter cruise ship departing April 21, 2026. The most recent price for this sailing starts at $937 ($94 per night) for an Inside Cabin. Compared to the average price of $811 ($82 per night), this represents a recent increase of 15%.

Use the buttons below to toggle between cabin types.

inside cabin
$937
15% vs avg: $811
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Cruise Itinerary Map

Carnival Encounter · April 21, 2026

The Carnival Encounter sails on April 21, 2026 for a 10 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 May 1st at 7:00 AM. During the 11-day journey, the Carnival Encounter will visit 4 additional ports and will spend 5 days at sea.

Cruise itinerary route

10 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip)

  • APR21
    Brisbane, Australia
    Brisbane, Australia
    A: — - D: 3:00 PM
  • APR22
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • APR23
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • APR24
    Lifou Isle, New Caledonia
    Lifou Isle, New Caledonia
    A: 8:00 AM - D: 5:00 PM
  • APR25
    Mystery Island, Vanuatu
    Mystery Island, Vanuatu
    A: 8:00 AM - D: 5:00 PM
  • APR26
    Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu
    Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu
    A: 8:00 AM - D: 4:00 PM
  • APR27
    Champagne Bay, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
    Champagne Bay, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
    A: 8:00 AM - D: 5:00 PM
  • APR28
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • APR29
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • APR30
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • MAY01
    Brisbane, Australia
    Brisbane, Australia
    A: 7:00 AM - D: —
Loading map...

Cruise Ports

April 21, 2026 · 10 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip)

Brisbane, Australia
Day 1Tuesday, Apr 21

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.

At Sea
Day 2Wednesday, Apr 22

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AMDeparture: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

At Sea
Day 3Thursday, Apr 23

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AMDeparture: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

Lifou Isle, New Caledonia
Day 4Friday, Apr 24

Lifou Isle, New Caledonia

Arrival: 8:00 AMDeparture: 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.

Mystery Island, Vanuatu
Day 5Saturday, Apr 25

Mystery Island, Vanuatu

Arrival: 8:00 AMDeparture: 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 Vila, Efate, Vanuatu
Day 6Sunday, Apr 26

Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu

Arrival: 8:00 AMDeparture: 4:00 PM

Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu, offers docking at Port Vila Port. Travelers explore Mele Cascades and Iririki Island. Excursions include snorkeling at Hideaway Island. Local markets sell laplap. The peak season, September to March, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures waterfalls 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. Port Vila’s tropical charm offers a vibrant Vanuatu stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural waterfalls and marine adventures, making Port Vila an engaging destination for exploration.

Champagne Bay, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
Day 7Monday, Apr 27

Champagne Bay, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

Arrival: 8:00 AMDeparture: 5:00 PM

Champagne Bay, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, has no docking; ships anchor offshore with tenders to beaches. Travelers snorkel coral reefs with dugongs. Excursions explore blue holes. Local markets sell kava. The peak season, May to October, brings dry weather. Photography captures turquoise bays. Dining onboard includes laplap. Souvenirs, like shell necklaces, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Melanesian culture. Sun protection is essential. Champagne Bay’s idyllic shores offer a tranquil South Pacific stop.

At Sea
Day 8Tuesday, Apr 28

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AMDeparture: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

At Sea
Day 9Wednesday, Apr 29

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AMDeparture: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

At Sea
Day 10Thursday, Apr 30

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AMDeparture: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

Brisbane, Australia
Day 11Friday, May 1

Brisbane, Australia

Arrival: 7:00 AMDeparture:

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.

Weather Forecast

Carnival Encounter - April 21, 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.

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
78 / 100
safer than 78% of all cruises
78
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
Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu
Port Vila
Port Vila is generally safe for cruise travelers, but vigilance is advised in urban areas due to petty crime and limited infrastructure.
8
/ 10
Champagne Bay, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
Champagne Bay
Champagne Bay offers a safe environment for travelers, but caution is advised in areas with basic infrastructure.

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:

Cruise Director

On duty at sail date (April 21, 2026)

Sophie Gideon

Sophie Gideon

Country: UKStart: Feb 26, 2026End: 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 21, 2026?

This is a 10-night cruise itinerary departing from Brisbane, Australia.

What ports does the Carnival Encounter visit on the April 21, 2026 cruise?

This route includes brisbane-australia, lifou-isle-new-caledonia, mystery-island-vanuatu, port-vila-efate-vanuatu, espiritu-santo-vanuatu.

How many sea days are included on this Carnival Encounter April 21, 2026 itinerary?

This itinerary includes 5 sea days.

Who is the cruise director for the Carnival Encounter sailing on April 21, 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.