Carnival Encounter - 5/8/2026
The May 8, 2026 cruise on the Carnival Encounter departs from Brisbane, Australia. On this 7 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip) sailing, the ship will visit a total of 4 cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The Carnival Encounter sets sail on Friday, May 8th and returns on Friday, May 15th.
Cruise Pricing
The graph below tracks historic price of the Carnival Encounter cruise ship departing May 8, 2026. The most recent price for this sailing starts at $702 ($101 per night) for an Inside Cabin. Compared to the average price of $696 ($100 per night), this represents a recent increase of 1%.
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Cruise Itinerary
Itinerary
Carnival Encounter - May 8, 2026 - 7 Nights
| Day | Date | Port |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 8th | Brisbane, Australia |
| 2 | May 9th | At Sea |
| 3 | May 10th | Noumea, New Caledonia |
| 4 | May 11th | Lifou Isle, New Caledonia |
| 5 | May 12th | Champagne Bay, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu |
| 6 | May 13th | At Sea |
| 7 | May 14th | At Sea |
| 8 | May 15th | Brisbane, Australia |
The Carnival Encounter sails on May 8, 2026 for a 7 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 15th at 7:00 AM. During the 8-day journey, the Carnival Encounter will visit 3 additional ports and will spend 3 days at sea.
Itinerary Safety Score
Based on my 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.
Cruise Ship
Carnival Encounter
CARNIVAL ENCOUNTER SIZE
The Encounter has a construction date of 2002 and a total size of 109,000 gross tons. The ship measures 951 feet (290 meters) in length. Carnival Encounter is included in Carnival’s Grand Class. At full capacity, the Carnival Encounter holds 3,700 passengers. That includes 2,600 cruise vacationers and 1,100 staff members. The Encounter total number of staterooms is 1,300.
Carnival Encounter Size & Stats
- Gross Tonnage:109,000 GT
- Length:951 ft (290 m)
- Beam:118 ft (36 m)
- Draft:26 ft (8 m)
- Max Speed:26 mph (23 kn)
- Year Built:2002
- Years Served:2002 - Present
- Capacity:2,600
- Crew Members:1,100
- Total on Board:3,700
- Total Staterooms:1,300
- Flagged Country:Bahamas
- Ship Cost:425 Million
- Status:active
To see how this compares, click through to see Carnival Encounter age and stats vs all Carnival ships. There you’ll find graphs showing length, capacity, tonnage and more for this ship vs all in the fleet.
To check out the ship from top to bottom, click here for Carnival Encounter Deck Plans.
Cruise Ports
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. (126 words)
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
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. (126 words)
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.
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.
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
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. (126 words)