Carnival Encounter itinerary map for July 26, 2026
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Encounter
July 26, 2026
6 Night Great Barrier Reef

Carnival Encounter July 26, 2026

The Carnival Encounter July 26, 2026 cruise departs from Brisbane, Australia. On this 6 Night Great Barrier Reef (Brisbane Roundtrip) sailing, the Carnival Encounter will visit a total of 4 cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The ship sets sail on Sunday, Jul 26th and returns on Saturday, Aug 1st, 2026.

Cruise Length
6
Night Cruise
Departure Port
Brisbane
Australia
Port Stops
4
Sea Days
2
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Itinerary MapCruise PortsWeatherShore ExcursionsSafety ScoreCruise ShipCruise DirectorFAQ

Cruise Price

Carnival Encounter · July 26, 2026

The graph below tracks historic price of the Carnival Encounter cruise ship departing July 26, 2026. The most recent price for this sailing starts at $689 ($115 per night) for an Inside Cabin. Compared to the average price of $614 ($103 per night), this represents a recent increase of 12%.

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inside cabin
$689
12% vs avg: $614
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Inside Cabin
$689
12% vs avg $614
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🌊
Oceanview Cabin
$750
12% vs avg $671
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🌅
Balcony Cabin
$936
8% vs avg $865
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👑
Suite Cabin
$1,120
2% vs avg $1,097
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Cruise Itinerary Map

Carnival Encounter · July 26, 2026

The Carnival Encounter sails on July 26, 2026 for a 6 Night Great Barrier Reef (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 Aug 1st at 7:00 AM. During the 7-day journey, the Carnival Encounter will visit 3 additional ports and will spend 2 days at sea.

Cruise itinerary route

6 Night Great Barrier Reef (Brisbane Roundtrip)

  • JUL26
    Brisbane, Australia
    Brisbane, Australia
    A: — - D: 3:00 PM
  • JUL27
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • JUL28
    Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia
    Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia
    A: 7:00 AM - D: 4:00 PM
  • JUL29
    Cairns, Australia
    Cairns, Australia
    A: 9:00 AM - D: 5:30 PM
  • JUL30
    Cruise Willis Island, Australia
    Cruise Willis Island, Australia
    A: 10:00 AM - D: 11:00 AM
  • JUL31
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • AUG01
    Brisbane, Australia
    Brisbane, Australia
    A: 7:00 AM - D: —
Loading map...

Cruise Ports

July 26, 2026 · 6 Night Great Barrier Reef (Brisbane Roundtrip)

Brisbane, Australia
Day 1•Sunday, Jul 26

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•Monday, Jul 27

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AM•Departure: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia
Day 3•Tuesday, Jul 28

Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia

Arrival: 7:00 AM•Departure: 4:00 PM

Airlie Beach, in the Whitsunday Region of Queensland, anchors as a tender port for cruises to the Great Barrier Reef, with ships docking at Port of Airlie or Abell Point Marina. The town, population around 8,000, sits on a small inlet 1,100 kilometers north of Brisbane. Passengers walk 10 minutes from the tender pier to the lagoon, a 4,300-square-meter saltwater pool providing stinger-free swimming from November to May. Excursions depart for the 74 Whitsunday Islands, including full-day sails to Whitehaven Beach for its silica sands and swirling tides, or Heart Reef for aerial views via seaplane. Snorkeling tours target Hardy Reef's pontoons with underwater observatories and glass-bottom boats. Conway National Park, minutes away, offers rainforest hikes to waterfalls and lookouts along the 20-kilometer Bicentennial Pathway. Local operators provide half-day kayaking in sheltered coves. Dining along the waterfront includes fresh seafood cafes and bakeries serving meat pies. Shops stock sunscreen, hats, and Aboriginal art souvenirs. Peak season December to February brings crowds; book tours in advance. Evening markets feature live music and street food. Buses connect to Shute Harbour for additional reef access.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
Cairns, Australia
Day 4•Wednesday, Jul 29

Cairns, Australia

Arrival: 9:00 AM•Departure: 5:30 PM

Cairns, Australia, docks at Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, a 10-minute walk to the Esplanade, population 150,000. Travelers visit the Cairns Aquarium for reef species. Excursions to the Great Barrier Reef, 1 hour by boat, offer snorkeling. Kuranda, 30 minutes north, features rainforest cable cars. Local markets sell mangoes. Peak season June to October; taxis 10-15 AUD. Dining includes barramundi at waterfront cafes. Souvenirs feature opals.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
Cruise Willis Island, Australia
Day 5•Thursday, Jul 30

Cruise Willis Island, Australia

Arrival: 10:00 AM•Departure: 11:00 AM

Willis Island, Australia, has no docking; ships anchor offshore in the Coral Sea. Travelers observe red-footed boobies nesting on the tiny cay. Snorkeling reveals vibrant coral reefs. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, June to October, brings calm seas. Photography captures turquoise waters. Dining onboard features reef fish. Souvenirs, like coral prints, are available in ship shops. Briefings emphasize marine protection. Sun protection is crucial for the tropical climate. Willis Island’s remote reefs offer a serene Great Barrier Reef stopover.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
At Sea
Day 6•Friday, Jul 31

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AM•Departure: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

Brisbane, Australia
Day 7•Saturday, Aug 1

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 - July 26, 2026 Weather Forecast

Average monthly weather for your cruise ports

Brisbane, Australia

🌤️

July

Typical Weather

79°F

Average High

42°F

Average Low

Rainfall

0.05in

Daily average

1.5 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
86 / 100
safer than 86% of all cruises
86
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
Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is a safe cruise destination with low crime rates, allowing visitors to explore comfortably despite occasional petty theft.
8
/ 10
Cairns, Australia
Cairns
Cairns has a low crime rate and prioritizes visitor safety, but travelers should remain vigilant against petty theft in busy areas.
10
/ 10
Cruise Willis Island, Australia
Willis Island
Willis Island offers a secure environment for travelers, allowing them to enjoy views from their cruise ship without concerns for safety.

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 (July 26, 2026)

Franco Spies

Franco Spies

Country: South Africa•Start: Jul 4, 2026•End: Nov 7, 2026

Franco Spies is a Carnival Cruise Line cruise director with a background in the Fun Squad. He is known for his friendly energy, strong team leadership, and guest-focused approach.

Franco Spies Full Profile

Itinerary FAQ

How many nights is the Carnival Encounter sailing on July 26, 2026?

This is a 6-night cruise itinerary departing from Brisbane, Australia.

What ports does the Carnival Encounter visit on the July 26, 2026 cruise?

This route includes brisbane-australia, airlie-beach-queensland-australia, cairns-australia, cruise-willis-island-australia.

How many sea days are included on this Carnival Encounter July 26, 2026 itinerary?

This itinerary includes 2 sea days.

Who is the cruise director for the Carnival Encounter sailing on July 26, 2026?

Franco Spies 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.