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Carnival Encounter itinerary map for October 3, 2026 (7 nights)
Carnival Encounter itinerary map for October 3, 2026 (7 nights)
7 nights · 4 ports
Round-trip · Brisbane, Australia
CarnivalCarnival Encounter

Carnival Encounter
October 3, 2026

7-Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia aboard Carnival Encounter · Departing October 3, 2026 from the Port of Brisbane, Australia.

Interior from$846/ guest
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// AT A GLANCE

This 7-night cruise aboard the Encounter departs from Brisbane, Australia on Saturday, October 3, 2026 and returns on Saturday, Oct 10th. October weather across this route averages 88°/60°F.

The itinerary safety score for this sailing is 7.9 out of 10 — Brisbane (8.3), Noumea (7.4), Lifou Isle (8.1), Champagne Bay (7.8). Suite cabins dropped $35 on Jul 25.

ITINERARY SAFETY SCORE
7.9OUT OF 10
MODERATE TIER
Safer than 79% of all cruises
Ranked across every sailing in our database.
LEAST SAFESAFEST
FULL BREAKDOWN →
01
7
night cruise
Sat → Sat
02
Brisbane
departure port
Australia
03
4
port stops
Vanuatu
04
3
sea days
Day 2
// ON THIS PAGE10 SECTIONS
01Roll Call↓02Cruise Price Tracker↓03Itinerary map↓04Cruise ports↓05Weather↓06Shore excursions↓07Safety score↓08Cruise ship↓09Cruise director↓10FAQ↓

The Carnival Encounter, operated by Carnival Cruise Line, sets sail on Saturday, October 3, 2026 from Brisbane, Australia for a 7-night Vanuatu & New Caledonia cruise. This itinerary includes 4 unique port stops and 3 days at sea. October weather across the route averages 88°F highs and 60°F lows. The itinerary safety score is 7.9 out of 10, combining travel advisories, crime statistics, and Global Peace Index data. Cabin fares start from $846, with daily price tracking available for inside, oceanview, balcony, and suite categories. Gangwaze monitors pricing daily so you can set a price-drop alert and book when the fare is right. Explore the full day-by-day port schedule, shore excursion options, onboard amenities, and weather forecasts for each stop on this Carnival Encounter sailing.

// WHO'S ONBOARD YOUR CRUISE

Carnival Encounter October 3, 2026 Roll Call

7 SAVED THIS SAILING
FirmSkiff
@FirmSkiff
chrisandjen
@chrisandjen
amelia.travels
@amelia.travels
TravelDadMike
@TravelDadMike
wave_jamie
@wave_jamie
mike_t
@mike_t
sarah_k92
@sarah_k92
// 7 CRUISERS · LOCKED

Save this cruise to see who's going

Join the roll call & connect with the other cruisers sailing on this date.

// 02 · CRUISE PRICE

Carnival Encounter October 3, 2026 Price & Tracking

CARNIVAL ENCOUNTER·OCTOBER 3, 2026

The graph below tracks historic price of the Carnival Encounter cruise ship departing October 3, 2026. The most recent price for this sailing starts at $846 ($121 per night) for an Inside Cabin. Compared to the average price of $786 ($113 per night), this represents a recent increase of 8%.

Carnival Encounter cruise departing October 3, 2026 — 7-night itinerary. Current Inside Cabin price: $846 ($121 per night). Average price: $786.

// PRICE HISTORY · INSIDE
Last 6 months · refreshes daily
This cabin
Avg $786
LIVE RATE
INSIDE CABIN
Carnival Encounter · October 3, 2026
$846
$121 per night · 7 nights
↑
8% above average
Avg $786

Prices change often and may differ at checkout. Click to see the latest available price.

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// 03 · ITINERARY

7 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip) Cruise Map

Interactive Itinerary MapOCTOBER 3, 2026
The Carnival Encounter sails on October 3, 2026 for a 7 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip) (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 Oct 10th at 7:00 AM. During the 8-day journey, the Carnival Encounter will visit 3 additional ports and will spend 3 days at sea.
// CRUISE PORT SCHEDULE
Carnival Encounter
OCTOBER 3, 2026
8 STOPSSCROLL FOR ALL ↓
Loading map...
7 NIGHTS · 3 PORTS
ROUND-TRIP · BRISBANE
// 04 · PORTS

7 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip) Port List

Carnival Encounter·October 3, 2026
Brisbane, Australia — Day 1 of Carnival Encounter October 3, 2026 cruise
DAY
1
EMBARKATION
SATURDAY·OCT 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.

OCTOBER FORECAST
72°F avg · Avg
Noumea, New Caledonia — Day 3 of Carnival Encounter October 3, 2026 cruise
DAY
3
PORT 2
MONDAY·OCT 5

Noumea

New Caledonia
ARRIVAL
DEPARTURE
2:00 PM
8:00 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.

OCTOBER FORECAST
74°F avg · Avg
Lifou Isle, New Caledonia — Day 4 of Carnival Encounter October 3, 2026 cruise
DAY
4
PORT 3
TUESDAY·OCT 6

Lifou Isle

New Caledonia
ARRIVAL
DEPARTURE
7:00 AM
3:00 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.

OCTOBER FORECAST
75°F avg · Avg
Champagne Bay, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu — Day 5 of Carnival Encounter October 3, 2026 cruise
DAY
5
PORT 4
WEDNESDAY·OCT 7

Champagne Bay

Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
ARRIVAL
DEPARTURE
10:00 AM
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.

OCTOBER FORECAST
78°F avg · Avg
// 05 · WEATHER

7 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip) Weather Forecast

Carnival Encounter·October 3, 2026
OCT FORECAST · BRISBANE
Historical monthly averages for travelers visiting this port.
72°
AVG · °F
Mostly sunny days
AVG HIGH
95°
AVG LOW
49°
AVG RAINFALL
3.2"
Source: 30-year historical climate averages via Open-Meteo
// YEAR-ROUND AT BRISBANE
Average monthly temperature and rainfall. Your sail month is highlighted.
AVG TEMP °FRAINFALL IN
72°JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC12-MONTH AVERAGE · DATA: 30-YEAR HISTORICAL
// 06 · SHORE EXCURSIONS

Carnival Encounter October 3, 2026 Excursions

Carnival Encounter·October 3, 2026

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.

// BROWSE BY PORT
EMBEDDED · POWERED BY VIATOR

Browse shore excursions for each port on this Carnival Encounter itinerary. Tours, activities, and transfers are provided by Viator.

Pricing & availability provided by Viator. Book directly from listing.
See all Brisbane excursions
// 07 · SAFETY SCORE

Itinerary Safety Score

7 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip)

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 AVERAGE
MODERATE TIER
0OUT OF 100
LOWHIGH
Safer than 79% of all cruises
7.9/10 itinerary average · ranked across every sailing in our database.
LEAST SAFESAFEST
// HOW WE SCORE
Four signals, weighted by recency.

Scores combine recent crime reports, government travel advisories, Global Peace Index rankings, and port-specific security incidents. Refreshed monthly.

8.0 – 10.0
Safe — Low-risk; standard precautions apply.
6.5 – 7.9
Moderate — Generally safe with normal vigilance.
5.0 – 6.4
Caution — Stay alert; avoid certain areas after dark.
0 – 4.9
High caution — Significant risk; book guided excursions.
REFRESHED MONTHLY
// PORT-BY-PORT BREAKDOWN04 PORTS
01

Brisbane 🇦🇺

Australia · AustraliaSAFE

Brisbane is a safe cruise port, but travelers should stay vigilant against petty theft and secure their belongings.

0.0/10
SAFETY SCORE
02

Noumea 🌍

New Caledonia · New CaledoniaMODERATE

Noumea is generally safe for cruise travelers, but they should remain vigilant against petty theft and stay informed about local conditions.

0.0/10
SAFETY SCORE
03

Lifou Isle 🌍

New Caledonia · New CaledoniaSAFE

Lifou Isle is a safe cruise destination with low crime rates, though travelers should remain mindful of local customs to avoid petty theft.

0.0/10
SAFETY SCORE
04

Champagne Bay 🌍

Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu · VanuatuMODERATE

Champagne Bay offers a safe environment for travelers, but caution is advised in areas with basic infrastructure.

0.0/10
SAFETY SCORE
// 08 · CRUISE SHIP

Carnival Encounter Ship Overview

Specs & DetailsCARNIVAL
Carnival Encounter
CARNIVAL · GRAND
CHRISTENED
2002
STATEROOMS
1,300
TONNAGE
109,000GT
10.0% BELOW AVG· vs avg 121,145 GT
YEAR BUILT
2002
7 YEARS OLDER· vs avg 2009
LENGTH
951ft
4.2% BELOW AVG· vs avg 992 ft
PASSENGER COUNT
2,600cruisers
37.5% BELOW AVG· vs avg 4,158 cruisers
// ABOUT THE SHIP

The Carnival 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 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.

// INSIDE THE FULL SHIP PAGE
Dive deeper into the
Carnival Encounter
  • Size comparison chart against other ships
  • Bars, restaurants, and venue highlights
  • Renovation and dry-dock schedule
  • FAQs about Carnival Encounter
Carnival Encounter Detail
// 09 · CRUISE DIRECTOR

Cruise Director

On duty at sail date·October 3, 2026
Franco Spies — cruise director
ON STAGE
CRUISE DIRECTOR · CARNIVAL ENCOUNTER

Franco Spies

From South Africa🇿🇦

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.

CONTRACT
CARNIVAL ENCOUNTER
YOUR SAIL · OCTOBER 3, 2026
STARTS
Jul 4, 2026
ENDS
Nov 7, 2026
// 10 · FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs for yourCarnival Encounter·October 3, 2026sailing

  • The lowest currently-tracked fare for this sailing is $846 for an Inside cabin. Pricing is updated daily — see the live price chart above for the latest snapshots.

    PRICING
Researched and assembled by Gangwaze Cruise Editorial using daily-refreshed itinerary, pricing, weather, and safety data.
LAST UPDATED · JUL 25, 2026
// 11 · MORE CRUISES

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