What ports does the Carnival Encounter visit on October 3rd, 2026?

This itinerary visits the following ports: 1. Brisbane, Australia, 2. Noumea, New Caledonia, 3. Lifou Isle, New Caledonia, 4. Champagne Bay, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu.

Can I track price drops for the Carnival Encounter cruise on October 3rd, 2026?

Yes. Use the price tracking opt-in on this page to receive updates when cabin prices change for this sailing.

Carnival Encounter

October 3, 2026

7 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia

Carnival Encounter October 3, 2026

The Carnival Encounter October 3, 2026 cruise departs from Brisbane, Australia. On this 7 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 Saturday, Oct 3rd and returns on Saturday, Oct 10th, 2026.

Cruise Length

Night Cruise

Departure Port

Brisbane

Australia

Port Stops

Sea Days

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Itinerary Map Cruise Ports Weather Shore Excursions Safety Score Cruise Ship Cruise Director FAQ

Cruise Price

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 $781 ($112 per night) for an Inside Cabin. Compared to the average price of $749 ($108 per night), this represents a recent increase of 4%.

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inside cabin

$781

4% vs avg: $749

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Cruise Itinerary Map

Carnival Encounter · October 3, 2026

The Carnival Encounter sails on October 3, 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 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 itinerary route

7 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip)

OCT03
Brisbane, Australia
A: — - D: 3:00 PM
OCT04
At Sea
A: — - D: —
OCT05
Noumea, New Caledonia
A: 2:00 PM - D: 8:00 PM
OCT06
Lifou Isle, New Caledonia
A: 7:00 AM - D: 3:00 PM
OCT07
Champagne Bay, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
A: 10:00 AM - D: 5:00 PM
OCT08
At Sea
A: — - D: —
OCT09
At Sea
A: — - D: —
OCT10
Brisbane, Australia
A: 7:00 AM - D: —

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Cruise Ports

October 3, 2026 · 7 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip)

Day 1•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.

Port Info Link Port Excursions Link

Day 2•Sunday, Oct 4

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AM•Departure: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

Day 3•Monday, Oct 5

Noumea, New Caledonia

Arrival: 2:00 PM•Departure: 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.

Port Info Link Port Excursions Link

Day 4•Tuesday, Oct 6

Lifou Isle, New Caledonia

Arrival: 7:00 AM•Departure: 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.

Port Info Link Port Excursions Link

Day 5•Wednesday, Oct 7

Champagne Bay, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

Arrival: 10:00 AM•Departure: 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.

Port Info Link Port Excursions Link

Day 6•Thursday, Oct 8

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AM•Departure: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

Day 7•Friday, Oct 9

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AM•Departure: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

Day 8•Saturday, Oct 10

Brisbane, Australia

Arrival: 7:00 AM•Departure: —

Port Info Link Port Excursions Link

Weather Forecast

Carnival Encounter - October 3, 2026 Weather Forecast

Average monthly weather for your cruise ports

Brisbane, Australia

⛅

October

Typical Weather

95°F

Average High

49°F

Average Low

Rainfall

0.10in

Daily average

3.2 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

/ 10

Brisbane

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

/ 10

Noumea

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

/ 10

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.

/ 10

Champagne Bay

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

Cruise Ship

⚓ 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.

Full Carnival Encounter Ship Info

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 Plans Carnival Encounter Cabin Search Carnival Encounter Health Score

Cruise Director

On duty at sail date (October 3, 2026)

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 October 3, 2026?

This is a 7-night cruise itinerary departing from Brisbane, Australia.

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

This route includes brisbane-australia, noumea-new-caledonia, lifou-isle-new-caledonia, espiritu-santo-vanuatu.

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

This itinerary includes 3 sea days.

Who is the cruise director for the Carnival Encounter sailing on October 3, 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.