Carnival Encounter itinerary map for October 17, 2026
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Encounter
October 17, 2026
8 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia

Carnival Encounter October 17, 2026

The Carnival Encounter October 17, 2026 cruise departs from Brisbane, Australia. On this 8 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 17th and returns on Sunday, Oct 25th, 2026.

Cruise Length
8
Night Cruise
Departure Port
Brisbane
Australia
Port Stops
4
Sea Days
4

Cruise Price

Carnival Encounter · October 17, 2026

The graph below tracks historic price of the Carnival Encounter cruise ship departing October 17, 2026. The most recent price for this sailing starts at $795 ($100 per night) for an Inside Cabin. Compared to the average price of $735 ($92 per night), this represents a recent increase of 8%.

Use the buttons below to toggle between cabin types.

inside cabin
$795
8% vs avg: $735
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Cruise Itinerary Map

Carnival Encounter · October 17, 2026

The Carnival Encounter sails on October 17, 2026 for a 8 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 25th at 7:00 AM. During the 9-day journey, the Carnival Encounter will visit 3 additional ports and will spend 4 days at sea.

Cruise itinerary route

8 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip)

  • OCT17
    Brisbane, Australia
    Brisbane, Australia
    A: — - D: 3:00 PM
  • OCT18
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • OCT19
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • OCT20
    Noumea, New Caledonia
    Noumea, New Caledonia
    A: 8:00 AM - D: 5:00 PM
  • OCT21
    Mystery Island, Vanuatu
    Mystery Island, Vanuatu
    A: 8:00 AM - D: 5:00 PM
  • OCT22
    Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu
    Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu
    A: 8:00 AM - D: 5:00 PM
  • OCT23
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • OCT24
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • OCT25
    Brisbane, Australia
    Brisbane, Australia
    A: 7:00 AM - D: —
Loading map...

Cruise Ports

October 17, 2026 · 8 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip)

Brisbane, Australia
Day 1Saturday, Oct 17

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 2Sunday, Oct 18

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AMDeparture: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

At Sea
Day 3Monday, Oct 19

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AMDeparture: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

Noumea, New Caledonia
Day 4Tuesday, Oct 20

Noumea, New Caledonia

Arrival: 8:00 AMDeparture: 5:00 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.

Mystery Island, Vanuatu
Day 5Wednesday, Oct 21

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 6Thursday, Oct 22

Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu

Arrival: 8:00 AMDeparture: 5:00 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.

At Sea
Day 7Friday, Oct 23

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AMDeparture: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

At Sea
Day 8Saturday, Oct 24

At Sea

Arrival: 12:00 AMDeparture: 11:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

Brisbane, Australia
Day 9Sunday, Oct 25

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 - October 17, 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.

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
76 / 100
safer than 76% of all cruises
76
8
/ 10
Brisbane, Australia
Brisbane
Brisbane is a safe cruise port, but travelers should stay vigilant against petty theft and secure their belongings.
7
/ 10
Noumea, New Caledonia
Noumea
Noumea is generally safe for cruise travelers, but they should remain vigilant against petty theft and stay informed about local conditions.
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.

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 (October 17, 2026)

Franco Spies

Franco Spies

Country: South AfricaStart: Jul 4, 2026End: 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 17, 2026?

This is a 8-night cruise itinerary departing from Brisbane, Australia.

What ports does the Carnival Encounter visit on the October 17, 2026 cruise?

This route includes brisbane-australia, noumea-new-caledonia, mystery-island-vanuatu, port-vila-efate-vanuatu.

How many sea days are included on this Carnival Encounter October 17, 2026 itinerary?

This itinerary includes 4 sea days.

Who is the cruise director for the Carnival Encounter sailing on October 17, 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.