Carnival Encounter - 12/19/2026
The December 19, 2026 cruise on the Carnival Encounter departs from Brisbane, Australia. On this 8 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 Saturday, Dec 19th and returns on Sunday, Dec 27th.
Cruise Pricing
The graph below tracks historic price of the Carnival Encounter cruise ship departing December 19, 2026. The most recent price for this sailing starts at $1,026 ($129 per night) for an Inside Cabin. Compared to the average price of $1,014 ($127 per night), this represents a recent increase of 1%.
Use the buttons below to toggle between cabin types.
Cruise Itinerary
Itinerary
Carnival Encounter - December 19, 2026 - 8 Nights
| Day | Date | Port |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dec 18th | Brisbane, Australia |
| 2 | Dec 19th | At Sea |
| 3 | Dec 20th | At Sea |
| 4 | Dec 22nd | Noumea, New Caledonia |
| 5 | Dec 23rd | Mystery Island, Vanuatu |
| 6 | Dec 24th | Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu |
| 7 | Dec 24th | At Sea |
| 8 | Dec 25th | At Sea |
| 9 | Dec 27th | Brisbane, Australia |
The Carnival Encounter sails on December 19, 2026 for a 8 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip). The ship will depart the port of Brisbane, Australia at 2:00 PM and will return to the port of Brisbane, Australia on Dec 27th at 6:00 AM. During the 9-day journey, the Carnival Encounter will visit 3 additional ports and will spend 4 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!
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)
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. (126 words)
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. (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!
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)