Cruise Quest app screenshots
New
The Cruise Quest app is here.
Bar Bingo & Cruise Cameo · works offline!
App StoreGoogle Play
Gangwaze
// MENU
HomeCruise SearchShipsPortsBlog
Carnival Encounter itinerary map for January 9, 2027 (8 nights)
Carnival Encounter itinerary map for January 9, 2027 (8 nights)
8 nights · 4 ports
Round-trip · Brisbane, Australia
CarnivalCarnival Encounter

Carnival Encounter
January 9, 2027

8-Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia aboard Carnival Encounter · Departing January 9, 2027 from the Port of Brisbane, Australia.

Interior from$857/ guest
Share
// AT A GLANCE

This 8-night cruise aboard the Encounter departs from Brisbane, Australia on Saturday, January 9, 2027 and returns on Sunday, Jan 17th. January weather across this route averages 93°/71°F.

The itinerary safety score for this sailing is 7.9 out of 10 — Brisbane (8.3), Lifou Isle (8.1), Mystery Island (7.9), Noumea (7.4). Inside cabins dropped $8 on Jul 28.

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
8
night cruise
Sat → Sun
02
Brisbane
departure port
Australia
03
4
port stops
Vanuatu
04
4
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, January 9, 2027 from Brisbane, Australia for a 8-night Vanuatu & New Caledonia cruise. This itinerary includes 4 unique port stops and 4 days at sea. January weather across the route averages 93°F highs and 71°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 $857, 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 January 9, 2027 Roll Call

7 SAVED THIS SAILING
benj42
@benj42
the_garcias
@the_garcias
chrisandjen
@chrisandjen
jt2026
@jt2026
sunnydays22
@sunnydays22
emma.cole
@emma.cole
johnp55
@johnp55
// 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 January 9, 2027 Price & Tracking

CARNIVAL ENCOUNTER·JANUARY 9, 2027

The graph below tracks historic price of the Carnival Encounter cruise ship departing January 9, 2027. The most recent price for this sailing starts at $857 ($108 per night) for an Inside Cabin. Compared to the average price of $826 ($104 per night), this represents a recent increase of 4%.

Carnival Encounter cruise departing January 9, 2027 — 8-night itinerary. Current Inside Cabin price: $857 ($108 per night). Average price: $826.

// PRICE HISTORY · INSIDE
Last 6 months · refreshes daily
This cabin
Avg $825
LIVE RATE
INSIDE CABIN
Carnival Encounter · January 9, 2027
$857
$108 per night · 8 nights
↑
4% above average
Avg $825

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

🔔
Get Price Drop Updates

Get an email notification when the price of the Carnival Encounter – January 9, 2027 drops below $857 for an inside cabin.

Never spam · Opt out anytime
Explore all Carnival Encounter cruises

Gangwaze earns a commission when you book through our partner links at no extra cost to you. Prices shown are sourced from third-party sellers and may differ at checkout.

// 03 · ITINERARY

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

Interactive Itinerary MapJANUARY 9, 2027
The Carnival Encounter sails on January 9, 2027 for a 8 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip) (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 Jan 17th at 6:00 AM. During the 9-day journey, the Carnival Encounter will visit 3 additional ports and will spend 4 days at sea.
// CRUISE PORT SCHEDULE
Carnival Encounter
JANUARY 9, 2027
9 STOPSSCROLL FOR ALL ↓
Loading map...
8 NIGHTS · 3 PORTS
ROUND-TRIP · BRISBANE
// 04 · PORTS

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

Carnival Encounter·January 9, 2027
Brisbane, Australia — Day 1 of Carnival Encounter January 9, 2027 cruise
DAY
1
EMBARKATION
SATURDAY·JAN 9

Brisbane

Australia
ARRIVAL
DEPARTURE
—
2:00 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.

JANUARY FORECAST
84°F avg · Avg
Lifou Isle, New Caledonia — Day 4 of Carnival Encounter January 9, 2027 cruise
DAY
4
PORT 3
TUESDAY·JAN 12

Lifou Isle

New Caledonia
ARRIVAL
DEPARTURE
7:00 AM
4:00 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.

JANUARY FORECAST
80°F avg · Avg
Mystery Island, Vanuatu — Day 5 of Carnival Encounter January 9, 2027 cruise
DAY
5
PORT 4
WEDNESDAY·JAN 13

Mystery Island

Vanuatu
ARRIVAL
DEPARTURE
7:00 AM
4:00 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.

JANUARY FORECAST
80°F avg · Avg
Noumea, New Caledonia — Day 6 of Carnival Encounter January 9, 2027 cruise
DAY
6
PORT 5
THURSDAY·JAN 14

Noumea

New Caledonia
ARRIVAL
DEPARTURE
7:00 AM
4:00 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.

JANUARY FORECAST
80°F avg · Avg
// 05 · WEATHER

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

Carnival Encounter·January 9, 2027
JAN FORECAST · BRISBANE
Historical monthly averages for travelers visiting this port.
84°
AVG · °F
Mostly sunny days
AVG HIGH
103°
AVG LOW
65°
AVG RAINFALL
5.5"
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
84°JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC12-MONTH AVERAGE · DATA: 30-YEAR HISTORICAL
// 06 · SHORE EXCURSIONS

Carnival Encounter January 9, 2027 Excursions

Carnival Encounter·January 9, 2027

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

8 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

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
03

Mystery Island 🌍

Vanuatu · VanuatuMODERATE

Mystery Island in Vanuatu is a secure cruise destination where travelers should remain vigilant of their surroundings and environmental conditions.

0.0/10
SAFETY SCORE
04

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
// 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·January 9, 2027
Kieran Wilson — cruise director
ON STAGE
CRUISE DIRECTOR · CARNIVAL ENCOUNTER

Kieran Wilson

From UK🌍

Kieran Wilson is a Carnival Cruise Line cruise director known for his calm confidence and strong rapport with guests. He brings a balanced, guest-first approach to hosting and onboard entertainment.

CONTRACT
CARNIVAL ENCOUNTER
YOUR SAIL · JANUARY 9, 2027
STARTS
Nov 3, 2026
ENDS
Jan 17, 2027
// 10 · FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs for yourCarnival Encounter·January 9, 2027sailing

  • The lowest currently-tracked fare for this sailing is $857 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 28, 2026
// 11 · MORE CRUISES

More Carnival Encounter cruises

Hop to the previous or next sailing on this ship, or browse the full schedule.

PREVIOUS SAILING
CARNIVAL ENCOUNTER
December 30, 2026
10-Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia
Brisbane Roundtrip
See details
ALL SAILINGS
Carnival Encounter cruises
126upcoming sailings
See all Carnival Encounter cruises
NEXT SAILING
CARNIVAL ENCOUNTER
January 17, 2027
6-Night Great Barrier Reef
Brisbane Roundtrip
See details
// SHARE THIS ITINERARY

Cruise crew? Share this page.

CARNIVAL ENCOUNTER·JANUARY 9, 2027
FacebookPinterestEmail
As seen in
ForbesNBC NewsCruise CriticRoyal Caribbean BlogReader's Digest
Sign in with email

Sign up or
Sign in

Save your cruise, track reviews for your cabin, set cruise price drop alerts, & more with an account.

No password needed · Sign-in code sent