Carnival Encounter itinerary map for December 18, 2027
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Encounter
December 18, 2027
9 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia

Carnival Encounter December 18, 2027

The Carnival Encounter December 18, 2027 cruise departs from Brisbane, Australia. On this 9 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip) sailing, the Carnival Encounter will visit a total of 5 cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The ship sets sail on Saturday, Dec 18th and returns on Monday, Dec 27th, 2027.

Cruise Length
9
Night Cruise
Departure Port
Brisbane
Australia
Port Stops
5
Sea Days
4
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Cruise Price

Carnival Encounter · December 18, 2027

The graph below tracks historic price of the Carnival Encounter cruise ship departing December 18, 2027. The most recent price for this sailing starts at $1,191 ($133 per night) for an Inside Cabin. Compared to the average price of $1,176 ($131 per night), this represents a recent increase of 1%.

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inside cabin
$1,191
1% vs avg: $1,176
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Inside Cabin
$1,191
1% vs avg $1,176
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Oceanview Cabin
$1,325
1% vs avg $1,309
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🌅
Balcony Cabin
$1,643
1% vs avg $1,623
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👑
Suite Cabin
$2,308
1% vs avg $2,280
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Cruise Itinerary Map

Carnival Encounter · December 18, 2027

The Carnival Encounter sails on December 18, 2027 for a 9 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 10-day journey, the Carnival Encounter will visit 4 additional ports and will spend 4 days at sea.

Cruise itinerary route

9 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip)

  • DEC18
    Brisbane, Australia
    Brisbane, Australia
    A: — - D: 2:00 PM
  • DEC19
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • DEC20
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • DEC21
    Noumea, New Caledonia
    Noumea, New Caledonia
    A: 7:00 AM - D: 4:00 PM
  • DEC22
    Lifou Isle, New Caledonia
    Lifou Isle, New Caledonia
    A: 7:00 AM - D: 4:00 PM
  • DEC23
    Mystery Island, Vanuatu
    Mystery Island, Vanuatu
    A: 7:00 AM - D: 4:00 PM
  • DEC24
    Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu
    Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu
    A: 7:00 AM - D: 4:00 PM
  • DEC25
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • DEC26
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • DEC27
    Brisbane, Australia
    Brisbane, Australia
    A: 6:00 AM - D: —
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Cruise Ports

December 18, 2027 · 9 Night Vanuatu & New Caledonia (Brisbane Roundtrip)

Brisbane, Australia
Day 1•Saturday, Dec 18

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.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
At Sea
Day 2•Sunday, Dec 19

At Sea

Arrival: 11:00 PM•Departure: 10:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

At Sea
Day 3•Monday, Dec 20

At Sea

Arrival: 11:00 PM•Departure: 10:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

Noumea, New Caledonia
Day 4•Tuesday, Dec 21

Noumea, New Caledonia

Arrival: 7:00 AM•Departure: 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.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
Lifou Isle, New Caledonia
Day 5•Wednesday, Dec 22

Lifou Isle, New Caledonia

Arrival: 7:00 AM•Departure: 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.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
Mystery Island, Vanuatu
Day 6•Thursday, Dec 23

Mystery Island, Vanuatu

Arrival: 7:00 AM•Departure: 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.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu
Day 7•Friday, Dec 24

Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu

Arrival: 7:00 AM•Departure: 4:00 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.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
At Sea
Day 8•Saturday, Dec 25

At Sea

Arrival: 11:00 PM•Departure: 10:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

At Sea
Day 9•Sunday, Dec 26

At Sea

Arrival: 11:00 PM•Departure: 10:59 PM

Enjoy onboard activities and ocean views during this sea day.

Brisbane, Australia
Day 10•Monday, Dec 27

Brisbane, Australia

Arrival: 6:00 AM•Departure: —

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 LinkPort Excursions Link

Weather Forecast

Carnival Encounter - December 18, 2027 Weather Forecast

Average monthly weather for your cruise ports

Brisbane, Australia

🌧️

December

Typical Weather

100°F

Average High

60°F

Average Low

Rainfall

0.17in

Daily average

5.1 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
77 / 100
safer than 77% of all cruises
77
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
Lifou Isle, New Caledonia
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.
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:

Carnival Encounter Deck PlansCarnival Encounter Cabin SearchCarnival Encounter Health Score

Itinerary FAQ

How many nights is the Carnival Encounter sailing on December 18, 2027?

This is a 9-night cruise itinerary departing from Brisbane, Australia.

What ports does the Carnival Encounter visit on the December 18, 2027 cruise?

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

How many sea days are included on this Carnival Encounter December 18, 2027 itinerary?

This itinerary includes 4 sea days.

Who is the cruise director for the Carnival Encounter sailing on December 18, 2027?

Cruise director assignment data is not currently available for this sail date.

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.