6 Night Great Barrier Reef (Brisbane Roundtrip)
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Encounter
June 4, 2028
6 Night Great Barrier Reef

Carnival Encounter - 6/4/2028

The June 4, 2028 cruise on the Carnival Encounter departs from Brisbane, Australia. On this 6 Night Great Barrier Reef (Brisbane Roundtrip) sailing, the ship will visit a total of 4 cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The Carnival Encounter sets sail on Sunday, Jun 4th and returns on Saturday, Jun 10th.

Cruise Length
6
Night Cruise
Departure Port
Brisbane
Australia
Port Stops
4
Sea Days
2

Cruise Itinerary

Itinerary

Carnival Encounter - June 4, 2028 - 6 Nights

DayDatePort
1Jun 4thBrisbane, Australia
2Jun 5thAt Sea
3Jun 6thAirlie Beach, Queensland, Australia
4Jun 7thCairns, Australia
5Jun 8thCruise Willis Island, Australia
6Jun 9thAt Sea
7Jun 10thBrisbane, Australia

The Carnival Encounter sails on June 4, 2028 for a 6 Night Great Barrier Reef (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 Jun 10th at 7:00 AM. During the 7-day journey, the Carnival Encounter will visit 3 additional ports and will spend 2 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.

Itinerary Safety Rank
86 / 100
safer than 86% of all cruises
86
8
/ 10
Brisbane, Australia
Brisbane
Brisbane is a safe cruise port, but travelers should stay vigilant against petty theft and secure their belongings.
8
/ 10
Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is a safe cruise destination with low crime rates, allowing visitors to explore comfortably despite occasional petty theft.
8
/ 10
Cairns, Australia
Cairns
Cairns has a low crime rate and prioritizes visitor safety, but travelers should remain vigilant against petty theft in busy areas.
10
/ 10
Cruise Willis Island, Australia
Willis Island
Willis Island offers a secure environment for travelers, allowing them to enjoy views from their cruise ship without concerns for safety.

Cruise Ship

Carnival Encounter Size Infographic

Carnival Encounter

109 k
tonnage
951 ft
length
2002
year built
1,300
cabins
2,600
passengers
1,100
crew

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

Day1
JUN 42028
D: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. (126 words)

Day2
JUN 52028
At Sea

Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!

Day3
JUN 62028
A:7:00 AMD:4:00 PM

Airlie Beach, in the Whitsunday Region of Queensland, anchors as a tender port for cruises to the Great Barrier Reef, with ships docking at Port of Airlie or Abell Point Marina. The town, population around 8,000, sits on a small inlet 1,100 kilometers north of Brisbane. Passengers walk 10 minutes from the tender pier to the lagoon, a 4,300-square-meter saltwater pool providing stinger-free swimming from November to May. Excursions depart for the 74 Whitsunday Islands, including full-day sails to Whitehaven Beach for its silica sands and swirling tides, or Heart Reef for aerial views via seaplane. Snorkeling tours target Hardy Reef's pontoons with underwater observatories and glass-bottom boats. Conway National Park, minutes away, offers rainforest hikes to waterfalls and lookouts along the 20-kilometer Bicentennial Pathway. Local operators provide half-day kayaking in sheltered coves. Dining along the waterfront includes fresh seafood cafes and bakeries serving meat pies. Shops stock sunscreen, hats, and Aboriginal art souvenirs. Peak season December to February brings crowds; book tours in advance. Evening markets feature live music and street food. Buses connect to Shute Harbour for additional reef access.

Day4
JUN 72028
A:9:00 AMD:5:30 PM

Cairns, Australia, docks at Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, a 10-minute walk to the Esplanade, population 150,000. Travelers visit the Cairns Aquarium for reef species. Excursions to the Great Barrier Reef, 1 hour by boat, offer snorkeling. Kuranda, 30 minutes north, features rainforest cable cars. Local markets sell mangoes. Peak season June to October; taxis 10-15 AUD. Dining includes barramundi at waterfront cafes. Souvenirs feature opals.

Day5
JUN 82028
A:10:00 AMD:11:00 AM

Willis Island, Australia, has no docking; ships anchor offshore in the Coral Sea. Travelers observe red-footed boobies nesting on the tiny cay. Snorkeling reveals vibrant coral reefs. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, June to October, brings calm seas. Photography captures turquoise waters. Dining onboard features reef fish. Souvenirs, like coral prints, are available in ship shops. Briefings emphasize marine protection. Sun protection is crucial for the tropical climate. Willis Island’s remote reefs offer a serene Great Barrier Reef stopover.

Day6
JUN 92028
At Sea

Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!

Day7
JUN 102028
A:7:00 AM

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)