Cruise Frog guide
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Encounter is a Carnival Cruise Line cruise ship of the Grand class, in service since 2002. She measures 109,000 gross tons and carries 2,600 guests with a crew of 1,100. She sails Australia and New Zealand, South Pacific itineraries.
About Carnival Encounter
Carnival Encounter was delivered by Fincantieri in 2002 as Star Princess, the third Grand-class ship for Princess Cruises. She joined P&O Cruises Australia in 2020, was redesigned in a 2021 dry dock in Singapore and debuted as Pacific Encounter in August 2022. With the merger of P&O Cruises Australia into Carnival in March 2025 she took her current name, and she sails year-round from Brisbane to Queensland, the South Pacific and New Caledonia. A 2026 dry dock in Singapore added Cloud 9 Spa thermal suites, revitalized her five pools and gave her Carnival's red, white and blue livery. She carries about 2,600 guests and has the Edge adventure course and the Byron Beach Club.
Ratings
- Cabins
- –
- Dining
- –
- Entertainment
- –
- Service
- –
- Pools & decks
- –
- Value
- –
Editorial scores, 1 to 5 per metric; the overall is their average, not an average of reader reviews.
Deck plans
Where she sails
- Australia and New Zealandin the southern summer, from Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland
- South PacificTahiti, Fiji and the Pacific islands
Home port: Brisbane, Australia.
Flying in for your cruise?
Carnival Encounter sails from Brisbane, Australia. The airport is Brisbane Airport (BNE), with 9 lounges to wait in before you board.
- Virgin Australia LoungeBNE Domestic Terminal4.6 ★
- Qantas ClubBNE Domestic Terminal4.5 ★
- Plaza Premium Lounge (Temporarily Closed)BNE International Terminal4.3 ★
Quick answers
Which cruise line operates Carnival Encounter?
Carnival Encounter is operated by Carnival Cruise Line and belongs to its Grand class.
How big is Carnival Encounter?
Carnival Encounter measures 109,000 gross tons and 290 metres in length.
How crowded does Carnival Encounter feel?
Carnival Encounter has a passenger space ratio of 41.9: 109,000 gross tons for 2,600 guests. Ratios over 50 feel spacious and under 30 busy, so Carnival Encounter feels comfortable for her size.
How many passengers does Carnival Encounter carry?
Carnival Encounter carries 2,600 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 1,100 (about 2.4 guests per crew member).
When did Carnival Encounter enter service?
Carnival Encounter entered service in 2002 and was last refurbished in 2026.
Where does Carnival Encounter sail?
Carnival Encounter sails Australia and New Zealand and South Pacific itineraries. Her home port is Brisbane, Australia.
Which airport should I fly into for Carnival Encounter?
Carnival Encounter sails from Brisbane, Australia. Fly into Brisbane Airport (BNE), which has 9 airport lounges listed on Lounge Frog.
Where can I find the deck plans for Carnival Encounter?
Carnival Cruise Line publishes the deck plans for Carnival Encounter; this page links to Deck plans (PDF).
More from Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Adventure2001 · 108,865 GT · 2,636 guests · South Pacific · Australia and New ZealandCarnival Adventure is a Grand-class ship built by Fincantieri at Monfalcone that debuted in 2001 as Golden Princess. She moved to P&O Cruises Australia in October 2020 and, after…
Carnival Breeze2012 · 130,000 GT · 3,690 guests · Caribbean · BahamasCarnival Breeze is the third Dream-class ship, completed in June 2012 and the first Carnival ship not designed by architect Joe Farcus. She carries about 3,690 guests on 130,000…
Carnival Celebration2022 · 183,521 GT · 5,374 guests · CaribbeanCarnival Celebration is the second Excel-class ship, built by Meyer Turku and completed in November 2022. Unlike Mardi Gras she carries the Carnival prefix, and her name honors…
Carnival Conquest2002 · 110,000 GT · 2,980 guests · BahamasCarnival Conquest is the lead ship of the Conquest class, a design derived from the Destiny class, at about 110,000 gross tons with around 2,980 guests. She entered service in…