Signature highlights
Key onboard features include the Edge Adventure Park, water slides and pools, plus the Byron Beach Club, a private forward retreat reserved for eligible Byron Beach suite guests.
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Encounter is a 2,600-guest Carnival Cruise Line cruise ship, in service since 2002. This page lists 31 upcoming departures across 30 itineraries in Australia & Pacific, day by day and port by port. Its live AIS position is plotted on the map below and refreshed through the day.
✓ Families wanting supervised children’s and teen facilities
✓ Passengers seeking multiple pools and waterslides
✓ Travelers who enjoy varied casual and specialty dining
Carnival Encounter at a glance
Ship size
Bigger than 78%
A large ship at 108,977 gross tons — #124 of 566 ships we track. 42 tons of ship per guest.
Best for
- Families wanting supervised children’s and teen facilities
- Passengers seeking multiple pools and waterslides
- Travelers who enjoy varied casual and specialty dining
- Guests interested in live shows, comedy and nightlife
- Active travelers attracted to climbing and aerial activities
Think twice if you want
- Travelers wanting a small intimate ship
- Passengers seeking extensive balcony cabin choice
- Guests who avoid extra-charge dining and activities
- Travelers wanting a quiet ship without family facilities
- Passengers needing a single-level accessible layout
Live Position ● 39 minutes ago
Heading to: BrisbaneCurrently on: 6 Nights Australia Cruise (6 nights) — En route to Brisbane, Australia — last stop Cairns, Australia
Coming up
- Brisbane arrives 07:00 AM end of cruise
18.0 knots
Position via AIS — updated periodically, not real-time.
About Carnival Encounter
Carnival Encounter is the former Star Princess, a 2002-built Grand-class ship that entered Carnival Cruise Line service under its present name on March 29, 2025, following service as P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Encounter. The ship combines a traditional large-ship layout with family facilities, activity areas and a suite-only retreat. Its 2,600-guest double-occupancy capacity, broad choice of accommodations and 1,100-person onboard team make it suited to multigenerational groups as well as couples seeking a full-service resort-style cruise experience.
Ship at a Glance
- Operator
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Builder / shipyard
- Fincantieri Cantieri Navali
- Registry / flag
- Bahamas (formerly Nassau, Bahamas; confirmed by the ship’s AIS identity)
- Call sign
- C6HX7
- IMO number
- 9192363
- MMSI
- 311001596
- Previous names
- Star Princess (2002–2021); Pacific Encounter (2021–2025)
Onboard Experience
For families
Supervised Camp Ocean programming is offered for ages 2–11, with youth programming for older children and teens. The ship also lists Turtles activities for children aged six months to one year at specified times.
Pools, spa & wellness
The ship has a Cloud 9 Spa and hair and beauty salon, with massage, facial and salon services listed by Carnival.
Accessibility
Carnival lists Carnival Encounter among ships with accessible-stateroom options and accessible onboard routes. Its accessible deck plan identifies routes and ramps; guests should confirm specific cabin and mobility requirements with Carnival before booking.
Deck plans
Venues Cabins only Both · Tap a deck to see what's on it
17/18
Sports Court Altitude Nightclub WalkwayDeck 16
Byron Beach Club EDGEDeck 15
Fitness Center Thermal Suites Byron Beach Pool Sky Bar Seaside Theater Circle C Camp Ocean Club O2 Cloud 9 Spa Family Pool Area Beauty Salon Cloud 9 Spa Treatment Rooms Sauna Steam Room BondiDeck 14
Pizzeria Pool Bar Lido Pool New Zealand Natural Family Pool The Pantry Oasis Carnival Topside Grill Bar Interior Balcony Ocean Suite Byron Beach Ocean Suite Byron Beach Vista Suite Byron Beach Grand Suite Byron Beach Extended Balcony Suite Byron Beach Presidential SuiteDeck 12
Oasis Pool Interior Ocean View BalconyDeck 11
Interior Ocean View BalconyDeck 10
Interior Ocean View BalconyDeck 9
Interior Ocean View BalconyDeck 8
Promenade Upper Deck Interior Ocean View Balcony Aft-View Extended BalconyDeck 7
Marquee Theatre The Fun Shops Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse Encounter Hotel Bar Piano Bar 88 Trattoria Black Circus Ocean Bar Noosa Pixels Photo Gallery Stage Promenade Lower Deck Box Office Bar Internet Desk Interior BalconyDeck 6
Marquee Theatre Casino The Fun Shops Angelo's Dragon Lady The Bonded Store Dreams Studio Stage Bar Guest Services Interior Ocean View (obstructed views) Ocean ViewDeck 5
Waterfront Restaurant Charlie's Bar Avalon Cafe Cherry on Top Level Up Arcade Bonsai Sushi Express Carnival Adventures The Lobby Porthole Interior Ocean View (obstructed views) Ocean ViewView the official Carnival Encounter deck plans from Carnival Cruise Line →
Cabins & suites
| Category | Type | Cabins | Size | Decks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PortholeCategory PT. | Oceanview | — | — | 5 |
| InteriorCategories 4A through 4H. | Inside | — | — | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 |
| Ocean View (obstructed views)Category 5A. | Oceanview | — | — | 5, 6 |
| Ocean ViewCategories 6A and 6B. | Oceanview | — | — | 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 |
Dining, bars & venues
18 included 12 extra cost in the fare, by the line's own published policy.
Dining
Waterfront Restaurant
Included
A main dining restaurant serving modern Australian and home-style dishes.
Avalon Cafe
Varies
A cafe serving drinks and light refreshments.
Angelo's
Included
An Italian main dining restaurant.
Dragon Lady
Included
An East Asian main dining restaurant.
Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse
Extra cost
A specialty steakhouse.
Trattoria
Extra cost
An Italian restaurant serving pasta, mains and pizza.
Pizzeria
Varies
A pizza venue serving pizzas and related casual food.
New Zealand Natural
Extra cost
An ice-cream and espresso outlet.
The Pantry
Included
A buffet-style food court serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Bonsai Sushi Express
Carnival Topside Grill
Bars & lounges
Charlie's Bar
Varies
A bar adjacent to the central public areas.
Encounter Hotel Bar
Varies
A bar located in the Encounter Hotel public area.
Piano Bar 88
Varies
A piano-focused entertainment bar.
Sky Bar
Varies
An upper-deck bar near the forward pool area.
Pool Bar
Varies
A bar serving drinks beside the main pool area.
Ocean Bar
History & sister ships
- 2002Entered service, built by Fincantieri Cantieri Navali.
- 2021The ship was transferred from Princess Cruises, renamed Pacific Encounter and refurbished in Singapore for P&O Cruises Australia, including refreshed public spaces and dining venues.
- 2025The ship was renamed Carnival Encounter and received a wet-dock rebrand and fleet-integration refit before entering Carnival Cruise Line service on March 29, 2025.
- 2026A Singapore dry dock added Cloud 9 Spa thermal suites and refreshed the pools, whirlpools, sports court and waterslides, along with technical and energy-efficiency upgrades.
Other Grand class ships
Where Carnival Encounter sails, month by month
| Oct 26 |
Nov 26 |
Dec 26 |
Jan 27 |
Feb 27 |
Mar 27 |
Apr 27 |
May 27 |
Jun 27 |
Jul 27 |
Aug 27 |
Sep 27 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia & Pacific | 1 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| From / night | $114 | $97 | $111 | $98 | $99 | $91 | $85 | $112 | $89 | $97 | 0 | $115 |
Ports it visits most
Explore This Ship
Jump from Carnival Encounter sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.
Itineraries & Sailings
From $885 · $89/night
Ports of CallNext: Jun 8, 2027
1 upcoming departure
From $853 · $85/night
Ports of CallNext: Apr 19, 2027
1 upcoming departure
From $2,128 · $213/night
Ports of CallNext: Dec 30, 2026
1 upcoming departure
From $1,345 · $112/night
Ports of CallNext: May 10, 2027
1 upcoming departure
From $3,565 · $255/night
Ports of CallBrisbane, Australia, Norfolk Island, Australia, Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Cruise Mutiny On The Bounty +3 more
Next: Jul 17, 2027
1 upcoming departure
From $463 · $116/night
Ports of CallNext: Nov 3, 2026
1 upcoming departure
From $481 · $120/night
Ports of CallNext: Nov 3, 2026
1 upcoming departure
All 30 itineraries and their departure dates
- 10 Nights South Pacific Cruise 8 Jun 2027
- 10 Nights South Pacific Cruise 19 Apr 2027
- 10 Nights South Pacific Cruise 30 Dec 2026
- 12 Nights South Pacific Cruise 10 May 2027
- 14 Nights Fiji Cruise 17 Jul 2027
- 3 Nights Australia Cruise 31 Oct 2026
- 3 Nights Australia Cruise 19 Nov 2026
- 4 Nights Australia Cruise 3 Nov 2026
- 4 Nights Australia Cruise 3 Nov 2026
- 6 Nights Australia Cruise 13 Dec 2026, 17 Jan 2027
- 6 Nights Australia Cruise 22 Nov 2026
- 6 Nights Australia Cruise 4 Jun 2028
- 6 Nights Australia Cruise 9 Apr 2028
- 6 Nights Australia Cruise 6 Apr 2027
- 6 Nights Australia Cruise 6 Feb 2028
- 6 Nights Australia Cruise 12 Dec 2027
- 6 Nights Australia Cruise 25 Sep 2027
- 6 Nights Australia Cruise 4 Sep 2027
- 7 Nights Australia Cruise 3 Jul 2027
- 7 Nights South Pacific Cruise 13 Feb 2027
- 8 Nights South Pacific Cruise 29 Mar 2027
- 8 Nights South Pacific Cruise 13 Mar 2027
- 8 Nights South Pacific Cruise 31 Jul 2027
- 8 Nights South Pacific Cruise 9 Jan 2027
- 8 Nights South Pacific Cruise 28 Nov 2026
- 8 Nights South Pacific Cruise 19 Dec 2026
- 8 Nights South Pacific Cruise 28 Nov 2026
- 8 Nights South Pacific Cruise 25 Jun 2027
- 9 Nights South Pacific Cruise 30 Dec 2027
- 9 Nights South Pacific Cruise 18 Dec 2027
All Upcoming Departures
Carnival Encounter FAQ
What flag does Carnival Encounter sail under?
Carnival Encounter is registered in Bahamas. Some older references still list Nassau, Bahamas.
How many passengers does Carnival Encounter hold?
Carnival Encounter carries about 2,600 guests with roughly 1,100 crew.
How old is Carnival Encounter?
Carnival Encounter entered service in 2002.
How big is Carnival Encounter?
At 108,977 gross tons and 290 m long, Carnival Encounter is a large ship — larger than 78% of the 566 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.
What is the dress code on Carnival Encounter?
Daytime dress is casual. Main dining rooms generally use Cruise Casual, with Cruise Elegant evenings on cruises of three nights or more; The Pantry has a more relaxed dress code.
Which dining is included in the fare?
Main dining at Waterfront Restaurant, Angelo's and Dragon Lady, plus The Pantry buffet, is included. Specialty venues such as Trattoria, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Luke's Bar & Grill, Bonsai Sushi Express and New Zealand Natural cost extra; Pizzeria service can vary by item.
Are tips required on Carnival Encounter?
For cruises departing from an Australian port, tipping and gratuities are not required, although guests may reward crew for exceptional service.
Is Wi-Fi available on Carnival Encounter?
Satellite Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship, including cabins, through internet plans purchased separately.
What accessibility features are available?
Carnival publishes accessible deck plans for the ship, including accessible routes, lifts and accessible staterooms. Specific cabin and mobility requirements should be confirmed with Carnival before booking.
What kids and teen facilities are onboard?
Camp Ocean serves children ages 2 to 11, Circle C serves ages 12 to 14, and Club O2 serves ages 15 to 17. A Turtles program is also available for children under two during specified times, with childcare charges applying when parents leave the child.