First Look
Ship Statistics
IMO: 9192363 · Flag: Bahamas · Home Port: Brisbane, Australia
Grand Class Fleet
Carnival Encounter is one of two Grand Class ships operating in Australia, both transferred from P&O Australia in 2025.
Dining Venues
Luke's Bar & Grill
Celebrity chef Luke Mangan's signature steakhouse and bar.
Waterfront Restaurant
Main dining room with ocean views and multi-course menus.
Dragon Lady
Pan-Asian flavours with wok dishes, sushi, and more.
Angelo's
Homestyle Italian favourites in a casual setting.
The Pantry
Buffet-style dining with global cuisine stations.
Shell & Bones
Fresh seafood and oyster bar (specialty, extra charge).
Captain's Logbook
- 2002: Delivered as Star Princess from Fincantieri, Italy for Princess Cruises
- 2002: Third Grand Class ship built, featuring Skywalkers Nightclub
- 2021: Transferred to P&O Australia as Pacific Encounter
- May 2024: Carnival Corp announces P&O Australia brand discontinuation
- March 2025: Rebranded as Carnival Encounter under Carnival Cruise Line
- Present: Sails year-round from Brisbane to Australia coast and South Pacific
Sailing Regions
Australian Coast
Airlie Beach, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, coastal gems.
South Pacific
Noumea, Lifou, Espiritu Santo, tropical island escapes.
Tasmania
New 9-night itineraries: Hobart, Port Arthur, Eden.
Ship Videos
Video content coming soon. Check back for ship tours and reviews.
Deck Plans
Carnival Encounter features 16 decks with 7 cabin decks and 1,298 staterooms:
Live Ship Tracker
IMO: 9192363 · MMSI: 311001596 · Real-time AIS tracking via MarineTraffic
Ken's Logbook: Carnival Encounter
Stories and insights from cruisers who have sailed on Carnival Encounter will appear here.
Watch: Carnival Encounter Highlights
Swipe through ship walkthroughs, top-10s, and stateroom tours.
Deck Plans
Interactive deck plans for Carnival Encounter are available on the cruise line's official website.
Live Ship Tracker
Track Carnival Encounter's current position and voyage details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Carnival Encounter sail from?
Carnival Encounter sails year-round from Brisbane, Australia. She offers cruises along the Australian coastline (including Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef) and to South Pacific islands like Noumea and Lifou.
What is Carnival Encounter's history?
Built in 2002 as Star Princess for Princess Cruises, she was the third Grand Class ship. In 2021, she transferred to P&O Australia as Pacific Encounter. When Carnival discontinued P&O Australia in 2025, she was rebranded as Carnival Encounter.
What is the Byron Beach Club?
The Byron Beach Club is an exclusive retreat for suite and Byron Beach Club stateroom guests. It features a private pool, spa, sundeck, and priority services including dedicated dining and embarkation.
What family activities are available?
Carnival Encounter features Edge Adventure Park with water slides and zip-lining, Camp Ocean for kids, Seuss at Sea activities, Turtles for toddlers under 2, and the adults-only Serenity retreat.
Who is Luke Mangan?
Luke Mangan is an acclaimed Australian celebrity chef. His signature restaurant, Luke's Bar & Grill, aboard Carnival Encounter features premium steaks and seafood with his distinctive Australian culinary style.