Carnival Encounter Sets Sail on Maiden Cruise from Brisbane

Carnival Cruise Line is today celebrating a new chapter for cruising in Queensland, as Carnival Encounter sets sail on her first cruise under the Carnival flag.

Expanding its Australian fleet to four ships — including Brisbane-based Carnival Encounter and Carnival Luminosa — Carnival Cruise Line is now the only global cruise line offering Queenslanders the opportunity to cruise from home all year round, following the transition of P&O Cruises Australia.

Speaking in Brisbane, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said today marks a milestone moment for cruising in Queensland. “Carnival Cruise Line is proud to strengthen our commitment to the hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders who love to cruise. As the world’s most popular cruise line, we’re now offering even more great-value, fun-filled holidays to Queenslanders who want to cruise from their doorstep with family and friends.”

With 81 sailings from Brisbane this year alone, Carnival Encounter and Carnival Luminosa will make Queensland cruising more accessible than ever. Sydney based ships Carnival Adventure and Carnival Splendor are also frequent Queensland visitors.

Carnival’s fleet of four ships will visit Airlie Beach 47 times, Tangalooma Moreton Island 44 times, and Cairns 25 times in 2025. Carnival will make a total of 127 port calls across the Sunshine State carrying 250,000 guests and injecting $800m into Queensland’s local economy.

Formerly P&O’s Pacific Encounter, Carnival Encounter has spent the past two weeks undergoing a signature Carnival transformation, emerging with a new name and exciting new features designed to deliver more fun at sea.

What’s New on Carnival Adventure & Carnival Encounter:

• Hub App: Guests can make online dining and excursion reservations, chat with other guests and check out the dining options.
• VIFP Club: Carnival’s loyalty program with members-only promotions across our global fleet.
• Carnival’s Iconic Fun Squad: Bringing the brand’s trademark “Fun Ship” energy to life, the Fun Squad will host everything from hilarious comedy shows and trivia to deck parties and games.
• Free Daily Pizza: Guests can indulge in unlimited slices of happiness, served daily between 11am and 4pm.
• Seuss at Sea: Bringing the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss to life on board with themed activities, interactive experiences, and character appearances.
• Carnival Favourites: Guests will enjoy beloved Carnival activities like Build-A-Bear workshop events, the Conga for Kids dance party, and the electrifying 80s Rock and Glow nights.

In addition to new Carnival experiences, guests will continue to enjoy popular P&O favourites, including:

• Byron Beach Club: An exclusive retreat for guests seeking a premium, resort-style experience.
• EDGE: A high-adrenaline challenge for thrill-seekers featuring zipline, walk the plank and rock-climbing
• Luke’s Bar & Grill: Celebrity chef Luke Mangan’s beloved onboard dining experience.

Carnival Cruise Line is proud to continue its partnership with Children’s Hospital Foundation, raising over $70,000 since 2019 through its Conga for Kids initiative. With Carnival Encounter sailing year-round from Brisbane, this partnership is expanding, bringing even more opportunities to support children and families in need.

Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO, Lyndsey Rice, said partnerships like this create real impact. “Since 2019, Conga for Kids has united Carnival’s guests and crew to raise vital funds for the Foundation – funds that have powered life-changing medical research, placed essential equipment in the hands of doctors and nurses, and delivered moments of joy for families facing their toughest days – helping make the hospital feel more like home.

“Now, with Carnival Encounter based in Brisbane, this partnership is set to make an even bigger difference – more cruises, more guests, and more opportunities to change the lives of Queensland’s sickest and most critically injured children. We’re incredibly grateful to Carnival Cruise Line for their unwavering commitment to bringing joy and hope where it’s needed most”, concluded Ms Rice.”

Guests on Carnival cruises of seven nights or more can participate in Conga for Kids, a dance party on the top deck, where purchasing a $20 Conga for Kids T-shirt directly supports the Children’s Hospital Foundation’s life-changing work.

With today’s launch of Carnival Encounter, Carnival Cruise Line is delivering on its promise to bring more fun, more choice, and more unforgettable cruise holidays to Queenslanders—now and into the future.