Carnival Encounter Gets a Fresh New Look
The Carnival Encounter just got a fresh new look while sitting in a Singapore shipyard for some much-needed updates.
New Paint and Major Upgrades in Singapore
The ship stopped sailing in early February to get a makeover. Workers are giving the vessel updated public spaces and adding new features that guests will love.
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The biggest changes include a brand-new Cloud 9 Spa Thermal Suite. The ship is also getting refreshed dining venues to give passengers more options when it’s time to eat.
Final Ship Gets Modern Colors
The Encounter now shows off Carnival’s current paint scheme on its hull. That means only one ship in the entire fleet still has the old colors – the Carnival Adventure.
Carnival first rolled out this new look on the Mardi Gras back in 2021. Since then, the cruise line has been slowly updating the rest of its ships with the same design.
Ready to Sail to Australia
After the work wraps up, the Encounter will head to Brisbane. Guests can join the ship for a special repositioning cruise that lasts 15 nights.
The voyage leaves Singapore’s Marina Bay Cruise Center on March 5, 2026. The ship will stop at several spots in Indonesia and Australia, including Lombok, Bali, and Darwin.
Former Princess Ship Joins Carnival Fleet
The Carnival Encounter started working for Carnival in March 2025. Before that, it sailed for P&O Australia under a different name.
The 109,000-ton ship was originally built for Princess Cruises at a shipyard in Italy. It first entered service way back in 2002.
Regular Cruises from Brisbane
The Encounter calls Brisbane home all year long. It offers trips ranging from three to 14 nights to different spots around the region.
Passengers can visit amazing places like Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Fiji. The ship also sails to the Great Barrier Reef and various Queensland destinations.
Changes Coming to Carnival’s Australia Fleet
Carnival plans to shift things around in Australia by 2028. The Carnival Adventure will move to North America for part of the year.
The Adventure currently sails from Sydney. It will spend summers at a North American port that Carnival hasn’t announced yet.
Besides the Encounter and Adventure, Carnival also runs the Carnival Splendor in Australia year-round. A fourth ship, the Carnival Luminosa, visits seasonally with cruises leaving from Brisbane.
