Sailing to some of the most exciting holiday destinations in the Southern Hemisphere from 2025, Carnival Encounter is bringing even more incredible adventures to Carnival Cruise Line with itineraries you don’t want to miss out on. Onboard, you’ll find fantastic dining venues like Dragon Lady Restaurant and Luke’s Bar & Grill, lively bars and lounges like Ocean Bar and Piano Bar 88, and both sparkling swimming pools and a sumptuous spa. Throw the thrilling Edge Adventure Park into the mix, and every adventure aboard Carnival Encounter is certainly one to remember.
Top Carnival Encounter Deals
The ship in numbers
What's onboard
Dining
When it comes to good food at sea, Carnival Encounter delivers. With a wide selection of eateries for you to enjoy while you’re onboard, from casual complementary restaurants to sensational specialty venues (which are available at an additional cost), you’ll always have the chance to dive into a delicious dish, no matter your mood or preferences.
These dining venues will also vary in their formality, so those of you who want to dress up and enjoy an elegant evening of exquisite food will have the chance to enjoy a refined fine dining experience; meanwhile, guests who prefer to keep it casual when it comes to chowing down on something tasty will find plenty of places to do just that. Dining highlights aboard Carnival Encounter include:
- Dragon Lady Restaurant - an authentic Australian take on the style, scents, and spices of East Asian cuisine, Dragon Lady always delivers a flavourful dinner
- Trattoria - home to home-style Italian cuisine, this comfortable complementary dining venue always delivers delicious dishes packed with flavour
- Luke’s Bar & Grill - featuring a menu from celebrity chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan, this refined restaurant is available at an additional cost
- Waterfront Restaurant - an elegant eatery serving up a selection of home-style, casual dining favourites, you can enjoy delicious classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner here
- The Pantry - a food court-style dining venue with a range of cuisines from around the world, you’re certain to find something to suit your tastes here
If you or one of your travelling party follow a vegan diet, you’ll be pleased to know that Carnival Cruise Line has an extensive selection of options for you to choose from. Check out our blog on the top 5 cruise lines for vegans to find out more.
Entertainment
When it comes to sea days and evenings aboard Carnival Encounter, you’ll be pleased to know that you’re in for a treat when it comes to entertainment; there’s always something entertaining to look forward to, and an entertainment experience for everyone to enjoy onboard. From a fantastic variety of bars and lounges to suit every mood, live music and stage productions that will dazzle and delight, and onboard event evenings you won’t want to miss, a sailing on Carnival Encounter is anything but boring.
Among the options available, highlights include:
- Sunset Bar - an aft-facing outdoor bar on the upper decks, this is a great place to grab a drink while enjoying sensational sea views; and, there are whirlpools here perfect for soaking in after a busy day ashore
- Sky Bar - a stone’s throw from the spa and wellness facilities, this well-equipped bar is a great place to grab some refreshments after a sumptuous treatment or sauna session
- Byron Beach Club - an exclusive beach club venue onboard for Byron Beach Suite guests, Byron Beach Club boasts a swimming pool perfect for soaking up the sunshine, comfortable loungers, and expansive ocean views
- Piano Bar 88 - this lively piano bar is well-equipped with all your favourite refreshments and an atmosphere where singing along isn’t just tolerated, but strongly encouraged!
- Charlie’s Bar - an elegant champagne bar with live piano performances and a refined atmosphere, Charlie’s is located in the heart of the ship and a great place to grab a drink
Younger guests will also be able to enjoy family-friendly live shows specifically aimed at children, interactive game show experiences, and more. Meanwhile, adults will have the opportunity to dance the night away in late-night venues like the Altitude Nightclub, to try their hand at table games in the onboard Casino, or take advantage of the serene Oasis space (an adults-only area). However you decide to spend your time during your sailing, there’s always going to be something to keep you entertained between destinations aboard Carnival Encounter.
Family
Cruises with Carnival Cruise Line are fantastic for adults, but they’re also an excellent option for families; when it comes to adventures aboard Carnival Encounter, this cruise line ensures everyone has something they can enjoy while at sea.
With thrilling experiences available at Edge Adventure Park, family-friendly swimming pools, exciting entertainment in the Seaside Theater, and even a Sports Court to take advantage of during sea days, there’s so much for families to enjoy while sailing with Carnival Cruise Line. You’ll also find a selection of classic games and arcade classics in the Level Up Arcade, so everyone will have the chance to get their video game fix while at sea.
This cruise ship is also home to Carnival Cruise Line’s Camp Ocean, a comprehensive kids club for children ages 2 to 11 years. With supervised sessions and activities split into three age groups – Penguins (ages 2 to 5 years), Stingrays (ages 6 to 8 years), and Sharks (ages 9 to 11 years) – each group will be able to enjoy age-appropriate activities, arts and crafts, interactive games, and more. Children ages 12 to 14 can enjoy a little more independence, while still taking part in age-appropriate activities, in Circle C while Club 02 is the perfect place for children ages 15 to 17 years to socialise. So, whatever you decide to get up to, you can rest assured knowing the whole gang is having fun during your Carnival Encounter getaway.
Things to do
When cruising with Carnival Cruise Line, there’s always something to do while at sea, and adventures aboard Carnival Encounter are no different. While onboard, you’ll find yourself with an abundance of activities and amenities to enjoy – from video arcades in Level Up Arcade and table games at the Casino, to the ziplines and rock-climbing walls of Edge Adventure Park.
If you’re looking to rest and relax during your time onboard, Carnival Encounter is home to the sumptuous Cloud 9 Spa – which offers a range of incredible treatments and services – and plenty of poolside loungers – so you can continue your wellness journey with some time spent soaking up the sunshine. However, those of you looking for some more active recreation will be pleased to know that there’s a state-of-the-art Fitness Center onboard and a Sports Court on the upper decks, which is the perfect place to engage in a little friendly competition with your friends and family.
And, alongside the variety of swimming pools and whirlpools you can spend your time soaking in, you’ll also find boutique shopping experiences, shuffleboard, a steam room, and so much more. However you want to spend your time onboard Carnival Encounter, you’ll find yourself with plenty of options when it comes to finding things to do while at sea.
Useful Information
Carnival Cruise Line’s VIFP Loyalty Club
If you want to make the most of your getaway, whether this is your first Carnival cruise or you’re a regular aboard Carnival cruise ships, the VIFP Loyalty Club is a fantastic way to receive some fantastic benefits and earn exciting rewards for sailing with Carnival Cruise Line. To find out more, check out our guide to Carnival Cruise Line’s VIFP Club here.
Carnival Cruise Line Sustainability Measures
Carnival Cruise Line is committed to reducing the carbon intensity of their fleet by more than 20% in the coming years, supporting the adaptation of alternative fuels and the introduction of more environmentally-friendly technologies in their ships. With SEA Change, in which the ‘S’ stands for sustainability, they also want to promote sustainable tourism on each of their upcoming sailings.