I don’t think I’ll ever live down my blog post I wrote after my first cruise aboard Carnival Adventure a few weeks after P&O Cruises Australia was absorbed into Carnival Cruise Line early last year.
For the better part of a day, the now infamous blog post received a click every 4.6 seconds, not only because of its title, The Temu of the Seas, but due to the high emotions Australian cruisers were feeling losing a famous Australian brand.
A year on and I’ve cruised on Carnival Adventure (Australia Day cruise) and can report the experience has much improved.
But how about her sister ship, Encounter? Last Friday, the Brisbane-based vessel returned following an extensive dry dock in Singapore.
Early reports on social media from cruisers who boarded in Singapore to make the first voyage were tepid, with comments like “not much has changed”.
This didn’t incite much excitement for me ahead of boarding the ship for a day of exploration. What I discovered, beyond the obvious material changes, was the clearest indication yet of Carnival’s long-term vision for the brand in the Aussie market.
More than a routine refurbishment, it is a statement about direction, investment and how Carnival intends to position its ships for Australian guests moving forward.
First Impressions
Let’s address the main comments on social media: “Carnival Encounter doesn’t look that different.” These observations are valid as the dry dock was not a full cosmetic overhaul moment.
The real glow-up is what you don’t immediately see.
Behind the scenes, Carnival has poured serious effort into energy-efficient upgrades (finally, Carnival Australia has made efforts to move into their sustainability era), advanced HVAC systems (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), engine room and cooling improvements, and a full laundry overhaul (with nearly 4,000 people onboard, that’s no small feat).
Lido Deck Glow-Up: Sparkling pools, faster slides
Out on the decks, guests will see obvious change.
All five pools have been refurbished; there are seven new hot tubs and the waterslides are now faster and smoother.
And yes, I will be accepting challenges for best slide time. Stay tuned.
And for those who love to say “Spa-aaaah”
Aboard Carnival ships there’s the heavenly-named Cloud 9 Spa, a dedicated wellness retreat featuring thermal suites, saunas, steam rooms and treatment spaces designed to offer guests a relaxing, resort-style spa experience at sea.
During dry dock the Cloud 9 Spa was refreshed to enhance its signature thermal suite experience, with upgraded steam, sauna and treatment areas designed to deliver a more modern, relaxing and immersive wellness space for guests at sea.
Pantry flows better
One of my biggest bug bears was the Pantry (or buffet) and I was pleased to see that changes were made, making the flow of the area much more user-friendly.
In addition, there is more counter space which will reduce the chaos during peak eating hours. While the upgrade is subtle, if you’ve ever tried to navigate food traffic in the Pantry, you’ll appreciate these changes.
Entertainment takes centre stage: Broadway Meets Brisbane
If there’s one place where Carnival Encounter’s dry dock upgrades truly shine, it’s in entertainment.
From the theatre to the pool deck, the ship has undergone extensive technical and creative upgrades, all designed to make every performance immersive and memorable.
Jeremy Barnes, Carnival’s Australian Director of Entertainment, walked me through the changes with enthusiasm.
“We really wanted to enhance the guest experience – not just with the shows themselves, but by upgrading the entire audio and lighting system onboard,” he said.
“We’ve redone all the audio in the theatre, upgraded the LED walls, added new lighting systems and expanded these improvements across the ship.”
He explained that the upgrades aren’t limited to the main stage. “It’s not just the theatre, most venues have new speakers and lighting, from the lobby to Black Circus, even up at Oasis. Guests will notice it during the parties, during shows and just walking around. It really enhances the overall atmosphere.”
Mr Barnes was also eager to highlight the improvements. “Some of our big parties, like 80s Rock and Glow, have new speaker systems and lighting. Even the Altitude Nightclub has been upgraded. Guests are going to feel the difference immediately – the sound is clearer, the lighting more dynamic and it all adds to the energy onboard.”
Shows tailored for Australian guests
Mr Barnes emphasised that Carnival’s focus was not just technical, but creative. “There were three criteria guiding our show choices: they had to appeal to Australian guests – especially those from Brisbane – complement the stage and introduce new productions to the region,” he explained.
This philosophy is reflected in the refreshed line-up. Leading the charge is Broadway Beats, which brings the sights and sounds of New York City directly to the high seas.
“Instead of guests travelling to New York, we’re bringing New York to them. We take them on a journey through Manhattan, Queens, Central Park, and the fashion district, all set to the soundtrack of Broadway,” Mr Barnes said.
Fan-favourite Dear Future Husband has also been reimagined for the ship. “We follow an engaged couple as they join a Carnival cruise with their friends. It’s about the journey to the wedding and every guest is invited to celebrate along the way. The production uses the upgraded LED walls and stage to really immerse people in the story.”
And for rock enthusiasts, Rock Revolution: Summer of ’69 promises a high-energy concert experience. “It’s a live rock concert that doesn’t just happen on stage – it comes out into the audience. We’re celebrating classic hits from the late ’60s and then giving them a modern twist. The Brisbane crowd is going to love it.”
Plus, the beloved Blanc de Blanc Uncorked remains onboard, still cheeky and still adults-only.
Kids and family entertainment
Entertainment isn’t just for adults. Mr Barnes highlighted the ship’s family-focused upgrades as well.
“We’ve done a refresh of Camp Ocean with new carpets and furnishings, and even Edge, our teen space, has been upgraded. The kids’ areas now match the quality and excitement of the adult entertainment spaces,” he said.
“It’s all about making sure everyone, from kids to grandparents, has something special to enjoy. That’s the magic of Carnival Encounter, there’s truly something for every guest.”
One Year On: Carnival Encounter’s transformation through the eyes of Anton Loeb
While aboard, I caught up with Anton Loeb, Carnival Cruise Line Assistant Vice President Sales and Marketing, to talk about the past year, the recent dry dock and what guests can expect next.
“I honestly cannot believe it’s been a year – it has flown by,” Mr Loeb said. “We knew there would be a period of adjustment and I’m pleased to report that every aspect has improved significantly, meeting and exceeding guest expectations.”
Mr Loeb emphasised that the transition was a normal part of brand integration. “It’s common for any service or product undergoing change to have a settling-in period. What’s important is how quickly you listen to feedback and respond, and we’ve done exactly that.”
The recent dry dock in Singapore saw millions invested behind the scenes, particularly in sustainability.
“A lot of the work focused on energy savings. We upgraded LED lighting, improved engine and cooling systems, and replaced all laundry machines with energy-efficient models. With nearly 4,000 people onboard daily, that’s a huge environmental impact.”
Addressing the ship’s broad appeal, Mr Loeb said that Carnival Encounter caters to a wide spectrum of travellers, from families and multi-generational groups to couples and friends.
“Each ship in the Australian fleet has its own unique style and offerings, so guests can choose the one that best suits their holiday preferences.
“While the ship has just returned from dry dock, it already features many Carnival favourites like Dragon Lady and Edge. We’re not aiming to make all ships identical. Each delivers a different experience. Guests should pick the ship that fits what they want most.”
Mr Loeb also praised the team behind the ship’s success. “I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved. The sales, operations and support teams who make this all happen. It’s a huge collaborative effort.”
