The five big questions over Carnival Encounter’s upcoming dry dock

• Carnival Encounter will shortly going into dry dock in Singapore.
• Changes to Encounter will also reveal what can be expected for the dry dock of Carnival Adventure next year.
• Here are the big questions over Carnival Encounter’s dry dock.

Carnival Encounter will soon enter dry dock, and cruisers are eagerly awaiting the changes. The Carnival Encounter and Carnival Adventure were formerly part of the now-defunct P&O Cruises Australia, with minor aesthetic changes made when the ships were absorbed into the brand.

We’re about to find out if the ships will stay this way, or take on a new life and be ‘Carnivalised’. On February 3, Carnival Encounter will head to Singapore, where it will undergo a dry dock and then sail back to Australia, where it will continue to sail out of Brisbane. In a year’s time, Carnival Adventure will make the same journey from Sydney. 

A poll from Cruise Passenger last October revealed what cruise passengers are most hopeful for as the ship gets worked on. By far the leading wish is that the P&O convert ships are given all the perks that other Carnival ships have, such as 24/7 pizza and soft serve, extra drink and burger options, extra activities and so on. 

Others also hope to see certain Carnival venues come onto the ships, such as Guys Burgers and the Carnival Deli. Beyond this, guests said they would like to see remodelled cabins and general ship maintenance. 

Carnival has remained tight-lipped on what changes could be coming, not revealing any details so far. 

Carnival Encounter has been in service a long time, having begun sailing in 2002. Given that next year will mark 25 years of sailing for the ship, it does appear unlikely that Carnival will invest in a complete overhaul of the ship. 

For many cruising fans, they’ll be keeping an eye on the changes for sentimental reasons as much as anything else. Given that Carnival Encounter and Adventure still operate with P&O venues and restaurants, for P&O Australia fans, this means they can still enjoy their beloved ships. However, if Carnival were to redo the ship with traditional Carnival venues and restaurants, that would truly mark the end of P&O Cruises Australia, as Encounter and Adventure would no longer be recognisable as their old selves. 

Therefore, going into the highly anticipated dry dock, here are the big questions 

• Will cruisers get the perks they’ve been missing out on? 
• Is Carnival Encounter going to keep its P&O Australia flavour, rather than being completely ‘Carnivalised’?
• Should big changes be expected or just minor adjustments? 
• Will the ship get new or changed venues and restaurants, or will they remain the same? 
• Are cabins set to be remodeled, or will they only see maintenance?