- The two P&O ships Encounter and Adventure, which are converting to Carnival, won’t enter a dry dock until 2026 and 2027, respectively.
- This means until then, the ships will likely remain largely with a similar feel as what they had as P&O ships.
- Surveyed Carnival cruisers are keen to try the new ships – but appear more likely to try them after they’ve had renovations in dry dock.
While P&O’s Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure make the transformation to becoming Carnival ships next month, the transformation will only be a partial one for the time being.
Cruise Passenger was informed that Carnival Encounter will enter dry dock in February 2026, and Carnival Adventure in February 2027.
This means Encounter will sail a full season without any major readjustments, and Adventure will sail two before renovations. While this information alone doesn’t answer all the questions hanging over the ship’s debut seasons, it does assure that at least to start with, the ships will still largely carry the design and feel of the P&O ships.
This is because, without a dry dock, it’s difficult to greatly change the infrastructure on the ships that would be needed to replace more of P&O’s restaurants, amenities, accommodations, and more with those of Carnival.
The timing of the dry docks could prove particularly beneficial, as Carnival will have time to gather user feedback before greatly changing the structure and amenities of the new ships.
Some of the initial changes have been revealed. However, much is still unknown, about what exactly the offerings will be on the new Carnival ships.
However, sentiments amongst Australian cruisers who usually cruise with Carnival are showing that they’re keen to take the new ships for a spin.
Carnival cruisers keen to make the leap – but waiting for announcements
In an online poll of 450 respondents, about 60% said they’ll try out the new ships or have already booked, with about 20% waiting to see what the new ships are week, and only 15% looking to stick only to the current Carnival ships, Luminosa and Splendor.
However, many of the existing Carnival Cruisers appear to be keen to wait until after the dry docks to try the converted ships, as they believe, until then it will mostly be more of the same.
This is because the general sentiment amongst cruisers appears to be that at the moment they consider the rebranding nothing but a name change, but will be keeping a keen look-out for how the ships gets adjusted during their respective dry docks.
Peter Lowbridge wrote: “Until they do a drydock they are still P&O, plus a few hours of free pizza, I’ll be waiting until after they are refitted and then see what they are like.”
Nikolaus Beattie wrote: “I enjoyed the P&O Adventure, so no problem with it being Carnival Adventure – I’d chose it over the Splendor any day of the week.”
Matt Butterfield added: “They’re not new ships it’s just a name change, and maybe a few differences that’s it. If you liked Pacific Adventure, how could you not like it under Carnival?”
Alya Walker is keen to check out the differences but is expecting much of the same.
“We have sailed on Encounter many times and have booked her again post the rebadging. Keen to see what is different. Regardless, the food, staff, and entertainment are always top-notch.”
Other cruisers like Kathryn Hull were hoping for more drastic changes: “From what I’ve seen and read online from Carnival, very little will change on the P&O ships other than joining the Carnival brand. I was hoping that Carnival would make many changes to the P&O ships, including bringing better service to them to match Luminosa & Splendor. I’ll be sticking to the existing branded ships.”
Cruisers like Nicki Johnson have booked Encounter right out of dry dock so they can be one of the first to know what the new ship will be like but are keenly waiting for announcements on what changes will come.
“I have Encounter booked out of dry dock to try her out. I will see what the reports are of changes that happen before dry dock and the things they are meant to do in dry dock and make a decision. The due date isn’t until September, so I am booked, but I am still taking a wait-and-see approach.”
Spent a long cruise with parents on the Oriana, one of its last,now will do one of the last on the Encounter, have cruised on many of P&0 ships,will have wonderful memories,Princess is a favourite as well.
Just got Adventure niceship food good crew good more positives than negatives
The encounter is the worst ship I have been on… unfortunately I have been pushed into going on it for a 2nd time in April for a family trip!!!!! There’s been all the hype about it being rebranded and “carnivalised” and that from the 23 march it will be back in action after having work done on it… so now you say nothing much has been done and won’t be until next year!!! Extremely unhappy…. They had at least sorted out the food and the menu’s because that was the worst of the lot and the ship is not really limited mobility friendly…. I will be in a wheelchair this year and I’m not looking forward to it!!!!
Love the cruise what’s going on with all this people it’s not going to change much its just going to be the same ship
Rebranding not rebounding
Pauline Cox, the encounter is doing a 2 week dry dock march 2025, for the rebounding, not march 2026.
Out of Singapore Dry Dock to Brisbane 06/03/2026
very sad to see P7O cruises go have been on many 3 days trips in nz 2xpearl 2xjewel ix ooaina an 2x on pacific explorer happy times coome to and end my cruising days are over
Let’s keep the New Ships like P&O and cater for the more Adult Cruise Passengers .!
Have cruised P&O on Oriana, Jewel twice and Pacific Explorer twice. Have not had any issues with services or amenities onboard. I hope that carnival keeps the Edge activities as there is a an excellent variety of activities to choose from for the young and young at heart.
Always liked cruising with P&O sad to see them go
Why is the Person Saying Encounter is Due out of Dry Dock in Sept when it is March 26..