“Free pizza, ice cream, revamped cabins” – cruisers wishlists for Carnival Encounter’s dry dock

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By Tallis Boerne Marcus
Journalist,
carnival encounter
In Short:

Carnival Encounter and Carnival Adventure, are more so P&O Cruises Australia ships in disguise, rather than true Carnival ships.

Cruise Passenger readers always have plenty to say about what’s going on in Australian cruise, and in the broader cruise community. In Your Say, Cruise Passenger looks at the issues our readers are writing to us about on our blogs, posts and newsletters. 

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?

Cruisers have their say

Cruise Passenger readers shared some of their wish lists for the upcoming upgrades.

Leanda Robbins wrote: “My guess is that Angelo’s and Waterfront become a two level MDR as they occupy same space just on different levels. Will know on 5 March when we come back from Singapore on her.”

David Johnson added: “I hope to see it brought up to Fun Ship 2.0 standards with Guys burgers and less nickel and diming.”

Some cruisers like Janelle Chadwick hope not too much changes: “I loved P&O Cruises Australia. I did 8 Cruises (not a really lot like some people) but I enjoyed every one of them.Carnival please do not change too much.”

Nikki Healy wrote out her wishes: “New waterslides and free ice cream like other Carnival ships.”

Dana Marie Gemmi Dee wrote: “The overall decor needs an update. The rooms need a bit of a revamp too.”

Fioana Chambers said: “We need late night snack-y pizza, soft serve on deck, poolside games/activities, a poolside band and crew to greet us when you enter the pantry.”

Please keep those comments coming!

WE VALUE YOUR COMMENTS AND ENJOY READING WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT OUR STORIES. PLEASE KEEP THOSE COMMENTS COMING ON THE STORIES – AND WE’LL PICK OUT THE BEST EACH WEEK FOR THIS NEW COLUMN

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6 thoughts on ““Free pizza, ice cream, revamped cabins” – cruisers wishlists for Carnival Encounter’s dry dock”

  1. I would like Carnival to bring in a package that includes Hot Chocolate. I’m not a coffee drinker and only drink tea very occasionally.

    I would also like Carnival to leave the pantry, Angelos and the Waterfront restaurants on board the Carnival Encounter.

  2. Carnaval should step up and make the Carnaval experience happen on the encounter “Carnaval style” free burgers n pizza and that swirl icecream, don’t forget get that colourful decor, but let’s wait and see, if they can do it.

  3. Please keep Luke’s it’s amazing, don’t change Angelo’s or dragon lady

  4. I just want them to bring back Coffee Package ..I used to get the Package With Non Alcoholic Drinks and Coffee and Tea On it …And There was also a Package with the Lot ..Why did they take it of ..USA Sailings Have it on a Package ..

  5. No carpet on disability cabins very hard to push Hoists & shower chairs on carpet to bathroom. Have cruised 7 times ith people with disabilities and find it very hard.

  6. My Fingers are crossed they upgrade the old elevators to something a little faster ! And some cover for the smoking area on top . But I’m not looking forward to the rock hard carnival mattress change . p@O had lovely soft beds .

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