Carnival Cruise Line has removed Cairns from Carnival Encounter’s upcoming Great Barrier Reef itinerary after reduced channel depths were deemed too shallow for the ship to safely reach the cruise terminal.
The 108,865-gross-ton vessel is due to leave Brisbane on 5th September 2026 for a six-night cruise, with the change announced to passengers on 1st September, four days before departure.
Cairns had been scheduled for 8th September, but the cancellation has prompted Carnival to bring forward the ship’s Airlie Beach visit and add Townsville as a replacement destination.
“Current channel depths have reduced and are now too shallow to allow for the safe passage of our ship to Cairns Cruise Terminal, and the issue will not be fixed before our planned visit,” Carnival said in its notice to guests. “The safety of our guests is our top priority, so our scheduled visit to Cairns can no longer proceed.”
Carnival did not specify what had caused the reduction in channel depths or provide a timeframe for the conditions to be resolved.
Townsville Added To Revised Itinerary
Carnival Encounter’s scheduled visit to Willis Island on 7th September remains unchanged.
Rather than continuing to Cairns the following day, the approximately 2,600-passenger ship will now visit Airlie Beach on 8th September, one day earlier than originally planned. Townsville has been added to the itinerary for 9th September.
Passengers will be able to arrange shore excursions for the new Townsville call after boarding, either through the Carnival HUB app or at the Carnival Adventures Desk.
Any prepaid Carnival shore excursions booked for Cairns will be refunded automatically.
The itinerary adjustment will also affect the end of the cruise. Carnival Encounter is now scheduled to arrive back in Brisbane at 8am on 11th September, one hour later than its original 7am arrival time.
No compensation was outlined in the passenger notice for travellers whose onward arrangements may be affected by the later return.
Further Cairns Calls Remain Scheduled
The cancelled visit comes as Carnival Encounter continues its year-round programme from Brisbane, which includes a range of Great Barrier Reef itineraries.
Cairns remains on the schedule for subsequent Carnival Encounter cruises, although continued restrictions in the channel could potentially affect future calls if conditions remain unsuitable for the ship.
The vessel is next scheduled to return to the area later in September. Carnival Encounter is due to depart Brisbane on 26th September on a seven-night itinerary, with Airlie Beach scheduled for 28th September and an overnight Cairns visit beginning on 29th September.
Willis Island is then scheduled for 1st October before the ship returns to Brisbane on 3rd October.
As of the notice concerning the 5th September departure, Carnival had not announced changes to that later itinerary.
Carnival Encounter recently underwent enhancements and is part of Carnival Cruise Line’s expanded Australian operation. The line has scheduled further Great Barrier Reef cruises from Brisbane into 2027 and 2028, with Cairns included on a number of itineraries.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Carnival cruise offers…
