Set Sail for Celebration!
P&O Main Events Cruises offer an unforgettable way to create lasting memories with your loved ones. Ditch the ordinary and celebrate iconic Australian events in style – aboard the nation's favourite cruise line!
🎤 Tribute to the King: Celebrate the legacy of Elvis Presley with live music, themed activities, and a touch of Vegas glamor.
- V514, Sydney, 10-14 March 2025
🎾 Australian Open: Witness the world's best tennis players battle it out live, enjoy themed entertainment, and receive direct transfers with your cruise.
- V503, Sydney, 19-24 January 2025
- V603, Sydney, 19-24 January 2026
🏇🏾 Melbourne Cup: Extend the Melbourne Cup excitement with onboard festivities, exclusive racecourse access, transfers, and tickets.
- V447, Sydney, 2-8 November 2024
- I435, Brisbane, 2-9 November 2024
- V557, Sydney, 1-7 November 2025
🎄 Christmas: Escape the stress of traditional Christmas and enjoy a picture-perfect celebration by the pool, complete with festive food and onboard activities.
- I462, Brisbane, 17-27 December 2024
- V455, Sydney, 17-27 December 2024
- X455, Melbourne, 19-27 December 2024
- V568, Sydney, 16-26 December 2025
- I564, Brisbane, 19-27 December 2025
- X561, Melbourne, 19-27 December 2025
🥳 New Year's Eve: Ring in the New Year with dazzling onboard celebrations, delicious food, and unforgettable entertainment.
- I501, Brisbane, 30 December 2024
- V501, Sydney, 30 December 2024
- X501, Melbourne, 30 December 2024
- V601, Sydney, 30 December 2025
- X601, Melbourne, 30 December 2025
- I601, Brisbane, 30 December 2025
*All itineraries from 29 March 2025 will be operated by Carnival Cruise Line.
- Choice of room category at time of booking. Exact room number will be allocated (in the grade booked) at P&O Cruises’ discretion in the grade booked at a later date
- $150 Deposit per person for 1-4 night cruises
- $250 Deposit per person for 5-11 night sailings
- $400 Deposit per person for 12 night cruises or more
- Strict payment & cancellation conditions - sailing date can not be amended
- A charge of $75 applies to change of name/details after booking
- Special inclusions may not be applicable to all categories.
- *All itineraries from 29 March 2025 will be operated by Carnival Cruise Line.
https://www.pocruises.com.au/plan/how-to-book/book-travel-conditions
Itinerary
| Day | Date | Port | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19 Dec 25 | Brisbane, Australia | Depart 3:00pm |
| 2 | 20 Dec 25 | at sea | At Sea |
| 3 | 21 Dec 25 | at sea | At Sea |
| 4 | 22 Dec 25 | Noumea, New Caledonia | Arrive 8:00am Depart 5:00pm |
| 5 | 23 Dec 25 | Mystery Island, Vanuatu | Arrive 8:00am Depart 5:00pm |
| 6 | 24 Dec 25 | Lifou island, New Caledonia | Arrive 8:00am Depart 5:00pm |
| 7 | 25 Dec 25 | at sea | At Sea |
| 8 | 26 Dec 25 | at sea | At Sea |
| 9 | 27 Dec 25 | Brisbane, Australia | Arrive 7:00am |
Pacific Encounter
Ship Details
Pacific Encounter is P&O's newest addition to the fleet with fresh designs reflecting the best of modern Australia. Currently home porting from Brisbane she currently sails to destinations such as the South Pacific, New Zealand, as well as local cruises. From Black Circus to water slides and a kids splash area she definitely has something to keep everyone happy. From October 2020 she will start sailing out of Brisbane when the new Pacific Adventure joins the fleet
Deck Plan
Accommodation
Suite with Balcony
- Private balcony
- Spacious living area
- Flat screen TV, desk with chair
- Priority bookings for dining, spa and shore tours
- Priority embarkation, disembarkation and tendering
- Private ensuite
- Pillow concierge
- Laundry and shoe shine service
- Canapes on cocktail evenings
- Complimentary bathrobe and slippers
- Nespresso coffee machine
- Free laundry, ironing and shoe polishing service
- Twin single beds that convert into a queen bed
- Access to Byron Beach Club (M1 category only)
Mini-Suite with Balcony
- Private balcony
- Spacious living area
- Priority embarkation, disembarkation
- Private ensuite
- Flat screen TV, desk with chair
- Laundry and shoe shine service
- Bathrobe and slippers
- Bar fridge
- Twin single beds that convert into a queen bed
- Access to Byron Beach Club (M1 category only)
Balcony Cabin
- Private balcony with outdoor furniture
- Private ensuite, shower only
- Flat screen TV
- Telephone
- Wardrobe, desk with chair
- Bar fridge
- Safety deposit box
- Air-conditioning with personal controls
- Twin single beds that convert into a queen bed
Oceanview Cabin
- Fixed window or port hole with outside view
- Private ensuite, shower only
- Flat screen TV
- Telephone
- Wardrobe, desk with chair
- Bar fridge
- Safety deposit box
- Air-conditioning with personal controls
- Twin single beds that convery into a queen bed
Interior Cabin
- Private ensuite, shower only
- Flat screen TV
- Telephone
- Wardrobe, desk with chair
- Bar fridge
- Safety deposit box
- Air-conditioning with personal controls
- Twin single beds that convert into a queen bed
Facilities
Dining - Complimentary
- Angelo’s
- Dragon Lady
- Waterfront Restaurant
- The Pantry
Dining - Specialty Dining
- 400 Gradi
- Luke’s Bar & Grill by Luke Mangan
- Shell & Bones
- Gradi Pronto
- Lukes Burger Bar
- New Zealand Natural Ice Cream
- 24 Hour Room Service
Cafes
- Charlie’s Bar
- The Deli
- Ivy & Brie
Bars & Nightclubs
- Encounter Hotel
- Blue Room
- The Bonded Store
- Byron Beach Club (access for selected Suites)
- Oasis Bar (adults only)
- Ocean Bar
- Pool Bar
- Magrodome Bar
- Sky Bar
- Sunset Bar
Entertainment
- Comedy & Late-Night Comedy
- Big Screen
- Cinema
- Live Music
- Altitude Nightclub
- Party Nights
- Production Shows
- Black Circus
- Casino
Relaxation, Health, Wellness
- Fitness Centre & Bootcamp at Sea
- Exercise Track
- The Oasis (adult only)
- Elemis Spa
Activities
- Art and Craft Classes
- Dance Classes
- Hot Tubs
- Hosted Deck Games
- Sports Training Courts
- Swimming Pools
- Wellness Seminars
- Bingo
- Cocktail, Martini & Coffee making Classes
- Life Studio
- P&O Edge Adventure Park
- Spirit & Wine Tasting
Kids, Teens and Families
- Turtle Cove - 2-5 years
- Shark Sahck - 6-9 years
- HQ - 10-13 years
- HQ+ - 14-17 years
- Evening Child Minding service
- Sony Playstation VR simulators
Miscellaneous
- Internet Cafe
- Medical Centre
- Shopping Boutiques
- Self Service Laundromat
- Duty and Tax Free Shopping
- Comedy & Late-Night Comedy
- Big Screen
- Cinema
- Live Music
- Altitude Nightclub
- Party Nights
- Production Shows
- Black Circus
- Casino
Relaxation, Health, Wellness
- Fitness Centre & Bootcamp at Sea
- Exercise Track
- The Oasis (adult only)
- Elemis Spa
Activities
- Art and Craft Classes
- Dance Classes
- Hot Tubs
- Hosted Deck Games
- Sports Training Courts
- Swimming Pools
- Wellness Seminars
- Bingo
- Cocktail, Martini & Coffee making Classes
- Life Studio
- P&O Edge Adventure Park
- Spirit & Wine Tasting
Kids, Teens and Families
- Turtle Cove - 2-5 years
- Shark Sahck - 6-9 years
- HQ - 10-13 years
- HQ+ - 14-17 years
- Evening Child Minding service
- Sony Playstation VR simulators
Miscellaneous
- Internet Cafe
- Medical Centre
- Shopping Boutiques
- Self Service Laundromat
- Duty and Tax Free Shopping
- Fitness Centre & Bootcamp at Sea
- Exercise Track
- The Oasis (adult only)
- Elemis Spa
Activities
- Art and Craft Classes
- Dance Classes
- Hot Tubs
- Hosted Deck Games
- Sports Training Courts
- Swimming Pools
- Wellness Seminars
- Bingo
- Cocktail, Martini & Coffee making Classes
- Life Studio
- P&O Edge Adventure Park
- Spirit & Wine Tasting
Kids, Teens and Families
- Turtle Cove - 2-5 years
- Shark Sahck - 6-9 years
- HQ - 10-13 years
- HQ+ - 14-17 years
- Evening Child Minding service
- Sony Playstation VR simulators
Miscellaneous
- Internet Cafe
- Medical Centre
- Shopping Boutiques
- Self Service Laundromat
- Duty and Tax Free Shopping
- Art and Craft Classes
- Dance Classes
- Hot Tubs
- Hosted Deck Games
- Sports Training Courts
- Swimming Pools
- Wellness Seminars
- Bingo
- Cocktail, Martini & Coffee making Classes
- Life Studio
- P&O Edge Adventure Park
- Spirit & Wine Tasting
Kids, Teens and Families
- Turtle Cove - 2-5 years
- Shark Sahck - 6-9 years
- HQ - 10-13 years
- HQ+ - 14-17 years
- Evening Child Minding service
- Sony Playstation VR simulators
Miscellaneous
- Internet Cafe
- Medical Centre
- Shopping Boutiques
- Self Service Laundromat
- Duty and Tax Free Shopping
Dining
You will be spoilt for choice with the included dining experiences of The Pantry, Wterfront Restaurant, Angelo's and Dragon Lady.
Lukes and 400 Gradi offer more of a casual dining experience. If you are looking for a special dining experience then you can't go pask Luke's Bar & Grill by Luke Mangan.
Dining - Complimentary
- Angelo's
- Dragon Lady
- Waterfront Restaurant
- The Pantry
Dining - Specialty Dining
- 400 Gardi
- Luke's BaR & Grill by Luke Mangan
- Shell & Bones
- Gradi Pronto
- Luke's Burger Bar
- New Zealand Natural Ice Cream
- 24 Hour Room Service
Cafes
- Charlie's Bar
- The Deli
- Ivy & Brie
Entertainment
The wide range of entertainment venues onboard the P&O Pacific Encounter will ensure your cruising experience is one to remember.
Black Circus, a P&O first takes onboard entertainment to new levels with exclusive dinner and show packages coupled with a glamourous Cabaret style show – for adults only it's an experience not to be missed!!
P&O knows how to throw a party and make sure all guests are involved young or old! The following deck parties are held on board:
Cruises 2+ Nights – Sail Away Deck Party and Bianco White Party
Cruises 3+ Nights – Gatsby Party
Cruises 7+ Nights – Back to School Party
Kids
Kids
The P&O Pacific Encounter offers fun and experiences for all ages. With a team of dedicated Youth Staff kids of all ages will be looked after – kids will be entertained with fun programs, entertainment and shows for both younger and older children.
Areas for children onboard the P&O Pacific Explorer include:
- HQ (10 -13years)
- HQ+ (14-17years)
- Turtle Cove Children's Area (2-5 years)
- Shark Shack Children's Area (6-9 years)
- Evening Child Minding service