CCL-Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed revisions to its Australia-based itineraries for the 2026–2028 period following the sale of the Conflict Islands port in Papua New Guinea, which will no longer be available for cruise ship calls. The change affects a number of planned sailings, particularly those involving Carnival Encounter, which had been scheduled to make multiple visits to the destination.
Under the original deployment plan, Carnival Encounter was due to call at the Conflict Islands 6 times between 2026 and 2028, including on several 10-night South Pacific itineraries departing from Brisbane. Two sailings in June and August 2026 were among those impacted, with the port forming part of a broader routing that also included destinations such as Alotau, Kiriwina Island, and Rabaul. With the transfer of port ownership now complete, Carnival has removed the Conflict Islands from these schedules.
The cruise line is in the process of adjusting affected itineraries and identifying suitable alternatives to preserve the overall structure and appeal of the voyages. Passengers booked on impacted sailings are expected to receive updated itinerary details by January 2026, once revised port arrangements have been finalised.
Carnival Encounter remains a key component of Carnival’s Australian deployment, alongside vessels such as Carnival Splendor and Carnival Adventure. Together, these ships operate a wide range of itineraries from Australia, spanning short coastal cruises to longer voyages through the South Pacific and into Southeast Asia. While Carnival had been the only operator planning regular calls at the Conflict Islands, other cruise lines continue to list the port on selected itineraries, indicating that Papua New Guinea will retain a presence in regional cruise operations.
In response to the itinerary changes, Carnival has indicated that affected guests will be offered rebooking options and assistance in selecting alternative sailings or destinations. The company is working to ensure that replacement ports provide a comparable experience within the context of South Pacific cruising and has reiterated its intention to maintain a strong operational relationship within the region despite the loss of access to the Conflict Islands.
The situation reflects wider operational realities within the cruise sector, where changes in port ownership, infrastructure availability, and regulatory conditions can necessitate adjustments to long-term deployment plans. Similar pressures have been observed in other high-demand ports worldwide, reinforcing the need for cruise operators to retain flexibility in itinerary planning.
Although the removal of the Conflict Islands represents a notable adjustment, Carnival continues to view the South Pacific as a core market and is exploring alternative destinations to sustain interest in its regional itineraries. Carnival Encounter will remain active in the area, operating revised routes that continue to showcase the geographic and cultural diversity of the South Pacific.
More broadly, Carnival Cruise Line continues to adapt its global network in response to changing market conditions, balancing operational constraints with evolving passenger demand. The revisions to the Australian programme illustrate the dynamic nature of cruise itinerary planning and the ongoing requirement for operators to respond to developments beyond their direct control while maintaining service continuity for guests.