Review: P&O Encounter 8 night South Pacific New Years Cruise

There’s something special about setting off on a cruise to the South Pacific—especially when you’re doing it over New Year’s, with three generations in tow, a suitcase full of sunscreen, and a shared goal of doing something a little different to ring in the new year. Our floating home for the trip? P&O’s Pacific Encounter, cruising roundtrip from Brisbane with scheduled stops in Nouméa, Mystery Island, and Port Vila (which, thanks to mother nature understandably didn’t quite happen). It was also one of P&O Australia’s final sailings before their ships were rebranded under Carnival, so there was definitely a “last hurrah” feeling in the air.

When your ride is so fancy it has to wait offshore like a VIP.

We chose this cruise because we wanted to mix things up—ditch the usual New Year’s plans and welcome 2025 with cocktails at sea, island adventures, and maybe even a conga line or two. As a multi-generational group, we were after that sweet spot: enough freedom for everyone to do their own thing during the day, and plenty of opportunities to come together for dinners, activities, and the occasional trivia showdown. And while the cruise came with a side of social media drama (a handful of TikTok creators seemed determined to put people off), it was still a fun, easygoing holiday that ticked most of our boxes.

So why are we writing this review? Simple: if you’re thinking about booking a New Year’s cruise—or feeling a bit nostalgic for the now-retired P&O experience before the full Carnival takeover—we’ve got the inside scoop. The highs, the lows, and the moments in between.

Itinerary (or How We Got to the Pacific Without a Map)

We boarded the Pacific Encounter in Brisbane, ready to kick off the New Year with some island time and ocean breezes. While this cruise was definitely heavier on the sea days than some of our past, port-packed itineraries, it gave us plenty of time to unwind, explore the ship, and appreciate that whole "doing nothing is doing something" vibe. That said, if you're someone who needs a new port every day, this might not be your dream route.

Here’s a quick look at the scheduled stops—and what actually happened:

• Mystery Island, Vanuatu: This uninhabited island is all about barefoot bliss. Think crystal-clear water, coral reef snorkeling just off the beach, and market stalls set up by locals from nearby Aneityum. No roads, limited Wi-Fi—just paradise.

• Port Vila, Vanuatu: Unfortunately, this port was cancelled due to a recent earthquake in the region. Disappointing, but completely understandable given the circumstances.

• Nouméa, New Caledonia: A mix of French flavour and tropical island charm. We wandered through town, sampled pastries at a local boulangerie, and fully utilised the Hop On Hop Off Bus.

  
  

So, while the number of ports was light, the days at sea gave us the chance to properly unwind and make the most of the ship's amenities (and maybe spend a little too much time at the buffet). For us, it was a shift from our usual travel style, but a welcome one.

Sea days = us living our best lounge lizard lives in The Oasis. Sun, naps, repeat

Shore Excursions: DIY or Die (and We Chose DIY)

We decided to skip the official cruise line tours on this trip and go the DIY route—and honestly, it suited the vibe of the destinations perfectly. The ports we visited were easy to explore independently, and we found that doing our own thing gave us more flexibility (and saved us a fair bit of cash, too).

• Mystery Island: As a tender port, the adventure begins with a scenic ride to shore. Once we landed, we took our time wandering around the island—it’s flat, compact, and incredibly easy to explore on foot. The beach is gorgeous, and snorkeling is the absolute must-do here. We hired gear from friendly locals and spent the morning floating over coral reefs and spotting tropical fish. One of our group also had a massage on the beach, which came at a fraction of the ship's spa prices and was apparently excellent. (We’re still jealous.)

  
  

  

  When your airport is basically just ‘beach vibes only.

  
  

• Nouméa: We opted for the hop-on hop-off bus, which you can purchase at the bus station right near the cruise terminal. It was a great choice—it loops around to all the major sights, including Ouen Toro lookout, Lemon Bay, and the aquarium, where the giant turtles were the clear fan favourites. Super easy, affordable, and a fun way to see the highlights without the structure of a formal tour.

  
  

  

  Made a new friend today. He’s chill, photogenic, and a way better swimmer than me

  
  

Of course, for those who prefer a bit more structure or support, the cruise line does offer a range of shore excursions—everything from glass-bottom boat tours and snorkelling trips to guided visits to nearby islands. These can be a great option if you want someone else to take care of the logistics, but honestly, we didn’t find them necessary for these particular stops.

Overall, the ports on this itinerary really lent themselves to self-guided exploration, and it was nice to have the freedom to set our own pace.

Dining: From Buffets to Trattoria

Dining on the Pacific Encounter came with its fair share of hits and misses—some standout bites, a few underwhelming moments, and one meal that had us seriously considering sneaking back in for seconds (we didn’t... but we thought about it).

Breakfast was usually a buffet affair, and while it had plenty of options, it wasn’t quite a showstopper. We mostly kept it light with cereal and fruit, though the fruit platters seemed to follow a strict pineapple-heavy theme—pineapple for days, and not much else. That said, it was a relaxed way to start the morning and easy to get in and out of.

The lunch buffet was actually a pleasant surprise. We found a good variety of options, from curries and pastas to made-to-order sandwiches. A special mention goes to the New Year’s Day buffet, which really stepped things up with sushi, mini burgers, and prawns—a fun little twist when things were starting to feel a bit same-same.

For dinner, you’re assigned a dining rotation across the main restaurants, which include Waterfront, Angelo’s, and Dragon Lady. Dragon Lady was our top pick—it was quieter than the others (likely because it’s less Western-focused) and the dumplings were a real highlight. Angelo’s served up some nice Italian options, and while Waterfront was perfectly decent, it didn’t quite leave a lasting impression.

A heads-up: meal portions are more modest than other cruise lines, and the service felt a bit more structured—you get one entrée, one main, and one dessert per person, and once your order’s in, that’s it. It was also tricky to get a drink mid-meal, as service slowed down quite a bit once food arrived.

The clear standout was Trattoria, the Italian-themed specialty restaurant we tried. The food was genuinely delicious—beautifully plated, packed with flavour, and absolutely worth the extra cost. It felt like a proper night out, not just another dinner onboard.

Diet? Never heard of her. (Especially when Trattoria donuts are involved.)

That said, the food offering around the pool was a bit of a letdown—especially when compared to other cruise lines. There’s no included spot to grab a quick poolside pizza or burger unless you’re willing to pay extra, and we’re not talking a small surcharge. The prices are closer to paying for a full meal, which means your only real included option is to head back inside to the buffet. It’s a noticeable gap in an otherwise solid food lineup.

We picked up a drinks package that was heavily discounted, which made it a no-brainer for us—and gave us a good excuse to work our way through the cocktail menu. It’s pretty extensive, and trying out all the different options was a fun little holiday challenge (though we kept circling back to our favourites, like the classic piña coladas). That said, the drinks packages are usually quite pricey, and unless you score a great deal like we did, you might be better off skipping it. By the end of the cruise, we found ourselves drinking just to get our money’s worth and probably would’ve appreciated a dry day or two to give our livers a break. There are plenty of great bars onboard, though—with such a busy ship, we often found ourselves gravitating to the quieter vibe at the Oasis Bar in the adults-only area.

Cabin: The Balcony We Couldn’t Live Without

We all booked balcony cabins for this cruise, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions we made—especially with so many sea days in the itinerary. The Pacific Encounter is an ex-Princess ship, and it shows in all the right ways. The cabins were well-appointed, comfy, and felt like they had just a bit more space than some of the newer models, especially when it came to the balcony.

And speaking of balconies—what a win. The sea air in the South Pacific at this time of year is dreamy. Unlike some cruises where the wind howls like a jet engine, this was all gentle breezes and sunshine. We kept the door open for long stretches and I personally spent hours out there reading, watching the waves, and soaking it all in. Pure bliss.

Current status: main character energy, starring in my own balcony novel.

Now, the ship is starting to show its age a little, and you’ll see that in small ways—some wear and tear here and there—but nothing that took away from the comfort. The rooms were clean, functional, and thanks to our fabulous cabin stewards, always tidy.

A small difference from other cruise lines: housekeeping only came once a day, apart from a little extra love on New Year’s Eve. But the real MVP moment? The towel animals. Our steward clearly had a sense of humour—it turned into a full-blown game of “Where’s the monkey/swan/elephant now?” every time we came back to the room. Total highlight.

Every day a new masterpiece. Today's towel animal: still cuter than me before coffee.

Entertainment: Glitter, Gatsby, and Party Rock Anthem Overload

The night time entertainment on board definitely didn’t disappoint—we honestly enjoyed the shows immensely, right from the lively theatre productions to a surprisingly fantastic Dolly Parton tribute show (yes, really, and yes, it was fabulous). The performers were genuinely talented, and the shows added a real sense of event to each evening.

Now, a word of warning: cruising over New Year’s isn’t your typical low-key getaway. This was absolutely a party cruise, and if you’re after peace, quiet, and early nights—you might want to choose a different week. But if you’re up for some sparkle, this one delivered.

Serving ‘Roaring Twenties but make it cruise chic’ realness.

We had a party almost every other night: a sailaway party, a tropical party, a white party, a glitter-filled New Year’s bash, and a grand finale Gatsby party. We’d made the decision to dive in, so we came dressed for the theme each time—and it was well worth the effort. The New Year’s Eve celebration was a true highlight: watching the Sydney fireworks live on the big screen, somewhere in the Pacific, as the band played and the crowd danced under the stars—it was one of those "pinch me" moments.

New year, same bad dance moves. No regrets

That said, by the end of the cruise we were starting to feel a little over the repetition—there are only so many times you can groove to Party Rock Anthem before it loses a bit of shine. But the band was great, and if you’re into live music with a more relaxed feel, the Blue Room was where it was at. Think smooth tunes, comfy seats, and just the right level of laid-back energy—perfect for music lovers looking to chill.

While we found plenty to keep us entertained in the evenings—live music, great bars, and the occasional show—the daytime organised activities left a bit to be desired. Although there were a few things scheduled, they often felt either underwhelming or poorly managed. Popular events were heavily oversubscribed, so unless you turned up well in advance, you were out of luck when it came to finding a seat. We usually enjoy a good group quiz, but the ones we attended lacked direction and didn’t feel particularly engaging. A few others held in the Encounter Hotel were absolutely packed, and unless you arrived a good half hour early, there was little chance of getting a spot. The Encounter Hotel seemed to be the main hub for daytime activities, but its layout just didn’t work well for audience participation—you often couldn’t see or hear what was going on.

If Carnival is looking at improvements for future sailings, providing a more diverse and engaging range of activities during the day would be well received—especially on itineraries with lots of sea days. It’s an area where there’s real potential to elevate the guest experience. I was certainly grateful for our balcony and a good book to fill the downtime, but more varied options would have made the days at sea feel even more enjoyable.

Fitness & Wellness: We Walked, We Worked Out, and We Found the Gym

When it comes to wellness and fitness, the gym was definitely buzzing with activity but had all the gear you need for a decent workout. There’s a walking track too, although finding it felt like we were on a scavenger hunt—probably burned more calories looking for it than actually walking it! One of our group members used the gym most afternoons and thought it worked well, so no complaints there.

We also booked a couple of massages at the spa—great idea, but not exactly a bargain. The room itself wasn’t exactly the tranquil, zen-like space you’d imagine. It felt more like a storage closet for spa equipment, and there wasn’t a lot of space to leave your stuff without tripping over it. The service was fine, but after the massage, we felt like we were being pitched more products than at a late-night infomercial. We could almost hear the “But wait, there’s more!” in the background. Still, it was a nice experience overall. But honestly, the massage on the beach at Mystery Island was far more memorable—sun, sand, and no upselling. It’s hard to top that!

Proof that I can wear white without spilling something on it... for at least 10 minutes.

Final Thoughts & Scoring

All in all, our P&O Pacific Encounter cruise was a fantastic start to 2025. While some aspects of the trip didn’t quite live up to the hype, there was still plenty to love. The ship offered comfy cabins, solid dining, and entertainment that made us feel like we were on a floating Las Vegas.

If you’re looking for a festive, fun-filled cruise with enough activities to tire out the kids (and maybe the adults too), this could be your ticket. Just be ready for a party atmosphere, a bit of sea breeze in your hair, and the occasional group karaoke moment you’ll wish you could forget.

Final Score: 8/10

• 🛳️ Itinerary: 8/10 – A solid selection of ports, though we had to wave goodbye to Port Vila. The DIY shore excursions were the highlight—seriously, who needs a guided tour when you can get lost in the fun on your own?

  🍴 Dining: 7/10 – Solid, but with a few ‘meh’ moments. The main dining rooms were great, but the poolside food was non-existent unless you wanted to add even more into your costs. You know the feeling when you’re desperate for a snack, but your snack clearly isn’t feeling you back.

  🛏️ Cabin: 9/10 – Spacious, comfortable, and the balcony was a game-changer. Nothing says ‘holiday’ like lounging on your balcony in your bathrobe, pretending you’re a billionaire on a yacht (with slightly less champagne).

  🎤 Entertainment: 8/10 – Evening shows were top-notch, the kind of thing that makes you feel like you’re in Vegas, but for the slightly more budget-conscious. Daytime activities, though? A little bit of a snooze fest.

  🤵 Service: 9/10 – Service was great in most areas. Staff were friendly, polite, and always ready to help.

  🌊 Overall Experience: 8/10 – A fun, memorable family cruise with plenty of laughs, good memories, and more poolside drinks than I care to admit. Could use a few tweaks, but definitely a solid choice if you’re up for a lively holiday on the high seas.

  
  

Would I recommend this cruise? Absolutely—if you like your holidays with a side of sunshine, good food, and enough entertainment to make you forget about the times you burned your neck in the sun. If you prefer a quieter, more zen escape, though, maybe give it a miss... or pack your noise-canceling headphones!