Cruising holidays Qld: Inside Brisbane-based Pacific Encounter

Queensland’s cruising comeback is continuing in style after it was obliterated by Covid-19, with the first ship to be based at Brisbane’s new international cruise ship terminal turning more than a few heads. TAKE A LOOK INSIDE

Queensland’s cruising comeback continues with the arrival of the first ship to be based at Brisbane’s new international cruise ship terminal.

P&O’s newest ship, the Pacific Encounter, arrived in Brisbane on Saturday morning ahead of its first departure out of the river city later in the day to mark the start of a 24-journey season based in Queensland.

It is another significant chapter in the recovery of the cruise industry which was obliterated during the coronavirus pandemic, cutting off a multibillion-dollar inflow to the Queensland economy.

Some of Pacific Encounter’s early voyages are already booked out as cruise fans clamour for a look at the newest ship in the P&O fleet.

P&O’s newest ship, the Pacific Encounter, arrived in Brisbane on Saturday morning.

The 290-metre ship has almost 1300 guest rooms, 11 bars and nightclubs, outdoor lawn bowls green and a Byron Bay-inspired beach club.

Water slides are set to be added over the coming months.

Originally part of the Princess fleet, the ship spent more than a month docked in Italy earlier this year to be refitted as a P&O vessel before setting sail for Australian waters.

President of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia Marguerite Fitzgerald said it was exciting to see the industry rebounding after a rough few years.

Encounter Hotel.

The Blue Room.

“We were expecting a good rebound because that’s what we have seen internationally, but is still exciting to see,” she said.

“The (Covid) protocols are working really well and it should instil confidence in our guests and the communities we visit.”

Water slides are expected to be added later.

Altitude Bar.

The first voyage in Pacific Encounter’s Brisbane tenure is a four-night journey to Cairns, with each port visit estimated to inject $1 million into local economies.

A further 54 journeys are already scheduled for next year.

Ocean Bar.