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If you’ve ever booked a South Pacific cruise mainly for those rare, untouched island stops, you know they’re often the highlight of the entire trip.
That’s why some Carnival cruisers are feeling disappointed after learning that six future Carnival Encounter sailings will no longer be able to visit the Conflict Islands in Papua New Guinea.
The reason? The islands have been sold to a new owner, and under the new ownership, cruise ships are no longer welcome.
Why the Conflict Islands Are No Longer on the Itinerary
South Pacific cruises from Australia are special because they take you far beyond the usual cruise routes.
The Conflict Islands are one of those places that feel truly off-the-grid — small, remote, and incredibly scenic.
Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed that it was recently informed that the Conflict Islands have changed ownership, and the new owners have decided to end cruise ship access.
As a result, Carnival has no choice but to remove the destination from affected itineraries.
For cruisers, this kind of change can be frustrating, especially when the port was a major reason for booking in the first place.
These Six Carnival Encounter Sailings Will Change
A total of six Carnival Encounter cruises will be impacted, spread across more than two years:
- June 9, 2026
- August 19, 2026
- April 19, 2027
- August 18, 2027
- April 18, 2028
- June 14, 2028
All six are 10-night round-trip cruises from Brisbane. In addition to the Conflict Islands, these itineraries include other Papua New Guinea ports such as Alotau, Kiriwina Island, and Rabaul.
The Conflict Islands were scheduled as the final port stop on each sailing — often the “grand finale” beach day — which makes the change feel even more noticeable.
What Carnival Plans to Do Instead
Right now, Carnival Cruise Line says it is actively working on alternative plans for these Papua New Guinea itineraries.
Guests and travel agents have been told to expect an update in January 2026, once replacement arrangements are finalized.
Possible alternatives could include:
- Adding a new replacement port
- Extending time in an existing port
- Adjusting the route to feature different South Pacific destinations
Because Papua New Guinea ports are remote and logistically complex, these decisions take time. Carnival has emphasized that it’s exploring all options before confirming changes.
Will Other Papua New Guinea Ports Be Affected?
At this stage, only the Conflict Islands are confirmed as canceled. Other PNG ports on the itinerary have not been impacted by the ownership change.
That said, when cruise lines reroute one port, it can sometimes trigger additional schedule tweaks.
Carnival hasn’t confirmed any further changes yet, but it’s something guests should keep in mind until final itineraries are announced.
Are Other Cruise Lines Still Visiting the Conflict Islands?
Several other cruise ships are currently scheduled to visit the Conflict Islands in 2026, 2027, and 2028, including ships from multiple cruise brands.
However, whether those visits actually happen will depend on each cruise line’s agreement with the new owner.
Carnival has already confirmed its access has ended, but other lines may be negotiating separate arrangements — or could eventually face similar cancellations.
Who Owns the Conflict Islands?
Despite the dramatic name, the Conflict Islands weren’t named for disputes or wars. They were named after a Royal Navy schooner, HMS Conflict, back in the late 1800s.
The islands form a small atoll east of mainland Papua New Guinea, made up of more than 15 tiny islands.
In recent years, the islands were privately owned and even listed for sale in 2022, drawing attention due to regional security and political concerns.
While the previous sale attempt didn’t go through, the islands have now officially changed hands, though the identity of the new owner hasn’t been publicly disclosed.
Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador John Heald even joked about the situation, noting that it’s not every day you hear about islands being “moved around” — though for cruisers, the impact is very real.
Why Private Island Ports Can Disappear Suddenly
This situation highlights an important cruise reality: not all cruise destinations are public ports.
Some destinations are:
- Privately owned islands
- Managed through long-term leases
- Controlled by private entities or resorts
When ownership or agreements change, cruise access can disappear almost overnight.
Cruise lines themselves sometimes invest in destinations to avoid this problem, such as developing private islands or long-term partnerships to secure access.
What Should Guests on These Cruises Do Now?
If you’re booked on one of the affected Carnival Encounter sailings, here’s the smart approach:
- Wait for Carnival’s official update before making any changes
- Avoid booking non-refundable shore excursions tied to specific ports
- Watch for itinerary announcements in early 2026
- Keep expectations flexible — replacement ports may still be excellent
It’s disappointing to lose a rare destination like the Conflict Islands, but cruise lines usually work hard to replace canceled ports with something equally appealing.
The Bottom Line
- The Conflict Islands are no longer available to cruise ships due to new ownership
- Six Carnival Encounter cruises from 2026 to 2028 will have itinerary changes
- Carnival Cruise Line is working on alternatives and plans to update guests in January 2026
For now, all guests can do is stay informed and flexible. South Pacific cruises are still packed with incredible destinations — and Carnival has time to turn this change into a new opportunity for an equally memorable experience.
