AMSA Inspects Carnival Encounter in Darwin After Crew Welfare Claims

Inspectors from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) boarded Carnival Encounter in Darwin on February 9, 2026, after a whistleblower complaint about onboard working and living conditions was raised with the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA). Carnival Cruise Line said the inspection found no deficiencies and required no follow-up action, allowing the ship to continue its sailing toward Singapore.

What AMSA said about the Darwin boarding

AMSA confirmed it concluded an inspection of the vessel and provided a report of inspection to the ship’s captain, while not publicly detailing whether any recommendations were included in that report. In a public statement during the episode, an AMSA spokesperson said: “The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) takes the welfare of crew on board ships very seriously.”

The spokesperson added that AMSA investigates health and safety complaints “in line with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), the Navigation Act 2012, and relevant Marine Orders,” and that the agency will act if breaches are found. The MLC sets minimum standards for seafarer living and working conditions, including expectations around clean drinking water, adequate rest, medical care, and habitable accommodation.

Carnival’s response and dispute with the MUA

Carnival Cruise Line said AMSA’s inspection found no deficiencies. “No follow-up action was required,” Carnival said in a statement, framing the outcome as confirmation it met the applicable standards and could continue operating normally.

In comments provided to Australian media, a Carnival spokesperson said: “We respect this process, and we hold our shipboard team members in the highest regard. We welcome AMSA’s oversight as an important assurance mechanism for our crew and our operations.”

Carnival also rejected the union’s claims and suggested the MUA’s involvement was linked to recruitment. A Carnival spokesperson said, “Their claims should be viewed in that context,” and criticized what it called “vulgar and lame tactics” by the union. Carnival has said it complies with shipboard employment rules and treats workers according to standards set by the International Labour Organisation.

What the whistleblower and union alleged about crew conditions

The MUA said an unidentified crew member made contact with the union shortly before the Darwin port call, and the union also said it had received hundreds of complaints over recent months about labor practices and living conditions on Carnival ships marketed to Australian passengers. The union said it was working with the International Transport Workers’ Federation in connection with its concerns.

MUA Sydney branch organiser Shane Reside said reports included claims about pay, workload, illness, and access to water. “We’ve got reports from these whistleblowers that when the company doctors on board are approached so that they can report sickness, the doctors have been putting them under a lot of pressure to return to work, even while they are still sick,” he said.

MUA Northern Territory branch secretary Andy Burford criticized the broader employment environment for foreign-flagged cruise operations calling at Australian ports. “This is exactly what happens when you allow foreign-owned and controlled companies to sail the Australian coast,” Burford said. In separate comments, the MUA has argued that foreign-owned cruise operators exploit loopholes in Australian labor laws and employ crew from developing nations, including India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, under substandard conditions.

• The union alleged some crew were earning as little as $2.50 an hour, including claims that some workers earned about $600 a month.
• The union alleged extended schedules, including workdays in excess of 10 hours and stretches of more than 30 consecutive days.
• The union alleged crew were pressured to work while sick, including cases involving gastroenteritis.
• The union alleged cramped accommodation contributed to a high incidence of skin infections among crew members and pointed to concerns about sanitation and living conditions.
• The union alleged the only free drinking water available to some crew was poor quality and said crew members had to buy bottled water, priced by the union at about 70 cents per bottle.

Carnival has denied wrongdoing and said it complies with the international rules that apply to shipboard employment.

Ship background, itinerary, and dry dock schedule

Carnival Encounter is a Grand-class cruise ship built in 2002. The vessel is about 108,865 gross tons, carries up to about 2,600 guests, and has roughly 1,100 crew members.

The ship joined Carnival Cruise Line’s branded fleet in March 2025 following the closure of the P&O Cruises Australia brand within Carnival Corporation. Before becoming Carnival Encounter, the ship sailed in Australia under P&O branding after a previous period with Princess Cruises.

The Darwin call came during a Southeast Asia itinerary from Brisbane, with the ship continuing after Darwin through Indonesia en route to Singapore. Carnival Encounter is scheduled to arrive in Singapore on February 16, 2026, ahead of an expected dry dock period of about two weeks for technical work and routine maintenance. Carnival has not confirmed specific onboard enhancement details for the yard period.

The ship is scheduled to return to service on March 5, 2026, with a 15-night, one-way sailing from Singapore to Brisbane.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What prompted AMSA’s inspection of Carnival Encounter?

The inspection followed whistleblower allegations raised with the Maritime Union of Australia about crew welfare issues onboard, including claims involving pay, access to safe drinking water, and living conditions.

What did AMSA say about the Carnival Encounter inspection in Darwin?

AMSA said it concluded an inspection and provided a report of inspection to the ship’s captain. AMSA also said it investigates seafarer welfare complaints “in line with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), the Navigation Act 2012, and relevant Marine Orders,” and will act if breaches are found.

Were any deficiencies found during AMSA’s inspection?

Carnival Cruise Line said AMSA found no deficiencies during the inspection and that no follow-up action was required. AMSA did not publicly detail whether any recommendations were made in the inspection report provided to the captain.

Where is Carnival Encounter sailing after Darwin, and when is it due back in service?

After Darwin, the ship continued toward Singapore via Indonesia and is scheduled to arrive on February 16, 2026, ahead of an expected dry dock period of about two weeks. The ship is scheduled to resume service on March 5, 2026, sailing one-way from Singapore to Brisbane on a 15-night itinerary.

What upgrades will Carnival Encounter receive during its dry dock?

Carnival has said the ship is due for technical work and routine maintenance in Singapore, but it has not confirmed specific onboard enhancement details for the dry dock period.