Carnival Encounter Probed Over Crew Welfare Claims
Federal investigators from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) boarded the Carnival Encounter in Darwin this week after a whistleblower alleged unsafe working conditions, low wages and crew exploitation.
The complaint was submitted anonymously to the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), with the crew member reportedly fearing retaliation. According to the union, the allegations include cramped living quarters contributing to the spread of skin infections, concerns about drinking water quality and claims that crew were required to continue working despite serious illness.
MUA Northern Territory Branch Secretary Andy Buford said the union is working alongside inspectors from the International Transport Workers Federation and AMSA to investigate the claims and address what he described as “horrifying” treatment of crew members.
The Carnival Encounter is one of three Carnival ships homeported in Australia, operating primarily in Australian waters. However, the union argues that the cruise line uses legal loopholes that allow it to employ foreign crew members who are not covered by Australian employment law, despite operating from Australian ports and serving predominantly Australian passengers.
Speaking to ABC News Australia, union representatives said their Sydney branch had received hundreds of complaints over the past six months concerning working conditions across Carnival ships. Allegations include wages as low as $2.50 per hour, 10-hour workdays without regular days off and crew relying on bottled water costing about $0.70 per bottle because of concerns over potable water onboard.
Union officials also said attempts to engage directly with crew have faced resistance. MUA Sydney branch organizer Shane Reside reportedly sought to board the Carnival Encounter in December but was denied access.
Reside argued that the alleged pay levels and onboard conditions raise serious ethical concerns, particularly given Carnival’s global profitability. He added that, in his view, the issues may not be isolated to a single vessel but could reflect broader patterns across the fleet.
In a statement to ABC News Australia, Carnival said AMSA routinely conducts inspections to ensure compliance with international crew welfare standards. The company stated it respects the oversight process, values its shipboard team members and welcomes regulatory scrutiny as part of maintaining safe and compliant operations.
Related News: https://airguide.info/category/cruise