Pacific Dawn (ship)

"Pacific Dawn" is a cruise liner operating for P&O Cruises Australia. Formerly known as the "Regal Princess" (Princess Cruises), "Pacific Dawn" is the largest cruise liner to be based in Australia.Fact|date=March 2008 She is Australia's first superliner to be permanently based in Australia.Fact|date=March 2008 "Pacific Dawn" will visit mainly South Pacific destinations during her service.

After her multi-million-dollar refurbishment in Singapore from "Regal Princess" to "Pacific Dawn", she operates in Australia. She is the first ship of the P&O Cruises Australia fleet with an all-white hull, to mark P&O's 75th anniversary in Australia.

History

"Pacific Dawn" was built by Fincantieri in Trieste, Italy in 1991 as "Regal Princess". Her distinctive curved profile—often referred to as 'dolphin-like'—was designed by Renzo Piano. Her sister ship is "Crown Princess", now "Ocean Village Two". Both the Regal and Crown Princess were on order for Sitmar International and were in the early construction phases when Princess purchased their former competitor. She was christened MV "Regal Princess" by former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in New York on August 8, 1991. She had a major refurbishment in 2000 and in September 2007 in Singapore when she was converted to "Pacific Dawn".

Naming ceremony

The Pacific Dawn was introduced to service in Australian waters, decorated in P&O livery, and renamed on 8 November 2007 by gold medalist Cathy Freeman. She said: "I name this ship Pacific Dawn, may God bless her and all who sail in her." Then the traditional champagne bottle breaking over the hull took place. Following was a light and firework show. VIPs were invited to be onboard during the ceremony and party. The night's events raised funds for Freeman's new charity.Fact|date=March 2008

Features

General features

;Passenger facilities
*Two swimming pools
*Four whirlpool spas
*Fitness centre and classes♦
*Deck sports
*Water volleyball
*Jogging track, steam room, sauna
*Lotus Spa massage, beauty treatments, hair salon♦
*Library
*Internet café♦, wireless internet♦
*Art and craft lessons♦
*Dancing lessons
*Trivia quizzes
*Duty and tax-free shopping♦
*Art auctions♦;Entertainment
*Broadway-style musical productions
*Live music and karaoke
*Guest performers
*Cocktail parties
*Casino♦ and sports bar
*Big-screen recent release movies
*Snowball bingo♦
*Audience participation shows
*Deck parties
*Nightclub

;Dining
*The Palm Court Dining Room
**á la carte breakfast: 7.30 am-9.30am
**á la carte lunch: 12pm-2pm
**Four-course dinner: 5.30pm-10pm
*Café del Sol
**Buffet breakfast: 6am-10.30am
**Buffet lunch: 11.30am-2.30pm
**Bistro dinner: from 5pm
*Bravo Trattoria Italian cuisine♦: from 5pm
*Steakhouse♦: from 6.30pm
*Pizzeria♦: from 5pm
*Traditional P&O Cruises afternoon tea
*Bar snacks♦
*La Patisserie♦
*Lido Café: hot snacks♦, fruit smoothies♦
*Sundaes Ice Cream Bar♦
*24-hour room service♦;Bars and lounges
*The Bengal Bar
*Legends Sports Bar and Casino
*Promenade Bar
*Show lounge
*The Dome cabaret lounge and nightclub
*Lido Poolside Bar♦=Additional to cruise fare

Children

There are three different youth activity centres onboard "Pacific Dawn" for children aged 3-17 years:;Turtle Cove3 to 6 years
*Arts and crafts
*Movies and cartoons
*Scavenger hunts
*Birthday parties
*Afternoon ice cream
*Disco night
*Talent shows
*Pyjama parties
*Dance parties
*T-shirt painting♦;Shark Shack7 to 12 years
*Arts and crafts
*Movies and cartoons
*Scavenger hunts
*Playstation 2
*Birthday parties
*Pizza and ice cream parties
*Talent shows
*Dance parties
*T-shirt painting♦;Teen Lounge13 to 17 years
*Sports competitions
*Late-night movies
*Pizza parties
*Karaoke and lip-sync shows
*Casino night
*Playstation 2
*Talent Shows
*Hip-Hop dance classes
*Mocktail parties
*Dance Parties
*Formal♦=Additional to cruise fareGroup child-minding is also available from 10pm-1am but is at an additional cost.

Cabin configurations and facilities

*Queen, twin, 3 or 4-berth configuration
*184 cabins with a private balcony
*Ensuite with shower
*Air conditioning with personal controls
*TV
*Telephone
*Fridge
*Hairdryer
*Wardrobes, drawers and desk
*Safety deposit box
*Complimentary toiletries

uites also offer

*Queen, twin or 3-berth configuration
*Entertainment area with sofa, coffee table and desk
*Upgraded balcony with table and chairs
*Bath (excluding wheelchair access cabins)
*Walk-in wardrobe
*European style duvets and luxury linens

References

*http://pacific-dawn.com.au/html/about-pacific-dawn.cfm
*http://pacific-dawn.com.au/html/australia-s-first-superliner-christened-by-cathy-freeman.cfm
*http://pacific-dawn.com.au/html/sound-and-light-spectacular-at-circular-quay.cfm
*http://pacific-dawn.com.au/html/dawn-of-a-new-era-for-p-o-cruises-as-pacific-dawn-arrives-in-sydney.cfm

External links

* [http://pacificdawn.com.au "Pacific Dawn's" website]
* [http://pocruises.com.au/html P&O Cruises Australia website]
* [http://pacific-dawn.com.au/html/multimedia.cfm?video=ceremony Video highlights of the naming ceremony]
* [http://pacific-dawn.com.au/html/multimedia.cfm?video=dvd Video tour of "Pacific Dawn"]