Princess Cruises MV Dawn Princess

With Reuben Goossens

Cruise’n’Travel Journalist / Cruise Reviewer & Maritime Historian

Princess Cruises

Dawn Princess

Australia’s Second Premium Cruise Ship

Dawn Princess seen during her maiden call to Brisbane on October 28, 2008

Berthed at the Brisbane “Portside Cruise Terminal”

Please Note: Photographs on this feature (except “Accommodations” and “360 virtual tours” and those provided by Carnival Plc/Princess Cruises) and marked “by & © 2008 Kosta Specis” were taken by the author, Reuben Goossens of cruise-australia.net and are © Copyright 2008.

As MV Dawn Princess departed Sydney on October 26, 2008, she had finally joined her sister ship the Sun Princess as an Australian based Princess Cruises ship. Sun Princess has been gracing our shores for some time and her popularity had become so great, a second ship was envisioned and the slightly newer 1997 built Dawn Princess was decided on.

Dawn Princess’ first cruise was a 28 night Australian circumnavigation, with its first port of call being Brisbane where the author was invited onboard to tour the ship and enjoy lunch in the Venetian Restaurant.

This page contains a photographic ship review and it covers the majority of the ships public spaces. I trust that it will provide you with a good picture of what is indeed a magnificent ship. Many who will view this page may have already sailed with Princess Cruises and will already know about the excellent service that Princess is famed for! The food on a Princess ship is the ultimate and the entertainment onboard simply cannot be faulted. The author has sailed with Princess Cruises many times (at own expense) and is an “Elite Captains Club” member, and from my experiences, I highly recommend a Princess cruise. Some ask me, “Is a Princess Cruise not rather expensive?” I can honestly tell you that it certainly does not have to be, for always check the travel pages in your local weekend newspaper or with your travel agent, for there are special fares available at certain times.

Maintenance is never ending to keep this ship in perfect shape

The ships sheer size is evident from the size of the men on the raft

Before we board this fine ship, let’s review a few facts about the Dawn Princess: She is the younger sister of the Sun Princess and the two ships are the largest Premium class ships based full-time in Australia. Dawn Princess is the newest and the youngest ship ever to be based in Australia having been built in 1997 and she was christened by the cast of the original “Love Boat.” Many may not be aware, but the Dawn Princess is larger than the famed Cunard liner QE2 which is 70,300-tonnes, whilst the Dawn Princess is 77,000-tonnes. If she was to be placed on her stern, she would be 31m taller than the world’s tallest residential tower, being the Q1 on the Gold Coast. Now we know that she is a big ship, yet amazingly once onboard you will discover that she has the feel of a ship that is also an intimate one, and her lay out is such that you will find that finding your way around the ship, a breeze!

Now, let’s go onboard and explore the magnificent Dawn Princess!

Dawn Princess towers high above the apartments built at Portside

This will be the first view you will have of the Grand Lobby if you board the ship in Sydney at the Passenger Terminal

Via Deck 7 – Promenade Deck

The Grand Plaza Atrium – Decks 5, 6, 7 & 8

We walk from the bottom to the top

Externally Dawn Princess is identical to her sister Sun Princess. Internally, I soon found that there are a few slight differences, as her timber work is lighter, and she features a multitude of different art works throughout the ship. In addition her two Main Restaurants have different names.

As you board this magnificent ship the Grand Plaza greets you with its sheer grandeur. We boarded on Deck 5, being the location of the Information Desk (starboard), there is a lounge located in the middle. Next to the stairs and the glass domed lifts is a fountain with sculpture, a band stand and dance floor. The Patisserie Coffee Lounge is located on the portside.

Two glass dome lifts are a feature of the Atrium

Deck 5 - Grand Plaza Lounge looking towards the Patisserie

The Patisserie Coffee Lounge – looking forward

The Patisserie – looking aft

The Grand Plaza lounge has a variety of features, such as a cantilevered staircase, fine wall and fountain sculptures. A superb blue circular carpet with its comfortable blue sofas and chairs, this space is obviously enhanced by the spectacle that towers above. The Information Desk is located along the starboard wall.

The Patisserie – looking forward

The Patisserie runs the length on the portside of the Grand Plaza and is furnished in beige club chairs on a blue carpeted area, whilst the Bar is surrounded by beige, white and brown tiles. The large windows flood the space with light and allow fine views, be it at sea or when in port. In all, this space seemed to be quite separate from the Grand Plaza as it had an individual atmosphere!

The Grand Plaza Lounge looking towards the Patisserie – the Pursers deck is behind me

Purser’s (Information) Desk

Grand Plaza Atrium views from Deck 6

Central Staircase down to Deck 5

The shopping arcades “Reflections” & “Latitudes” and other Boutiques surround the Atrium on Deck 7

The Regatta Galleria

Looking up from Deck 6 to the Atrium Lounge on Deck 7 and La Scala Pizzeria on Deck 8

Deck 8 is the top level of the Grand Atrium and it is the location of the La Scala Pizzeria

The La Scala Pizzeria occupies the entire top level of the Atrium which is furnished with iron tables and chairs, similar to those seen here. This space has that typical Italian feel, although the baking and serving staff at La Scala is mostly Pilipino.

Looking down from Deck 8

Deck 7 – Promenade Deck

Our tour commences forward and heads Aft

On Deck 7, Promenade Deck you will make many discoveries and there will certainly be a facility to please every need. There is the grand Princess Theatre forward as well as the fine Vista Lounge & Showroom aft on this deck. In addition to a vast variety of Lounges and Bars, there is a spacious Nightclub, a Photoshop, as well as an Internet Café and the ever popular Library! Not to forget the magnificent teak walk around Promenade Deck.

The Art Deco style Princess Theatre is located far forward and it seats 550 passengers. The arched stage is 11 meters wide and will host a host of Broadway style shows. The over all colour scheme is a hued red and there are large Art Deco panels on the walls that contain murals which are more visible on the second photograph.

Starboard entrance to the Princess Theatre

The Princess Theatre seats 550 persons

Princess Theatre – looking forward

Princess Theatre walls have fine Art Deco panels

A close up of one of these panels

The forward Hall located between the Princess Theatre and the Wheelhouse Lounge and Bar

Portside Passage next to the Wheelhouse Lounge

Portside entrance to the Wheelhouse Bar

With the Wheelhouse Bar, Princess Cruises has gone back to its P&O roots as the room features many models of old P&O liners on the starboard side as well as fine paintings. In addition there are many items of memorabilia from various liners. These include a Ships Bell, a Telegraph, a Steering Wheel, brass Lamps and much more. You will discover fine leather sofas and chairs on the port side, whilst on starboard some of the seating is upholstered in fine red brocades as you will see on the photograph below. This room has a band stand and a sizable dance floor as this fine Lounge is also used for dancing.

The superb Wheelhouse Lounge and Bar

Starboard side of the Wheelhouse Bar

Wheelhouse Bar, looking to port

View a 360 virtual tour of the Wheelhouse Bar

I have briefly walked to the forward set of lifts and this is the stairwell opposite the lifts on Deck 7

Dawn Princess is blessed with a full walk around teak Promenade Deck – Starboard, looking aft

This is the perfect place for a morning read and enjoying the sun and the sea breeze! – Starboard, looking forward

Between the lifts is the entrance to the Atrium Lounge on Deck 7

Atrium Lounge and bar (starboard)

Atrium Lounge occupies all of the Grand Atrium space on Deck 7. The colour scheme is colourful, yet somewhat muted with its rich timbers, beige carpets and blue seating, with gold metal and glass topped tables. The bar is also framed with gold and dark brown stone and a sculpture at its corner. A modern mural hangs on the forward wall, whilst the Plaza Atrium itself makes up the remainder of the spectacle. The Atrium Lounge is the perfect place for trivia and other games during the day, as well as having that quiet drink and a relaxing time, be it reading a book or just chatting with friends. However, at other times, the Atrium Lounge is used for dancing as it has a band stand and a dance floor.

A wider view of the Atrium Lounge

The Art Gallery – The staircase on the right leads upstairs to the Casino - it was closed in port for renovations.

View a 360 virtual tour of the Grand Casino

On starboard side of the Art Gallery is the rather intimate yet delightful Magnums Lounge and Cocktail Bar, this leads down the short hallway. This would be one of the smallest venues on the ship but it is, like all venues tastefully furnishes in hues of various shades of blue and beige, with fine timber walls and superb art works and table lamps!

Magnums Lounge and Bar

Magnums Lounge – The Photo Gallery can be seen past the doors

Shooting Stars Nightclub and Disco – amidships, portside

The Shooting Stars Night Club is a spacious room and above we see but a corner of it. The colour scheme is based on various shades of greys, but it comes alive when the lights are turned on at night when it becomes a very colourful venue indeed! It starts off as a Night Club and then it turns into the late night Disco for those who like to dance the night away!

The ever popular Bay View Library & Reading Room - It is located portside

Aft entrance to the Internet Café

Internet Café – is also located portside

The Vista Lounge is the ships second showroom

The Vista Lounge is a tiered room and the venue for a variety of entertainments and shows and cabarets and guest entertainers, such as comedians, vocalists, and magicians. In addition movies are also shown here, as they are in the Princess Theatre. The Vista Lounge is also the perfect place for “Bingo.”

The Vista Lounge is well tiered and all seats turn around and face the stage

The Vista Bar

Deck 12

We tour aft to forward

The Beauty salon

Hairdresser

Reception at the “Lotus Spa”

“Lotus Spa’ main entrance

The Gym is large and faces out to sea as well as over the stern of the ship

A grand view is to be had as you are working out!

View a 360 virtual tour of the Gym

Highly trained staff is available to work with you and organise a program that will suit your needs

The famous between decks Lotus Pool and two Hot Tubs

This area is simply called “The Riviera” – It has an upper pool seen in the front, with two Hot Tubs, and there

Is a larger pool and one more Hot Tub on the lower lever closer to the Riviera Bar

Another view from starboard

View a 360 virtual tour of Lido deck & Pools

Here we see that each deck has a facility. 1. The Riviera Bar. 2. The Balcony Grill. 3 Windjammers Bar.

Deck 14

“The Riviera” looking aft – The jogging track surrounds the deck

During the June 2008 refit one of the new features to be added will be the giant outdoor movie screen

Placed in front of the funnel

Horizon Court is a 24 hour buffet/food outlet overlooking the ships bow. In the evening part of the

Horizon Court is transformed in the ever popular “Sterling Steakhouse.”

Horizon Court has a Bar, Band stand and dance floor

There are buffets on both sides as well as one in the middle, note the superb model of the ship!

View a 360 virtual tour of the Horizon Court

Another new addition after the refit will be the new luxurious *“Adults Only Sanctuary” with “Lotus Spa” facilities up on Deck 15

This area is complete with cabanas, trees and a vast range of plants, giving it a garden atmosphere - *Extra charge applies

Deck 6 - Venetian Restaurant

The Venetian Restaurant

Sorry for the blurred image, my battery was running low

Deck 5 - Florentine Restaurant

The Florentine Restaurant is located directly below the Venetian Restaurant

Accommodations

The accommodation images were provided by: Carnival PLC/Princess Cruises

Twin bedded cabin with balcony - Convertible to a Queen sized bed

Standard outside cabins with picture windows measure 135-173 square feet. Dawn Princess has a wide selection of staterooms with private balconies, nearly 70 percent of all outside cabins. Balcony cabins measure 178 square feet including the balcony. Space inside these cabins is smaller (151 square feet), and may feel tight, particularly if shared with children. Suites with large private balconies are 374 to 754 square feet and include a sitting room with separate bedroom, a large marble bathroom, whirlpool, and walk-in closet. There are also 372 inside cabins ranging from 135 to 148 square feet. Nineteen ADA (wheelchair accessible) cabins (seven outside, 12 inside) range from 212-305 square feet.

Suite

Outside double/twin bedded cabin

Inside twin bedded cabin

Each cabin deck has a free Laundromat with washer and dryer. Detergent is available in machines for 50 cents a box (enough for a single load) and each laundry has an iron and ironing board. I was told by a past Sun Princess passenger that “They're most crowded on the last day of the cruise, and to beware for these machines are commercial units and should be used with care with very delicate lady garments.”

My tour of the ship certainly left me impressed as I had not seen her before and she is superb in every respect and I would be on her tomorrow, if I had the time! But, I am certainly planning a cruise on her as soon as I am able! In the meantime if you are planning a cruise in the near future, make sure you book a cruise on the magnificent Dawn Princess, or her sister the Sun Princess, for you will not be disappointed!

Dawn Princess is a ship highly to be recommended, certainly her interiors are like a luxury hotel in every respect!

A photo taken from across the Brisbane River – Lifeboat drill was obviously ongoing. Like everything onboard

all things has to be just 100% perfect and her officers and staff ensured that it was!

In Conclusion

Dawn Princess was built in Italy at a cost of more that A$400 million and operates Premium cruises out of Sydney from October 2008 and from Melbourne as of November 2009. She is 261m long and 32m wide. She has 14 decks and sails at a speed of 21 knots. She accommodates up to 1998 passengers in 999 cabins, including 6 suites, 32 mini-suites, 372 balcony cabins, as well as outside (window) and affordable inside cabins (no window). Dawn Princess has 19 rooms available with wheelchair access, 7 of these are outside and 12 inside. The ship is officially rated as 4 Stars by the Berlitz Cruising Guide.

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