With Reuben Goossens
Cruise’n’Travel Journalist / Cruise Reviewer
& Maritime Historian
Please Note:
Cruise-Australia
is a non-commercial and privately owned cruise site and is NOT associated with
any cruise line or cruise/travel agency. The author has been in the passenger
shipping industry since 1960 and is currently semi retired, but continues to
write cruise & ship reviews and articles to inform cruise & ship
enthusiasts to provide information for those intending a cruise. If you are
interested in a cruise, I am more than happy to refer you to a dedicated cruise
agent in
Please Note: All photographs are ©
and unless marked otherwise they were taken by the author and associate Hun-Eng
Tan.
Many do not realise
that the two excellent ships that today are lovingly known as Brisbane’s
MV Pacific Dawn and Sydney’s Pacific Jewel were originally planned and
designed by one of the great Italian shipping companies by the name of
“Sitmar Line” and cruises, they are also known as V.Ships, a
company that still operates to this very day with a superb fleet of 6 star
super luxury boutique cruise ships.
In the days of their
older ships, such as the Fair Wind and Fair Sea (two ex Cunard ships), which
later became known as TSS Dawn and TSS Pacific Princess, they decided to sign a
deal to build magnificent MV FairMajesty with Chantiers de l’Antlantique.
However, as history would prove Mr Boris Vlasov the great leader of the Sitmar
group of companies passed away, and Sitmar was soon thereafter taken over by
P&O and the FairMajesty was renamed Star Princess and today she is what I
believe one of the finest ships in the P&O fleet, the MV Pacific Pearl!
However, before Mr. Vlasov’s passing V.Ships also met with senior naval
architects from the famed Italian ship builders Fincantieri to build two further
magnificent and very advanced cruise ships to be built by them
in
Thus the superbly designed 70,285 ton MV Pacific Dawn was originally
designed by the famous maritime architects Enrico Buschi, Gianfranco Bertaglia and Renzo Piano who are renowned as being the finest and top
designers. Renzo Piano is famous around the world for
his many architectural creations, both on land and on the sea. When these ships
were built, they inspired a whole new era of sea-going innovations for Renzo combined what is called a brand new style of “maritime
design that was inspired by nature” and this can be seen in both
Pacific Jewel and Dawn’s overall and most pleasing design, especially
their forward upper section. Pacific Dawn’s famed for her rounded
“The Dome” that is a superb lounge and nightclub, sitting atop of
the bridge and the design is intended to resemble a dolphin gracefully moving
through the water. This innovative design gives her delightfully sleek and
rounded lines.
Sadly on the Pacific Jewel whilst she was with one of Carnival’s
German cruise companies, they ripped out the Dome lounge and replaced it with
the Spa, which I believe was a travesty for this meant the ships had lost one
of its major public venues. In addition, they reduced the Atrium area by adding
cabins on both sides of Deck 6, where the Shopping Gallery should have been,
and it is for this reason Pacific Jewel is my least favourite ship in the
P&O fleet today for she has just two main lounges and that’s about
it, apart from the show room and other minor spaces! However, the Pacific Dawn
and Pacific Pearl are both wonderful ships and highly recommended!
Pacific Dawn seen at
The author on Pacific
Dawn’s starboard bridge wing
Welcome on Board
the superb Pacific Dawn and I am delighted to take you on a tour of this
wonderful cruise ship that has made its home in
Reuben Goossens
Cruise‘n’Ship
Reviewer, Maritime Historian, Author and Lecturer.
In the Passenger Shipping Industry since 1960!
All her suites and mini-suites will be completely
upgraded with new carpets, furnishings and artwork by the famed
Another popular change has been that a good
number of standard cabins have become interconnecting cabins. These new interconnecting cabins will be configured
as quad-quad, twin-quad or with twin-twin bedding, able to suit the
dynamics of different travelling parties, be it families, or friends travelling
together.
Outdoors, she will finally be given a giant state of the art LED Big Screen located just forward of her funnel, providing movies, features, concerts, sports and other shows. These screens on the other two ships have proven to be a huge hit with passengers!
Pacific Dawn is a revitalised ship with
exciting and new features, therefore past passengers who have loved her for a
long time will be overjoyed with the many new venues and the brighter new
buffet and a smarter and far more glamorous International Show Lounge! There is
no doubt that she will be a superior ship with the many changes that have been
made!
Pacific Dawn is
indeed the finest cruise ship ever to be based in
The
Plaza Atrium looking forward - On the right is Reception whilst on the left is
“Charlies” Coffee
Lounge
Pacific
Dawn’s interiors was designed by top interior design firm “H.
Chambers Company” of
The
International Show Room
The multi-level Marquee Show Room
The multi-level
“Marquee Show Room” located forward on Promenade (7) and Dolphin
(8) Decks, showcases grand nightly shows and other variety entertainments. The
Show Room features state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems. Pacific Dawn
has a professional theatre troupe and there are several bands that perform in
various lounges around the ship as well as the ships pianist. On each cruise
there will be a number of guest artists who may be comedians, musicians,
vocalists, and other performers, etc. The list is endless.
The
upper Lever of the Show Room on Deck 8
At
night the Show Room comes alive at it is time for a big shiow!
Above
and below: Showtime!
The Dome
On each side there is a grand arched hallway to the
“Dome” – This is portside looking towards aft the exit
Situated forward
and atop of the ship is the famed “Dome” and this is a unique venue
that accommodates several distinct areas under one huge curved roof. The Dome
is 19 feet high in the center and the room measures
an impressive 13,000 square feet. Curved glass outer windows are extenuated
with rounded bone-white “ribs” arching from ceiling to floor. There
is a huge bar located in the center of the Dome as
well as a circular dance floor adjacent to the stage on the center
portside were live bands will perform nightly. The observation area is separated
by low partitions creating different levels. In addition the Dome has special
lighting techniques that create a different mood in each area. However, during
the day it is a popular venue for just sitting near a window enjoying the view
and possible just reading your favourite book, whilst at night the Dome comes
to life as the bands strike up the music and dancing commenced, and late at
night the DJ continues the party until early in the morning.
The
Dome is one of the most spectacular venues at sea, and it has a grand view to
go with it!
The
huge Dome’s Bar
The
centrally located (amidships, but portside) bandstand
Floor
to ceiling curved windows let in light into this venue – the views from
any part of this venue is wonderful!
There
is a variety of seating, for comfortable lounge chairs to leather round and
square stool like seating near the bar
It
is so sad this grand room was removed from the Pacific Jewel, for on her it has
become the Spa, what a terrible waste and a great loss of passenger space!!!
The
Plaza Atrium
The heart of the
Pacific Dawn is the elegant three-story Plaza Atrium, which is highlighted by a
grand staircase and features granite and polished metal accents and a waterfall
cascading down in a decorative pool at the bottom. The lower level houses the
Lobby Lounge and the reception area as well as ever popular “Carlies” with a Bar serving pastries and Barista
coffee specialties.
The three level Plaza
Atrium looking aft to the grand staircase and wall waterfall
On the upper levels
of the Plaza Atrium passengers will discover The Galleria on Emerald Deck (6),
which has a fine duty-free shopping arcade offering everything from fine
jewellery, crystal, perfumes to fashion apparel. The top level completes the
scene with the delightful Bacchus Bar, as well as another shop and the photo
and video shop located on each side of the ship.
Looking up to the upper
levels of the Plaza Atrium and atop we can just see the intimate Bacchus bar
The Reception –
Information Desk
The sculpture behind on
the wall of the Reception Desk
Charlies on the lower
level of the Atrium has a Bar serving Barista coffee specialties drinks and
delicious pastries
The delightful and intimate Bacchus Bar atop the
Plaza Atrium
As casn be seen above, on both sides of
promenade deck there are long passageways with tables and comfortable seating
that leads to the next two lounges “The Orient’ and
“Promenade Lounge” and far aft is the magnificent
The first lounge just aft of the Atrium is the now elegantly-appointed The Orient.” Having had a recent refit this venue has had a complete change and has become a magnificent Sports style Pub and it is filled wit a good variety of sports memorabilia, yet as can be seen here there are cosy corners for a quiet drink.
The
new “The Orient” Pub
A
cosy corner of “The Orient” Pub
The
hallway leading aft to the
The next venue is the Promenade Lounge that has an all black curved bar
set against the forward wall, and there are two huge alfresco murals well
placed on the aft walls. There is also a raised stage featuring a grand piano and a small
dance floor. The room is furnished in blues and gold’s with granite round table
tops.
Above and below: This delightful lounge has a grand Piano, thus has
music
Other Venues
Other facilities
on board are up on Dolphin Deck where you will find the massive Casino and the
Legends Sports Bar located almost directly above the atrium ceiling. Forward
near the entrance of the upper level of the International Show Room there are
two popular venues. On the starboard side is the beautifully timbered Library
and on the portside the Internet Café.
The
main Casino Hall
Along
the two sides of the casino is the Legends lounge areas with large screen
sports on screens
The
Library is an elegant room and has a glazed cupboard with memorabilia. There
are ample books for a cruise
A
cosy spot to read or even play a game of cards
Dinning
Venues & Cafes
Aft on Promenade Deck (7) you will find Pacific Dawn’s main
dinning room, the
PacDawn-Waterfront-Restaurant
The Waterfront Restaurant is elegantly appointed in
fine timbers and etched glass dividers
One
of the different glazed dividers in the Waterfront Restaurant
Photograph
© - by Kosta Specis
Aft on Lido Deck (12) you will find Cafe del Sol, being the ships Buffet
venue that offers indoor/outdoor breakfast and luncheons as well as open
sitting evening meals, as Pacific Dawn now offers “Your Choice
Dining”, therefore you can dine with whom you wish, as well as when and
where you wish” giving you a choice of where you wish to dine! The superb
a la Carte meals in the
Photograph
© - by Kosta Specis
Then there is the “Lido Café” is ideal to enjoy an ice
cream, a cook drink or head there for a Barista espresso or Cappuccino from
just A$2. The
Above
and below: The Lido café located forward on Lido Deck (14) portside
Above
and below:
The
Grill is located in a certain section of
You will note that the ceiling and surrounds is quite different to the
main section of the mostly white buffet area
Luke Mangan on board the Pacific Dawn in
Photo provided
& © by Carnival (P&O)
Luke
Mangan’s Salt Grill interior
This used to be Bravo Trattoria, but
is now the highly acclaimed Luke Mangan's “Salt Grill”
Pools fitness and Lotus Spa
Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy the Gym and the spacious Aerobics Room.
The Fitness Centre is fully equipped with a wide variety of equipment including
Keiser-300 weight machines, exercise bikes and up top there is a jogging track.
At the Fitness Centre you can also enjoy the sauna or the steam room.
For both men and ladies, a superbly equipped and fully trained staff
will be at hand in Pacific Dawn’s Hair and Beauty Salon to take care of
all your needs. Then for those who wish to luxuriate and be pampered, then head
for the Lotus Spa and enjoy one of the vast range of
massages on offer and relax and make your cruise simply special!
Of course there is that brand new addition that was added in 2012, a
huge
The delightful and
tasty NZ Natural Ice Cream Bar!
This photograph has been
provided by Carnival Plc/P&O Cruises
Lido Deck features two fine swimming pools, one having a waterfall as
well as an in-pool bar and there are two whirlpool hot spas. At night the
central covered area is used for a variety of entertainment purposes, thus it
is a place to fun, day in and also at night!
Photograph © - by Kosta Specis
Accommodations
Pacific Dawn accommodates 1,596 passengers when utilising lower beds only and up to 2,020 passengers when using ALL beds, lower and upper berths. However, as many couples tend to cruise, the latter simply never happens, thus the usual maximum passenger capacity is between 1,850 and 1,950 passengers, but as I said, this can be variable, especially during school holidays.
The Suite has a
separate Lounge and a full width balcony
This photograph has been
provided by Carnival Plc/P&O Cruises
Above and below: A
standard outside twin – Economical inside cabins are similar, but without
a window
This is cabin P-90
located aft / portside on Plaza Deck and Kosta and friend was very pleased with
it!
Photograph
© - by Kosta Specis
Photograph
© - by Kosta Specis
Looking at the basin,
mirror that hides the 2 small toiletries cupboards, but there is plenty of
other space available!
Here we see a
twin room with two uppers down and sold as a four berth cabin.
Above and Below we see just two of the younger set’s facilities,
which are superb and well supervised with heaps of games & activities
Above and below:
Pacific Dawn has a wide and a spacious Promenade Deck
MV Pacific Dawn departs
I trust that you will
be on board the delightful Pacific Dawn very soon!
For Information and Reservations
(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)
Or
visit: www.pocruise.com.au
for information
Please Note: You can book with P&O
direct, but I highly suggest that you then go to a good agent
To complete the booking, for you will receive excellent service,
something that P&O just do not provides per phone!
But better still – Having looked at P&O’s website, GO or
email a good and reliable agent FIRST!
Pacific Dawn Index:
Photo
Page One
Deck
Plan –
Covering all her deck Decks 2 (Holiday Deck) to Deck 14 (Sun Deck)
Visit our many
features on the following Carnival PLC Cruise Companies
Princess
Cruises Australia: Sun Princess / Dawn Princess
P&O Cruises
Cunard Line USA/UK: Queen Mary 2 / Queen
Victoria
Seabourn: Seabourn
Yachts
Phone:
Brisbane & International – Phone: +61 7 5546-6798
A listing of
recommended Australian & International Cruise
Agents
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Commenced in the
Passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960
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