Pacific Dawn

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 Australia or New Zealand, these are agents that specialises in cruising, and they will be able to best to advise you and offer the best fares possible. Be assured, I do NOT receive any commission from these agents, for 99.9% of the time these agents will not be aware of my involvement as I provide the enquirer with the requested information and the agents (in their region) direct contact details. You can visit my recommended AGENTS page for their contact details.

MV Pacific Dawn

Quality Cruising for Queenslanders and Northern Territorians

Pacific Dawn seen at Brisbane's Portside Cruise Terminal

The superbly designed 70,000-ton cruise ship MV Pacific Dawn was designed as a Princess Cruises ship (Regal Princess) by famed maritime architect Renzo Piano who is renowned as one of the finest and top designers. He is famous worldwide for his many architectural creations, both on land and on the sea. When this ship was built, she inspired a whole new era of sea-going innovations for Renzo Piano combined what is called a brand new style of “maritime design that was inspired by nature” and this can be seen in her overall pleasing design, especially her forward section. Her famed rounded “Dome” atop the bridge is intended to resemble a dolphin gracefully moving through the water. This innovative design gives her delightfully sleek and rounded lines.

The author on Pacific Dawn’s starboard bridge wing on December 19, 2009

Welcome on Board the superb Dawn Princess and I am delighted to take you on a tour of this wonderful cruise ship that has made its home in Brisbane. As you will soon discover she is one of my favourite ships and I would highly recommend her to anyone intending heading off for a cruise vacation. She offers superb venues, as you will soon discover and excellent accommodations. But better still, P&O Cruises Australia, and I am speaking from sheer experience, has a great and a friend fully experienced crew who are always there to tend to your every wish, and the food, well that is, as to say, “To Die for!!” But, I better get off the bridge and take you around the ship!

Reuben Goossens

Celebrating 50 Years in the Passenger Shipping Industry!

Nice to know that Pacific Dawn is still registered in LONDON!

Pacific Dawn is indeed the finest cruise ship ever to be based in Brisbane Australia as she is a revolutionary ship that sets new whole new a standard in cruising for Queenslanders!

The Plaza Atrium looking forward - On the right is Reception whilst on the left is “La Patisserie” Coffee Lounge

Pacific Dawn’s interiors was designed by top interior design firm “H. Chambers Company” of Baltimore USA and Pacific Dawn exudes a soft and a somewhat understated decor. You will find the crisp corals of blue and aqua tones, which are combined with superb woods, granites and polished metals, all of which adds to her fresh interiors. The overall feel is one of spaciousness, yet she has relaxed and comfortable areas that compliment the casually elegant interior design of this beautifully designed cruise ship, which is simply a joy to sail on!

The International Showroom

The multi-level International Show Lounge

The upper Lever of the Showroom on Deck 8

The multi-level “International Show Lounge” located forward on Promenade (7) and Dolphin (8) Decks, showcases grand nightly shows and other variety entertainments. The Show Lounge 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 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 centrally located (amidships, but portside) bandstand

Floor to ceiling curved windows let in light and views into this venue all around this room

There is a variety of seating, for comfortable lounge chairs to leather round and square stool like seating near the bar

The closer you get to the windows the more comfortable the seating gets, and it is the popular daytime spot!

The Plaza Atrium

The core 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 “La Patisserie” with a Bar serving pastries and Barista coffee specialties.

The three level Plaza Atrium looking aft to the grand staircase and wall waterfall

Looking up to the upper levels of the Plaza Atrium and atop we can just see the intimate Bacchus bar

La Patisserie on the lower level of the Atrium has a Bar serving Barista coffee specialties drinks and delicious pastries

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.

The delightful and intimate Bacchus Bar atop the Plaza Atrium

On both sides of promenade deck are long passageways with tables and comfortable seating that leads to the next two lounges, and far aft is the magnificent Palm Court Restaurant.

The hallway leading aft to the Art Gallery and the Restaurant

However, the next lounge just aft of the Atrium is the elegantly-appointed Bengal Bar. The first thing that will strike you is the British Indian theme of the decor with the large overhead fans and that huge golden Bengal Tiger statue in the middle of the room separating the main lounge and the dance floor and band stand which has a massive mural feature backing. The main lounge area has is a dramatic large mirrored bar, making this a spectacular room indeed! It's colour scheme is obvious as it is mostly gold with a few touches of dark blue here and there and this is carried through to the rooms furnishings and carpeting. This venue has a comfortable atmosphere that makes it the perfect gathering place before and after dinner. In addition it is a popular entertainment and dance venue!

The golden Bengal Bar

Bengal Bar lives up to its name with the tiger sculpture overlooking the venue

A general view of delightful Bengal Lounge and Bar

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.

The Promenade Lounge and Bar is a colourful venue even though having an all black bar

Other Venues on Dolphin Deck (8)

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

at both ends of the room

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

Above and below: The Internet café

Dinning Venues & Cafes

Aft on Promenade Deck (7) you will find Pacific Dawn’s main dinning room, the Palm Court Restaurant. It has an intimate and elegant environment and atmosphere and this has been achieved by cleverly placing dividing walls and superbly glazed panels enhancing the beauty of thus fine room. However, no matter the elegance of the venue it is far outdone by the chefs in the galleys, as P&O’s chefs create some of the finest cuisine on the South Pacific, and the author having dined on Pacific Dawn and other P&O ships can attest to this!

The Palm Court Restaurant is elegantly appointed in fine timbers and etched glass dividers

One of the glazed dividers in the Palm Court Restaurant

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 Palm Court Restaurant and copious Buffet style meals in Café del Sol are all included in your fares.

Cafe del Sol Buffet where you can sit indoors or outside in the sun or shade!

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 Lido poolside bar serves drinks in an easygoing setting.

Above and below: The Lido café located forward on Lido Deck (14) portside

Above and below: Lido Café has a delightful alfresco seating arrangement

However, for something special the Pacific Dawn also has two optional dining facilities. 1. “The Grill” offers Steaks and Seafood, and 2. “Bravo Trattoria” offering freshly-baked pizza and Italian specialities. Both are available at a low additional cost.

The Grill is located in a certain section of Café del Sol, but at night it takes on a whole new and romantic feel.

You will note that the ceiling and surrounds is quite different to the main section of the mostly white buffet area

Bravo Trattoria also has an alfresco exterior seating area – located forward starboard

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!.

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!

Lido deck offers two swimming Pools, one with a swim up bar and there are whirlpools for your enjoyment!

Accommodations

The feel of spaciousness played a mayor part in this ship’s overall design. Accommodations are some of the most spacious found in the cruise industry. She sports no less that 184 private balconies. All Suites and Mini-Suites have a balcony, sitting room areas and bathtubs. They measure between 587 and 360 square feet, respectively. Standard cabins measure an impressive 190 square feet, and cabins with balconies are 210 square feet. All staterooms feature the latest in amenities, including large walk-in closets, ample drawer space, refrigerators, Flat screen LCD TV, guest safes. All twin beds can convert to a queen sized bed. All Ocean View cabins feature large picture windows. There is a vast array of accommodations available, thus be assured, there is a cabin to suit your pocket.

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

The bedroom is seen on the left

This photograph has been provided by Carnival Plc/P&O Cruises

A Mini Suite provides every possible comfort

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 P190 located aft / portside on Plaza Deck and Kosta and friend was very pleased with it!

Note the spacious desk and the flat screen TV

Above and below: Pacific Dawn has a wide and a spacious Promenade Deck

The 70,000-ton Pacific Dawn is a revolutionary cruise ship, full of grace and elegance

This photograph has been provided by Carnival Plc/P&O Cruises, and is used with permission

For Information and Reservations

Contact: “The Cruise Specialists”

Australia’s first fully dedicated cruise agency – Established in 1982

Email Corie Lisignoli at: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

Phone: Australia wide - Phone 1800 427 847 - Brisbane & International – Phone: +61 7 5546-6798

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

Pacific Dawn Index:

Pacific Dawn - Introducing the best ever cruise ship we have had based in Brisbane Queensland!

Photo Page One – Kosta Specis my associate, presents three fine photo pages of his cruise

Photo Page Two

Photo Page Three

Deck Plan – Covering all her deck Decks 2 (Holiday Deck) to Deck 14 (Sun Deck)

Cruise Review – Michael & Rohani Dutton and their 3 children sail on Pacific Dawn – This is their story!

Visit our many features on the following Carnival PLC Cruise Companies

P&O Cruises Australia: Pacific Sun / Pacific Dawn / Pacific Jewel / Pacific Pearl

P&O Cruises UK: Aurora / Oriana / Artemis

Princess Cruises: Sun Princess / Dawn Princess

Cunard: Queen Mary 2 / Queen Victoria / Queen Elizabeth

Seabourn: Seabourn Yachts

For the Latest Cruise NEWS read our …

P&O/Princess/Cunard/Costa/Seabourn/Carnival News Updates

For Information and Reservations

Email: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

Phone: Australia wide - Phone 1800 427 847

Brisbane & International – Phone: +61 7 5546-6798

A listing of recommended Australian & International Cruise Agents

ENTER HERE

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Who is the Author of Cruise-Australia & ssMaritime?

Commenced in the Passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960

Contact the Author …

When sending an email please name the ship you are requesting information or speaking about!

Please Note: Cruise-Australia is a non-commercial and privately owned cruise site. The author has been in the passenger shipping industry since 1960 and is currently semi-retired, but continues to write cruise and ship reviews and articles in order to better to inform cruise and ship enthusiasts and provide information for those intending a cruise in the future.

However, if you are interested in a cruise, I am happy to refer you to a dedicated cruise agent in Australia, New Zealand or further afield on my recommended “cruise agents” page, for these are agents that specialise in cruising and they will be able offer excellent service you and the best fares available! Be assured, I do NOT receive any commissions or favours from these agents, and in the vast majority of cases these agents will not even be aware of my, or mu site’s involvement, as I provide the enquirer with the requested information of the agents (in their region) including their contact details. Reuben Goossens.

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Photographs on cruise-australia.net are: 1. By the author. 2. From the author’s private collection. 3. As provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are photographs provided to me without details provided regarding the photographer concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me, that due credit may be given. I know what it is like, I have seen a multitude of my own photographs on other sites, yet they either refuse to give me credit and even refuse to remove them, knowing full well that there is no legal comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show the charlatans up and do the right thing at all times and give credit where credit is due! Note: I do not credit those who send me photos as they are not the owners of the photographs concerned, unless the image is part of their private collection.

This notice covers all pages, although, I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!

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