With Reuben
Goossens
Cruise’n’Travel Journalist & Maritime
Historian
MV
Princess
Daphne
& Sister Ship MV Princess Danae
Please Note: Cruise-Australia is a 100% non-commercial and
privately owned cruise site and is NOT associated with any cruise company or
travel agency! Although the author has been in the passenger shipping
industry since 1960 but is currently semi-retired. However, he continues to
write cruise & ship reviews as well as articles in order to better to
inform cruise and ship enthusiasts and provide information for those intending
a cruise in the future. More at the bottom of the page.
Classic
International Cruises’ magnificent new cruise ship, the MV
Princess Daphne
The ship last visited Sydney
in January 1998, then named MV Switzerland whilst she was on a world cruise
Photograph taken by &
© Reuben Goossens
MV
Princess Daphne was originally a famed British built
Port Line ship that sailed with her sister the MV Princess Danae between the United Kingdom and New Zealand and Australia,
and thus they were built as “deep sea ships” with hulls to suit
“long distance blue water voyages”! First of the pair obtained was
the Princess Danae, then in 2008 Princess Daphne came into the Classic
International Cruises (CIC) fleet and she was
given a substantial refit and
this fine ship like her sister is a superb cruise ship and joined the Classic
International Cruises fleet consisting of the ever popular MV Funchal, MV Athena (CIC’s flagship),
MV Arion, and the Princess Danae.
Both
ships have extensive decks, a pool, and Danae has the two raised Jacuzzis
as in this image
From the author’s private
collection
These
ships are traditional cruise ships, which were purpose built for blue water
voyages, and offers passengers whose preference is for a ‘smaller’
ship, value for money cruising.
Princess Daphne was originally
built as the MS Port Sydney and her sister as the Port Melbourne. Both having
been completely rebuilt and refitted a number of times, thus these fine ships
are the perfect ships for long distance ocean cruising having solid deep ocean hull,
this, combined with their attractive public lounges, wide spacious open decks
and excellent cabin accommodations make them special ships indeed and they come
highly recommended!
Provided
by “Classic International Cruises - CIC
The
Ship:
Like MV
Funchal and MV Athena, the Princess Daphne is a deep hull classic cruise ship
and this fine ship was designed for long distance ocean cruising. From
countless reviews, it is obvious that she has been very popular amongst the
British and other markets in the Northern Hemisphere and I am assured knowing
this ship so well that she will be a massive hit with Australians! One of the
reasons for her popularity is due to her being a medium to small sized cruise
ship, especially by today’s standards, thus, unlike the majority of
today’s massive cruise ships, instead of cruising with a crowd, on some
ships up to 6,000 passengers, whilst on Princess Daphne you will never have
more than 592 fellow guests on board, thus soon you will become part of the
Princess Daphne family, where you will discover a warm and an intimate
atmosphere, whilst Classic International Cruises will provide that traditional
old fashioned European style of service.
Princess
Daphne / Danae - Photo Gallery
Photographs
are a selection from both ships
MV Princess
Danae can be identified from her sister by her superstructure
which was extended further forward
From a private source
This
Lounge is warm and elegant and simply one of the many a great venues on board
Provided by
“Classic International Cruises – CIC
The Main
Lounge & Show Room
Provided by
“Classic International Cruises - CIC
Showtime!
Provided by
“Classic International Cruises - CIC
Main
Lounge & Show Room
Provided by
“Classic International Cruises – CIC
One
of the many Lounges – Note the slots for those with a willing finger!
From the
author’s private collection
There
are many delightful Bars and Lounges
From the author’s
private collection
The
delightful Piano lounge
Provided by
“Classic International Cruises - CIC
The
Piano Bar
Provided
by “Classic International Cruises - CIC
Above & Below: The Restaurant
From
the author’s private collection
Classic
International Cruises is part of the long established and well respected
Arcalia Shipping Company Limited which owns and operates five cruise vessels: Funchal, Arion, Princess Danae,
Princess Daphne and their flagship the Athena.
Since
1982 Classic International Cruises has successfully served the British and
European cruise market, carrying well over 85,000 passengers per year to
Europe, United Kingdom, and South America, whilst cruises out of Australia was
introduced in 2003.
First Australian’s were introduced to
the delightful MV Funchal
and then the company’s flagship the MV Athena
took over the Australian service and she proved to be a massive hit!
What can you expect from a CIC cruise? I have
received hundred’s of emails from past CIC passengers who attest to their
cruise experience, and in general they stated that their cruise was
“Great value for money, and that it offered excellent food, friendly and
efficient service as well as the great entertainment.” Believe it or not,
I once received one complaint, someone stated that their “cruise on the
QE2 was much better.” Well, this passenger forgot one major factor, they
did not pay QE2 prices, thus so sorry there are no white gloves at afternoon
tea! What CIC does offer is superb value for money and a great cruise with all
the trimmings, and that is why CIC has been such a huge success for the past 30
years! The author has been on board the Funchal and
sailed on the Athena from Australia to England as a paying passenger and I can
tell you it was an experience to remember, the sublime service, food, the comeradie between the crew and passenger is something I
have never found on any ship and I have now been on 124 voyages/cruises!
Bar
and venue for the daily Buffet
Provided
by “Classic International Cruises - CIC
The
Gym
From the author’s private collection
The
Hair Salon
From the author’s private collection
This is Princess Daphne’s aft decks and pool
Provided by “Classic International Cruises - CIC
Accommodations
The majority of cabins on Princess
Daphne have ocean views, be it through a port hole or a window. In addition,
cabins are generally quite spacious compared to the newer built cruise ships.
All 241 cabins have a television; private en-suite facilities with many have a
bath with shower.
In
addition to a wide choice of standard and superior twin bedded cabins there are
also a good selection of higher graded larger junior suites as well as spacious
balcony suites having the added advantage of a separate lounge, as well as a
fridge, hairdryer and a safe. A limited number of cabins also extra upper fold
away pullman bed, or sofa beds, as well as the
availability of some double beds.
All
cabin images were provided by “Classic International Cruises – CIC.
Above
& below: Verandah suite (Category 13) with balcony with deck chairs, etc, a double bed,
as well as a double sofa bed (if required), private facilities with bath,
bidet, hair dryer, refrigerator, safe. Fresh Fruit is
provided daily. This spacious suite measures 30.72 M2 and is located up on
Sun Deck. (CIC)
Above. (Category 12) Deluxe suite with multiple windows having twin
beds, private facilities, a bath and an overhead shower as well as a bidet. Each suite has a sofa, refrigerator, hairdryer and safe. Fresh
Fruit is provided daily. Located on Promenade Deck.
Average size is 29m2.
Above. (Category 11) Outside suite with 2 lower beds or a double bed indicated by ¥
on the deck plan. Private facilities with bath and overhead
shower. Each has a sofa, refrigerator, hairdryer and safe. Fresh Fruit
is provided daily. Located on Promenade Deck. Average size 24m2.
Above: (Category 9) An outside premium
cabin with convertible double or twin beds and private facilities with bath and
an overhead shower. All have a refrigerator, hairdryer and safe. Located on Promenade Deck.
Above: Outside superior cabin (Category 7) with a double bed, private facilities with bath,
safe, hairdryer and refrigerator located on Atlantic Deck. (CIC)
Above: Outside twin bedded cabin (category 4), with private facilities most having a *bath on Mediterranean or Pacific Decks. *Note: It may
be necessary to cover the porthole in some cabins on certain occasions due to
bad weather conditions. (CIC)
Above: Larger inside twin bedded cabin (category 2), private facilities with bath located on
Mediterranean Deck. (CIC)
Princess
Daphne seen during her sea trials 24 April
2008 after her refit
From the author’s private collection
The Princess Daphne will cruise in Asia in 2010/2011, and she will be a welcome
addition to our region
From a private source
MV
Princess Danae – her forward extension is clearly shown in this image
Provided by “Classic International Cruises - CIC
Visit the “Classic
International Cruises” websites
For
CIC’s UK/European fleet - schedules visit: CIC Cruises - UK
Click on ships - then the ship of choice ship and do a
Quick search
For MV Athena 2011/12
Australian cruises
Visit: www.classicintcruises.com/index.htm
Then contact Corie Lisignoli – Australia’s very FIRST fully
established and registered CRUISE Agent
Email Corie at:
info@cruisespecialists.com.au
(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring
about)
In
Australia
Phone - Toll Free
(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring
about)
www.cruisespecialists.com.au
Brisbane
& International – Phone
(Please NAME the SHIP you are
enquiring about)
For
other Australian & New Zealand agencies or for our International visitors
We
have a listing of recommended Cruise’n’Travel
Agents for every one!
ENTER
HERE
*******************************************************
Port Sydney - Princess Daphne INDEX
MV Princess Daphne … & Princess Danae.
Deck Plan
… Princess
Daphne cabin plan
MS Port Sydney-
Melbourne … Princess
Daphne & Princess Danae history page - on
ssmaritime.com
Other CIC Ships – MV Athena & MV Arion
MV Athena Cruise Review … The author
sailed on her from Australia
to the UK
in March/April 2011
MS Stockholm … Athena’s
history page - on ssmaritime.com
MV
Arion … An intimate, charming and
delightful cruise ship
MS Istra … Arion
was built as a Yugoslavian cruise
ship in 1965 - on ssmaritime.com
MV Funchal CIC’s
first ship!
Page One … MV Funchal
– 2008 Ship review (in Singapore)
Page Two … Deck Plan
Page Three … Funchal
Information Sheet
Page Five … SS Funchal - her
History page - on ssmaritime.com
CLICK
the “Classic International Cruises” LOGO above to enter their
Website
******************************************
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.
Return
to the - Cruise-Australia.com - INDEX
Cruise-Australia.com
&
Cruise-Australia.net
Classic Liner enthusiasts visit
ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net
Where
the ships of the past make history the 1914
built MV Doulos Story
Visit the
NEW “Classic Ocean Voyages” Feature
Photographs on cruise-australia 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!
cruise-australia is owned and © Copyright 2011/12 - by Reuben Goossens
- All Rights Reserved