Pacific Dawn Review – Part 3 – 24th May to 3rd June 2008

[Sailaway John]

Pacific Dawn Review – Part 3 – 24th May to 3rd June 2008

 

Day 7 – Friday 30th May, 2008

 

Today we are at sea and our main highlight is to visit or really pass by Willis Island. Willis Island is located after the Great Barrier Reef and contains the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. What was good about this visit was that the captain of the PD arranged for a special weather balloon to be set off so that we could see what they actually did on the Island. The weather was perfect for the balloon release and away it went much to the excitement of those passengers that could get onto the jogging track on starboard side.

 

Visited the Live Horse Racing in the International Show Lounge. Great fun. Then DW tried out the quilling again while I joined in the Alpha Quest (where you look for hidden treasure around the ship). Hopped up to the Lido Pool for the Crew v Passenger Volleyball. Really fun stuff. Of course a visit to the Bengal Bar and the Promenade Bar for a lemonade didn’t go astray. Also visited the Fine Arts display as there was to be a “Carry Off the Ship Art Sale”. Didn’t buy anything!

 

The seas had at this time started to get a little rougher but we did not know what we were going into at this time, so we went to dinner and then adjourned with our new found friends to the Promenade Bar to listen to the piano of Jesse Banez. Gave the show “String Fever” a miss tonight.

 

Day 8 – Saturday 31st May, 2009

 

At sea again today but all looking forward to being in Brisbane tomorrow around 8am. Our son was going to meet us with his wife and two daughters. Also looking forward to the Champagne Waterfall that was to be around 11pm tonight but before that the show was called “Motor City”, all about music from Motown. We were also invited to attend the Captains Cocktail Party that is put on for previous cruisers with P&O/Carnival Lines.

 

BUT what happened – well the seas decided to spoil all the fun. Because of the swell being around 9 to 10 metres high the cruise director, Martin, had to cancel both the main show of “Motor City” and the Champagne Waterfall, which we had at a later date as we got closer to Sydney. Also a letter arrived under our cabin door advising us that the Captains Cocktail party had also been cancelled as it was to have been held in the Dome, and as the Dome is right in the front of the ship it was decided that it would be too rough and dangerous. Also as the ship could not board the Pilot for Brisbane the stop at Brisbane was also cancelled. Most of the passengers agreed that this was the best for all concerned but there were still some whingers and moaners who don’t care about the performers and fellow passengers who felt a little sea sick.

 

Day 9 – Sunday 1st June, 2008

 

Day at seas because of the rough seas so we went to the Interdenominational Church Service then to the movie which was “The Nanny Diaries”. After lunch we went to the Live Wooden horse Racing then to the Scrabble games.

 

The show “Motor City” was on tonight as the seas had come down a little and the powers that be decided that they could put the show on without any problems.

 

Visited the final art show but still no buying. Visited the Dome for the Sports Quiz then the 70’s Music Trivia followed by the “Our 70’s Disco Party”. Very good but we were tied so off to the land of noddy we went.

 

Day 10 – Monday 2nd June, 2008

 

At sea and our Final Day of the Cruise.

In the morning we went to the International Show Lounge to have a virtual Bridge Tour with Captain Andrew Froude. This was very interesting and a huge crowd was there to listen and watch the slides he presented.

 

We then attend the Disembarkation Talk which really is common sense if you read the instructions that are given to you in your cabin. Final Wooden Horse Race – excellent and fun.

 

And finally the Champagne Waterfall was being rearranged for 11pm tonight and the Captains Cocktail Party was held in the Dome. So we didn’t miss out after all!! The Cocktail Part was supposed to be Formal, so we kept all our formal gear (suit, etc) out of our bag but when we arrived not everyone had dressed up. We were also disappointed that the Captain had not even dressed up in his Dress Uniform. I know it was the last night of the cruise but it was titled a Formal Night. Anyway after the Cocktail Party we had dinner and back to our cabin to repack our bags so that we could put them out in the hallway around 9pm

 

Conclusions

 

Embarkation and Disembarkation was a very efficient and we were an independent couple with nothing organized re transfers by P&O. We were off the ship by 8.40am.

 

Our Balcony Cabin was quite small compared to other cruise ship we have been on. I don’t know what the inside cabins were like but could imagine the cramped feeling.

 

Dining Areas were very good. The food excellent and quite varied. Plenty of everything. The Dining Room Staff were also excellent and always there when you want them.

Coffee was good, although I have heard on this forum that it was bad. We had no complaints.

 

Apparently when the Pacific Dawn was the Regal Princess there were less cabins and it was only after the refit that they added extra cabins – I believe to accommodate another 500 passengers. If this is true I think they have done the wrong thing.

 

Anyway, both my wife and I had a good cruise and we look forward to our next cruise which will be on the Sun Princess in June 2009. It will also be our 50th Wedding Anniversary Cruise.

 

Regards to all

[arxcards]

Apparently when the Pacific Dawn was the Regal Princess there were less cabins and it was only after the refit that they added extra cabins – I believe to accommodate another 500 passengers. If this is true I think they have done the wrong thing.

 

Regards to all

 

Thanks for your review John. I enjoyed all 3 parts. Pity about Brisbane, and missing out on meeting up with family but the weather on the Sunshine Coast dictated that.

 

Pacific Dawn has the same number of cabins as her previous life as Regal Princess. The refit does allow an extra 500 passengers, but this was done by converting many twin cabins into 4 berth cabins. The popular plus with the refit was moving the casino out of the Dome, converting it into lounge and night club.

 

Only a year till you do it all again. The cabins on PD have been described as marginally bigger than SP, so no respite for next year. Plenty of other different features to enjoy on Sun Princess though.

 

Glad you both had a good cruise!:)

[gizzigoo]

Loved your review, it certainly wasn't smooth sailing so to speak.

 

We had actually planned to come down to Portside in Brisbane to see the ship before our cruise and were eagerly waiting to hear if it was coming in. After hearing the news that it was to rough to call into Brissy, we then were wondering how bad it must be for those on board.

 

Your son and family must have been very dissapointed when they learned that you couldn't call in in Brissy.

[bentley girl]

Thankyou for your great review. I have booked on the Samoan Surprise cruise on Pacific Dawn in March 2009. First cruise in 22 years and AM I LOOKING FORWAD TO IT!!!!! I have been reading all the forums to see what has changed since good old days on Oriana and you have all been so helpful. What a wonderful community you are. I couldn't resist joining in.

[arxcards]

Thankyou for your great review. I have booked on the Samoan Surprise cruise on Pacific Dawn in March 2009. First cruise in 22 years and AM I LOOKING FORWAD TO IT!!!!! I have been reading all the forums to see what has changed since good old days on Oriana and you have all been so helpful. What a wonderful community you are. I couldn't resist joining in.

Welcome Bentley Girl.

 

Yes, it is a great community to be a part of. Plenty of helpful tips from lots of local cruisers.

 

The Samoan cruise is a popular one, with a few regulars here booked and also looking forward to it.

 

There is a roll call for the cruise on the roll call forums, and I am sure they would be happy to have another person joining them - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=665987

[bentley girl]

Thanks arxcards. Just been to roll call and added my name. Getting really excited now. Never been sooooo glad to see year racing by as quickly.

[nitelite]

Great review as it covered so many aspects of the cruise. It must have been disappointing to miss catching up with your family in Brissie due to the rough seas.

 

Cheers:)

[NSWP]

Excellent review Sailaway John. Very well written, concise and fair. Only the seas played up. You did everything on board, good stuff.

 

Cheers..Les