P&O Cruises Australia has announced a major refurbishment of Pacific Dawn, with the superliner soon to boast interconnecting family cabins as well as some of the cruise line’s favourite features, including a giant entertainment screen on deck.
The ship, which was built as Crown Princess for Princess Cruises in 1990, joined P&O Cruises Australia in 2007 as the first of three former Princess vessels. Both companies are part of Carnival Corp & plc group. During the ship’s April 2012 revamp, a range of standard cabins will be converted to become interconnecting rooms – ideal for families – while the ship’s 50 suites and mini-suites will be upgraded with new furnishings and carpets along with artwork by Sydney photographer Tony Rae.
The Queensland-based Pacific Dawn will also emerge from its scheduled dry dock with a state-of-the-art LED Big Screen, a feature that has proved a big hit on sister ships Pacific Jewel and Pacific Pearl. Meanwhile, the ship’s Bengal Bar will be transformed into the Orient Pub, similar to the popular Pacific Pearl venue, featuring sporting memorabilia, Chesterfield lounges and a wide range of draft beers and ciders.
Other refurbishments during the dry dock include: A major revamp of several venues, including the Show Lounge, which will receive new carpet, upholstery and wall coverings and a new LED screen wall A refurbishment of the buffet with a new colour scheme and furniture and the introduction of screens to create a more intimate setting for the popular Pan-Asian restaurant La Luna The transformation of the Baccus Bar into the Mix Cocktail Bar, already established on Pacific Pearl and Pacific Jewel.
Announcing the changes, Sture Myrmell, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said Pacific Dawn would soon boast many of the features which had become hits on other P&O Cruises’ ships. Myrmell said the revamp would enhance the cruise experience and predicted the Big Screen would be a winner for passengers. “The Big Screen offers endless hours of entertainment and from next year, Pacific Dawn’s passengers will join in the fun as they watch karaoke performances from the comfort of a deck chair or catch the latest release movies as they while away an afternoon at sea,” Mr Myrmell said.
The scheduled upkeep comes two years after Pacific Dawn underwent a multi-million dollar refurbishment, which included the addition of Salt Grill by Luke Mangan and a new child-free Oasis retreat.