Dawn of a New Era for P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises’ first superliner, Pacific Dawn, arrived in Sydney yesterday afternoon to prepare for her official naming by Olympic Gold medallist Cathy Freeman tomorrow.
Fresh from a multi-million dollar refurbishment and sporting her new P&O Cruises’ livery, the 70,000-ton sleek white liner slipped under the Sydney Harbour Bridge to berth at White Bay.
Thursday night’s naming ceremony will be a spectacular event for Sydneysiders, with the traditional bottle-breaking by Cathy Freeman to be followed by a stunning light and sound show projected across Circular Quay onto Pacific Dawn’s hull – see today’s cruise section for more information and when and where to be.
The Mole will be on board Pacific Dawn and a full report will appear in TravelMole on Friday.
Over the next two days, the superliner will undergo final preparations for her naming ceremony – and her first cruise, which departs Sydney on Friday November 9 for a 14-night voyage to Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
When world-famous Italian architect Renzo Piano, designer of the stunning Aurora Place in Sydney, first drew up plans for the ship he aimed to combine the latest in architectural technology with the surrounding natural elements – creating sleek exterior lines that resembled a dolphin moving through the water.
The ship’s stylish refurbishment builds on Renzo’s design through the creation of a massive entertainment area – ‘The Dome’ – in the ship’s dolphin-like prow. Pacific Dawn also has more al fresco dining areas and new kids’ clubs to cater to P&O Cruises’ large family market.
Her arrival in Australia as P&O Cruises’ first superliner heralds a new era for the leading cruise company and the Australian cruise market. Pacific Dawn’s superliner status means she offers many new features for the local market, including an abundance of balcony cabins, a wide choice of dining options and multiple entertainment offerings.
Fares for an 8-night South Pacific cruise departing August 2, 2008, start from just $935 per person* or a 10-night Queensland cruise, departing May 24 2008, starts from $1085 per person*.
For more information on P&O Cruises Australia’s first superliner visit www.pacificdawn.com.au
A Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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