Pacific Dawn - P&O Cruises Australia
Fact File - Pacific Dawn
Vessel: Pacific Dawn
Cruise line: P&O Cruises
Star Rating: 3
Tonnage: 70,000
Max passenger capacity: 2,050
Total crew: 696
Cabins: 795 passenger cabins, including 134 outside cabins with private balcony
Entered service: 1991
Decks: 11
Facilities: The Dome entertainment area; casino, jogging track; two pools; four Jacuzzis; library; six restaurants; two cafs/patisseries; four bars/lounges; show lounge; internet caf; duty free shopping; medical centre; gym and health spa.
Pacific Dawn
Here we are on Pacific Dawn. Clear blue skies, calm crystal-blue waters extending as far as the eye can see, and the gentle caress of a sea breeze on our faces. What's not to love about this setting and why haven't we done this before? This is a cruise ship of mammoth proportions. Approximately 250 metres from bow to stern (imagine three jumbo jets lined up in a row), Pacific Dawn is 12 storeys high and carries a population of almost 3,000 - bigger than many Australian country towns.
It's no surprise then that Pacific Dawn's South Pacific journey attracts people from all walks of life. On our cruise we meet honeymooners, a clan of friends, parents travelling with their grown-up children and families with young children, like ourselves.
And while the P&O Cruises' liner is big enough and the activities and itinerary varied enough to afford you privacy in paradise, fellow passengers invariably grow familiar.
It's almost as if you're wandering down the main street of a country town each day.
Living is easy
Your transport is your accommodation and it's top-notch all the way. Each day you wake to a new postcard-like backdrop and you don't live out of a suitcase.
Pacific Dawn is 18 years old and, while the dcor is arguably a little dated here and there, it is meticulously maintained. We're on the Baja Deck on Level 10. My husband, Tony, and I take a balcony suite while six-year-old Gus and four-year-old Archie have an inside room just across the hall.
Each room has a private en suite, desk, TV and plenty of wardrobe space, a queen-size bed in ours and two singles in the boys'. The kids enjoy their own little hideaway. They're completely safe but we have a baby monitor in case they wake during the night. And we have a friend in Caroline, the stewardess who's taken a shine to the boys. She takes great pride in preparing our rooms each night and there's always a little surprise for the kids in how she arranges their toys and makes animals from folded towels and napkins. It's a lovely welcome touch.
It's a balmy Saturday afternoon as the ship pulls away from Darling Harbour. A light nor-wester fills our lungs and excitement fills our hearts as this monolith glides around the point and makes its way to the Harbour Bridge.
There's a clink of champagne glasses: it's the only thing to do in these situations with seemingly all passengers on the decks to watch as Pacific Dawn moves under the "Coathanger" with just three metres' clearance.
We navigate through spectator craft then out of the Sydney Heads. Before too long the striking cliffs that fence the world's most beautiful harbour become a faint line on the horizon. It's time to explore our playground for the next 10 days - and 3,000 nautical miles.
Sunsets, Cocktails, Food
My friends had told me that cruising is about food, relaxing, food, sun, food, cocktails and um- food. Yes, there's plenty of it and mealtime represents possibly the only real routine of our days on board - well, that and gorgeous sunsets.
Pacific Dawn has six restaurants, two patisseries/cafes and four bars. If you're watching your weight, proceed with caution and maybe hit the gym.
The most popular restaurant is the Caf de Sol, a buffet that's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's family-friendly, the food is plentiful, there's good variety plus it's quick and simple.
It is always busy so it's not the place to savour a culinary experience but when you have kids in a ratty mood because they've had a big day in the sun it's close to perfect.
While the buffet option is terrific, I thoroughly recommend the Palm Court restaurant, where the staff go out of their way to make you and the kids feel welcome. You can opt to dine with your family or you can share a larger table with others if you're feeling sociable.
The prime choice for food lovers is the Steakhouse, a relatively new addition to the service. Grilled steak and seafood is complemented by Australian and New Zealand wines - and if you don't finish a bottle one night, they'll hold it for you to enjoy on another.We sample pizza from the Bravo Trattoria, calamari and prawns from the Grill and snacks from the Lido Caf and ice-creamery. All of it is well presented and all of it seems just right for the mood we happen to be in.
Tony and I love coffee and we are delighted to find 43 beans of heaven at the Bacchus Bar and Patisserie, which serves a decent latte.
Small Island Ports
Maybe it was spending two days on the open sea, but gee, it was exciting to dock in the small island ports. An 18-kilometre powerboat ride south from the port of Noumea took us to the Amedee Island Marine Reserve. White sands and crystal-clear waters teem with all species of fish; the tiny coral atoll is stunning. Pack the snorkel and flippers for a view you'll never forget.
Take another short boat trip around the reserve and you can feed schools of large fish and the odd shark. Gus and Archie still rave about this.
The day on Amedee goes quickly. We're back on Pacific Dawn scrubbing up for dinner as the ship sets sail for another paradise port in time for the next sunrise.
And so it goes each day like this for another three days - to Ouvea in the Loyalty Islands, to Vila and to Wala Island in Vanuatu. Each is a unique South Pacific adventure. A day on a white coral beach; a canoe ride and village tour; our kids playing with the local kids; snorkelling far from shore to discover an underwater garden; driving dune buggies around a lush green rural property; swimming in a peaceful lagoon; and browsing in a local market where you can play with sea turtles and fruit bats.
This is the way to really see the South Pacific - luxurious, fun, convenient, unforgettable. We have fun together as a family but we also enjoy the chance to break away and do our own thing. Pacific Dawn caters for that particularly well as she offers several kids' clubs - Turtle Cove for ages three to six; the Shark Shack for ages seven to 12; and the Teen Lounge for ages 13 to 17.
Gus and Archie are happy to be entertained at Turtle Cove with movies, crafts and games while Tony and I indulge in hot-stone massages, check out the art auction and enjoy the occasional dinner for two knowing our kids are safe and having fun. Our cruise has been a journey of discovery for all four of us. We've had a lot of fun and created so many good memories. Will these first-timers become second-time cruise passengers? Absolutely.
Written by: Kylie Gillies - issue 35/autumn 09