Sun and Dawn Princess in Australia

[Murphey]

Other than the onboard currency being Australian $'s, is there anything else that would be different than any other Princess cruise? Did someone mention there is no anytime dining or CC events? Thanks.

[Murphey]

Anyone??

[Bizziecruzer]

Correct - no anytime dining. Even though ship prices things in AUS$ - you don't actually use currency on board (Same as other Princess Ships). Not too sure if you can purchase a future cruise credit (FCC) as in Australia - we get given it for free and it's slightly different than the US one.

Cabins and balconies (in my experience) on Sun and Dawn are considerably smaller than other larger Princess ships. Otherwise it's pretty much the same.

Also the major powerpoint plug is Australian - you may need an adaptor.

[Cruisers from WA]

Both ships have a sit down pizza restaurant on the dolphin deck....very good or at least a few years back it was the best (IMO) of all the fleet....love those ships....balcony cabins are smaller than other Princess ships but the mini suites are like REAL suites in size & design of other Princess ships....I love both the Sun and the Dawn

[mommas]

Am I right in assuming that if an Aussie adapter is needed I need to bring a converter?

[Deason]

Depending on the exchange rate, things like Internet Access are actually cheaper than they are on US Princess ships, as they don't vary the number of dollars, just change the currency! When I prepaid an internet package earlier this year on Dawn I was charged in US$ and then received onboard credit (in AU$) for the difference between US$X and AU$X!

 

Tea bags (for making hot tea) and Vegemite are available in the buffet, 24 hrs and breakfast time respectively. I'm not 100% sure about the former, but I'd be astounded if the latter were available on "US style" cruises at all. There were occasionally other Aussie dishes like pavlova etc available, too.

 

The website says that the entertainment options have also been tailored for Aussie tastes. Certainly there were plenty of Aussies among the guest artists on our Around Australia cruise. The CD told me that when Sun first arrived in Aussie waters Princess were booking the same sort of acts they book on "US style" cruises, but passenger feedback was so negative they changed their booking strategies. If I had to guess (not having done a "US style" Princess cruise yet to comapre) I'd say there were fewer comedians and magicians and more cabaret-style singers.

[kiwipete]

There were occasionally other Aussie dishes like pavlova etc available, too.

 

IT'S A KIWI DISH

 

Just provoking some discussion!!!!!!!!!

[rkmw]

Other than the onboard currency being Australian $'s, is there anything else that would be different than any other Princess cruise? Did someone mention there is no anytime dining or CC events? Thanks.

 

another thing if you wish to play in the casino you will need aussie $$$ and they take $1 coins as with the laundry also

 

they dont do self disembarking either so you have to put your bags out the night before

 

join the roll call and have a meet & greet

[Murphey]

Thanks for the feedback. We've been on the Sun and Dawn many times. Love the ships. DH wants to go so he can go to the pizzaria! Ha! Just wondering about what they have changed on board. Have they really changed the current so I (from the US) would need an adaptor? Do they honor CC perks? Thanks again.

[caribill]

I'd say there were fewer comedians and magicians and more cabaret-style singers.

 

Maybe they will have a hypnotist who will make the comedian think he is a singer.

[Gaznjo]

Thanks for the feedback. We've been on the Sun and Dawn many times. Love the ships. DH wants to go so he can go to the pizzaria! Ha! Just wondering about what they have changed on board. Have they really changed the current so I (from the US) would need an adaptor? Do they honor CC perks? Thanks again.

 

with the power points they have one that is australian and the other one next to it still suits US plugs...

[NSWP]

Auto tips have been abolished for the Dawn Princess cruise and no doubt included in fare. They have VEGEMITE on board too, as they did on Sun Princess around OZ in 2008. And I know from friends it is on the DP as well. Also they have Aussie beers, VB/Crownies. The beer contract must be with Carlton Breweries.

[rkmw]

Auto tips have been abolished for the Dawn Princess cruise and no doubt included in fare. They have VEGEMITE on board too, as they did on Sun Princess around OZ in 2008. And I know from friends it is on the DP as well. Also they have Aussie beers, VB/Crownies. The beer contract must be with Carlton Breweries.

 

Les, the auto tips dont get abolished until next May on Princess OZ

[Murphey]

Auto tips have been abolished for the Dawn Princess cruise and no doubt included in fare. They have VEGEMITE on board too, as they did on Sun Princess around OZ in 2008. And I know from friends it is on the DP as well. Also they have Aussie beers, VB/Crownies. The beer contract must be with Carlton Breweries.

 

That's an important piece of the equation.....thanks!

[Murrumbeena]

There are still 3 US powerpoints (sockets) in the Balcony cabins on both the Dawn & the Sun. One under the mirror opposite the wardrobe one on the main desk area and the other next to the TV:)

[jagoffee]

Les, the auto tips dont get abolished until next May on Princess OZ

 

Are they stating that tips will not be automaticly added to your account or are they saying that tips are included in the basic fares?

[kezza]

Just says that "from May 2011 tipping will no longer apply for all Sun and Dawn princess departures or Sea Princess cruises departing and returning to Aust"

 

Kerri

[kuldalai]

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has made it illegal for a product sold in Australia to require compulsory additional fees on top of an advertised quoted price .

 

E:G: cars + dealers on road costs, airfares + govt fees etc, cruises + automatically levied tipping .

 

So all cruises sold to Australian consumers must be the one final (all inclusive) price. Therefore Princess change of policy re cruises ex Aus ports on Sea, Sun & Dawn .

[jagoffee]

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has made it illegal for a product sold in Australia to require compulsory additional fees on top of an advertised quoted price .

 

E:G: cars + dealers on road costs, airfares + govt fees etc, cruises + automatically levied tipping .

 

So all cruises sold to Australian consumers must be the one final (all inclusive) price. Therefore Princess change of policy re cruises ex Aus ports on Sea, Sun & Dawn .

 

Interesting. I am looking at a cruise for 1/23 on the Dawn Princess. Does that mean that an Aussie booking this cruise will pay more for the cruise than those booking in the U.S. because it includes the tip?

[mummsie]

Interesting. I am looking at a cruise for 1/23 on the Dawn Princess. Does that mean that an Aussie booking this cruise will pay more for the cruise than those booking in the U.S. because it includes the tip?

 

I am assuming this will be the case :D mummsie

[kuldalai]

For a Dawn Princess cruise operating from Australia January 2011 current policy applies , a set Aus $ amount per pax, per day is added automatically to all on board accounts.(This amount can be increased, decreased or deleted on application to the Purser.)

 

Then from May 2011,

 

"Tipping will no longer apply for all Sun and Dawn princess departures or Sea Princess cruises departing and returning to Aust" - (again for all pax.)

So the pax initiates the tipping as warranted , which is the Australian custom re tipping. ( + 15 % service charge on bar & beverages still applies at all times.)

 

From May, 2011 - Sun & Dawn all departures no automatic tipping. Sea Princess - same no tipping policy for cruises departing and returning to Australian ports . Sea Princess - placement cruise USA to Sydney (09/11) and Sydney to USA (04/12) normal Princess US Policy re tipping applies.