Live from the Dawn Princess Mar 11 Around Australia

[DonahCBrown]

Dawn Princess – Around Australia

 

After six active days in Sydney (including a Bridge Climb for the intrepid Tina and Ken!) Dennis and I went to the art gallery and saw the Terra Cotta Warriors – seemed a little safer to us…, we boarded Dawn Princess yesterday at around 11:45. Seems like a lot of folks are continuing on from the Dawn’s Around New Zealand and two day coastal repositioning from Melbourne. We are pretty far forward this time, in a deluxe oceanview on Baja, and are feeling a good bit more motion than we did mid-ship on Caribe on the Sun. Check in was a little slow starting up but seemed to smooth out pretty quickly. Had luggage quickly and were unpacked well before dinner time.

 

Some small glitches cropped up but were pretty easily ironed out – we were supposed to have had a linked booking for a table for four, ended up at totally different tables, but were able to sort that at the Maitre d’s ‘session’ yesterday afternoon, and have a nice table for four and a good service team. Internet service has been a bit hit and miss with some kind of software upgrade coming on line yesterday and weird glitches with signing on and setting up accounts. Seems to be sorted out as of about mid-morning today. Internet guy is very nice, boarded the ship yesterday as well.

 

We will have four formal nights – starting with tonight – second one on the 19th, after Adelaide, the third on the ‘middle’ sea day between Freemantle and Bali, and the last on the sea day after Port Douglas. Although there were some folks from Australia (around 150) who were sold this itinerary as a 14 day, it is otherwise being treated as a single 28 day, with only one Captain’s Circle party and one most traveled luncheon. Checking in with Amanda, the Captain’s Circle hostess today, we discovered that there are over 150 Elite on board, and we MAY make the luncheon cut (this after being # 2 most traveled on the Sun!!)

 

Had some early luck with the trivia from yesterday – although it was very hard – we actually won with a score of 8 out of 20 – lowest score I think I can ever remember getting, let alone winning with…Today was better 18 out of 20 – grocery bags seem to be the prize du jour so far. Kept the first on, gave away todays.

 

Naturally, we are also keeping up with the dreadful news from Japan and around the Pacific Rim – happy to say that everyone home in Hawaii is okay although there appears to have been at least some damage from the tsunami down in Kona, there doesn’t appear to have been any loss of life there. One begins to wonder what is happening what with the earthquake in Christchurch, the new rift zone eruptions at Kilauea, and now this horrible quake and tsunami in Japan…

 

On a brighter note, there doesn’t appear to have been any further damage to New Zealand or any impact here in Australia.

 

Roster for those who are interested:

Captain is Carlo Servillo – we sailed with him for a month on the Pacific doing the Amazon – he’s really nice and very ‘visible’ as a captain.

Domenico Lavadera is Staff Captain, Osvaldo Tinacci is Hotel General Manager, Mark Turner is the Cruise Director, Andrea Magrin is First Purser F & B, Angus Wilkinson is First Purser Admin, Amedeo Scarin is Exec. Chef, and Rui Pereira is Maitre d’ – we’ve sailed with him before sometime as well, although not sure exactly which ship. Amanda Coulter from Oregon is our Captain’s Circle Hostess, and Velma Brown is the Future Cruise Consultant. They’re both new to us.

 

If there’s anyone you want to send greetings to, let me know.

 

Looks like Dawn has had a more recent drydock and upgrade than Sun – all the upholstery looks new and things are generally in good shape – gym is very nicely appointed and was pretty full this morning.

 

Tonight is the first production show – Shimmy, which we just saw for the first time on the Sun. MUTS is Charlie St. Cloud with Zac Effron at 6, 8, and 10. TV movie is Letters to Juliet and Vista Lounge is ‘Multi-Instrumentalist’ (aka Accordian Player) Ross Maio who was also just on the Sun. Wheelhouse entertainers are pianist Monica Rosca, early, and Allan and LaDonna later and Heatwave from 9:30 on for dancing, Jammers (the disco) has Karaoke, followed by DJ Lee and dancing. Formal Night also features the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Party and Champagne Waterfall, 7 to 7:45.

 

Tomorrow is our first port call – an overnight stay in Hobart Tasmania. We’ll be doing a half day hiking tour of Mt. Wellington in the morning. Probably will just do a walk about in Hobart on return. Port Lecturer Ronelle Adams did presentations on both Hobart and Burnie, our other call in Tasmania, today, and those will repeat on the in-room tv, of course.

 

Time to head down for the afternoon trivia now, then get dressed for the formal night.

[kiwipete]

Hi Donna

 

Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your experience on Dawn.

It's of particular interest to us because we are doing the "round Australia" thing on Dawn in September, so we'll be checking in to read your reports with enthusiasm.

I think we sailed with Rui Pereira on Diamond on the Christmas / New Year cruise from Sydney to Auckland 2010. Please say "hi" from kiwipete. (I organised the CC meet and greet on that cruise which he kindly attended.)

Again, thanks for taking time out to share with us.

 

Kiwipete

[caribill]

I think we sailed with Rui Pereira on Diamond on the Christmas / New Year cruise from Sydney to Auckland 2010.

 

Yes, Rui was on the Diamond in early December also.

[rkmw]

hi Donna, thanks for the report and can you ask Amanda the CC hostess if she will be on the 35 night Hawaii cruise, shes a lovely girl

 

we didnt book our meet & greet for the Hawaii cruise but near the end of the cruise can you ask the CD if we can book our m&g for Jammers at 10am on the 10th April as we cruise after you

 

bob

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Have a great cruise Donna.

 

 

 

Itinerary

Date Port Arrive Depart

Fri 11/03/11 Sydney / Australia 16:00

Sat 12/03/11 At Sea

Sun 13/03/11 Hobart (Tasmania) / Australia 07:00

Mon 14/03/11 Hobart (Tasmania) / Australia 13:00

Tue 15/03/11 Burnie (Tasmania) / Australia 08:00 16:00

Wed 16/03/11 Melbourne / Australia 08:00 18:00

Thu 17/03/11 At Sea

Fri 18/03/11 Adelaide / Australia 08:00 18:00

Sat 19/03/11 At Sea

Sun 20/03/11 At Sea

Mon 21/03/11 Albany / Australia 07:00 16:00

Tue 22/03/11 Bunbury / Australia 09:00 18:00

Wed 23/03/11 Fremantle / Australia 08:00 23:00

Thu 24/03/11 At Sea

Fri 25/03/11 At Sea

Sat 26/03/11 At Sea

Sun 27/03/11 Benoa (Bali) / Indonesia 08:00 17:00

Mon 28/03/11 At Sea

Tue 29/03/11 Broome / Australia 08:00 19:30

Wed 30/03/11 At Sea

Thu 31/03/11 Darwin / Australia 09:00 18:00

Fri 01/04/11 At Sea

Sat 02/04/11 At Sea

Sun 03/04/11 Port Douglas (Great Barrier Reef) / Australia 09:00 19:00

Mon 04/04/11 At Sea

Tue 05/04/11 At Sea

Wed 06/04/11 Brisbane / Australia 08:00 18:00

Thu 07/04/11 At Sea

Fri 08/04/11 Sydney / Australia 07:00

 

Distance: 16,112.54 km/8,700.07 nm

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Hi Donna, we got off the Dawn Princess yesterday in Sydney...... Then we went to the Terracotta Warriors too. :eek: We were probably there at the same time. Went in at 10am..... how funny is that?

 

We will be in China on the Diamond Princess early May but won't have time to get to Xian so this was a wonderful compromise :D

[paul929207]

Thanks Donna.

I am looking forward to all your reports as we will be joining KiwiPete in September for this cruise.

[CruzinNoony]

Hi Donna,

 

So happy to be reading your "live from" as you are sailing around Australia. I'm also following Pia on her B2B'ers. Lots of fun stuff!! Hi to Dennis, Tina and Ken!:) Meredith

[Francine]

Hi Donna,

I am glad you are all settled and are ready to start this new thread. Looking forward to following your latest adventures. I can't believe Tina and Ken walked the Sydney Bridge. :eek:

 

Hope you all have a great time.

 

Fran

[srpilo]

Donna

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us all :)

 

 

 

I have fond memorys of our time on the Dawn, and look forward to your reports of her, and your cruise

Srpilo

[Kiwi Kruzer]

The Dawn has just arrived at dawn in Hobart.Sunday morning local time.

 

 

 

[Quenby]

Have a great cruise, Donna. Thanks for posting!

[margord]

Thanks for taking us with you. I look forward to all your posts.

[Maryandi]

Hi Donna & Dennis - Tina & Ken, too. Remind the Captain of the rope around the propeller and waiting in Dominica for the 'Miami Divers' !! I reminded him of the episode when we were on the World Cruise !! He was very surprized - Very nice guy as we all remember. Angus was on the WC, too.

 

So happy your family was OK - still waiting to hear from my cousin - oceanfront in Yachats. OR.!! All the internet news I have seen - does not mention Yachats. Should be good news.

 

Have a great time, MaryAnn

[Quenby]

Donna - your orchestra director/music manager is from Oahu - his name is Darrel. He said to say hello if you see him around the ship. :D

[Woobstr112G]

Thank you for your reports. I hope you have a great cruise. I am looking forward to reading more.....:):):)

 

Bob

[DonahCBrown]

Formal night champagne waterfall and Captain’s Welcome and introduction of officers was a nice event. Captain Servillo was his usual charming self and we had a chance to chat with him briefly. He is currently rotating between the Pacific Princess and Dawn Princess, he said.

 

Had a lovely weather day in Hobart – not too hot, mostly clear on top of Mt. Wellington. Tina arranged our tour today – a half day ‘easy hiking’ on Mt. Wellington – which was as advertised – nothing too strenuous, but we did get a flavor of the parklands and hiking trails on Mt. Wellington, as well as getting to see the spectacular views from the top iin a rhater ‘peek-a-boo fashion with some cloud cover moving around the mountaintop.

 

Back to the ship for lunch and a bit of rest, then afternoon trivia – we continue to do well with poor scores – won with 14 of 20 today…more shopping bags – seems to be all they are giving away – we’re spreading the wealth.

 

This evening we’ve had a presentation from the Tasmanian Police Pipe Band – two shows tonight, the first a packed house in the Vista Lounge at 7:45, with a repeat at 9:45. They were quite good, had a few young ladies doing some highland dancing – said they had played at the Edinburgh Tattoo a couple of times, and also at the Highland Games in Honolulu. Have seen those on the local tv at home – pretty funny to see the pipe bands decked out in kilts and Hawaiian shirts…They were much more ‘traditional’ tonight. We are here overnight and leave tomorrow at 1:00 – we’ll go out for a bit of a walk about tomorrow, but there won’t be much open as it is a holiday here.

 

Fiona – if you are following along here – just saw the weather report on CNN – try not to freeze! Haven’t the weather genies in Scotland been advised it is supposed to be coming on spring??

[coo359a2]

I'll chime in at last. Having a great time and couldn't ask for better weather. As Donna has said we are keeping our feet busy. This is the perfect country to walk around in be out and about walking around.

 

Yes Fran we did climb the Sydeny Bridge and didn't even have to threaten Ken to do it. It was fantastic and again weather was great. So far no cold weather. So sweatshirt and coat are still unused and hope they stay that way.

[Kiwicruiser25]

Hi Donna, Thanks so much for keeping us posted on your holiday "Live" I really wanted to do part of the cruise, but it was full. My family was on the DP in Jan, we did NZ. I think I was the only NZdr on board.. cruising my own country. But to experience the Fiords by cruise ship was just breath taking. If you see Amanda (CC) about can you say hi from me (the girl with the red face) she will remember. Hopefully she will be on deck for arrival in Adelaide and I can give her a wave. So Donna sit back and enjoy what will be a great holiday, with a terrific bunch of crew & staff.

Cheers

Robyn

[edinburgher]

or should it be " following in your wake"?

 

Yes, we had snow yesterday, actually fairly common to have the occasional drop in March but it was a bit of a shock after a couple of weeks of mostly dry and not too cold weather. We were lucky as Edinburgh had "wet" snow which was mostly slush and once the snowy rain turned to rain it simply melted away. Glasgow had light "proper" snow and the areas around Stirling, Highlands and Perthshire had way too much "proper" snow and it caused the usual chaos apart from at the various ski slopes which were expecting another bumper weekend as the fresh snow fall was expected to bring folks for all types of snow sports. The high heat (and even higher humidity) of S China Seas feels like it was forever ago not just a matter of 6 weeks. Feel we need another break...urgently. Heading for Hawaii next, do get that guest room prepared! (Only kidding)

 

I just now read you had some high class cultural entertainment for a change....referring of course to the Tasmanian Police Pipe Band. Hope you got the opportunity to practise your Gaelic language skills! You never know, next time in Edinburgh you might see them at the Tattoo if you (and they) time it right.

 

And speaking of Edinburgh, if you ever do come back and Tina and Ken are with you again, these two will DEFINITELY have cycles waiting for them for that "Xtreme Edinburgh cycling shorex" Yes, THAT one! Walking Sydney Bridge? HOW INTREPID WAS THAT!!! Do please give them some pats on the back for that adventure.

 

Good you are winning trivia, bad you only win shopping bags. How tight are the slots and are you donating to the casino or are your visits there being financial rewarded?

[chamima]

Hi Donna

Thanks for posting the "Live".

I'll be following your travels because we really want to do an Australia - NZ cruise but are nervous about the difference between the US based Princess ships (which we LOVE!) and the Aussie based. I thought we would have to be limited to the Diamond cruises.

Please let us all know what is different!

(Have you had any experience with special orders in the dining room? My husband is a vegan and Princess has been wonderful, Celebrity a little less so - hence part of my apprehension.)

[DonahCBrown]

Up, fairly bright and early and off to the gym, then a bit of a ‘walkabout’ in Hobart. Today is a holiday so not very much was open, but there are lovely galleries, jewelry, arts and crafts, and clothing shops throughout Salamanca and also in the old IXL Jams and warehouse area near the dock – some you could only window shop, but a few were opening up throughout the morning. Found a really pretty, and reasonably priced, hand woven linen scarf that needed to come home with me and there were also several shops that featured beautifully made woolens, alas not a good buy for Hawaii - and there are cafes and restaurants everywhere.

 

We depart at around 1 today, en route to Burnie at the northern end of Tasmania where we have a somewhat abbreviated stay – only 8 to 3:30. We have another private tour arranged with Cradle Mountain Tours, some sightseeing, some walking. Afternoon entertainments include the port lecture for Melbourne, Jackpot Bingo, and the usual round of quizzes, games, afternoon tea and so on. This evening’s MUTS presentations are George Michael Live in London at 6, Killers with Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl at 6:15 and 8, and the production show Shimmy at 7:45, and movies Every Day at 9:45 in the Princess, and the accordion player at 8 and 10 in the Vista.

 

Will hunt up Amanda during her ‘office hours’ today between 4 and 7 and convey all the greetings, and will see if I can make contact with someone from the CD staff and convey the request for the CC gathering next cruise as well.

 

Off to watch the sailaway.

[rkmw]

Up, fairly bright and early and off to the gym, then a bit of a ‘walkabout’ in Hobart. Today is a holiday so not very much was open, but there are lovely galleries, jewelry, arts and crafts, and clothing shops throughout Salamanca and also in the old IXL Jams and warehouse area near the dock – some you could only window shop, but a few were opening up throughout the morning. Found a really pretty, and reasonably priced, hand woven linen scarf that needed to come home with me and there were also several shops that featured beautifully made woolens, alas not a good buy for Hawaii - and there are cafes and restaurants everywhere.

 

We depart at around 1 today, en route to Burnie at the northern end of Tasmania where we have a somewhat abbreviated stay – only 8 to 3:30. We have another private tour arranged with Cradle Mountain Tours, some sightseeing, some walking. Afternoon entertainments include the port lecture for Melbourne, Jackpot Bingo, and the usual round of quizzes, games, afternoon tea and so on. This evening’s MUTS presentations are George Michael Live in London at 6, Killers with Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl at 6:15 and 8, and the production show Shimmy at 7:45, and movies Every Day at 9:45 in the Princess, and the accordion player at 8 and 10 in the Vista.

 

Will hunt up Amanda during her ‘office hours’ today between 4 and 7 and convey all the greetings, and will see if I can make contact with someone from the CD staff and convey the request for the CC gathering next cruise as well.

 

Off to watch the sailaway.

 

hi Donna, if you can arrange the m&g for the next cruise it would be very good....thank you

[captbill]

Off to watch the sailaway.

 

 

Enjoy your cruise, and know that many of us are dreaming of returning to Australia and hanging onto your every word! :D

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Everyone must have been on board early as I clicked on at 1 and they were underway.

Enjoy your stunning sailout on the Derwent River.