Live from the Dawn Princess Mar 11 Around Australia

[Dorinda]

Donna - enjoy the circumnavigation. (We heard you stop in Bali so liquor can be sold.:rolleyes:) Hope you have good weather and that you like Broome as much as we did.

 

Cheers!

Dee & John

[DonahCBrown]

We passed by ‘The Pinnacles’ at around 3 PM – very dramatic rock formations very clearly visible from the decks and windows, but unannounced – just happened to catch them as I was on my way to the Melbourne port talk. Do plan on a look and picture at around 3 PM after you depart from Hobart, if you are on this itinerary and schedule.

 

Had a lovely chat with Amanda - Robyn – she did remember you and says you are supposed to wave from the headlands. Bob, she will be getting off on the day you board – sorry! Her next assignment is on the Diamond on the Alaska run starting on May 28. She also said that she is still ‘knitting obsessed’ so if you want to score points with Amanda bring her knitting wools!

 

 

Also spoke to Lisa about how to communicate re: the scheduling of the April 10 CC meet and greet and will be dropping a note to Mark Turner for you, Bob.

 

The lead singer has a cold so Shimmy has been rescheduled and tonight’s entertainment will be the illusionist. Will be watching the in room movie, The Winning Season.

 

In re: what is different/same about this (and the Sun Princess) vs. other Princess cruises – we’ve found it to be pretty much the same as far as service is concerned – Horizon Court actually seems better staffed and more service oriented than usual. Menus vary a little bit with some regional specialties that we don’t see on the regular Princess menu rotation, and they have been good. The entertainment selection seems pretty much the same – certainly the production shows are the same ones that are in the rotation on the other ships. We did have some local entertainers on the Sun, and would anticipate that this might be the case here as well. The Pipe Band that came on board yesterday also entertained on the Diamond Sydney to Auckland that we took last year, so that is also consistent. Likewise, the excursions seem to be the same ones that we saw on that cruise, and the price points seem consistent as well.

 

What is different and higher are the prices in the boutiques and shops on board. Bijoux Ternier is twice what it is on other ships - $20 AUD vs. $10 USD – liquor prices are significantly higher, and cigarettes are 2 cartons for $100 AUD (which makes me all the more glad I quit years ago!) However, the wine list is better and cheaper with more and better wines on offer at the $25-35 range than I’ve seen on other Princess ships. Coffee cards are $33, also more than on the USD based ships.

 

The other amenities seem comparable, and the usual activities are offered, although the Bingo card is quite different – only numbers, no letters and the ‘board’ showing the numbers that have been called is very different looking – haven’t played but in looking at it, I’d find it hard to follow. Casino is a little larger than the ones on the Sun and the Sea, but equally tight. Slots are, evidently, typical of Australia and I only recognize a couple of them – they are very tight and not much fun to play, so our ‘donations’ have been minimal on both the Sun and this one. Internet is run by the same contractor and has the usual issues, although the internet manager, Lionel, is a cut well above in both knowledge and level of service than we’ve had recently on other ships. He is a real gem. Spa is by Steiner. Gym is excellent – newer equipment, well maintained. There is a ‘Sanctuary’ area, as usual with extra cost, can’t say if it is worth it as I haven’t even ventured up there. There is a MUTS screen, which seemed to me to be a clearer picture than I remember from some of the other Grand class ships. It has been a little cool to partake and there is a sort of weird mix of stuff presented out there – lots of concerts during the day, and mostly movies at night, and we just haven’t been moved to head out there, but I do know that they provide blankets and popcorn in the evenings. Libraries seem to have been standardized across the fleet and this one is no exception. I’d say that there is somewhat heavier usage than is usually the case on a cruised dominated by Americans, though. The passenger book exchange was cleaned out within minutes of embarkation. This ship has an ‘attended’ library policy, Sun was ‘honor system’ so that seems to be a ship specific thing – have had both in the past on other cruises. Also would say that there are more people taking advantage of the dance areas and the ballroom dance classes than I’m used to seeing (and they are better dancers as well). I don’t think very many people use the dining room at breakfast and lunch as the buffet seems very busy at both meal times and it is often difficult to find seating during peak meal times (7AM and around 12:30) Linens and cabin appointments are identical, and have been recently refitted, from the appearance. Hopefully that gives you some idea of what to expect – let me know if you have specific issues or questions about facilities or services.

[coo359a2]

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?

 

Hi Fiona

Looking forward to the bike ride:) The bridge climb was great - really enjoyed it.

[CruzinNoony]

DH and I were recently on the Sun Princess with Donna and Tina (and their DH'S) and I will add a couple of differences that I noticed. The balcony cabin that we had on the Caribe deck was smaller than the balcony cabins on the Grand class. There was no little table, but the stool used for the desk area doubled as a table. Also, the balcony was smaller, but very private. Barely enough room for 2 chairs and a small table.

 

I played bingo a couple of times and it was very easy to figure out, but it was certainly different that the other ships I have played on.

 

The prices in general in New Zealand and Australia were 2 to 3 times higher than in the US. We went on several all day tours and because you were forbidden to take food off the ship, we stopped for lunch. On one occasion our party of 4 ordered 2 entrees (to split), 2 soft drinks and 2 glasses of wine and the bill was $80.00. A little steep!:eek:

 

There is a seperate thread about taking wine on the ship at embarkation and I did have a problem taking on my 6 bottles, but I managed to talk my way into getting on the ship with my wine!:D

[Kiwi Kruzer]

They are just arriving in Melbourne as I post.

its a long way through Port Phillip Bay to the City of Melbourne.

 

[DonahCBrown]

Burnie is a former industrial town that has recently lost its last major paper making plant and is in the process of becoming a tourism centered area focusing on the national park at Cradle Mountain. There are lots of walking trails and a growing art and craft community and lots of bed and breakfast accommodations in the older large homes throughout the area. A large tin mine in the area continues to provide employment, having been reopened fairly recently by the Chinese. Not as picturesque or historic as Hobart, and the park areas are at least a 90 minute drive from the port. There is a free shuttle through the port that is mandatory, as the port is still an industrial one and there is no walking allowed. There were some issues with the shuttle, particularly on return, as there were people who chose not to wait at the assigned pick up point and instead walked back to the port gates. We got one of the last couple of shuttles back from the Makers Center where the shuttle pick up was and there were a number of people waiting at the gate for a shuttle to have enough vacant seats to take them the last little bit within the port. Evidently there had not been a shuttle with empty seats for some time, as some of them were getting pretty upset at being passed by. No standing was allowed on the buses and we only had 6 empty seats and there were around 15 people waiting and when we picked up the first 6 in line, there was a lot of griping. Our tour was mostly a driving one, with a few stops along the way for a cheese tasting, a look at the Mt. Bischoff Mine, and a couple of stops within the Mt. Cradle park, a brief walk at the lake, and lunch in the lodge, then back along a different route through the community of Wilmot where people make strange things out of their rural mailboxes – we saw crocodiles, lots of mailboxes made to look like the homes they served, mailboxes made from engine blocks, made to look like motorcycles, and a full size mannequin of a farmer with a farm dog as the mailbox – certainly was ‘something different!’

 

As it was a relatively short port day (all aboard at 3:30) I spent part of the afternoon at the spa – typical Steiner spa, no difference here from any other Princess ship I’ve been on, except less of a ‘hard sell’ than some on the products after the treatment. Had a very relaxing and good facial. Evening entertainment was the postponed production show Shimmy, MUTS movie Salt, Vista Lounge – the accordionist again, and second show I the Princess was the ‘Illusionist’ Adam Dean. We ended up watching an old Minnie Driver and David Ducovny movie on the tv.

 

Today is Melbourne (pronounced Melbun by the locals, I’m told) and we will be meeting a “Melbourne Greeter” at the visitor information center – this is a free service, provided by volunteers, but requires a reservation made in advance on their website. Will let you know how it goes. There is a free morning shuttle into town, a $6.50 AUD all day transportation pass is available that gets you back to the port on the tram, and there is also a free CBD tram and a free tourist bus. We don’t have anything booked here with all the free stuff available.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Enjoy Melbourne Donna..... see if the Victoria Markets are open. You can get a tram out there from the CBD.

[kiwipete]

or for something very different try having lunch on the restaurant tram travelling around the city whilst you eat!

[Red Hat Cruise Cat]

 

...............What is different and higher are the prices in the boutiques and shops on board. Bijoux Ternier is twice what it is on other ships - $20 AUD vs. $10 USD – liquor prices are significantly higher, and cigarettes are 2 cartons for $100 AUD (which makes me all the more glad I quit years ago!) However, the wine list is better and cheaper with more and better wines on offer at the $25-35 range than I’ve seen on other Princess ships. Coffee cards are $33, also more than on the USD based ships.

 

quote]

 

I had heard that the on-board prices were much more expensive than the other ships. That's too bad since the AU$ and US$ are almost equal value.

 

Are cocktails also more expensive? Is there a Platinum/Elite Happy Hour? Really enjoyed it on the Sapphire.

 

Are the shore excursions also more expensive? Any recommendations for independent/private non-ship tours?

 

 

I'm glad that the menues are pretty much the normal Princess fair.

[DonahCBrown]

Well, we missed the greeter tour by a few minutes. They require reservations and, assuming they get enough people to make a group, they confirm with you for 9:30 AM and leave from the visitors center basement across the street from the Flinder’s Street Train Station. They only wait for stragglers for 10 minutes and we were late. We were on the second bus from the port into the Art Center (a couple of blocks away) and by the time we’d made our way into Flinder’s Street, searched around the train station for the visitors center and been redirected to the correct location, the tour had been gone for a few minutes. They offered to call the guide and figure out where we could meet up, but we decided to go it on our own, and visited the Treasury and Fitzroy Gardens on foot, then caught the free tourist tram (it was mobbed – standing room only for most of the circuit) to the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance. The free tourist bus/tram circuit takes about 90 minutes, runs about every 20 minutes from any given stop and will take you pretty much anywhere you are going to want to go within the central business district of Melbourne. There are red shirted volunteers all over town with maps and directions making Melbourne one of the most visitor friendly places we’ve ever visited. In addition to the large bus, there is a smaller loop done by antique trams – both the bus and the free trams are red. The return to the ship is made by a paid public tram, leaving from Collins Street, marked “Port Melbourne” and numbered 109. A full day pass on the paid public transportation is around 7 AUD per person and the return trip only is a 2 hour, full fare, 1 zone (there are a lot of options on the ticket machines) that costs 3.80 per person. Melbourne is a very nice city, with lots of gardens and green spaces, tons of shopping – everything from very high end to outlet malls – wonderful public and free transportation options, museums, historic buildings, cruises on the Yarra River, cafes and restaurants of every imaginable cuisine. The Victoria Market – billed as the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere – is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays – but looks to live up to the billing from the size of what we did see from the bus.

 

As a note for the wine drinkers out there – this ship is pretty strict about their one bottle per person policy and they DO confiscate hard liquor at the screening area. This is the first time I have actually seen ship’s personnel stationed at the in port screening gate. As a rule, when the port does the xraying of hand baggage (rather than the ship) there’s no one from the ship checking for anything else. This time the port screener asked to check our wine to make sure it wasn’t liquor, and there was a ship’s person who also checked before we entered the gangway. This seems to be a ship specific thing, though, as we didn’t have this happen on the Sun Princess a couple of weeks ago.

 

Yesterday’s MUTS move was You Again, Princess Theater entertainment was Jackie Love at 7:45 and the movie Every Day at 9:45, Vista was Impressionist Danny McMaster at 8 and 10, and the evening in room movie was Biutiful with subtitles. Casino opened late at 10 PM. Missed out on another deck of cards at Afternoon Trivia by 1 question. Not hideously disappointed.

 

In re: shore ex prices - those seem to be pretty much the same as we remembered from the Diamond.

 

In re: the Elite/Suite happy hour - we were just talking about that - no, they don't seem to do that on these ships - not sure why but will ask Amanda when I see her.

[DonahCBrown]

Cocktail prices are a bit higher, I think - will double check tonight, but as I'm not a hard liquor drinker, not certain on that - wine is actually a bit lower and with a better selection - not to say it is a bargain, but there are some good choices in the $25-30 range.

[Kiwicruiser25]

Hi Donna, I typed a great piece this morning about things to see and do in Adelaide but I must have taken to long so send it as when I did, it came up you are not logged in. Yet at the top of the screen it still had my login name so don't know what happened, thats what happens when your new at this.

Anyway will send another shorter version after this and I hope you get to read it before you arrive tomorrow. I'm sure they will have given you plenty of information about Adelaide on the ship.

 

So will send this and try again soon, I need a coffee just arrived home.

 

xRobynx

[Kiwicruiser25]

Hi Donna, Back again... Tea is cooking so I'm good to type....

Weather today in Adelaide was overcast, cloudy and a little humid (Usually a dry heat in Adel) but it was still a nice day. Tommorow Fri is going to be much the same 24 drgree (75.2F) so our temps are starting to drop.

Will be a little cold on deck coming in tomorrow on arrival.

I will be on the little jetty near the rocks just before the Terminal so give me a wave. Do you have much planned for Adelaide tomorrow?

 

There is an Information Booth in the Terminal manned by volunteer's (one of my friends works there)

They have lots of information and brochure's on South Australia. There will also be a few stalls selling the usual sourvenirs maybe even some wine?

 

There is a FREE shuttle bus which will run back and forth to the city, this takes about 40min each way. Not sure which way the buses will take you as lots of road works on our major rd (Port Rd) to the city.

 

Rundle Mall is our main shipping precinct it's a mall with no traffic running through it, the bus drops you at one end and if you love chocolate check out Haigh's chocolate shop yummmmmmme.

 

If you cross the road and board the free tram one stop to the Casino on North Tce and from there you can walk back up parallel to the mall and see Parliament House, Museum etc then cut back through into the mall.

 

Okay will send this one and continue before it times out...

[Kiwicruiser25]

Robyn back again well I typed it all in and then lost it again, then cruisecritic was unavailable it said so by now you are probably in bed.. but will type it up one more time. Here goes...

 

Midway down Rundle Mall we have two large silver balls, which is a popular meeting point.

If you want to wave to your friends back home they have a LIVE WEB CAM (stand in front of the silver balls face the end of the mall the bus dropped you at) if you want to check out the web cam go to google search and type in: Rundle Mall Web Cam and you should get a look down the mall.

 

WE have the Clipsal500 V8 supercar racing on in the city which is on at the far end of the mall, you will be able to hear the cars racing from the mall tomorrow. This event goes for 4 days Thur-Sun.

Take a ride up the Toys-R-Us building it has a glass lift on the outside and you get a view of Adelaide from up there, it free.

 

Adelaide Arcade in the mall is worth a look some unique shops and plenty of history in the facade.

We have 4 department stores, David Jones,Myers (Food Court downstairs in both) Targets at the far end of the mall and Harris Scarf they have a major relocation sale on at the moment - check out the first floor if you want ladies clothing.

Also have a browse in a shop called Autograph I like this one sizes are small to large.(me)

 

I'm going to keep an eye out for Amanda in the Terminal and hope to catch a glimpse of her tomorrow.

MAJA from the 24/7 Horizon Buffet I hope she will make contact I met her on the NZ cruise and offered to take her around Adelaide as she may only have a short time off the ship, if at all. Haven't heard anything yet might be last minute.

So whatever your day holds have a fantastic day, and let us know how it went.?

XRobynX

[catsforkids]

Thank you for posting from someplace we also hope to go :)

 

Quick question : did you decide port or starboard for your stateroom and why? Any particular reason while cruising around Australia? We would be sailing the opposite direction Sydney to Perth (2013).

 

Thanks!

[2903happy]

Thank you for your info on the Dawn Princess, as my wife and I will be Cruising with her for 35days at the end of your trip in April. I have made contact with Robert Manley who has kindly allowed us to join the Cruise critic excursion when we are in Tonga, and we are looking forward to meeting all of the Cruise Critic members onboard soon. Many Thanks again for your info, have a great time.:) Regards, Gavin Mann.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

I clicked on the bridge cam, and saw they were arriving in Adelaide, so brought up the port cam and just managed to grab them coming in.

 

 

 

 

[Kiwi Kruzer]

more grabs as she turned in the harbour...

 

 

 

[DonahCBrown]

We're coming in to the dock in Adelaide - I'm nursing a mild cold so had a very quiet day yesterday, but we're booked with a Tours By Locals tour today Adelaide Hills and Vines I think was the name of it - anyway, Ian our guide will meet us right outside the terminal and we'll be doing the market, some vineyards, the wildlife park and so on. Will report when we get back. Robyn - thanks for all the good info!

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Currently sailing through The Australian Bight on the way to Albany.

Trust the Bight is behaving itself for you Donna.:)

 

[Kiwicruiser25]

Hi Donna

I hope you enjoyed your day in Adelaide. Wish u were here today, its blue sky slight breeze just perfect.

Did u see me waving from the Terminal when u left. Had tears in my eyes as u all sailed into the sunset.

Only wish I could hv had more time to speak with my friends off the ship, especially Giovanni from the (Steak House) say hi from me if you get to dine there. Maja has my email address to give to him.

Caught up with Amanda for a brief second she was off on a tour, I missed her coming back as I was out with two other friends showing them Adelaide in just 2hrs. Hope you are feeling better can't wait for your next thread..

XRobynX

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Hi Donna,

If you read this before you get to Albany,

Have you got Whale World on your visiting list?

We went there when we did the Round Australia Cruise on Dawn , and it turned out to be an amazing and surprising highlight of the cruise.

The views of the Coastline and harbours are stunning.:)

 

 

 

[DonahCBrown]

Thanks for the recommendation - we've been trying to figure out what to do in Albany as it seems that the folks who run the Historic Albany Walk also do bus tours for the ship and aren't going to be available.

 

Still feeling poorly with the cold going into the stuffy nose phase now. Hope to be over it by the time we hit Fremantle for sure. Meanwhile, taking it easy and keeping quiet and pretty much cabin bound....sorry I'm not being very 'newsy' :(

[Kiwicruiser25]

Hi Donna,

Don't worry about reporting, just rest and recover as there is lots more to see and do. Wish you a speedy recovery.

XRobynX

[paul929207]

Donna,

Hope you get over the cold quickly.