Live from the Dawn Princess Mar 11 Around Australia

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Heres an interseting shot from the bridge cam.

The moon is at its brighest for something like 20 years today

and its showing up and reflecting in the water ahead of the ship.

Captured at around 5am local time Sunday 20 March.

 

 

 

[paul929207]

Great shots.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

In Albany today..

 

 

 

[DonahCBrown]

Albany – after several time changes between Adelaide and here – 30 minutes from Melbourne to Adelaide, then 30 more, then two sixty minute changes, the internal time clock is a bit off. Kept waking up from around 4:45 on, so was ready to go when we arrived in Albany at 7. Unfortunately, nothing was open until 9…

 

We walked into town – a pleasant walk of about 15 or 20 minutes, but there was also a free shuttle bus. Albany really goes all out to welcome cruise visitors, with plentiful shuttles, lots of volunteer ambassadors providing maps and directions, two staffed visitor’s centers, lots of ‘on the spot’ tours that could be booked to the more outlying attractions, several sets of live musicians (an accordion club, a bagpipe player, a jazz trio, and a sax player at various places in town) and a craft fair set up in the center of town.

 

We followed the self-guided history walk around the center portion of town, having been told by the visitor’s folks as well as the port lecturer that it was ‘too far’ to walk to the Princess Royal Fort and the Anzac Memorial. However, on our way back from town, we met up with some folks we had shared our Burnie tour with who were returning from doing that very walk – and, although it was an hour each way (and up hill to the fort and memorial) it IS doable. The ship is docked just opposite the hill where the fort and memorial are located, in case you should decided to do the walk up there. Otherwise, you’d be well advised to book a tour (1 hour, in town tour, with about 5 minutes at the memorial was $30/person) or plan on a taxi (at around $80/hour). The Brig Amity replica is at the start or end (depending on which way you go) of the history walk and runs $7 for adult admission and audio guide. There is ample shopping, including a Dan Murphy’s bottle shop quite close to the pier and a number of grocery stores, pharmacies, a Kmart, and a number of bookstores, both used and new throughout the town. It is quite a pleasant spot with interesting churches and historic buildings. The setting is very nice as well, with sail in and sail away through the King George Sound, and requiring some pretty tricky navigation through the narrow channels.

 

Tonight’s entertainment is the production show Tribute – I’m planning to go to the third show tomorrow, hoping for less mobbed conditions – and Musical Comedy with Maggie in “Life’s a Lemon” which was also on last night. The evening movie in the cabin is Date Night, MUTS features Wall Street, Money Never Sleeps, and one of the ‘house’ musicians, pianist Monica Rosca is in the Vista doing a Tribute to Chopin concert, followed by the movie Love and Other Drugs with Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway at 10:15 PM.

 

Cold is finally fading into a lingering cough, but generally, feeling more human. Thanks for all the well wishes.

 

Tomorrow is Bunbury and Tina plans to walk us until we drop…

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Just a little run to Bunbury around the South West corner of Australia.

 

[Kiwi Kruzer]

In Fremantle today, for Perth.

 

 

 

[DonahCBrown]

Bunbury also put on quite a welcome for the cruise visitors – lots of free shuttles from the ship into the tourist information center, a craft fair, live music, and all throughout town, Bunbury Ambassadors to direct you or give you information about the town, the public art, where to find anything you might need or want. We did the Mangrove walk and then walked around the lagoon and through some really nice neighborhoods on the way back to the town center. The town has lots of book stores – both new and used, boutiques, and lots of chain stores as well in the shopping center which is adjacent to the information center. The public buses provided transportation out to the more distant parks and attractions including the Big Swamp Wildlife Park, Margaret River, Ludlow Tuart Forest and so on, although the service is not that frequent so be sure to check the return times and schedule your time accordingly. There is a free bus from the visitor center where the shuttle drops you off to the Dolphin Discovery Center, and that also gets you to the start of the Mangrove Boardwalk trail. Trails are well marked and navigating the town is easy. There are very nice beach areas as well, both in the boat harbor, along the ocean front and in Koombana Bay (where the dolphins – a resident population of over 100 – hang out0 and quite a few people did use the beaches during the day. Weather was warm and sunny all day, in the 80s.

 

We attended the third and very lightly attended presentation of Tribute – a new to us production show featuring the music of the Beatles, Beach Boys, and Rat Pack rounded out with some ‘Diva’ tunes from Cher, Whitney Houston and others. It was well done and the singers and dancers are a talented and energetic group. Maggie did an ‘al fresco’ presentation in lieu of a MUTS show, and the comedian and one of the guest singers did a joint show in the Vista.

 

We are anticipating a warm day in Fremantle/Perth and some new passengers - about 150 leaving and arriving for this portion that was only sold in Australia, evidently. Should be around 86 today and we are here until 11 tonight, so will have time to see both Perth and Fremantle from the sound of it.

 

There's a local group onboard this evening who evidently won something on the Australia's Got Talent show - sounds sort of like a mini-Cirque de Soliel - probably will miss them as we're likely to still be out and about.

[Dorinda]

Donna - hope you are soon feeling better. Hope you have some of the Triaminic strips like you once gave me!

 

Dee

[Johhno]

Hi Donna,

Welcome to Fremantle WA from a local.

Along with Davids (Kiwi Kruzer) a couple more pics of you arriving this morning.

 

Enjoy your 31deg ( 87 f ) in sunny Perth,hope you have a great stay.

 

Cheers Johhno

 

 

 

 

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Thanks Johhno,

Great to get some shots of the sail in.:)

The cams at Fremantle are really good.

 

 

[DonahCBrown]

Nice day today in Perth and Fremantle - warm, sunny. Lots of free/cheap transport and easily followed self guided walking and free CAT bus tours. Will summarize off line and cut and past later. Thanks for the photo postings!

 

Can anyone identify what the red vessel behind us is?? We saw it belonged to what seems to be the equivalent of the Coast Guard, but it is quite a strange looking ship. Asked around but no one around the dock seemed to know.

 

Dee - cold is better, settling into my usual and customary post-cold cough, but feeling like myself again - thanks.

[paul929207]

Donna,

Glad you are feeling better.

[Johhno]

Can anyone identify what the red vessel behind us is?? We saw it belonged to what seems to be the equivalent of the Coast Guard, but it is quite a strange looking ship. Asked around but no one around the dock seemed to know.

 

Hi Donna,I check what vessel it was for you and its the,

"Ocean Protector" Customs & Border Protection Ship. ( based at Fremantle)

 

 

ABOUT THE ACV OCEAN PROTECTOR

The ACV Ocean Protector is the Customs and Border Protection

multi-role ship that can respond to a wide range of maritime

security threats. It is available for operations 300 days per

annum.

The vessel is contracted from dmaa SEAFORCE to conduct

year-round patrols as part of the SOMPR program.

The ACV Ocean Protector undertakes patrols in the Southern

Ocean. These patrols are part of Australia’s commitment to

intercepting vessels and apprehending people suspected of

illegally fishing in the ecologically fragile sub-Antarctic waters.

When not operating in the Southern Ocean, the ACV Ocean

Protector is used to patrol Australia’s coastline.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Length: 105.9 metres

• Beam: 21 metres

• Displacement tonnage: 8500

• Range: 9200 nautical miles at 16 knots with 10 per cent

reserve; 23000 nautical miles at 14 knots with 10 per cent

reserve

 

Cheers Johhno

[Floridiana]

Thank you for this great report with lots of good information. Thank you Kiwi Kruzer for your valuable input. We are planning the same cruise in 2012.

 

I'll stayed tuned in.

[luxurysailer]

This cruise is one we hope to take in a year or so. Many thanks for the reports on the ship and the ports. Friends from Sydney are aboard and emailed us that the service and attention to detail are the best they've ever experienced on any ship. That's great news, especially since we'd heard just the opposite a couple of years ago.

[DonahCBrown]

Fremantle/Perth – another easy ‘do it yourself’ port with ample public transportation, either low cost or free. There was a lot of confusion about ferry service in the port and morning show presentations, though. There ARE ferries between Perth and Fremantle, but they aren’t commuter ferries on a frequent and regular schedule, they are private ferries and some don’t run every day. Basically, from Fremantle to Perth, the best one is the Captain Cook Ferry, which has ‘transfer’ service at 11:15, 12:00, 12:45, and 3:45, taking around an hour and 10 or 15 minutes at a cost of $20 to $22 per person. There are also longer trips with more sightseeing and lunch, tea or dinner, but the above listed ones are the best for just getting from point a to point b. The train takes about 30 minutes, the station is located about three blocks from the port terminal (take the walking bridge over the road and train tracks, turn right – you can see the building ahead of you) The tickets are less than $4 AU per person each way, or you can buy an all day transportation pass that is good on buses as well for $9, but this has to be purchased after 9 AM. The ticket machines are in the entry area of the terminal, and there are attendants to help you work them, but the one way fare for two people is as follows: select ‘multiple’ then ‘standard’ then ‘2 zone’ (if you are just going to central Perth) then ‘pay’ and insert coins or bills in the payment slots. The tickets will print and drop into the bin at the bottom along with any change you have coming. You can either go through the turnstiles, or the attendant will wave you through the open stile. The tickets are good for 2 hours, unless you get the all day pass ones.

 

Inside the central business district there are free ‘CAT’ buses – some with very distinctive cat silhouettes on them, others that look like the regular buses but are signed

CAT. There are three lines, Red, Blue, and Yellow. Red and Yellow run an east west loop and Blue runs north south, and all run at least every 15 minutes, and usually every 8 minutes or so. There are a number of tourist maps with ‘theme’ walks that are keyed to the CAT bus lines and stops. We did a few of the stops on the City Parks and Gardens Trail and the Art City Trail. There are also trails titled Icons of Influence (mostly notable public buildings and monuments), and Boom or Bust, and Convicts and Colonials both of which highlight specific sites associated with Perth’s history. These make it easy to get around as well as providing some context to what you are seeing.

 

Similarly, there is a CAT service in Fremantle and also a free tram shuttle was available for cruise passengers. There are several themed walks in Fremantle as well, with lots of information available ahead of time at the visitfremantle.com.au site, and/or at the information center. Among the themed walks are the Fremantle Hotels and Breweries Walk and the Arts and Culture Walk – these and other walks are downloadable at fremantletrails.com.au. Very close to the ship’s berth at the end of the jetty is the Western Australia Maritime Museum, and the other major attraction is the tour of the Fremantle Prison.

 

There’s a full service shopping center area basically opposite the train station for all your pharmacy, grocery, and liquid refreshment needs. Both Perth and Fremantle have nice shops and galleries for aboriginal and other art, jewelry, and clothing.

 

In the evening, the ship had local entertainer Cameo Rascale, part of a family troupe that had appeared on Australia’s Got Talent. We didn’t go, but Ken and Tina did and said it was good. We were in port until 11 PM so other than Cameo Rascale, most of the rest of the entertainment was limited to movie presentations – MUTS had Robin Hood during the day and Secretariat at night, and two showings of The Social Network in the Vista Lounge.

 

Thanks Johhno for the information about what the strange ship behind us was used for…weird looking craft - can't imagine what they have the cranes for, given that explanation - I thought maybe they were for deploying oil spill containment booms but that doesn't seem to be in the description you gave. Curious - will look around more when not paying for my computer time!

[Kiwi Kruzer]

 

They are off to Bali, and enjoying a few sea days.

 

In case you are wondering why a cruise Around Australia goes to Bali, Indonesia, its so that it calls at a foreign port and does not have to pay the local Australian GST...(Goods and Services Tax):)

 

 

Question for Donna..re Casino.

 

Up until now , any cruise ship had to close its Casino while in Western Australia State waters. This was recently relaxed , and cruise ships only , given permission to operate.

 

Just wondering if the Casino on Dawn is open as I dont know when the change took , or is taking , place. ?

 

 

[DonahCBrown]

With the exception of last night, when we didn't leave until 11 PM, the casino has been opening anywhere from 1 to 3 hours after we sail (have a notion it has to do with the proximity of land masses, etc. and existing regulations re: how far away you have to be and so on) but there hasn't been much action - the slots are hideously tight and don't even tease you much before taking all your money, although I did see a guy today hit a penny machine for over $190 - don't know how much he put in first, mind you...was passing through to ask Amanda about the Suite/Elite 'reception' thingee that is on most of the other ships and has not appeared on Sun or Dawn. She said she wasn't sure why, but thought it might be lack of an appropriate space to host it. Evidently, though, there have been other inquiries and some indignation about the issue. However it comes about, you can add it to the list of 'things that are different' about the Australian version of Princess. I can't really remember if the Sea Princess had the reception or not when we were on her in Europe, so can't really say one way or the other about it being a ship design issue.

[kobecat]

Hi Donna

 

I have been loving your posts and as a true and loyal Western Australian (sandgroper) I was delighted to read your information about Perth and Fremantle for tourists. We tend to get left out when it comes to tourism and it is fabulous when overseas visitors find our twin cities welcoming and easy to navigate. It is wonderful to see that Albany and Bunbury also welcomed you so well.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise on the wonderful Dawn Princess.

 

Beryl

[DonahCBrown]

Hi Donna

 

I have been loving your posts and as a true and loyal Western Australian (sandgroper) I was delighted to read your information about Perth and Fremantle for tourists. We tend to get left out when it comes to tourism and it is fabulous when overseas visitors find our twin cities welcoming and easy to navigate. It is wonderful to see that Albany and Bunbury also welcomed you so well.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise on the wonderful Dawn Princess.

 

Beryl

 

We've been really impressed with the quality of the welcome and the services here in Western Australia - everyone has been so nice, even average citizens on the street will stop and ask if you need assistance when you are standing there on the sidewalk with your map out. The free buses of course are available to all (and make for a more authentic local experience anyway) but it is really nice to have the tourist information keyed to the stops and pretty much everywhere has also had some kind of free cruise passenger shuttle as well. As I've learned from our new onboard Aussie friends "Good on you!" Western Australia!

[rkmw]

hi Donna, we got conformation for our m&g on the next cruise so thank you for fixing it up

 

bob

[k and k]

Hi Donna,

I'm on the Sept. 7 cruise out of Sydney that is the reverse of your cruise and am thinking of starting a blog for friends and famiy back home to follow our travels. When you're making the trek all the way from Eastern Canada, the journey to the embarkation point is almost as big as the cruise itself:)

 

My question for you is about your thread and your entries on it...did you purchase internet minutes in advance from Princess? I see they sell blocks of minutes with supposed bonus minutes for buying in advance. Also, did you carry your own laptop or do you use the internet cafe for your entries? I'm thinking of bringing a small "netbook" on the cruise, but I want to be sure that should I purchase internet minutes in advance that I can use them on my own netbook in my cabin, and am not required to go to the internet cafe to use.

 

Hope you can help! And thx for all the great info, it will certainly help us plan some of our port activities in advance!

 

katrina

[mildew1951]

Hi Donna,

I'm on the Sept. 7 cruise out of Sydney that is the reverse of your cruise and am thinking of starting a blog for friends and famiy back home to follow our travels. When you're making the trek all the way from Eastern Canada, the journey to the embarkation point is almost as big as the cruise itself:)

 

My question for you is about your thread and your entries on it...did you purchase internet minutes in advance from Princess? I see they sell blocks of minutes with supposed bonus minutes for buying in advance. Also, did you carry your own laptop or do you use the internet cafe for your entries? I'm thinking of bringing a small "netbook" on the cruise, but I want to be sure that should I purchase internet minutes in advance that I can use them on my own netbook in my cabin, and am not required to go to the internet cafe to use.

 

Hope you can help! And thx for all the great info, it will certainly help us plan some of our port activities in advance!

 

katrina

 

When we sailed Sun princess a couple years ago we took along our laptop and purchased internet minutes which we were able use anywhere on the ship there was coverage.

[kiwipete]

Hi Donna,

I'm on the Sept. 7 cruise out of Sydney that is the reverse of your cruise katrina

 

Hi Katrina

Just changing the subject briefly, I thought I'd point out the roll call that is going for the 7th Sept cruise on Dawn that was started by Paul.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1236577

Look forward to seeing you there. It's pretty quiet at the moment but should gather momentum soon.

[Woobstr112G]

Donna;

 

I'm continuing to enjoy your posts. So glad you are having a great cruise.....:):):)

 

Bob