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Princess Diaries
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By: Megan Cuthbert, Issue 37 – Summer 2009
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(The Dawn Princess)
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DAWN PRINCESS HAS RECENTLY MADE SYDNEY HER OWN AND HAS A STRING OF SAILINGS TO PORTS NEAR AND FAR IN 2009. THE HARBOUR WILL BE GRACED BY HER PRESENCE 20 TIMES IN THE NEXT YEAR.
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She cuts an imposing figure, perched in Sydney’s Darling Harbour, her voluptuous curves dwarfing the smaller ships offering quick trips for tourists. She is the Dawn Princess, a suitably regal title and this, her debut in Sydney, heralds the beginning of a new luxury cruising coup for Sydney. The city will now be the base for Carnival Cruises’ luxury liner and her veritable banquet of cruises. The world-renowned harbour will be graced by her presence 20 times in the next year; Dawn Princess will be squeezing her 77,000 tonne frame under Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge, with a mere 2.5 metres of breathing space, making her the largest vessel to sail under the Bridge.
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Stepping onboard the Dawn Princess, you’ll be immediately impressed by her grandeur. A quick procession through security and you are ushered into a marble floored Atrium, the four sweeping storeys crowned by a stained glass dome. It could take several days to get your bearings on this ship. The 14 decks hold 975 cabins, almost half featuring private balconies, to accommodate the some 998 passengers. The 845-strong crew, or at least the number that I meet, are attentive and helpful, as they point seafaring holidaymakers in the right direction.
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Dining options are plentiful. The eight restaurants and cafes throughout the ship will satiate almost any dining desire, from the Steakhouse to the gourmet Pizzeria, and for those prone to midnight munchies, there’s a 24-hour buffet. To help work off all the abundant fuel, there are four pools and five whirlpool spas scattered throughout the ship, including the main pool with a nearby stage and bar offering a little poolside glamour. For hardcore exercise fiends there’s a well-equipped gym, with an adjacent spa for some post-workout pampering. For those keen to continue their sporting prowess while still afloat, the golf simulator allows players to test their swing on some of the most popular courses from around the world, or to improve their tennis game on the sports court.
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While nature puts on a great evening show, as the sun dips below the watery horizon, you’ll find ample evening entertainment options onboard the ship. The elegant two-storey theatre offers Broadway-style shows for 550 guests. Guests can grab a pre-show drink at the nearby bar, or for a livelier atmosphere, there’s always Jammers, the onboard nightclub, with a dance floor that lights up at your feet. Catch a movie under the stars, or try your luck at the casino. For quieter entertainment, there’s a library and a comfy seat with a great view.
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Launched in 1997, The Dawn Princess will be the youngest cruise liner ever based in Australia. Following her maiden voyage in Australia, fittingly a 28-day circumnavigation of the country, The Dawn Princess will be making brief appearances in the harbour on her subsequent cruises to South Pacific islands, New Zealand and Tasmania.
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Details:
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The Dawn Princess
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