Dawn Princess Review
The 77,000-ton 1,970-passenger Dawn Princess is the second ship in Princess Cruises' Sun-class style of vessels (which also include Sea Princess and Sun Princess) and is now permanently based in Australia. The ship offers Australia/New Zealand, South Pacific and world cruises -- and is run like an Australian cruise ship. That means onboard prices are in Australian dollars, Vegemite replaces peanut butter at breakfast, and the fitness center runs classes like "legs, bums and tums." Unlike Princess' other ships, Dawn Princess does not offer a flexible dining option in the main dining room (guests can dine at early or late seatings, or simply choose a different venue), and features Australian entertainers, TV and movies, and even sports games onboard.
Now considered a mid-sized ship (at least these days -- when it launched it was considered rather large), Dawn Princess offers a cruise experience that hews to both Princess traditions and contemporary travel styles. The ship has the requisite multi-million dollar art collection, a nice health and fitness facility, two main showrooms, an around-the-clock restaurant, a few alternative eateries, and 410 cabins with verandahs (a low ratio today but fairly revolutionary in design when the ship was launched). A 2009 refurbishment has added Princess's signature adults-only Sanctuary sun deck and the giant Movies Under the Stars LED screen, as well as upgraded carpeting, upholstery and hull paint.
Dawn Princess is far more intimate than its 21st-century siblings, but that also means that facilities are neither as expansive nor as well equipped as those on the fleet's newer vessels. The size is especially felt in the Horizon Court buffet venue (where options aren't as varied as in other lido buffets), the cramped workout room and the underwhelming teen lounge. On the other hand, having two show lounges is a great way to give passengers more entertainment choices each night, and Princess really utilizes the space it does have with a wide variety of onboard activities, everything from ceramics to dance classes, game tournaments to computer workshops.
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