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Pacific Dawn struts her stuff in Brisbane

(Photo: James Morgan)
The refurbished Pacific Dawn arriving in Brisbane
P&O Cruises Australia’s 2,000-passenger Pacific Dawn has resumed year-round cruising from Brisbane following a multimillion-dollar renovation at the Sembcorp Marine Admiralty Yard in Singapore.

As reported here, the former Regal Princess which became a resident ship in Sydney in November 2007, departed Singapore on March 2 on a return voyage to Brisbane via Bali, Komodo, Dili, Darwin, Cairns and Airlie Beach.

She strutted her fresh new look when she sailed from Brisbane March 16 on a 10-day ‘Discover Vanuatu’ round cruise.

Her many innovations include two water parks and two 80mtr water slides that wind down the side of the ship—one which features disco music and coloured streaks and the other transparent so onlookers can watch sliders shooting through the tube.

A team of over 100 tradespeople from marine interior specialist Trimline spent 12 days aboard in the Singapore drydock transforming many of the ship’s public areas, including The Dome, The Orient Bar, Pool Café, Charlie’s Bar, Reception, Spa, Ocean Bar, Techno Store, Decks 5, 6 and 7 Atriums and Deck 7 Promenade Bar.

As part of the refurbishment, Pacific Dawn became the first in the fleet to wear the company's striking new livery featuring the Southern Cross, a national symbol in both Australia and New Zealand. It follows the tradition of P&O's UK ships which carry the Union Jack on their bows.

The Wallem Ship Agency in Singapore provided drydock support during the February 18-28 top-to-bottom refurbishment.

It was a major logistical task that included the embarkation and disembarkation of crew (110 crew signed off and 150 signed on) and the coordination of more than 700 contractors.

The Wallem team provided everything from a shuttle service to and from the ship to the provision of stores and spares and their clearance through customs, the loading of 30 containers of renovation materials and the renewal of the ship’s certificates and licences.

‘Every drydocking is challenging, but this one particularly so due to the sheer volume of the numbers of people and materials required and the very tight schedule,’ Frankie Tan, gm for Wallem Ship Agency in Singapore, said.

However, Tan said due to team efficiency and calm professionalism in the face of pressure, the drydocking went smoothly and P&O thanked Wallem for an excellent job.