Pacific Dawn’s new gourmet restaurant

French-trained Mangan, who owns and operates a number of award-winning restaurants including the glass brasserie at Hilton Sydney and Salt Tokyo, opened his first sea-going restaurant -- Salt Grill by Luke Mangan -- aboard Pacific Jewel last December.

Carnival Australia vp hotel operations, Sture Myrmell, said the success of  this alternate fine-dining venue in Pacific Jewel, which has a nominal surcharge of A$30, has been ‘phenomenal.’

‘The restaurant consistently books out for the entire cruise, so we turn tables twice for dinner and also open for lunch on sea days,’ Myrmell said.

The 70,000gt Pacific Dawn’s main restaurant, The Palm Court, has been renovated with new furniture, the spa has been revamped and there is new carpet and upholstery throughout the ship.

When Pacific Dawn went into dry-dock on May 15 P&O Cruises Australia donated furniture that was to be replaced to Lifeline, a mental health support organisation. This included around 1,000 chairs, as well as sofas, tables and duvets. Lifeline also received boxes of crew clothing.