Australasia's First Superliner - Pacific Dawn

March 1, 2006

Australasia's First Superliner - Pacific Dawn

P&O Cruises today announced that Australasia's first superliner will be named Pacific Dawn and will be based in Sydney from October 2007 offering cruises to the South Pacific.

Presently sailing as Regal Princess in the US-based Princess Cruises' fleet, the elegant 70,000-tonne superliner will be the largest and most modern ship to call Australasia home. Pacific Dawn will introduce many new features to the Australasian cruise market, including an abundance of affordable private balcony cabins.

P&O Cruises is now taking advance registrations for Pacific Dawn's inaugural cruises, with full itinerary details to be released in April.

P&O Cruises Australia Managing Director Gavin Smith said the ship's new name was in keeping with the theme of names the company had has adopted for other vessels in its fleet.

"First we had Pacific Sky, then Pacific Sun, followed by Pacific Star. Pacific Dawn will maintain our line of names that draw on the natural elements and reflect the unspoilt beauty of the South Pacific region in which we operate."

Mr Smith said Pacific Dawn would carry 2,000 passengers in 795 cabins, including 184 with private balconies.

Designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, the elegant ship is known for its distinctive appearance, with a unique dolphin-like prow and a prominent domed observation lounge that curves around the ship's front.

Its many features include two swimming pools, a three-storey atrium lobby, a two-storey show lounge and a cinema.

The deployment of Regal Princess to Australia follows the sale of Pacific Sky to Pullmantur Cruises in Spain.

Pacific Dawn will join the 1,900-passenger Pacific Sun and the 1,400-passenger Pacific Star in P&O Cruises' Australasian fleet. Mr Smith said itineraries for Pacific Sun and Pacific Star through to January 2008 would also be released in April this year, including winter 2007 itineraries from Auckland.

For Pacific Dawn advance registrations or for more cruise information phone 0800 95 12 00, visit www.pocruises.co.nz or contact your local travel agent.

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