A new Dawn or a setting sun

I know that some of you may think that The Mole is whinging and should just shut up or like some of the other trade media might do, just say that it is great to see a “new” superliner in Australia. 

As you have come to expect from TravelMole though, The Mole has to tell it the way it is and this is the way the spectacular launch last night at Sydney’s Circular Quay of the newly arrived, but most certainly not new P&O Pacific Dawn was perceived by The Mole.

The Mole’s view is that the arrival and refurbishment of some areas of this huge vessel are sadly about all that is new about the Pacific Dawn, the vessel being the reincarnated Regal Princess [apparently no longer suitable for service with Princess, so sent to Australia!] which was launched nearly seventeen years ago in 1991, apparently by Margaret Thatcher.

Hey, don’t get me wrong, the party was great and I am sure that the reportedly 800 guests aboard enjoyed it, but The Mole can tell you little more as The Mole was told that Ann Sherry, the new CEO of P&O Australia was not available for interviews last night…………..interesting approach!

In any case, moving on…………..The Regal Princess was the second vessel in the 70,000 ton range for Princess, launched in 1991 and designed by Renzo Piano, who also designed the Aurora Place office building in Sydney.

As I say she is huge, with Anne Sherry in her speech saying that she was a few metres higher than the toaster building opposite on East Circular Quay and if she were placed on her end [The Pacific Dawn I mean, not Ann Sherry!] she would be as high as Sydney’s Centrepoint, a sight I hope we never see.

As far as what is new, The Mole can only tell you about the public rooms and the decks, with no cabins appearing to be available to see.  The refurbishment does though include the dome area at the front of the vessel, apparently formerly the casino, which has been being smartly refitted as the Lido, a huge bar and nightclub area………..all 800 guests squeezed into it as a result of yesterday’s inclement weather – so that gives you some idea of how big it really is!

The Mole thought we were going to see a “new” and smart P&O vessel at last in Australia, but she has been repainted in P&O’s rather tacky and “fun ship” colours, with the remainder of the vessel looking and feeling rather tired and dated. 

A number of peeks behind the scenes through open doors to the working areas of the vessel also proved that this was the case – even the boarding area, where first impressions are formed was tired and appeared dated, with old, tired equipment.

So, putting aside all the razamatazz, this unfortunately appears to be another example of the Carnival Corporation aka, P&O shifting another rather old and tired vessel to Australia.

While she is big, from The Mole’s rather limited viewing of the various features of the Pacific Dawn, in this case big does not feel beautiful, with the Pacific Dawn, feelling no different to the other old “metal” that P&O has shifted to Australia over the years, right from the days of the Fair Star, Fair Princess, through to the breakdown prone Pacific Sky, the Pacific Sun, the heavily damaged in a storm our of New Zealand Pacific Star, etc………..all vessels which have already had a full life elsewhere before being sent to Australia, apparently for the sunset of their lives…………..sounds like the convicts!

In the meantime it will be interesting to see how Pacific Dawn performs in Australians waters, with some officers, the only P&O people I was able to speak with telling The Mole that they had a horrendous crossing from New Zealand, but that the vessel rode it well, although the bow was well underwater several times.   

You may also recall that the Regal Princess [aka Pacific Dawn] has a record of running aground including in Mexico and also a number of years ago in the main channel in Cairns, the vessel declared rather difficult to manoeuvre. 

This was confirmed by the officers last night who said that she is hard to manoeuvre, because she has so much free board [that is hull above the water line, which makes her a pretty good sail!] and she only has one rudder!

So, who will sail on the Pacific Dawn? 

The traditional P&O market will like her because she appears to be the same product P&O has always offered and she is bigger and potentially better. 

There is nothing wrong with that and the Pacific Dawn does offer that market a “new” product, which without doubt will be taken up, and let’s face it, this has been a very successful model for P&O over the years for which they deserve credit.  Without P&O in the market place many Aussies would never have cruised.

Is the Pacific Dawn a new “dawn for cruising in Australia? The answer in The Mole’s opinion is sadly, no.

Will seasoned cruisers seeking a better quality experience sail on the Dawn?

The Mole’s feeling is that the Pacific Dawn will not be the vessel for them, with other better quality and probably smaller cruise vessels that visit Australia, cruises elsewhere and also the Princess vessel to be based in Melbourne in the future, a better option.

The Pacific Dawn appears to be a P&O party ship, in keeping with previous vessels and P&O’s apparent business model in Australia.

So, back to the launch, which was undertaken by Cathy Freeman, who said nothing at all, which was interesting. 

It was a great party, a great light show, [but we couldn’t see it except on a big screen because we were on the ship!] and great fireworks – a really great party and spectacular re-launch for a rather less great and less spectacular elderly lady!   

Sorry P&O, The Mole tells it the way The Mole sees it!

An on location report by The Mole from the Pacific Dawn in Sydney Harbour