This ship appeals to couples young and old, families with children and older single travellers. A standard, large ship comprising of 8 passenger decks it has the capacity to carry between 1,950 and 2,250 passengers along with 900 crew. It is tastefully decorated and extremely family friendly with a fun zone, kids centre and video arcade for teenagers.
There is a wide selection of interesting itineraries available including, Alaska, British Columbia, San Francisco, Mexico, Hawaii, Tahiti, Australia and New Zealand.
Twinned with the Sun Princess, Dawn Princess was built and began its seagoing career in 1997. Made in Italy for £150 million it weighs in at 77k tons (261m long, 32m wide). It also has an excellent stability rating and an impressive CDC hygiene rating of 99. Clean, well maintained with tasteful decoration throughout the ship it also benefits from an amazing 4 storey atrium complete with its own glass lifts. The currency onboard is the US dollar.
There are 975 cabins in total, 603 have an outside view while 372 are interior cabins. These are divided into 28 individual cabin grades. 446 have private balconies (which are quite narrow), and only 19 have wheelchair access. The smallest suite is 12.5sq.m, the largest is 59sq.m. There are no single occupancy cabins onboard.
Travelling between decks is made easy with 11 lifts to choose from. All cabins have a reasonable amount of storage space and TV, fridge, hairdryer and bathrobe as standard. There is also a turn down service with chocolates left on your pillow.
| What are the cuisine/dining options? |
The ship has two main dining rooms (Florentine and Venetian) seating approximately 500 guests each. Both are non-smoking. Breakfast and lunch are served to an open seating plan; however dinner is in 2 sittings. The menu is varied and there is also a reasonable wine list. Kosher and baby food is served but only by advanced written request.
Dining Alternatives:
The Sterling Steakhouse - Impressive Angus beef menu - Filet Mignon/ New York Strip Steak/ Porterhouse & Rib Eye. (between 6.30-9.30p.m –booking recommended.)
Horizon Court Buffet – 24-hour service, small bistro menu. Fabulous 270 degree views over bow of the ship
Verdi’s Pizzeria- serves excellent pizzas
Wine & caviar bar
Trident Grill – Burgers and hot dogs.
Patisserie - coffee/pastries
Ultimate Balcony Dining – Fresh lobster or steak, delicacies and private service on your own balcony
Sundaes – Ice cream bar
A limited cabin service is also available
Indoor fun: The Princess Theatre and the Vista Lounge are the two show theatres. Both are used for cabaret, entertainment and cinema programmes. The Princess can cater for 500 passengers; while the Vista Lounge doubles up as a lecture and presentation room. Or if more intimate venues are your thing there are four other bars (The Wheelhouse, The Atrium Lounge, Shooting Stars and Rendez-vouz) for you to enjoy a cocktail or two.
Other facilities include a library, casino, fitness centre – gym and aerobics with “Cruisercise” health and fitness programme available, beauty salon and a spa with excellent sea views. For more sedate activities there is a computerised golf centre and shopping gallery.
You can entertain the children in the fun zone, the teen centre and the splash pool.
Outside fun and games: 4 outdoor swimming pools, basketball, tennis and volleyball deck along with a wrap-around teak promenade deck.
The cruise fare does include all normal onboard facilities and services. Note that gratuities are automatically added to your account on a £5 per person per day basis. This is non mandatory so you must inform staff if you want it removing. 15% is added to all bar/wine bills. A cover charge of £7.50 - £12.50 per person may apply at some of the ship’s alternative dining venues.
Alcohol purchased at any port of call, including the port of embarkation, may not be consumed aboard. You can bring wine or champagne onboard to celebrate special occasions (limited to one bottle per person). If consumed in any of the dining rooms each bottle will be subject to a £7.50 corkage fee (subject to change).
The singles supplement charge stands at 150-200%. There is also a charge for use of machines and washing powder in the self- service launderette.
Your fare does not cover shore excursions, sightseeing trips, spa treatments and beauty products. Express check in is available by written request 40 days in advance of sailing.
Please note that American age limits apply onboard. Therefore under 21’s cannot purchase alcohol or gamble in the casino, at horse racing or play the cash prize bingo.
