Life aboard Pacific Dawn
Many standard cabins now have interconnecting rooms to benefit families. The 50 suites and mini-suites have been upgraded with new furnishings, carpets and artwork. Relax on your deckchair day and night, and take in karaoke performances and latest release movies on the giant new LED entertainment screen overlooking the pool. At the Orient Pub, featuring sporting memorabilia, quaff a range of draft beers and ciders. La Luna Pan-Asia Restaurant has a more intimate look, and the Mix Cocktail Bar and the Show Lounge have been transformed. Only two years earlier multi-million dollar additions included the Salt Grill by Luke Mangan and a new child-free Oasis retreat. So now Pacific Dawn boasts many features that have become hits on other P&O Cruises’ ships. The crew, service, food and entertainment receive strong reviews from guests.

Accommodation
Staterooms come in five categories – Suites, Mini-Suites, Outside with balcony, Outside and Inside – and 27 price levels (higher decks and extra space costing more). Many cabins have a third or even a fourth bed available. All cabins are spacious, with walk-in robes, and twin beds mostly convertible to queen size. Facilities include refrigerator, kettle, personal safe, bathrobes and toiletries, and an interactive video system. The décor is neat and attractive. About three-quarters of the cabins are outside cabins having a large window (or porthole in the case of a few). Thirteen cabins are wheelchair accessible. Cots are available for children under three years. Gratuities are included in the fare.

Interconnecting cabins for families and groups allow quad-quad, twin-quad and twin-twin bedding. Suites, Mini-Suites and many Outside Staterooms come with balconies. The fifty Suites and Mini-suites have newly been refurnished. The 14 largest suites have a generous ensuite with bathtub, an entertainment area, and extended balcony. Note that room-service meals come at extra charge.

Food and Dining
Dining-wise, there are four eateries onboard Pacific Dawn. Dining is where and when you like: “Your Choice Dining” at the main à la carte restaurant or main buffet dining room. Expect big ship banquet catering. The décor is bright and extremely colourful and bright. Dress up for the formal dinner/s. There are two alternative (pay extra) restaurants. The line has recruited its first ever celebrity chef, Luke Mangan, who has added his touches to the menu in the Salt Grill restaurant, a steak and seafood venue. La Luna is a casual restaurant serving Asian-style cuisine. The crew have a name for friendliness and the food selection is plentiful and varied.

Pacific Dawn’s recent refurbishment added a Natural Ice-cream Parlour, for everyone’s liking (and licking). The Lido Café and Juice Bar serve casual meals and grills, and at night less formal dining with pasta, steaks, salads and desserts – though you might dress up for the Salt Grill. There is a good pizzeria for informal meals, and a Grill by the pool. Themed bars and lounges are aplenty. This ship has its own chocolate café on board, so enjoy your goodies while you surf the Internet.

Entertainment
The main attraction is, of course, sailing to the South Pacific or the tropics of the Great Barrier Reef! You will have two to five sea days, and there’s plenty of activity day and night to keep you entertained. The International Show Lounge, two decks high, is the main venue for production shows and major cabaret acts. View all the action and latest movies on the Big Screen day and night on the pool deck. Other entertainment includes laser light shows in the Atrium, circus and acrobat performances, the Let Me Entertain You game show, adults-only Sit Down Comedy Club, and forward on the top deck is The Dome with dance floor. There are five bars and a casino, much live music and karaoke. The shopping arcade offers fine jewellery, crystal, perfumes and fashion apparel.

By day guests can join in a variety of organised activities. The top sun deck is now an adults-only Oasis spa area complete with wicker beds, lounges, ottomans and a new whirlpool. Under the sun on the upper decks is the ocean-view Aqua Health, Spa and Fitness centre that spans two decks. It features 11 ocean view treatment rooms, a salon, fitness centre and thermal suite. The Children’s Centres that cater for ages 3 to 10 years is situated at the rear of the top deck. HQ and HQ+ are hangouts for 11 to 17 year olds. Leisure spaces include jogging track, whirlpool spas, library, medical centre, gym and health spa.

Explore the decks

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