Dawn Princess Cruise

[Tankstand]

Hello to all,

My wife and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary (1st Sept) this year with a cruise aboard the Dawn Princess with their "Papua New Guinea Wanderings" cruise.

This is the first proper holiday we have ever had and I am keen to be as organised as possible.

So if anyone here has cruised with the Princess line or indeed any cruises at all I have many questions.

Of course, me being me, I found the Princess web site and booked my tickets online and have avoided the travel agents!

Travel insurance! any advice who to deal with?

The price of life onboard, costs of drinks, dining at the Steak House etc. (Trying to work out many $ I'll be spending)

Which things need to be booked? The spa experience I know of.

Advice to make the most of the experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark.

[Ed Reiss]

You should pm Artme....he has just returned from an around the world cruise.

congrats on the 25th!!!!

[billym]

Last year took Sun Princess on a 75 day cruise and loved every minute of it. Hope you do!

Drinks are reasonable, I thought, often less than you'd spend in a bar in a city. Wine , tho, is very pricey but you can drink only half a bottle and your waiter will keep it for next time.

Dining room food was fantastic - of course we ate too much and are still trying to lose it. Service was impeccable.

We booked very few tours, but spent many hours on the net researching all the ports and working out our itinerary. Many towns post suggested walking tours. Frommer's also have many on line.

We use 1 Cover, cheap and have not had any trouble, tho there is a $100 excess. Take your own antibiotics to fix any respiratory problems you may have - and with the aircon, you probably will.

Only dined once in Steakhouse - absolutely beautiful steak but I really couldn't see the value.

Take your own washing powder and be prepared for brawls in the laundries!

We opted out of the daily deduction for gratuities and instead gave the same amount to our dining room waiters (where we took most meals) and our cabin steward.


Hope this of some help.

Bon Voyage!

Bill

[arose62]

Don't eat for about a week beforehand, as the food supply is constant and copious.

We never bothered with the food places where you had to pay extra, there is so much food around we couldn't see the point.

Go straight to the purser, and opt out of the automatic gratuities. Instead, give cash directly to the staff who give you good service.

The laundry is squishy and sauna-like.

Buy clothes with expandable waistlines.

Enjoy!

Cheers,
Andrew

[Ashore]

Went on the Dawn last Feb for 14 days, averaged about $50 per day
Always ate in the restraurent at night , smaller portions ,( though you could double up ) helps keep the weight down , the open slather smorgest board is too tempting
Take a couple of small decor containers and get some cheese at breakfast to keep in your fridge for afternoon cheese and bickies
Take small demoniation bills and coins for spending when you go ashore in port
Get a couple of those hang around the neck straps to carry your cruise card while on board , the ones they sell are costly
Get yoursel some big w reef shoes ( made out of wetsuit stuff ) for wearing ashore on the beaches and sunscrean and insect repelant
Take a back pack for going ashore for towles hats etc, and you can't get any booze back on board cause they x-ray your bags before you get back on board so you have to pay their prices
The gym was quietest at about 2pm
When you are getting back home tell them you have an early flight , or train so you get off in the first disembarkation or you will be waiting around for hours with all the bars etc closed

We never bothered with the food places where you had to pay extra, there is so much food around we couldn't see the point.
Had a meal in the steak joint one night , food was good but they rushed you through , when your paying get as many bums on seats as possable

Go straight to the purser, and opt out of the automatic gratuities. Instead, give cash directly to the staff who give you good service.
Best advice , make it your first job

The laundry is squishy and sauna-like.
And be prepared to wait and I think you need $1 coins


Enjoy!

Cheers,
Andrew

And
Enjoy

[Ashore]

Talking to shmbo and she said to warn you about changing money on board , the rate is terrible , just get it from an atm when you get ashore and dont book activities on board ( things to do while in port ) they are overpriced and the same is usually available locally and much cheaper

[Tankstand]

Thank you every one, this is priceless information!

I'll no doubt think of more and more questions between now and the 16th of October.

Like Water! I drink a lot of water, is it freely available? Do you have to pay for it? or could I take on board a slab of bottles?

[Sir Stinkalot]

Never been on a cruise so I cant help there ..... my hairdresser is currently away on that boat though.

Can help with travel insurance ..... we have just been travelling for 6 months and were covered with http://www.ouch.com.au/ We made two claims when we returned ..... waited a few weeks and received a cheque in the mail ...... no problems at all. Good level of coverage and good price. Would be happy to use them again.

[Tankstand]

11 days to go!

Having never flown with luggage before, does anyone know if its safe to put aftershave etc into your checked baggage? It is in a heavy glass "pump type" dispenser, I know not to take aerosols as it goes into the hold and is unpressurised. We will place everything into zip lock plastic bags. I just want to avoid the 100ml plastic bottle liquid rules that apply to carry on luggage.

SWMBO also wants to know if there are any irons on board?

Thanks

Mark

[munruben]

Yes there are ironing rooms on board the vessel. My wife and I went on a cruise a while back on the Pacific Sun and it was fantastic, I believe the one you are going on is even better. Food is excellent and there is no need to buy other food if you don't want to. drinks are reasonable and plenty of free entertainment. You will have a ball. Regarding shore trips, if you are prepared to take what you can find when you get on dry land, you will find the tours are about half the price as quoted on the ship. We had no problem finding tours when we went ashore. Have a great time.
Oh and, yes. go to the pursers office on your first day and tell them you dont want the gratuities added to your onboard account. Tell them you will tip the waiters and staff personally.

[Shutterbug]

I know not to take aerosols as it goes into the hold and is unpressurised.

Not so. The hold is pressurised and not a problem for aerosols.

Mike

[rotten_66]

11 days to go!

Having never flown with luggage before, does anyone know if its safe to put aftershave etc into your checked baggage? It is in a heavy glass "pump type" dispenser, I know not to take aerosols as it goes into the hold and is unpressurised. We will place everything into zip lock plastic bags. I just want to avoid the 100ml plastic bottle liquid rules that apply to carry on luggage

Mark

Put it in your checked luggage and you'll be fine, don't try to carry it on.

My brother went on a similar cruise a year or two back, reckoned he needed a holiday to recover from his holiday!!

Have a ball and keep us informed of your findings when you return, lucky bas@%^d,

Ron

[John Saxton]

We're looking at a world cruise on the Dawn Princess next year 104 nights away ..phew!!

Gonna be a long time away from the shed,but homesitter will have some fun.

Missed out on a cruise this year and had to cancel cue to Wife having an accident, devils own trouble getting refunded from insurance company but eventually they paid up.

Look forward to hearing any further reports on the Dawn Princess and folks impressions.

Cheers

[Tankstand]

Thanks for the replies, will report back when I've recovered from the holiday!

Thanks for the education Shutterbug!

[artme]

Just came upon this Tankstand!

Congrats on the 25th. You've really beaten the odds have married so young.

Didn't do a round the world cruise. Just a round the world trip. The Cruise part was from Venice to Rio. The rest was planes,trains and automobiles.

Take note of all the advice already given. I can add nothing to it except to say relax and enjoy yourselves.