See for yourself- Dawn Princess Brisbane overhaul

by Jeni Bone on 17 Jun 2009 Cruise ship enthusiasts are able to go behind the scenes as Dawn Princess undergoes a makeover at the Forgacs Cairncross Dockyard in Brisbane, Australia. Visitors to www.princess.com will be able to watch as the ship receives new interior furnishings and finishes, plus adds the Movies Under the Stars giant poolside screen and the relaxing space to be known as the Sanctuary.

Dawn Princess is home-ported in Sydney for year-round Australia-based cruising and on July 5, the ship departs on a 104-day world cruise, the first circumnavigation and longest-ever roundtrip voyage from Australia.

The Dawn Princess Drydock Journal features regular updates of the work in progress. The journal will be regularly updated throughout the ship's two-week drydock which ends June 20.

When Dawn Princess emerges from the drydock, the ship will feature the opportunity to get away from it all in the tranquility of The Sanctuary, Princess' signature exclusively-adult retreat featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards. Visitors to this exclusive space can enjoy refreshing beverages and light snacks or listen to a relaxing playlist of music.

In addition, Movies Under the Stars will also debut in the poolside area with a state-of-the-art Times Square-style LED screen, offering evening movies and a variety of daytime programming. The 300- square-foot screen offers passengers a movie experience comparable to the best shoreside movie theater. In addition to family cinema and first run hits, Movies Under the Stars also features major sporting events, concerts and a new Leonard Maltin Movie Club.

Other changes viewers will see throughout the drydock include the installation of new carpet and upholstery, plus a rare view of the bottom of the ship's hull as it receives several new coats of silicone paint.

'We had such wonderful feedback from web users about our recent drydock journal that we decided to offer ship fans another behind-the-scenes look at all the work that will go into Dawn Princess' refurbishment,' said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.

'I think when our passengers see first-hand what's accomplished in a relatively short period of time, they'll be impressed by the planning and teamwork that goes into ensuring that our ships and their amenities deliver the fantastic experience for which Princess is known.'

More at www.princess.com


About Princess Cruises:
One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess offers its passengers the opportunity to escape to the top destinations around the globe, with sailings to all seven continents, ranging in length from seven to 107 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).