If you have cruised before, you will know that the last formal night is a big celebration to mark the end of a fantastic holiday.
Here comes the parade of Baked Alaskas – a long-time cruising tradition.
It is a chance for the crew to get involved too, with a spectacular parade of Baked Alaska desserts and a Champagne Waterfall. (Did you know, there are more than 750 glasses used in the Waterfall!!!)
Pacific Dawn has added its own flair to this cruising tradition by including a laser light show called Vizion.
The spectacular laser light show, Vizion, lights up Pacific Dawn’s atrium.
Kids join in the fun as balloons fall from the ceiling.
Hope to see you on a cruise with us soon!
Zoltina-J
Cruise Director
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
To Zoltina J
I have been wondering just what did happen to all those baked alaskas? We were on the March/April Somoan cruise and that was the first time we had seen it done in an atrium/public area of the ship.
On both our previous cruises the bombe alaska parade was performed in the dining room with lots of clapping and cheering and afterwards it was served up as our dessert.
Regards Brenda
PS Is the ‘Yis’ girl Caren, still with you? She is great value!
Hi Brenda,
We had the ‘Yis’ girl Caren on our cruise on the Pacific Star in 2007 and YIS I agree with you, she was fantastic, absolutely laugh a minute.
We will be on the Dawn in December, so it would be great to have her on board again, although I imagine P&O have only the best anyway so nothing will disappoint.
I hope we get bombe alaska for desert on our cruise. I really like this desert and my children will be on their first cruise I wanted them to try it as well. I have always had some on every cruise I have been on. I really like it. Not having set dining times does make it a little different.
What about show times, I guess we will have to time our meal to make it to a show.
Do we have to time our meal to be able to eat bombe alaska?
Is the bombe alaska parade in the daily newsletter?
I never gave this a thought until now. I just assumed we would be having Bombe Alaska one night for desert.
This is a great tradition of cruising, I love it.
Jen
Hi,we are sailing 2/9/09 … not long now and I was wondering if the men HAVE to wear a suit on the formal night?My husband doesn’t want to wear one,is smart casual ie nice trousers & collared shirt ok?
Thanks
Hello
we are travelling on the July 11 cruise on the Pacific Dawn,
Can you tell me what the theme nights will be please…… As we would like to be prepared… There are 27 of us travelling thats 8 families….as we have been on mant cruises I know we will have a great time, most are first time cruises….
Counting down the sleeps!!!
Is anyone else going on the same cruise? 11th July 2009 –21st July 2009
Hi Kim.
I was on that cruise, and loved it!!!
Did you see any of the shows onboard in the Internationa Show Lounge?? I saw them all at 7:30 and 9:30, and they were all fantastic! One of the dancer/singers, Jason, I really miss him.
I am a dancer, and am part of a large dance school, as well as our theatre company. We were asked by P&O to put together a show and perform it onboard, so we did! It was great! Our group name was ‘The Port Macquarie Showstoppers’ Did you get a chance to see our show?
Two years ago we went on the Pacific Sun and put on a show also.
I hope you enjoyed your cruise!
Hi, Still looking for anyone going on the Pacific Dawn Christmas cruise from Brisbane on the 19th December. Would love to hear from you.
Hi Kalana, if you are still out there in Blog Land. I’m trying not to look at the Pacific Dawn countdown so often.
hi narelle we are going on pacific dawn 19th dec from brisbane . catherine will be 10 yrs & is very excited about’kids club – do you have any children going ?
My husband and I are going on this cruise. What’s on your mind? I’ve read pretty much the whole site and so I have a fair few of the answers…
Hi Jeff thanks for confirming a suit is not essential we are on the 3rd july cruise 3 couples 2 from NZ and exNZ us!! hope it is warm enough for a spa and swim once were under way. we have been on other cruises but not P&O so look forward to the comparison.
Hi Kim we are on Caribe Deck cabin C133 (unless of course it changes on the day). So glad there will be pople our age, was a little worried since it is school holidays it would be over run with younger children. Would be great to see you on board too
only 8 more sleeps!
Hi Everyone,
I am on the 11th July, 09 cruise this saturday does anyone know what the weather has been like I only cruised before when it was hot in January, please could someone let me know Thanks
vivian
can some one tell me about the activities and theme nights on the cruise from sydney on 31st August 2009.
thanks
Richard & Julie
Can anyone tell me what the theme nights will be on the Pacific Dawn Cruise oh 17 August 2009 I would like to be prepared.
Di
Hi, my husband and I are going on the “Taster” cruise departing Sydney on July 31st. Will there be a Formal night? Does my hubby need a suit? Also, how cold will it be? Can you tell we are new at this? Getting excited now that it is getting closer. Thanks, Sandra
Hey this is a comment to all the pacific dawn crew and staff on board. Just wanna thankyou for the best cruise out of the 5 i have been on, me being only 16, you have widened my eyes to the world and to what it has to offer! I am thinking of becoming a sports co ordinator when i grow up. Meeting new people, Making friends that last a lifetime, travelling, working and making the money! Oh Wow! What a life… you guys make the ship, the pacific dawn, is certainly the way to holiday! And i cant wait to go again next year!! Thankyou again, never forget the trip of a lifetime i had on the one month cruise out to Tahiti on the dawn!! One question for Zoltina J Medwick Daley, what age do you have to be to work on a cruise ship to be a sports co ordinator, and what qualifications do you need? Thankyou x
HI,
I am booked on Dawn leaving Brisbane 26th June 2010.
This will be my third cruise and third ship – have done Sun and Sky.
Really looking forward to it and am also wondering what a winter cruise would be like.
we r going on the new year’s eve cruise (28th dec) and r starting to count down as it is only 113 day’s to go……….. anyone else going on this cruise,let us know.
I really miss my husband Snr. Production Manager Paul… We love you so much!
Love your loving
Wife Michelle and your princess Paige!
hi we are going on the 20th october cruise would like to hear from anyone else going on the same cruise. Or has anyone been on a cruise that time of year and if so whats the weather usually like.?
i would like to know how many formal night there are on the cruise from brisbane on the 28th dec and what theme nights there are
Hi All im going on my 1st cruise Jan 2010 with a 6 & 3 y/o and cant wait.. anyone else going on the Dawn leaving from Brissy?
Hi Julie,
Which day, we are leaving on the 9th Jan out of Brissy with hubby and 11 yr old. Counting down madly
Hi Lyn, I just wore a pair of trousers and a dress shirt without a tie, the majority dressed like this, as long as you have smart attire your ok.
Jeff
Hi kim, Can you blogg when you return from your cruise. I would like to know what a winter cruise is like. I have only been on summer cruises and tempurture is on average 35, very very hot. I have been thinking about a winter cruise and want to know if water is fine to snorkle and swim, and swim in ship pools. I would imagine at night it would get a bit cool, but would like to know what tempurture is like in the day time. eg: shorts & tshirt weather.
I was looking at a July cruise. Have a great cruise. First time cruises will love it, they really have something to look forward to.
Hi Kim,
My friend and I are cruising on the Dawn on the 11th. We are 23 and 24 yrs of age, is there anyone in your big group around this age?
Emma
Hi Kim,
We are also going on the same cruise and really looking forward to it. There will be myself, my partner and 2 boys aged 13 and 16.
Hi Kim
I am going on an October cruise and noticed you have been on one too. Our cruise is to the fijian islands and I was wondering if this is a good time to sail. I am a Queenslander and hate cold weather. Is October a good time weather wise to sail? I like it hot!!!
Vicki
Hi Kim, thanks for your reply. I have also been on, December, January, September and October cruises, they were all great weather. Blogg when you get back. NYE cruise was especially good. Christmas mostly families, children loved it, santa came & gave out presents.
Thanks Jeff,he is very happy about that
Hi Jenny, we are also on this cruise with a son 16 and daughter 13. We also have friends going with twin 13 year olds. The kids mihgt meet up in teenage club.
Hi Jenny, we have alot of children travelling in our group..I’m sure all the kids will meet up in kids club, I love kids club!!!!
What deck are you on? we are on Dolphin deck, hope you meet on board
Kim
Hi this is another Kim, we are travelling on 11 july, this time next week hope we are on the ship yipeeee kids are girl 15 and boy 12
Hello Jen, I have been on 7 cruises, January, September, October, April and July… We ahve always loved them.
The weather is quite good in July as it is winter here and warm there.
The night time does get cold, but not always we have snorkled every cruise
I always wear shorts and t shirt but i always take atracksuit if it gets cold and I have only had to wear it once.
I will blog you after this cruise hopefully it will be beautiful weather… everything crossed..Kim
Hi Jan Just got back from 11th July cruise it was cold the first 2 days after that the weather was beautiful could have wished for nicer days, We swam on the islands the water was nice not cold,snorkling was very good as the water was so clear it was lovely. they close the ships pool at night.
we all wore shorts and t shirts, swimmers and sarongs as the tepurture was around 32 each day. A good idea to get yourself beach shoes to wear in the water as the coral is sharp, and take a light jacket incase it does get cold. the days were warm nights out on deck can get cold..it was cold leaving Sydney but got warmer.
Kim C
Yes only I and its a male he is 23, A nice looking Italian boy!
You will have a ball, there are always about 3 guys to 1 girl!!
Hope to see you aboard.. Kim
Emma, What deck are you on we are all on Dolphin Deck..Kim
Hi Narelle,
just wondering – where do I find this countdown you speak of???
Hi Narelle, yes i’m still out here! I have been bloody sick with bronchitis, been of work for 3 weeks yahoo!! Logged on last night to catch up on all the goss. 165 days to go bring it on. Not much to report from this end back to work after holidays which i am looking forward to ( I CANT BELIEVE I JUST SAID THAT LOL) anyway talk soon
Kalana
PS we must be the only ones on the dawn at xmas time everyone seems to be going from sydney on the jewel!!! HA HA
Hi Narelle, Yep I think we are obsessed! I am a kindy teacher, I dont get school hols off I just took some extra time off to be with the kids. I dont know why, they are never home!!!! I have been reading the other blogs and there seems to be some confusion with the kids club set up. Some are saying that you dont need to book kids in and others are saying that you do and to do it asap as they fill up quickly. I thought P&O only allocated a certain number of kids onboard anyway and that number was allocated to the kids club, so then the kids would not miss out. Oh god did that make sense??? Do you get what i am trying to say. Anyway 163 days to go. I am starting to daydream about lazing by the pool sipping my 20th cocktail(only joking, my 5th). Over this cold weather already.
Talk again soon
Kalana AKA obsessed first timer!
Hi Emma,
you are going to have a great time, I can only travel in school holidays and don’t worry about the kids they only allow a certain amount on each cruise. Most go to kids club.. they keep them busy we are Dolphin deck D169.. Hope to catch up with you… only 5 sleeps how exciting!!
Hello Vicki, the weather is fine in October the nights get cold, any time is a good time to cruise we have been on 2 October cruises you will love it. just take a light jacket with you just in case, i always do.
have a great cruise
Kim
Hi Jen, I don’t think there is a bad time to cruise, they are fun arnt they.. no cleaning, no cooking, Yeh this is a real holiday for Mums..
Hi Katie
On the P&O site go into ships and click on Pacific Dawn.
When are you cruising??
narelle,.
we are cruising in 40 days time.. but who is counting??
17th August.
Can only see the countdown on the website for when it gets to Brisbane.
thanks,
Katie
Hi Kalana
Great to hear from you again although sorry to hear you’ve been so sick. Get it all out of the way now!!!!
I reckon too that we are the only ones going on the Dawn from Brissie….or at least the only ones totally obsessed with it!!
Get well soon.
BTW – what do you do for work?? I’m on holidays at the moment, I’m a teacher aide.
Sandra, some men wear full dinner suit , others wear shirt & trousers with or without tie. It’s up to your husband what he would like to take onboard. Just go with the flow and have a wonderful time.
Thanks Jen, I will use the occassion to get him in a tie. A change from Ruggers and a singlet!
Hi Jenny.
I was on that cruise and was in teen club. Were your boys in teen club? If so, who were they?
Hey Rhonda, it’s Bella!
Hi Rhonda.
It’s Bella!
Hi Rhonda.
It’s Bella! I’m not 13 anymore!
Hi Rhonda.
It’s Bella! I’m not 13 anymore! I really miss Jay, really really truly miss him.
Hi to all cruise staff onboard the Pacific Dawn, including the Pacific Entertainers
I was on the 11 July cruise on the dawn, and has a ball!!!!
I went to every show in the show lounge at 7:30 and 9:30!
Pacific Entertainers- You may not remember me, but I the red haired girl who asked for autographs from all of you, and you signed my programme/booklet that you get from the show ‘Starry Starry Night’ Thank you sooooo much! I am part of ‘The Port Macquarie Showstoppers’ and we performed our shoe on the day we were at Lifou.
Jason- Thank you so much for being on the Dawn the same time I was! You inspired me so much, and I know I will see you in the near future!
Thank you all sooooooo much, as you have all inspired me more than I can explain!
Thank you everyone for making my cruise the most wonderful experience of my life!
Love Bella xxxx
Hi katie
What was the weather like on your cruise, We are traveling on the pacific Jewel on the 17th August 2010. Was the sea’s rough.
Talk to you soon
Nick
Hi everyone
I am going on the dawn on the 27th december this year an although its far away i am very very excited…. celebrating finishing 6 years of uni. I have been on the sun early last year when they had set dining times and i loved it. I know that all ships now have your choice dinning. So my question is what times are the shows every night. Are they the standard 7:30 and 9:30 or are they different every night? If these are the times whats a good time to do dinner. We are considering booking every night to hopefully get a table as ive heard horro stories of very long waiting times to get a table. So any info about this would be great. I am going with my husband who is a chef and his mate who is a chef and his girlfriend. So being with chefs they look forward to sitting down trying nice meals and not rushing. So thanks in advance