Hi Everyone,
My name is Alyn Baker and I am the Food & Beverage Director on board Pacific Dawn. I’m pleased to have been given the opportunity to join the team down under, and have the chance to visit some of Australia’s land marks. Sure enough, the Opera House is on my list.
This is not the first time I’ve been to Australia. I’ve visited it on my travels many moons ago when I was doing the world cruise on board the SS Canberra, the P&O Cruises ship that became famous for being transformed into a troop carrier for the Falklands war. Due to the age of the ship and new ships arriving, the Canberra was taken out of service a few years later.
Memories that stick in my mind on my visits to Sydney were the tour to Katoomba Zoo Park and actually holding a koala bear. As we traveled to the Zoo, we passed the 3 Sisters which were awesome. The ship used to dock at Cirular Quay facing the Opera House to the right and to the left was a short sprint to the Orient Hotel, which was a lovely small bar with “Do it your self BBQ concept” where you choose and pay for the meat then cook it yourself. I was in the Galley at the time working as a junior chef, and the Galley boys used to run across to the Orient between sittings at dinner whilst keeping an ear open for the ships horn as that was a sign that the ship was about to leave. So we would sprint back to avoid being in trouble. Another area we checked out was Kings Cross at night, but that’s another story.
I have 33 years experience in the hospitality trade, which is strange because I’m only 35 years old. Who am I kidding?
I have 12 years experience at sea operating on the 5 ships listed - Canberra, the original Sea Princess, Ocean Village, Ocean Village Two and of course, the Pacific Dawn. One of my most exciting challenges was to take Ocean Village Two out of her refit and on her maiden voyage as Hotel Manager.
I have children at home in the UK, a girl of 23 who is training to be an English teacher and a boy of 17 who is at college doing further studies. I doubt that they will follow my footsteps in the travel industry as they don’t have the ambitions to travel.
When I’m on vacation I like to spend the time with my Children, family and friends back home in the UK.
I look forward to meeting you on board.
Regards
Alyn
{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Alyn – welcome downunder. Perhaps we will meet you on the cruise around NZ on 20 Feb. It is a long time since my husband and I cruised so we are very much looking forward to the experience.
Hi Alyn,
Welcome to Australia. Make sure when you anchor in Pioneer Bay off Airlie Beach to give us a big wave.
Missed you on 25th Jan.but 19th April you will be in Airlie again on the Sydney Port Douglas run.
Cheers Alf.
HI. Alyn do you have wine packs onboard for dinning at tea time CHEERS. see you on the 20th ‘ feb’..
Hi Pacific Dawn cruisers. I would like to know what the Tassie cruise was like.
I have booked Tassie cruise for December, so any information would be appreciated. Thanks, hope you had a blast on your recent tassie cruise.
Just back from the Tassie trip, we had a great time, great service and it was well worth the trip. Highly recommended.
also just back from tassie trip and just one word describes it AWSOME,,,,
Thanks Linda and Judy, I was on the cruise before you to Whitsundays, Cairns & Port Douglas. It was great.
I am on Pacific Jewel from Sydney in December to Tassie. Can’t wait.
Have always wanted to go to Tassie, and on a cruise ship will be fantastic.
Thanks for your reply’s. Now I want to go even sooner.
We are going to NZ in 8 days’ time. Can’t wait. No-one is going to put me off cruising!
Linda,
You would have to be kidding?
The stoppage in Hobart meaning we missed the Wineglass Bay cruise.
The late arrival in Melbourne meaning many people missed tours.
The bland, boring food, the overpriced drinks.
The boring entertainment during the day.
You must be very easily pleased.
Were you disappointed that the food wasn’t like McDonald’s and KFC? Obviously cruising is not for you.
Sandee,
The point I am making is that the food was not up to standard for the price of the cruise. It is not value for money.When we stopped off in Sydney I had better food at a pub in Newtown, & it was not fast food.
P & O will not lift standards unless they are made aware of their weak points.Letting people know what REALLY is experienced-that is what I am trying to do.Tell me what you think after you cruise next time.
Hi Brad, I will. I’m on several cruise forums and MOST, not everyone, say the food is very good and plentiful, that’s why I can’t understand people saying it isn’t. I know things also go wrong, but so do things on flights and land-based holidays. As I have cruised before, I am sure I will be able to find plenty to enjoy. Just being at sea and away from the world, will be a holiday.
Jen,
You really want to know?
A disaster.
Planned maintenance in Hobart went way over scheduled time & resulted us missing the Wineglass Bay scenic tour. This was “A once in a lifetime experience” as per P & O’ S Pacific Daily newsletter. The ” once in a lifetime experience” was valued at $25. This is what P & O reimbursed us. A faulty thyristor in one of the Stabilisers meant we arrived late in Melbourne, meaning that many people missed tours.No reimbursment for this though. Drink prices are based on nightclub prices. Food in the free restaurants is boring, relative;y unchanged throughout the cruise & is often served cold.On board entertainment is poor, Trivia, Bingo & did I mention trivia?. Some of the entertainers in the Showlounge were above average, but not first class.If you dont expect much bang for your buck. P & O can cater for this very well.Photos come in at $29.90 ea & they take a lot of photos. Pity the staff did not try as hard with their other duties. Just beware.
How come they don’t reimburse you for a shore tour if you paid through P & O and it’s their fault ? This is very concerning as we have no way of knowing the ship will be late into port for whatever reason.
If you book through P&O you do get reimbursed.
That is what I thought but Brad is complaining that he didn’t receive a refund for his shore tours missed. If he didn’t book through P & O, don’t complain.
Brad, I just went on Dawn and photo’s compared to my last cruise have gone up considerably. I didn’t buy any. I did however take pleanty of my own photos.
I have been cruising for over 30 years and I must say I did like the set meal times for dinner. Food was not what I was used to on cruises. I really needed to go on a diet anyway.
I didn’t book any tours as I really wanted to explore the ports we went to. Cairns, Port Douglas and Airley Beach. They were beautiful. Really liked them. Hope to go back someday.
Brad can you tell me, at Port Arthur is there any public transport there? Taxi, Bus or anything elce.
At Melbourne I was planning to get a family Tram pass. To travel around all day. Hope they have this.
I’m afraid no tours for me. I want to explore the towns themselves.
How was bass straight crossing?
Anyway I have always wanted to go to Tassie. Can’t wait.
Hope to hear from you soon Brad or anyone who just went on Tassie cruise
I meant set meal times like they used to be.
Sandee
We to are going to NZ on the 20th… Very excited… I agree a cruise is what you make it… Here’s to a good time.. Cheers and Beers or a cocktail or two also!!!!
I’ll drink to that, Karen! Not long now.
TASSI was my first ever cruise it didnt live up to what people had told me but i met lots of people and had fun. Missed 2 full day tours,1 half day tour, entertainment later in the night could have been better,all staff were good alot of people were unhappy but these things happen when you are on something mankind has made.I just tried put it behind me and have a fun trip
Tim was there any public transport where you get off the ship in Tassie? at any ports or tender ports
Thanks for all your feedback about Tassie cruise.
Cruising has changed alot. I have been cruising for 30 years and I must say I did like the set dinner time in restaurant – well the way is used to be.
Next cruise I will book the restaurant.
I did stay at pool most of the day times, and went to lectures and shows, was really good on Pacific Dawn just recently.
Hey Jen, My wife and I are on the Nth Queensland cruise on 7 August 2010. I see you have done that cruise and my wife would like to know if you can tell us what the theme nights were on that cruise
Island night and country & western.
This cruise was jam packed with entertainment or if you chose to do nothing there is pleanty of space to do that to.
When we went to Yorkeys Knob, we didn’t take much cach and it cost $20 per adult and $10 child return to cairns. Unfortunately we didn’t know that and only took $50 cash with us. It would have cost us $70 for our family to go into Cairns. It was Australia Day and didn’t think much would be open so we had a little look around the knob and returned to the ship.
We chased a cyclone, sea was flat the whole way. Even when we got rain it was very humid. Had a fantastic time.
I agree Sandee, just having someone cook for you is great. I cannot fault the food either. There are some people you can never please, maybe they are to well fed.
Can somebody please clarify is the Pacific Dawn better than Pacific Jewel.By what I hear from comments from people that have been on Pacific Jewel it is a bit cramped & not good..I have been on Pacific Dawn and found it fantastic.I want to go on Pacific Jewel.Just wondering any feedback.
They are sister ships, practically the same, but with some differences. Most people prefer the dome on the Dawn, rather than the spa on the Jewel. The buffet appears to be better set out on the Jewel and results in less queueing. The Lido deck appears to be roomier on the Jewel. There is a bar IN the show lounge on the Jewel and a chocolate cafe. People have also been complaining severely about the Dawn lately because of some problems with maintenance and delays. So you ‘pays your money and takes your choice’. If you go with the right attitude you will enjoy your cruise, whatever. Good luck.
Hi Sandee,Wondering what your thoughts are about Princess Cruises.Are they better.I have heard they are better than P & O but they cost more.
Hi Terry
My husband and I did the NZ trip on the Dawn Princess leaving from Sydney Feb/Mar 2009 and had the most wonderful time. Yes it does cost more but the ship is beautitul. The atrium is just unbelievable. I particularly liked the deck where you could walk completely around the ship – great exercise after all the wonderful food onboard. In relation to your question – are they better, it probably depends on your expectations. We have sailed on 3 P & O cruises and find them great as well – a cruise is really what you make it, like any holiday I guess. The Princess ships are certainly much more luxurious than the P & O (which I feel cater more to the budget conscious traveller). My only complaint with Princess is the size of the balcony cabins – rather small when compared with the P & O cabins. We sailed on the Pacific Jewel (maiden voyage and yes, we had a great time! – ignore the whingers) – the ocean view room we had was very spacious. I must say though that the overall service on Princess is better than P & O but as you state – they do cost more. You get what you pay for. We will certainly sail on both cruise lines again.
Joy, Thanks so much for your comments & others too.I always like the positive not the negative comments and it is true in life you do pay for what you get better paying a bit extra for better service.
Hi Terry, I haven’t been on a Princess cruise. Some say there are more older people on them whereas P&O are more into family cruises, although on any ship the there is a mix of ages. The best thing is to google ‘cruise ship reviews’ and find the good and bad about every one.
Hi Terry,
I recently did a 2 night Princess cruise sampler on the Dawn Princess in November ‘09. thoroughly enjoyed it .. Buffet open 24/7 (hot meal @ 2am..)
Princess cruises are a 6 – 7 star cruise line, they are the sister company to P&O. (it may have been a commercial decision from Carnival (parent company) for P&O to focus on family orientated travel within the Australian market.
It’s my educated guess that’s where alot of complaints may have filtered through about the Dawn & The Jewel , some are expecting silver service where the budget conscious family are there for a good time & a fun time and will always enjoy what’s on offer…
I know there is nothing wrong with expecting silver service but as some of the others have indicated it’s best to pay a little more for the service (IF YOU WISH).
Terry have a look at deck plans and all details about date built and size of ship. I think the Dawn & Jewel are about 20 years old. Love cruising, the Dawn was fantastic when I just went. Especially liked the Doam & late night comedy, so much to do all day and night. Food average. I think I even lost weight.
Thanks Sandee for your comments sounds like you know from previous experiences.Appreciate it.
Hi Jen,
Thanks for your reply. It gives us an idea of things to take with us to get in the swing so to speak. Also thanks for the heads up on charges from the “knob” to Cairns. We will watch that. Enjoy your Tassie trip on Pacific Jewel. It is a cruise we are thinking of taking in a couple of years time.
Cheers
Ray we are doing Australia cruises because we didn’t want to get passports for our children.
I have done 5 south pacific cruises and I must say they are beautiful ports.
I have done a christmas cruise and a NYE cruise. Christmas was more families and NYE was a total rage. NYE was very party mode and really loved this one the best.
I think everyone should try a NYE cruise.
Ray at Yorkeys Knob their were busses lined up to take people into cairns. Think it was a 10 or 15min bus trip.
So it cost $10 each way for 10 minutes.
Airley Beach was lovley. We walked from the ship into town. About 10 min walk. Really lovley secenery on the walk. When we got off the ship there were people there from Airley Beach information handing out free information booklets. I thought this was lovley of them to do this. I actually want to write to them saying thanks, great thing to greet tourists & answer any questions.
There is a lagoon at Airley Beach so take your swimmers. I didn’t know this so my children just swam in their underpants. Oh well they look the same as swimmers.
Ray, when you go I don’t think the stingers are around. So you may be able to swim in the ocean.
Cairns also has a lagoon. I saw photos of people who went into Cairns.
Photos on board ship were $20 or $30 to buy. I did buy the DVD they sell of your cruise. Think it cost $49 or something like that.
Drink prices hadn’t changed from my last cruise in 2006. Price of the cocktail I liked was the same. $7.50. My hubby had scotch & coke $7.50.
Tea, Coffee & water available for free 31 -refer to 2 & half men. Jake said if you add 24 + 7 = 31 lol
The Tazzie cruise just gone was my first taste of cruising.I found it to be a very good cruise with plenty to do. The meals especially breakfast were not always hot but other than that were most enjoyable.
Not sure what Brad means by nightclub prices for drinks as i found $7.95to $9.95 for cocktails quite cheap compared to the clubs in Brisbane. Also i have paid up to $9.00 at some outlets for Crown Lager so $6.95 is also very reasonable.
The shows in the international lounge were very entertaining and $500 for one line at bingo is not to be sniffed at.
Proberly one disappointment would be that there were not many people around after 11pm to dance at the Dome nightclub, maybe this was because of the age of quite a few of the passengers 70 plus.
All in all had a great time and god willing will do NZ next year on the Dawn.
Hey Jen,
Thank you so much for the info. that you posted. It is much appreciated and is a great help. We were wondering about the drink prices these days but it all sounds pretty standard really. 157 days to go but who’s counting?
Ps Just love 2 and a half men. Go Charlie!!
Dave, Will have to try the Dawn Princess.I totally agree with your comments.You pay for what you get & it is what you make of it on a cruise to and also you have to give & take what challenges good or bad that come your way in life and how you cope with them.
My husband and i have been on three P&O cruises, and totally loved it. I have found there are allways people on board complaning about how much better other holidays are. All i can say in responce is they must be extreamly fussy and hard to please people. We have allways found the staff to be extreamly pleasent and helpfull, and the food has allways been wonderfull. Cant wait till my next cruise in October.
Hi, I just read the comments re cold boring food Etc,
My wife and i did our first cruise in feb “just a 2 day one” to see if we like it, YES YES YES
We both found it to be GREAT!! we had no problems with the meals at all, the selection was great and you did not have to queue
because we went to eat a little later than most, we have booked the newzealand cruise next feb for our 10th wedding anniversary,
But we cant wait that long so we have booked another 2 day cruise in aug “yes we are hooked” as a lot of people have said you make what you want out of it & we did, Small cruise as it was, lol
The standard drinks were definatly NOT over priced and i might add that the wait staff were absolutely top rate and very friendly