Something we try to do at P&O Cruises is to assist passengers to observe
special days of significance such as Anzac Day when our ships are at sea.
I believe the Anzac Day dawn service on Pacific Dawn last Sunday will be
one of the most memorable for our passengers and the veterans who
participated.
Pacific Dawn’s now resolved technical problem meant our passengers had an
extra night onboard followed by a late morning arrival in Brisbane on Anzac
Day.
Crew and passengers combined to make sure passengers would still have an
opportunity to mark this national observance with a special Dawn Service at
sea.
They combined with passengers to organise a special Dawn Service while
still at sea.
Meetings were held with our ex-servicemen and women and those still in the
forces on board as they united as one to plan for the Anzac commemoration.
Many passengers contributed to the event by making paper poppies to share
and wear.
The whole event was put together by our Cruise Director, Zoltina-J
Medwik-Daley, with the support of our passengers, officers and crew.
On April 25, the cruise team and officers joined our passengers in the
early hours of the morning over coffee and Anzac biscuits in the Lido Café
as we prepared the final touches.
Many of our passengers joined the commemoration on the open decks of 12 and
14 starting with a march at 5.45am followed by the New Zealand and
Australian national anthems sung by dance captain Corey Moir and Zoltina-J.
The service continued with prayers and speeches from our volunteering
passengers before the wreath was laid by an ex-serviceman.
I was privileged to read the Ode of Remembrance and the sounds of the Last
Post were synchronised with the Bridge team lowering the flag to half mast.
Pacific Dawn’s regular entertainer Mark Kristian closed the ceremony with
the song ‘The Band Played Waltzing Matilda’.
Hundreds of passengers attended the Dawn Service and the ceremony was later
replayed on Pacific Dawn’s video system for those who were unable to
attend.
It was a very special event for all of us. Bye for now.
Alyn Baker
Hotel Director
