Built as a cruise vessel under yard No 5955 by Fincantieri, Monfalcome, Italy for Fairline Shipping International. Corp. Ltd. USA.
26 September 1994 keel laid down.
11 July 1996 floated out as the DAWN PRINCESS.
Tonnage 77,441, 44,193, 8,251 dwt, dim. 261.31 x 32,25 x 8.00m. (draught), length bpp. 221.4m.
Powered: Diesel electric by four 16ZA40S Sulzer diesels, 46,080 kW, twin shafts, speed 21 knots.
Accommodation for 2342 passenger’s maximum, crew 900.
19 April 1997 delivered, managed by Princess Cruises, homeport, Monrovia, Liberia.
May 1997 at Port Everglades she was christened. The godparents were the original cast of "The Love Boat", a long running American TV show which started in the 1970's and featured around a cruise ship. The cruise ship was one of the Princess Cruise lines ships. Two Princess ships were used in the original series – PACIFIC PRINCESS, and then ISLAND PRINCESS. Twenty years after the show ended, Princess Cruises reunited the main cast to christen the DAWN PRINCESS. However, although the male members were present, only the female cast members released the Champagne. The godmothers were Lauren Tewes, who played Julie the cruise director and Jill Whelan, who played Vicki, Captain Steubing's daughter.
Then used in Caribbean and Alaska cruises.
March 2000 transferred to British flag and registry, homeport London.
January 2004 transferred to Bermuda flag and registry, homeport Hamilton.
January 2009 again transferred to British flag and register, homeport London but in August 2009 again to Bermuda flag and registry.
2009 Commenced cruising from Australian and New Zealand, based in Australia.
31 October 2011 engine problems, which could be solved.
Wikipedia gives on the ship:
DAWN PRINCESS is a Sun-class cruise ship built by Fincantieri, Italy, in 1997 and operated by Princess Cruises. The ship features eight restaurants, four swimming pools, five Jacuzzis, seven lounges and bars, and two children centres. Some restaurants offer “anytime dining” where passengers can dine with whom they want, when they want. She is the sister ship to SUN PRINCESS, P&O's OCEANA (former OCEAN PRINCES) and SEA PRINCESS.
Ports of call
As of 2009, DAWN PRINCESS sails Australia and New Zealand year round.
DAWN PRINCESS was targeted to replace PACIFIC PRINCESS sailing Australian waters between October 2006 and March 2007, to become the largest ship ever to be based in Australia, but these plans were eventually replaced by SUN PRINCESS as well as being served by PACIFIC DAWN (previously christened REGAL PRINCESS). DAWN PRINCESS is now in Australia as of September 24, 2008, beginning its run with a 28-day itinerary circumnavigating Australia, after a month serving Hawaii, Tahiti, and the South Pacific. From this point on, DAWN PRINCESS will remain in Australia permanently sailing from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth alongside SUN PRINCESS.
Refurbishment
In June 2009, DAWN PRINCESS was dry-docked in Brisbane, Australia, for refurbishment. During the refit, a Movies Under the Stars screen was added to the main pool area, making Dawn Princess the tenth ship in the Princess fleet to offer this feature. Another addition was the Sanctuary, an adults-only private sunbathing area at the front of the ship, as well as a refurbishment of the photo gallery and maintenance of other public rooms.
Accidents and incidents
On 31 October 2011, it was announced that a technical fault in the propulsion system caused the ship to sail at reduced speed, what would cause a delay in the departure of its next cruise scheduled to depart from Sydney on 1 November 2011. This fault was not deemed to compromise safety of passengers and crew.
2014 In service, same name and owners, IMO No 9103996.
2017 Renamed in PACIFIC EXPLORER, operated by P&O cruises in Australia.
Sailing under the flag of the U.K.
2018 Same name and owner.
Tonga 2014 $2,40 sg?, scott?
Norfolk Island 2018 $2 sg?, scott?
Source: http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/dawn_princess_1997.htm http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz and other internet sites.