Princess Cruises

Escape Completely
Our Voyage – D903

The Cruise began as soon as we boarded the vessel. The Dawn

Princess started to leave Sydney around 5:00pm.
Who Is In Command?
A Few Words About Our Ship’s Master
Captain Dino Sagani was born in Trieste, on the North
East Adriatic coast of Italy. Following the family
tradition, he studied at the Nautical College in Trieste,
which is one of the oldest Nautical Schools in Europe,
preparing Deck Officers since 1754. His first contract
at sea was at the young age of 15, when he joined a
small cargo ship sailing the waters of the
Mediterranean as a Deck Boy. On completion of his
studies, he joined the Italian Navy, serving on a
minesweeper during the first Gulf War. After the
Navy, he spent a few years sailing the world on tankers
& ferries before joining Princess Cruises in 1995,
where he quickly climbed the ranks becoming a Staff
Captain in 2003. Since then he has sailed on Pacific
Princess, Dawn Princess, Sun Princess, Sapphire
Princess & Diamond Princess.
Who Is In Command?
Position Name Country
Captain Dino Sagani Italy
Staff Captain Paolo Ravera Italy
Senior First Officer Margaret MacDonald Scotland
First Officer Daniele Viarengo Italy
Senior Second Officer Iacopo Mattioli Italy
Second Officer David Collins England
Third Officer Marco Iaccarino Italy
Third Officer Tobias Forsyth New Zealand
Third Officer Mirko Biasco Italy
Deck Cadet Matthew Burrow Scotland
Deck Cadet Alexander Smith England
 Dawn Princess Facts
Built By: Fincantieri – Monfalcone, Italy
Year: 1997
Official Number: 903007
Flag/Port Of Registry: London, UK
Call Sign: MZRS8
Gross Registered Tonnage: 77,441
Net Registered Tonnage: 44,193
Suez N.R.T: 71,000
Number Of Passenger Cabins: 999
Normal Passenger Capacity: 2,050
Maximum Passenger Capacity: 2,272
Normal Crew Figure: 870
Corresponding Displacement: 39,997 Metric Tons
Corresponding Deadweight: 8,251 Metric Tons
Length Overall: 261.3 Meters – 856’ 02’’
Breadth Moulded: 32.2 Meters – 105’ 08’’
Total Breadth (Wings): 40.00 Meters – 131’ 02’’
Distance Bridge To Bow: 51.1 Meters – 167’ 06’’
Distance Bridge To Stern: 210.2 Meters – 688’ 08’’
Total Height Above Keel: 56.6 Meters – 185’ 08’’
Maximum Draught: 8.11 Meters – 26’ 06’’
Dawn Princess Facts
The Size Of The Dawn Princess
Length Overall: 261.3 Meters – 856’ 02’’
Breadth Moulded: 32.2 Meters – 105’ 08’’
Total Breadth (Wings): 40.00 Meters – 131’ 02’’
Distance Bridge To Bow: 51.1 Meters – 167’ 06’’
Distance Bridge To Stern: 210.2 Meters – 688’ 08’’
Total Height Above Keel: 56.6 Meters – 185’ 08’’
Maximum Draught: 8.11 Meters – 26’ 06’’
 Dawn Princess Facts

About The Power Of The Dawn Princess

Propulsion Type: Diesel Electric Sulzer 16 ZAV

Diesel Engine: 4 Engines
Thrusters: 2 Bow Thrusters HMC 3424 1720 KW x2
2 Stern Thrusters HMC 2422 1400 KW x2
Propellers: 2 Fixed Pitch Propellers, Six Blades
Rudder: Twin Semi – Balanced
Stabilizers: 2 Sperry Marine
Cruising Speed: 21.0 Knots
Top Speed: 22.5 Knots
 Cruise Summary
Destination Distance Kilometres
Sydney - Fjordland 995 NM 1,145km Key: NM = Nautical Mile
Fjordland - Port 283 NM 325km
Chalmers Total Distance Covered:
Port Chalmers - 179 NM 205km 3,485 Nautical Miles
Lyttleton
4,058 Km
Lyttleton - Wellington 155 NM 178km
Wellington - Napier 206 NM 237km
Note: Nautical Mile = 6076 Feet
Napier - Tauranga 280 NM 322km
Tauranga - Auckland 156 NM 179km
Statute Miles = 5280 Feet
Auckland - Bay of 123 NM 141km
Islands
Bay - Islands To 1153 NM 1,326km Number Of Statute Miles =
Sydney Number Of Nautical Miles/1.15
 The Log Of My Cruise
The Log Of My Cruise consists of 14 separate day entries, endured
on the cruise.
19th January 2009 - Sydney
At Noon: Sydney
Sky: Partly Cloudy
Air Temperature: 23°C / 73.4°F
Pressure: 1017.7 mb
Wind: Light Air
Sea: Smooth

With all passengers on board, Dawn Princess started her 14 day cruise around New Zealand. At 1649
all lines were on board & the Captain maneuvered the ship off the berth at Darling Harbour. Dawn
Princess proceeded across Sydney Harbour & passed under the Harbour Bridge. At 1745 the local
pilot was disembarked & we altered course to starboard & set a Southeasterly course across the
Tasman Sea.
 The Log Of My Cruise
20th January 2009 – At Sea
At Noon Position: Latitude: 41°49.2’S … Longitude: 156°27.9’E
Sky: Clear
Air Temperature: 22.0° / 71.6°F
Pressure: 1017.5 mb
Wind: North Force 6
Sea: Moderate

During her first day at sea of the cruise, Dawn Princess maintained her Southeasterly course off the
coast of Australia towards New Zealand.
The Log Of My Cruise
21st January 2009 – At Sea
At Noon: Latitude: 41º49.2’S … Longitude: 163º19.0’E
Sky: Overcast
Air Temperature: 18.0°C / 64.4°F
Pressure: 1019.7mb
Wind: North Force 6
Sea: Moderate

Throughout the day, Dawn Princess continued to follow Southeasterly across the Tasman Sea
towards New Zealand.
 The Log Of My Cruise
22st January 2009 – Fjordland
At Noon: Latitude: 45º18.4’S … Longitude: 166º56.0’E
Sky: Overcast
Air Temperature: 17.0°C / 62.6°F
Pressure: 1023.5mb
Wind: North Force 6
Sea: Slight

At the early hour of 0554, Dawn Princess embarked her local pilot before entering Milford Sound at
0605. Upon arrival at the end of the sound, we swung our bow to starboard & slowly retraced our
track out. At 0750 we left Milford Sound & soon after, we altered to a Southwesterly course &
proceeded to Doubtful Sound, which we entered at 1050. We followed various courses until we
rounded Secretary Island which took us out of Doubtful Sound at 1220. We rained on a
Southwesterly coastal passage towards Dusky Sound & at 1350 we transited between Breaksea
Island & Rocky Point. We then followed our track rounding Resolution Island. At 1540 we exited
Dusky Sound & altered to port & set various course around the Southern-most point of the South
Island, en-route to Port Chalmers.
 The Log Of My Cruise
23rd January 2009 – Port Chalmers (Dunedin)
At Noon: Port Chalmers
Sky: Clear
Air Temperature: 17.0°C / 62.6°F
Pressure: 1016.7mb
Wind: Light Air
Sea: Smooth

Dawn Princess approached Port Chalmers with the local pilot already on board since the previous
morning. Due to conditions of poor visibility, the port was initially closed. Once permitted, we
made our final approach through the narrow buoyed channel into Otago Harbour. At 1057 Dawn
Princess was secured alongside Beach Street Wharf.

At 1937 Captain Sagani brought the ship’s engines to stand by, ready for manoeuvring, as we
completed our remaining departure checks. Minutes later, we began singling our mooring lines, &
by 1954 all lines were gone as we thrust off the berth & commenced moving ahead towards the
channel bound for Lyttleton (Wellington), setting a East-North-Easterly & then North-Westerly
courses as she rounded Banks Peninsula.
 The Log Of My Cruise
24th January 2009 – Lyttleton (Christchurch)
At Noon: Lyttleton
Sky: Clear
Air Temperature: 22.0°C / 71.6°F
Pressure: 1019.4mb
Wind: Northeasterly Force 6
Sea: Smooth

At 0641 Dawn Princess embarked her local pilot before entering the channel towards Lyttleton
Harbour. Dawn Princess passed the breakwater at 0710 & at 0739 the ship was in position
alongside our berth. By 0750 we were all fast Portside alongside & the ship received clearance
ready for passengers to proceed ashore.

Once all passengers & crew were back on board & we were clear to leave, we slipped our lines at 1846
& began to thrust off the pier & move ahead through the Harbour. After passing clear of the
breakwater at 1920 we set a Northeasterly course to make way to our next port of call, Wellington.
 The Log Of My Cruise
25th January 2009 – Wellington
At Noon: Wellington
Sky: Clear
Air Temperature: 20.0°C / 68.0°F
Pressure: 1020.6mb
Wind: Northeasterly Force 6
Sea: Smooth

At 0615 Captain Sagani rang Stand-By-Below as Dawn Princess made her final approaches to the pilot
station. The pilot boarded via the starboard ladder & with is advice we proceeded to our berth &
came alongside Port side. Once all fast at 0816 the gangways were rigged & ready for passengers
to proceed ashore by 0825.

Once all passengers & crew were back onboard we slipped our lines at 1800 & began to thrust off the
pier moving ahead. We rounded Point Halswell & set a Southeasterly course until clear of
Wellington Harbour. At 1844 the pilot boat approached the Dawn Princess on the portside to allow
the pilot to disembark. Soon after we altered to a Southeasterly course to round the Southern most
point of the North Island before proceeding in a Northeasterly course towards our next port of call,
Napier.
 The Log Of My Cruise
26th January 2009 – Napier
At Noon: Napier
Sky: Partly Cloudy
Air Temperature: 21.0°C / 69.8°F
Pressure: 1016.4mb
Wind: Easterly Force 4
Sea: Slight

Overnight, Dawn Princess continued on a Northeasterly course along the West coast of the North
Island. We embarked our local pilot as we entered Hawke Bay & proceeded to our berth where we
moored Starboard side alongside with two gangways rigged & ready for passengers to proceed
ashore at 0817.

At 1545 all the pre-departure checks were completed & Stand-By-Below was given. All passengers
were confirmed onboard & the last line was let go at 1625. The pilot disembarked at 1633 & Dawn
Princess set Northeasterly courses towards Tauranga.
 The Log Of My Cruise
27th January 2009 – Tauranga
At Noon: Tauranga
Sky: Partly Cloudy
Air Temperature: 25.0°C / 77.0°F
Pressure: 1007.0mb
Wind: Southwesterly Force 5
Sea: Smooth

At 0815 Dawn Princess made her final approaches to the Tauranga pilot station. The pilot boarded via
the Port ladder & following his local advice we proceeded alongside, Starboard side to the Quay.
Gangways were rigged & ready & passengers were able to proceed ashore by 0950.

For departure in the evening, Dawn Princess let go her last line at 2032. She then thrusted off the berth
before rounding Mount Maunganui & disembarked our local pilot in the Bay of Plenty at 2100.
Once the Pilot Boat was clear, Dawn Princess set various Northwesterly courses before later that
evening we altered West, passing between Cape Colville & Great Barrier Island& proceeding on
her way to the City of Auckland.
 The Log Of My Cruise
28th January 2009 – Auckland
At Noon: Auckland
Sky: Partly Cloudy
Air Temperature: 23.0°C /73.4°F
Pressure: 1016.0mb
Wind: Northeasterly Force 3
Sea: Smooth

Dawn Princess made her final approaches to Auckland leaving the Mokhinoa & Little Barrier Islands
to Port, & the Kawau Island to Starboard. At 0545 she slowed down& embarked a local pilot,
before rounding the Island of Rangitoto & entering the Rangitoto Channel at 0700. Dawn Princess
was all fast alongside Princess Wharf at 0735. All gangways were ready for passengers by 0755.

Dawn Princess let go her lines at 1757 & set her propulsion Astern. Once clear of the berth she swung
her Bow to Port & proceeded out through the Rangitoto Channel. Upon clearing the channel at
1905, the pilot disembarked. Once the Pilot Boat was away, Dawn Princess set various Northerly
courses towards her anchorage at the Bay of Islands.
 The Log Of My Cruise
29th January 2009 – Bay of Islands

At Noon: Bay Of islands

Sky: Overcast
Air Temperature: 20.0°C / 68.0°F
Pressure: 1020.9mb
Wind: Northerly Force 4
Sea: Smooth

In the early hours of the morning, Dawn Princess made passage towards her anchorage at the Bay of
Islands. Approaching the position, we transited narrow waters & at0728 we let go the Starboard
anchor coming to 6 shackles on deck (1 Shackle = 27.5m). At 0810 our ship’s tenders were
launched & we commenced tendering passengers ashore.

In the evening when it was confirmed all passengers & crew were onboard & all our tenders were
recovered & secured, we heaved home our anchor (anchor home at 1711) & proceeded away from
the anchorage. Dawn Princess then set a Northerly course to round North Cape before setting a
Westerly course heading across the Tasman Sea, to out final destination, Sydney.
The Log Of My Cruise
30th January 2009 – At Sea
At Noon: Latitude: 34º13.4’S … Longitude: 167º19.9’E
Sky: Partly Cloudy
Air Temperature: 20.0°C / 68.0°F
Pressure: 1022.7mb
Wind: Southeasterly Force 4
Sea: Slight

Throughout the day Dawn Princess continued to follow Westerly courses across the Tasman Sea
towards Sydney.
 The Log Of My Cruise
*31st January 2009 – At Sea
At Noon: Latitude: 33º59.0’S … Longitude: 167º45.3’E
Sky: Partly Cloudy
Air Temperature: 23.0°C / 73.4°F
Pressure: 1024.0mb
Wind: North Force 4
Sea: Slight

Dawn Princess continued her Westerly course across the Tasman Sea towards Sydney.

*Estimated Time Of Printing.

 The Log Of My Cruise
*1st February 2009 – Sydney
Dawn Princess embarked her Sydney Pilot, before entering the Traffic Separation Scheme, which
leads to Port Jackson, proceeded across Sydney Harbour & passed under the Harbour Bridge.
Shortly after Dawn Princess was secured alongside.

*Estimated Time Of Printing.

Just A Few Pictures
Just A Few Pictures
Just A Few Pictures
Just A Few Pictures
Closing Credits

Created By:

Timothy John Robinson – McCallum

08/02/2009