Australia's First Superliner Christened by Cathy Freeman
Date: 08 Nov 2007
Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman officially named Australia’s first superliner, Pacific Dawn, as part of a glittering Circular Quay ceremony featuring the largest light projection on a ship ever undertaken in Australia.
After the traditional bottle-breaking, Cathy Freeman became the ship’s ‘godmother’ with the official naming of Pacific Dawn.
“I name this ship Pacific Dawn, may God bless her and all her sail in her,” she announced.
The christening took place as part of an onboard VIP celebration for more than 600 guests, with the evening helping to raise funds for Cathy’s newly established Catherine Freeman Foundation.
Cathy established the Catherine Freeman Foundation as a way of giving something back to the many Australians who supported her journey to become an Olympic champion. The Foundation aims to provide opportunities and environments to encourage disadvantaged individuals and communities to achieve positive change.
Ann Sherry, Chief Executive Officer of Carnival which operates P&O Cruises, said the naming of a ship was a significant occasion, believed to bestow good luck on a vessel and its passengers.
“Ship naming ceremonies are special events around the world, with ships always launched by somebody who is iconic to the country in which the ship is based,” she said.
“We’re honoured that Cathy, a well-known and inspirational Australian, is Pacific Dawn’s godmother and we’re very pleased we were able to make the Catherine Freeman Foundation the official charity for the celebration.”
The superliner’s christening comes as P&O Cruises prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary of cruising from Australia. Over that time P&O Cruises has carried more than two million Australians, with more than 100,000 Australians cruising with the line in 2007 alone.
“Tonight’s celebrations commemorate our proud history and are a fitting symbol to herald a new beginning for the company.We are a company that has reshaped itself and is firmly focused on the future,” Ms Sherry said.
At 70,000 tons and carrying 2050 passengers, Pacific Dawn is P&O Cruises’ largest ship and ’s first superliner. The ship, virtually the same size as Cunard’s iconic QE2, features 795 staterooms – 165 more than the largest hotel in.
Setting sail tomorrow for its maiden voyage, Pacific Dawn offers 52 cruises between November 2007 and June 2009 from Sydney. Fares for an 8-night South Pacific cruise departing 2 August 08, start from just $935 per person* or a 10 night Queensland cruise, departing 24 May 08 starts from $1085 per person*.
For more information, contact a licensed travel agent or visit www.pacificdawn.com.au
For more information on the Catherine Freeman Foundation, visit www.catherinefreemanfoundation.com
*Fares are cruise only, per person, in Australian dollars, in complete inside twin or quad cabins based on lead cabin category available. Fares subject to availability, conditions apply.
