Cathy Freeman to Name Australia's First Superliner, Pacific Dawn
Date: 05 Oct 2007
Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman will name P&O Cruises’ latest ship and Australia’s first superliner, Pacific Dawn, in a spectacular event at Sydney’s Circular Quay.
Cathy will become the ship’s ‘Godmother’ in an evening ceremony on Thursday November 8, featuring a giant light projection show. The naming event will also feature an onboard celebration for VIP guests, with the evening helping to raise funds for Cathy’s newly established Catherine Freeman Foundation.
Commenting on her role, Cathy Freeman said: “I’m delighted to be named as the Godmother of Pacific Dawn and for the Catherine Freeman Foundation to be the event’s beneficiary, as it will create extra profile and awareness of my newly formed charity.”
Now retired, Cathy has 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, CEO of Carnival Australia which operates P&O Cruises, said the naming of a ship was a very significant occasion: “Ship naming ceremonies are rare events around the world, with ships always launched by somebody who is iconic to the country in which the ship is based.”
“We’re honoured that Cathy, a well-known and inspirational Australian, will be Pacific Dawn’s godmother and we’re very pleased we are able to make the Catherine Freeman Foundation the official charity for the launch of Pacific Dawn.”
Cathy Freeman is revered throughout Australia for her gold-winning performance in the 400-metre final at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Her Olympic victory is the highlight of an impressive athletics career, which saw Cathy become the first female Australian Aboriginal to win a gold medal at an international athletics event with the 4x100 metres relay at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.
“The ceremony will be a memorable event combining the traditional champagne naming with a modern, high-tech light show designed to highlight a new era for the Australian cruise industry with the launch of P&O Cruises’ first superliner,” Ms Sherry said.
Designed by international architect Renzo Piano and presently sailing in the Princess Cruises fleet as Regal Princess, Pacific Dawn will undergo a refurbishment before her maiden cruise from Sydney on Friday, November 9, the day after her naming.
The superliner’s arrival 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.
At 70,000 tons and carrying 2050 passengers, Pacific Dawn will be the largest ship ever to join P&O Cruises’ fleet, and the first superliner for the cruise line. Pacific Dawn is instantly identifiable by its distinctive dolphin-like prow, home to the signature ‘Dome’ entertainment lounge that curves around the ship offering spectacular panoramic views. Pacific Dawn’s 11 decks also feature two swimming pools, five evening dining areas, nine bars and lounges, a three-storey atrium lobby, a two-storey show lounge, fitness centre and children’s facilities.
Set sail on an eight night Pacific Dawn cruise departing Sydney on August 2, 2008, visiting Ouvea in the Loyalty Islands and Noumea and Isle of Pines in New Caledonia with fares from $935* per person for a complete inside quad-share cabin, or $1465* per person for a complete inside twin-share cabin.
P&O Cruises is operated by Carnival Australia. Part of the international Carnival Corporation group, Carnival Australia represents Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, P&O Cruises UK, Costa Cruises and Seabourn in Australia.
