Dawn Princess broken?

[starsjohn]

A couple of weeks ago, the Dawn was having problems with its trusters and having to use a tug boat for assistance when docking.

 

At one port the wind kept opposing the tug boat and it took an extra 45 minutes to dock the ship. It was really interesting to watch the tug of war between mother nature and the ship. The tug could not do it alone, so the ship fired up the thrusters for a short burst and quickly shut them off.

 

We heard later from a ship's engineer that the ship needed drydock and were thinking of canceling a couple of cruises. I went diving with the Chief Financial Officer and he was somewhat aware of the problem.

 

Anybody have an update? Just curious.

 

John

[Liner]

I hope this problem is fixed! We're leaving on her tomorrow!!!

 

Carolyn in St. Louis.....

 

Dawn Princess--20th Anniversary!

 

 

Rhapsody of the Seas....Friend trip!

 

Carnival Destiny....CC Groupie Reunion

 

 

 

 

 

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SS Carolyn

[Casey12]

Carolyn -- Is it possibly to ask on the cruise and report back on the boards while on your cruise?

[gvre]

Hi John,

We leave in a week on the Dawn! May be we should bring our paddles, nothing can stop us from this trip, even if we spend the week in our cabin on the ship in dry dock!

We are going!!!

Richard and Debbie

 

Norwegian Dream Mediterranean/Holy Lands 10/99

Carnival Holiday Ensenada 1/00

Renaissance R4 Tahiti 10/00

Renaissance R4 Tahiti 4/01

Windspirit Costa Rica 1/02

Windsurf Southern Caribbean 1/03

Tahitian Princess Tahiti 10/03

 

4/11/04 Dawn Princess Southern Caribbean Cruise

 

10/14/04 Tahitian Princess Polynesia/Cook Islands

 

12/23/04 Dawn Princess Western Caribbean Cruise

[starsjohn]

You will have a blast. Its really a great relaxing trip, and the ship is really nice. If the problem is still there, it only made the ship slightly late in ports a couple of times. This can also happen if the authorities are slow clearing the ship. I only had one shore excursion canceled because of being late, and it was no big deal. Another thing that can slow disembarkation is the piling up of tenders from several ships to use a single dock in Tortola. The locals do not want a cruise dock built similar as in Sitka, Alaska.

 

John

[cannonball]

We were on the Dawn last month and a year ago, and were not aware of any problems. We docked on time at each port, so I'm sure there is nothing to worry about.

 

Grand Princess 5/29/2004

Dawn Princess 3/7/2004

Dawn Princess 3/10/2003

Golden Princess 2002

Sea Princess 2001

Carnival Fastasy 1997

[gvre]

I am bringing my complete set of craftsman wrenches just in case they need some help fixin the broken ship. Nothing worse than a broken cruise ship! I spent lots of time in the ship yards of San Pedro as a teenager working on yachts can't be much of a step up to a 77,000 ton ship! It will give me something to do between meals!! Watch out here we come!!

 

Norwegian Dream Mediterranean/Holy Lands 10/99

Carnival Holiday Ensenada 1/00

Renaissance R4 Tahiti 10/00

Renaissance R4 Tahiti 4/01

Windspirit Costa Rica 1/02

Windsurf Southern Caribbean 1/03

Tahitian Princess Tahiti 10/03

 

4/11/04 Dawn Princess Southern Caribbean Cruise

 

10/14/04 Tahitian Princess Polynesia/Cook Islands

 

12/23/04 Dawn Princess Western Caribbean Cruise

 

[This message was edited by gvre on 04-04-04 at 12:02 AM.]

 

[This message was edited by gvre on 04-04-04 at 12:06 AM.]

[starsjohn]

Hey Richard and Debbie,

 

I saw a great set of wrenches that were bigger than I am on my dive on the wreck of the Royal Mail Ship, Rhone, off Tortola. Just borrow a couple and remember to return them.

 

John

[ScubaJim]

Mr Scott report to the engine room!

[gopher's girl]

I'm pushing this to the top in case anyone has information about the Dawn Princess!!

[hamletk]

I was on the Dawn 2/29 cruise and was informed by crew members that there was some type of mechanical problem. Sorry, can't remember what the term was. One day it seemed rather rough and noisy, but I don't know if it was the sea or the ship. However, whatever the problem was didn't affect our ability to enjoy the cruise and was probably not noticed by most. At the time I was told they might be going into a previously unscheduled dry dock.

[gopher's girl]

I leave on Sunday 4/11... this is the last cruise for the Dawn in the Caribbean before it moves through the canal and goes up to Alaska for the summer... does anyone think they would cancel on such short notice? I am trying to think positive since we were bumped once.

[CaribbeanCrazy]

This is scary.

If they plan on putting the Dawn in Dry Dock to fix the problem....their going to have to cancel the 4-11-04 sailing or...the 5-10-04 Alaska sailing...which is the one I am scheduled to be on!!

When do Cruise companies let you know of this kind of problem?

I have non cancelable plans coinciding with this cruise...as I'm sure alot of other people do too...no matter what date they may be sailing. It seems to me that some of us are going to get the terribly dissapointing news that our cruise is canceled

I don't know about you...but I'm going to call Princess and see what THEY have to say.

I'll let you know if I find anything worthwhile out.

CaribbeanCrazy

 

[201743h]

the rumor that i heard when i was on her last month is only that 3 out of the 4 engines are operable. that means that if one more engine goes, she will not be able to sail....

[Desertbelle]

Where is dry dock for Princess ships?

 

Margie

 

Celebrating Our Parents 60th Anniversary - Legend of the Seas to Mexico 9/5/04!!

Join Our Legend Roll Call Here

 

Our Dawn Princess Caribbean Medley Family Cruise 11/23/04

Join Our Dawn Roll Call Here

 

Windjammer-Flying Cloud 1991

Carnival Elation 1999

NCL Sun 2002

Star Princess 2003

Legend of the Seas 2003

[starsjohn]

If they have not canceled any trips, then there is no concern. They will just use the tugbooats for their help on docking. Orginally there was talk of dry dock on the East Coast, but many options exist.There should be no inconvience whatsoever for the pax. and its sort of fun watching the tugboat do its pushing.

 

John

[CaribbeanCrazy]

Well my TA contacted Princess for me...and they told her that they have fixed the problem...and that the Dawn will not be going into dry dock utill the fall.

She also told me that my doc's have been mailed out... and as soon as she gets them she will mail them out to me.

 

gophersgirl,

Please let us know if you experience or notice any problems on your cruise.

Hopefully you won't!

Have A Great Cruise

CaribbeanCrazy

 

[gopher's girl]

CaribbeanCrazy - thanks for checking with your TA, that is helpful and I will sleep better tonight.

 

I will certainly check back into this board when I get home. If anything big happens on the ship, people will probably cram into the internet cafe, so don't expect to hear anything until at least the 19th

[Liner]

HI! We're on the Dawn right now sailing off to Grenada. Everything is working smoothly and we're having a great time. We've been on time for all of our ports so far and looks like full steam ahead! As they say in the Islands..."Don't worry, be happy!".

 

Carolyn in St. Louis.....

 

Dawn Princess--20th Anniversary!

 

 

Rhapsody of the Seas....Friend trip!

 

Carnival Destiny....CC Groupie Reunion

 

 

 

 

 

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SS Carolyn

[guardhouse]

We just got off on Sunday morning, and no problems whatsoever. I was up at 5:30 every morning to see our entry into port (a carafe of coffeee and bottle of Bailey's, what a way to enter port!).

 

Never once did a tug touch the ship. We tendered only in Tortola. All other ports were pierside. The ship manuevered itself each time in and out.

 

09/87 Old Rotterdam

10/89 Noordam

9/90 Noordam

9/92 Star Princess (old)

4/94 Regal Princess

3/04 Dawn Princess

[karfest]

We just received word that one port (cabo) has been dropped from our itinerary and that we will be leaving one port early and arriving at the next port late. I have heard these reasons-

1)too many ships in port

2)security (?)

3)mechanical problems

 

We are getting $100. shipboard credit because of the changes, I'm just hoping this cruise takes off! To be stranded in the ocean on a ship wouldn't be so bad- as long as we don't run our of drinks and food!!

 

Karen

up next!

Dawn Princess April '04

[starsjohn]

Is that Cabo on the Pacific Coast? I do not remember any Cabo on the Dawn Caribbean Iten. As long as the margaritas flow the parrotheads will be too engaged to notice. Cabo on the Pacific side has limited protected anchorage for large ships and small ones for that matter.

 

I think I will take my boat out and wave to the Dawn when it comes by Newport Beach on its reposition trip.

 

John

[cowtec]

Hi Karen! They dropped Huatulco on our trip. When I emailed Princess and asked the reason, I was told it was for "operational reasons." No clue what that means. Instead we are docking at Puerto Amador after the Canal transit for 5 hours. I'd rather go to Huatulco!I'll think about you boarding as we leave and wishing we were going on with you!

 

Sue

 

Dawn Princess - Panama Canal

[karfest]

We are boarding in Acapulco after Sue brings the ship through the Panama Canal. This leg of the repositioning cruise takes us up to LA- then the ship is off to Vancouver. John- we are docking in San Pedro- will we see you floating about? probably not, since we dock at 6am.

 

The changes in itinerary are leading me to believe there are some problems. I didn't see Cabo as a high security risk area! Just get me on the ship and I don't care if it never moves

 

It is snowing here on Easter--get me out of the frozen tundra!

 

Karen

up next!

Dawn Princess April '04

[starsjohn]

He he, If I can get up early, I will zip circles around the Dawn. You may lower a drink down to me and i would be most happy.

 

John