Pacific Dawn - Day 5, Sydney 5 Ship Spectacular

Spectacular is the perfect word for it! It was SPECTACULAR! 5 glorious ships all next to each other, so close next to each other. The skill of the captains was well and truly shown today. They all did a brilliant job and you couldn't help but smile even at such an ungodly hour!

On our starboard side (right) The Pearl, Jewel and Aria

Pacific Eden - she was on our portside (left)

Deck 7 - Portside. Mum, Dad and The Eden

The Pacific Eden

5am up on deck and there were already hundreds of people lining the rails, on all of the ships. The morning could not have been more perfect. So calm and clear. You could almost reach out and touch the Eden and the Pearl, it gives me goose bumps just thinking about it. P&O did a superb job of organising this event. This is what our cruise was all about and it did not disappoint.

 

The 5 ships formed a V formation - The Aria, The Jewel, The Pear (this formed the pointy part of the V), The Dawn (yay us!) and The Eden. This was first time that 5 cruise ships were in Sydney Harbour together.

The Jewel following us in

The Manly ferry wanted to be part of the fun!

As we got closer to Sydney Heads the ships started to spread out and form a line to head into Sydney Harbour. We were first in, go us! The three original P&O ships headed in first, The Dawn, then The Jewel and then The Pearl (mum and I have been on all 3, we are so lucky!). Once we all found our mooring site the Aria and Eden headed in through a water fountain and stopped at Fort Denison were they were both christened, fire works and all! All of the excitement and activities were shown on all of the ships big screens - channel 9 Today show was on board The Aria. The coverage really showed off the harbour and the beautiful cruise ships. After the christening the Aria docked at Circular Quay and the Eden headed for White Bay.

The Eden passing between us and the Jewel

The Eden and Aria at Fort Denison getting christened

 

The Jewel and The Pearl were only on short cruises so no passengers were getting off it as just us Dawnie people who could go exploring Sydney. As we were moored and not docked at either of the terminal we had to tender to the Man o War steps near The Opera House. This was delayed a bit due to Sydney Port Authority closing the harbour to boats as the water was extra chopping due to the high volume of boats already on the water. We were kept up to date frequently. Dad was getting a bit concerned as he was meeting some old mates on the North Shore and didn't know if he'd make it in time - he did! We didn't know if he'd make it back - he did!

Million dollar views

On the tender heading to the Man o War steps near the Opera House

Another beautiful sunny day, we were so lucky with the weather - it was perfect! Mum and I walked around Sydney up through Barangaroo Parklands over to the Observatory and then over to Hyde Park. We relaxed in the shade for awhile soaking up the wonderful views and then made our way to the tender and back to the Dawn.

The Man o War dock

The Jewel, Fort Denison, The Dawn and The Opera House

Sydney Observatory

The Man o War steps

Each of the 5 ships were having a special guest artist to perform on the Lido later in the evening. Our guest was Stan Walker. The others were Jessica Mauboy, The Veronicas, Justice Crew and Samantha Jade. There was entertainment on the Lido from about 2pm, they were all amazing and really added to the whole event and day. Mum and I spent the rest of the day on the Lido soaking in the views, who wouldn't enjoying spending a day on Sydney Harbour!

Lido life

Dad made it back and had a great time catching up with all his buddies - I'm pretty sure that was the highlight of his cruise.

Tonight was the Bianco Party - dress code White.

 

Stan Walker

The excitement was building for Stan - he was pretty good but only sang and danced for 30 minutes. Blink and you'd miss it. As soon as he finished the fireworks started. So special to have been a part of this amazing event - we really are lucky! The fireworks were fabulous as was the whole day.

The fireworks were on both sides of the ship

Spectacular!