MS Dream Charming
Former names: MS Dream, MS Charming, Sea Princess, Charming Princess
MS Dream Charming current position
MS Dream Charming current location is at China Coast (coordinates 37.30708 N / 123.41975 E) cruising at speed of 16.7 kn (31 km/h | 19 mph) en route to TIANJIN.CHINA. The AIS position was reported 21 minutes ago.
Current PositionSpecifications of MS Dream Charming
Year of build | 1998 / Age: 26 |
Flag state | Liberia |
Builder | Fincantieri (Monfalcone, Italy) |
Class | PRINCESS SUN |
Building cost | USD 300 million |
Engines (power) | Wartsila-Sulzer (46.6 MW / 62492 hp) |
Speed | 22 kn / 41 km/h / 25 mph |
Length (LOA) | 261 m / 856 ft |
Beam (width) | 32 m / 105 ft |
Gross Tonnage | 77499 gt |
Passengers | 2014 - 2417 |
Crew | 910 |
Passengers-to-space ratio | 32 |
Decks | 15 |
Cabins | 1007 |
Decks with cabins | 7 |
Last Refurbishment | 2023 |
Sister-ships | Dawn Princess (Pacific Explorer), Sun Princess (Pacific World) |
Former names | MS Dream, MS Charming, Sea Princess, Charming Princess |
Christened by | Caroline McPhail (P&O UK), Joanna Lumley (Princess Cruises) |
Owner | CCCC Ocean Investment Holding Co Ltd (China) via Fast King Shipping Ltd |
Operator | Tianjin Orient Cruise Line China (via Sanya International Cruise Development Co Ltd) |
MS Dream Charming Review
Review of MS Dream Charming
The 1998-built (as "Sea Princess") cruise ship MS Dream (fka MS Charming) is the third SUN-class Princess Cruises vessel - with sisterships Dawn Princess (now Pacific Explorer) and Sun Princess (now Pacific World). MS Dream Charming is currently operated under charter by the China-based Tianjin Orient International Cruise Line (in 2023 rebranded from Foresee Cruises). The shipowner is Sanya International Cruise Development Company.
The vessel (IMO number 9150913) is currently Liberia-flagged (MMSI 636020325) and registered in Monrovia. For Princess Cruises, Sea Princess was Bermuda-flagged (MMSI 310465000) and registered in Hamilton.
Sea Princess' last drydock refurbishment was in 2017. In 2023, the vessel was extensively drydock refurbished at Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard Co Ltd (in Zhoushan China).
In mid-September 2020, Princess Cruises sold Sea Princess which leaves the fleet in 2021. Also sold was Sun Princess (now Pacific World) - chartered to Peace Boat (Japan). The new shipowner of Sea Princess remains unknown - for now.
- A total of 44x Sea Princess cruises were canceled - departures on itineraries planned for the period December 23, 2020, through November 9, 2021. The ship was planned for deployment in Australia-New Zealand, plus a 109-day "World Cruise 2021" offered as a roundtrip from Sydney NSW, Brisbane QLD and Auckland NZ.
- On October 5, the vessel left Port Klang Malaysia en route to Manila Philippines.
History - construction and ownership
In mid-November 2020, the cruise ship management company V.Ships Leisure Ltd officially announced that they had assisted with Sea Princess' handover to its new Chinese shipowner - "CCCC Ocean Investment Holding Co Ltd" (part of "China Communications Construction Company Ltd") via its subsidiary "Sanya International Cruise Development Co Ltd".
Sea Princess was renamed to "MS Charming" and started passenger shipping operations in 2021 February under the new Chinese brand "Foresee Cruises". In 2016, China Communications Construction Co Ltd announced plans to acquire 5 to 8 cruise ships (newbuilds and second-hand) and serve exclusively China's market.
In mid-June 2020, Carnival Corporation (shipowner) announced that intends to sell 13 ships in FY2020 - instead of the previously expected global fleet optimization planned over the next 3-5 years. In mid-September, Carnival increased the number of its ships for sale to 18 (some were scrapped).
In January 2023, the vessel was once again renamed - from CHARMING to DREAM, but its MMSI/Monrovia registry remained the same.
The 1950-passenger ship Sea Princess/MS Dream features middle-size style and more classical facilities that make her a good choice for cruise guests who like to feel they are onboard of an ocean-going cruise liner rather than a theme park at sea.
For the loyal British travelers, Sea Princess was comfortable, with a home-like feeling, and popular for its scenic Vista Lounge, classical afternoon teas, delicious steak-and-chips dinners (both in the pay-per-use Steakhouse and in the no-extra-fee major dining venues), BBC TV dramas and UK-focused entertainment program. This was a real achievement for the Carnival Croporation's Princess brand which traditionally caters mainly to Americans.
Decks and Cabins
Most Sea Princess staterooms (1008 total, in 27 categories) are 145-ft2 sized Inside cabins (396). Almost 80% of the ship's outside cabins have private step-out balconies. There are 19 wheelchair-accessible (ADA) staterooms designed for passengers with disabilities. The largest are the Balcony Suites (470 ft2).
The boat has 15 decks, of which 11 are passenger-accessible and 7 with cabins.
Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks
The Rigoletto and Traviata Dining Rooms are virtually identical, differing only in their decor color. Both rooms contain etched glass panels and lovely wood, creating a feeling of intimate dining. The food preparation is of very good quality, beautifully presented and varied. Vegetarian selections are excellent, desserts - superb. A good selection of healthy items is provided every night. The waiters are friendly and helpful. The popular dining venue, Horizon Court, is open 24 hours a day. Horizon Court is situated one deck above the swimming area. The buffet is tiny by new-ship standards but offers excellent breakfast options from 4 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., along with an abundance of fruits and bread, and European specialties.
Follows the complete list of Sea Princess restaurants and food bars.
- Rigoletto Restaurant (dinner only, aft Dining Room, with 2 fixed seatings - 5:30 and 7:45 p.m.)
- Traviata Restaurant (aft Dining Room open for Breakfast 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 a.m., Lunch 12 p.m. - 1 p.m., Afternoon Tea 3:30 p.m. -4:30 p.m., with 2 fixed Dinner seatings- at 5:45 p.m. or 7:45 p.m.)
- Cafe Corniche (Italian Pizzeria, complimentary)
- Horizon Court (self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary)
- Sterling Steakhouse (specialty restaurant)
- Riviera Grill Bar (fast food bar, complimentary).
Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport
Sea Princess daytime offerings include all the cruise standards: trivia, art auctions, board and card games, and cocktail-making demos. However, Princess also provides a variety of themed "@Sea" events. Computers@Sea is the main, teaching photo editing, beginning computer and even movie making. Common Interest@Sea features social get-togethers by profession, interests or lifestyle. Ballroom@Sea classes teach passengers to dance. Scholarship@Sea offers educational lectures on diverse topics as astronomy, destination information, bridge play. There are also @Sea events for games, ceramics, scrapbooking and book discussions. A special offering is Sea's Ultimate Ship Tour, taking guests behind the scenes onboard to places like the bridge, galley, backstage of the theatre, funnel and engine control room. The 3-hour tour costs AUD175 and participants receive a luxurious bathrobe, personalized stationery, official chef's jacket and a framed photo with the captain.
Follows the complete list of Sea Princess lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.
- The Grand Piazza Atrium (4-deck open floor area; features live performances entertainment and lobby Bar Piazza)
- Explores Bar (offers specialty coffees, desserts, pastries, wines, liquors)
- Atrium Boutiques (Latitudes Shop)
- Art Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop; Platinum Studio
- Internet Cafe (24-hour), Card Room
- Princess Sea Theatre (musical and show productions; hosts workshops, seminars, game shows)
- Razzmatazz Disco & Nightclub
- Princess Sea Monte Carlo Casino
- Atrium Lounge; Vista Lounge & Bar
- Wheelhouse Bar (piano bar during the day and an English pub nightly)
- Premier Cru Bar (wine bar); Sundaes Bar; Seaview Bar
- Oasis Spa complex; Beauty Salon; Fitness Center (with Aerobics Studio)
- Movies Under the Stars (LED screen outdoor cinema)
- Video Games Arcade; Teen Center; Youth Center with Paddling Pool and outdoor playing areas
- The Sanctuary (adult-only open-air area); Riviera Pool area
- Sports Court (volleyball, basketball, European football); Shuffleboard, Golf Net; Princess Links mini golf course.
Sea Princess 2017 refurbishment review
The list of deck plan changes following the ship's 16-day long drydock refurbishment in 2017 (October 21-November 5, done in Singapore) includes:
- All passenger cabins received new bedding (all beds were replaced with Princess Luxury Bed).
- A new cabin category ("Club Class Mini Suite") was introduced.
- New (larger) outdoor screen "Movies under the Stars" was installed
- Theater Lounge's evening program was upgraded with a new evening production show (the musical "Encore") and a new singing competition show ("The Voice of the Ocean") with live band music performances. The ship's Theatre was outfitted with a LED wall (sized 15x5 m / 49x16 ft) allowing dynamic media projection that enhances the evening shows.
- The ship's kids and teen lounges (part of "Camp Discovery") were renovated and updated via a partnership with Discovery Channel (as part of Princess Cruises' complimentary onboard children program "Discovery at Sea").
- Cafe Corniche (deck 9) menu was updated by adding new classic Italian dishes.
- Wheelhouse Bar (deck 7) was re-decorated and its menu updated.
Itineraries
MS Dream's itinerary program started in July 2023 and is based on homeporting in Tianjin/Beijing, where the ship arrived on July 8th.
(Sea Princess) For Princess Cruises, the ship's itinerary program was based on Australia and New Zealand voyages departing from homeports Sydney NSW, Fremantle-Perth and Brisbane QLD. The ship also operated roundtrip World Cruises leaving from Australia to Asia and Europe.
With Sea Princess, Princess Cruises had its longest (106-night) world cruise departing from Sydney Australia on June 5, 2018. The itinerary included 40 port destinations in 27 countries, including maiden ports in Greenland and Canada. The voyage marked the company's 10th anniversary of around-the-world cruising.
For Sea Princess' last itineraries (planned for 2021 - all canceled) see the ship's Wiki-section.
MS Dream Charming ship related cruise news
- Cruise Industry
China's Port Tianjin welcomes first international cruise ship in 3 years
On Saturday, July 8th, the cruise ship Dream Charming (Liberia-flagged) arrived at Port Tianjin (North China). This is the first international...
July 11, 2023 - Cruise Industry
Former Sea Princess cruise ship officially renamed to “MS Charming”
The former Princess Cruises' ship Sea Princess received a new hull art and was officially renamed to “MS Charming”. The vessel completed...
February 2, 2021 - Cruise Industry
Sea Princess becomes MS Charming - China's second large cruise ship
China is currently preparing to launch its second domestic cruise ship operation with a newly acquired large liner. The handover of the former Sea...
November 15, 2020 - Cruise Industry
Princess Cruises sold the sisterships Sea Princess and Sun Princess
Princess Cruises sold two of its ships as part of Carnival Corporation's plan to sell 18 liners from its fleet in 2020 amid the pandemic. In an...
September 18, 2020 - Cruise Industry
Princess extends cruise suspension through December 15
Carnival Corporation's premium brand Princess Cruises cancelled sailings worldwide through December 15 - with only one exception. According to...
July 23, 2020 - Accidents
NSW bans all Carnival and P&O Australia ships due to Coronavirus
On April 1, 2020, the NSW Police ordered the cruise liner Pacific Explorer to leave its homeport Sydney NSW. The ship entered Sydney Harbour on April...
April 7, 2020 - Cruise Industry
Princess Cruises Introduces Epic 108-Day World Cruise 2021
Princess Cruises introduced an epic 2021 world voyage. The cruise line announced details of an unprecedented 108-day journey from Australia that will...
October 19, 2019 - Accidents
Sea Princess Rescues Sailors in the South Caribbean
Sailing in the south Caribbean, Princess Cruises' ship Sea Princess was asked to carry out a rescue operation by the Marine Rescue Coordination...
July 31, 2019 - Cruise Industry
Princess Cruises Announced Its Largest Australia & New Zealand Season Ever
Princess Cruises announced that its largest Australia & New Zealand season ever offered sailing to some of the most dramatic destinations in the...
May 11, 2019 - Cruise Industry
Princess Cruises Unveils Record Adelaide 2020-2021 Summer Season
Princess Cruises revealed plans to operate cruises to and from Adelaide over 2020-2021 summer season, in a move representing the largest ever cruise...
March 21, 2019 - show more news
MS Dream Charming Wiki
The Fincantieri Monfalcone-built Sea Princess ship was christened by godmother Lady Caroline McPhail - wife of Sir Bruce McPhail (P&O Cruises Managing Director). The vessel is from the company's oldest (Sun-class series). Ship's Captain is Tony Ruggero.
Sea Princess (Monfalcone shipyard/hull number 5998) is powered by Wartsila-Sulzer marine diesel engines (model 16ZAV40S) generating total power output 46,6 MW.
Ties between P&O and Princess were made even stronger, when the cruise ship changed ownership to P&O UK and was renamed to Adonia (in December 2002 - January 2003). In May 2005, it was turned back to Princess, taking back the name "Sea Princess". Godmother of the "old-new" liner this time was the British actress Joanna Lamond Lumley (1946-born).
Sea Princess World Cruise 2015 itinerary was from Australia (leaving out of Sydney AU, on a round-trip westbound route). It visited ports in Asia, Europe (Mediterranean and UK), Suez Canal transition, Transatlantic crossing (Europe to USA and Caribbean), followed by a Panama Canal transit.
World Cruise 2016 itinerary (66 days, July 6 through August 28) started from Southampton England and ended in Sydney NSW Australia (Transatlantic crossing, Panama Canal transition), visiting ports in North America, Caribbean and South America. The Princess Cruises' ever longest World Voyage was also marked by the biggest drug bust on a cruise ship ever. Upon disembarkation in Sydney Harbor, the Australian police found 95 kilos of cocaine in the suitcases of 3 cruise passengers (CruiseMapper news link).
In 2017, Sea Princess became company's ever-first ship circumnavigating South America roundtrip from Australia. The unique itinerary visited 28 ports in 18 countries and included overnights in Lima Peru, Buenos Aires Argentina and Rio de Janeiro Brazil (during Carnivale 2017). The 84-night "Circle South America" cruise was offered from 3 departure ports - Brisbane AU, Auckland NZ or Sydney AU, and departed in January 2017 (left Sydney NSW on Jan 11).
In 2018, Sea Princess had scheduled the company's longest (106-night) world cruise departing from Sydney Australia on June 5, 2018. The itinerary included 40 ports in 27 countries. This also marked Princess Cruises' 10th anniversary of around-the-world cruising.
In September 2020, Sea Princess was sold by Carnival Corporation (shipowner). During its Princess Cruises service, the vessel (IMO number 9150913) was Bermuda-flagged (MMSI number 310465000) and registered in Hamilton.
The cruise vessel was last drydock-refurbished in 2023 (February-April). The 2-month drydocking project (conducted by Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard Co Ltd Shipyard in Zhoushan China) included major refitting (including extensive steel works, painting/new livery, machinery overhaul, electrical repairs, lifesaving equipment, fire-fighting system) and full renovation of public areas and staterooms.
Sea Princess refurbishment 2017 review
The list of deckplan changes following Sea Princess' 16-day drydock refurbishment in 2017 (October 21-November 5, done in Singapore) included:
- All passenger cabins received new bedding (all beds were replaced with Princess Luxury Beds developed by Dr Michael Breus).
- A new cabin category ("Club Class Mini Suite") was introduced.
- New (larger) outdoor sreen "Movies under the Stars" was installed
- Theater Lounge's evening program was upgraded with a new evening production show (the musical "Encore" choreographed by Danny Teeson) and a new singing competition show ("The Voice of the Ocean") with live band music performances, interactive in-show experience and the rotating chairs. The ship's Theatre was outfitted with a LED wall (sized 15x5 m / 49x16 ft) allowing dynamic media projection that enhances the evening shows.
- The ship's kids and teen lounges (part of "Camp Discovery") were renovated and updated via partnership with Discovery Channel (as part of Princess Cruises' complimentary onboard children program "Discovery at Sea").
- Cafe Corniche (deck 9) menu was updated by adding new classic Italian dishes.
- Wheelhouse Bar (deck 7) was redecorated and its menu was updated.
On September 11-25, 2009, the vessel was drydocked in San Francisco California (at Pier 70). The rudders, thrusters and propellers were refurbished, as well as some public places. For instance, The Sanctuary replaced the Splash Pool and the outdoor space (at the bow side above Horizon Court Buffet) was turned into an Oasis of tranquillity.
The drydocking process was shot by a National Geographic team in its series "World's Toughest Fixes".
Sea Princess itineraries 2021 (CANCELED)
Next are listed some of the cruise ship's itineraries scheduled for 2021 but canceled as the vessel changed ownership and left the Princess fleet. Prices listed are in USD per person (double occupancy Inside cabin rates).
(first departure following the COVID-related suspension) 15-day Indonesia ($1300)
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
23 Dec 17:00 | Departing from Fremantle-Perth, Western Australia |
24 Dec 07:00 - 18:00 | Geraldton, Western Australia |
28 Dec 07:00 - 17:00 | Pulau Komodo Island, East Nusa Tenggara Indonesia |
29 Dec 09:00 - 19:00 | Makassar, Ujung Pandang, Sulawesi Indonesia |
31 Dec 07:00 - 19:00 | Semarang, Java Indonesia |
02 Jan 07:00 - 18:00 | Benoa, Bali Indonesia |
03 Jan 07:00 - 17:00 | Lembar, Lombok Indonesia |
07 Jan | Arriving in Fremantle-Perth |
4-day "Western Australia Getaway" ($390)
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
07 Jan 17:00 | Departing from Fremantle-Perth |
09 Jan 07:00 - 16:00 | Albany, Western Australia |
10 Jan 08:00 - 18:00 | Margaret River, Western Australia |
11 Jan | Arriving in Fremantle-Perth |
26-day "Southeast Asia Grand Adventure" ($2580)
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
11 Jan 17:00 | Departing from Fremantle-Perth |
15 Jan 07:00 - 17:00 | Lembar, Lombok Indonesia |
18 Jan 08:00 - 19:00 | Klang/Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
19 Jan 08:00 - 21:00 | Georgetown/Pulau Penang Island Malaysia |
20 Jan 08:00 - 18:00 | Pulau Langkawi Island, Malaysia |
21 Jan 08:00 - 18:00 | Phuket, Thailand |
23 Jan 07:00 - 17:00 | Singapore |
25 Jan 07:00 - 18:00 | Saigon, Vietnam |
27 Jan 07:00 - 16:00 | Sihanoukville, Cambodia |
28 Jan 07:00 - 19:00 | Laem Chabang/Bangkok, Thailand |
29 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | Koh Samui Island, Thailand |
02 Feb 07:00 - 17:00 | Benoa, Bali Indonesia |
06 Feb | Arriving in Fremantle-Perth |
11-day repositioning from Fremantle to Sydney ($1080)
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
10 Feb 17:00 | Departing from Fremantle-Perth |
11 Feb 07:00 - 17:00 | Margaret River, Western Australia |
12 Feb 09:00 - 18:00 | Albany, Western Australia |
15 Feb 07:00 - 21:00 | Adelaide, South Australia |
17 Feb 07:00 - 17:00 | Melbourne, Victoria Australia |
18 Feb 07:00 - 16:00 | Burnie, Tasmania |
19 Feb 11:00 - 19:00 | Hobart, Tasmania |
21 Feb | Arriving in Sydney, NSW Australia |
28-day "Round Australia" ($3090)
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
21 Feb 16:00 | Departing from Sydney, NSW Australia |
23 Feb 07:00 - 17:00 | Hobart, Tasmania Australia |
24 Feb 12:00 - 19:00 | Burnie, Tasmania Australia |
25 Feb 09:00 - 21:00 | Melbourne, Victoria Australia |
27 Feb 07:00 - 21:00 | Adelaide, South Australia |
02 Mar 07:00 - 16:00 | Albany, Western Australia |
03 Mar 09:00 - 18:00 | Margaret River, Western Australia |
04 Mar 08:00 - 22:00 | Fremantle-Perth |
08 Mar 06:00 - 17:00 | Broome, Kimberley |
11 Mar 07:00 - 16:00 | Darwin, NT Australia |
14 Mar 10:00 - 19:00 | Cairns, Queensland Australia |
16 Mar 07:00 - 16:00 | Alotau, Papua New Guinea |
19 Mar 07:00 - 17:00 | Brisbane, Queensland Australia |
21 Mar | Arriving in Sydney, NSW |
10-day "Queensland" ($850)
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
19 Mar 17:00 | Departing from Brisbane, Queensland Australia |
21 Mar 07:00 - 16:00 | Sydney, NSW Australia |
24 Mar 07:00 - 16:00 | Airlie Beach, Queensland |
25 Mar 10:00 - 19:00 | Cairns, Queensland |
26 Mar 07:00 - 18:00 | Port Douglas, Queensland |
27 Mar 09:00 - 10:00 | Willis Island, Australia |
29 Mar | Arriving in Brisbane |
15-day "Papua New Guinea" ($1350), 14-day "Fiji" ($1170), 35-day "Hawaii, Tahiti, South Pacific" ($4150)