7 minute read
Destinations: Genting Dream Cruise
Getting My Dream Realised on Genting Dream
Text & Images by MUHAMMAD HASIF MOHD JELANI
Advertisement
Cruising is the best option if you are looking for a more peaceful, laidback vacation. With just you, the ship and the sea, it can be an intimate experience for many a traveller. The moments will be even more unforgettable if the ship were to offer a myriad of things, ranging from spacious cabin and toothsome gastronomy to state-of-the-art facilities and world-class on-board entertainment.
Just like many of you, I too once dreamt of experiencing it all. But the thought of having to pay exorbitantly and the difficulty in finding halal or Muslim-friendly food made me push this dream to the bottom of my bucket list. However, my recent opportunity to experience cruising on one of the Dream Cruises vessels for four days and three nights changed my mind – finding the right cruise ship that meets your expectations and budget is not that hard after all, especially when you choose Genting Dream!
Genting Dream at a glance
• It is the first of the three premium vessels of Dream Cruises.
• The ship’s current homeport is Singapore with Penang and Phuket as port-of-calls.
• The gross registered tonnage is 150,695 tons.
• It is 335 metres long and 40 metres wide.
• It has 18 decks.
• It can accommodate 3,352 passengers (lower berth).
• It has as many as 1,674 staterooms.
• The ship is manufactured by Weyer Werft, Germany.
• Every guest will be provided with an access card. It functions as on-board identity card, on-board charge card, gang way security pass and cabin key card.
• Safety drill is compulsory for all guests. The assembly station is stated on the access card.
Open-air area at Zouk Beach Club where guests can experience Cinema at Sea.
The cabin
The spacious Balcony Stateroom.
Genting Dream offers eight types of cabin but among the popular ones, which I experienced, is the Balcony Stateroom. It has one queen-sized bed and one single sofa bed. With a space of 20 square metres, the cabin can accommodate up to four persons (extra bed will be charged). The cabin is also equipped with facilities such as television, water heater, mini fridge, basic toiletries and hair dryer. But the feature that is most appealing is the private balcony where guests get to admire the breathtaking sea view and take in the sea breeze during the voyage.
Those with more cash to burn should stay at The Palace. With the concept of ‘ship-within-a-ship’, The Palace boasts 140 suites where guests can luxuriate in VIP facilities such as swimming pool, spa, gym and dining outlets. To make your stay even grander, there is a personalised European-style butler service provided!
The food
Some of the halal dishes served at The Lido.
There are 19 restaurants and bars on Genting Dream, three of which are inclusive restaurants (The Lido, Dream Dining Room Upper & Dream Dining Room Lower). That being said, you are bound to be spoiled by so many choices available, ranging from Asian to international cuisines. For Muslim travellers, there is a Halal-certified section within The Lido and the menu changes daily so you can have a different taste every breakfast, lunch or dinner. 24-hour snacks are also available here.
The facilities
The Waterslide Park that is a must-experience for all guests.
If you think swimming at the pool is a bit too mundane, wait until you experience the Waterslide Park on Deck 20, which is the highlight of this cruise and a must-do for every guest! The experience is definitely unique. I mean, where else could you get the chance to whizz down waterslides on a moving ship in the middle of the ocean?
The view of the pool on the same level as the Waterslide Park.
The ship has onboard beauty and wellness amenities too such as gymnasium at Crystal Life Fitness, Crystal Life Spa, Le Salon, The Gentlemen’s Barber and Crystal Life Asian Spa.
While it also has a large swimming pool on Deck 16, guests can also partake in various sports and recreational activities using the facilities such as sportsplex, mini-golf, rock climbing wall, ropes course, zipline, jogging track, children’s water park and more. On top of that, Little Dreamers Club caters to little and teenage guests, including an arcade where they can have absolute fun.
For adventurous souls, ropes course is definitely worth a try.
For entertainment, guests should spectate live production shows such as China Got Talent and Some Like It Hot at Zodiac Theatre on Deck 7 (prior booking is needed). If you feel like partying, there is even Zouk Beach Club on Deck 17 and karaoke room on Deck 6. Firework shows on the third night is also provided and trust me, the experience is magical!
The China Got Talent performance during the Dream Night before the firework show.
Celebratory atmosphere during the Dream Night.
With that long list of facilities offered, it is hard to get bored on Genting Dream. If you are confused on what to do, the Dream Daily newsletter that is placed at your cabin door every morning might help.
Conclusion
I totally recommend Genting Dream for travellers who seek a hassle-free and rewarding vacation. Since it offers Halalcertified food option, Muslim-travellers, in particular, can take pleasure in what the ship has to offer even further, besides the slew of on-board non-stop entertainment and exciting leisure options. Be it families, couples or solo travellers, Genting Dream suits all.
Since you have to be in Singapore to board Genting Dream, how about visiting the following places to make your journey more meaningful?
» Jewel Changi Airport (https://www.jewelchangiairport.com/)
Covering a total gross floor area of 134,000 metres, Jewel definitely cements Changi Airport’s reputation as the World’s Best Airport. The 40-metre tall Rain Vortex, located right in its centre, has already become the talk-of-the-town for holding the record as the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Besides featuring world’s best brands in its retail arena, travellers can enjoy various attractions within Jewel such as Forest Valley, Canopy Park, Canopy Mazes, Discovery Slides and Sky Nets. Jewel also has early check-in facilities, Changi Lounge and YOTELAIR Hotel, which is the first in Asia.
» Wonderland Exhibition at Art Science Museum (https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/)
Paying tribute to Lewis Carroll’s timeless masterpiece of Alice in Wonderland, travellers can personally witness how artists and filmmakers have portrayed the story throughout the century. Interactive games, exhibitions and amazing theatrical sets will surely enchant adults and children alike.
» Floral Fantasy at Gardens by the Bay (https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/)
This new thematic attraction at Gardens by the Bay features kaleidoscopic flowers, stunning artistry and forward-thinking technology to create an amazing experience for its visitors like never before. Travellers should also try the 4D ride as if they are flying over Gardens by the Bay while riding on the back of a dragonfly.
» Royz Et Vous (https://royzetvous.com.sg/)
Since 15 July 2014, this Royz Et Vous has been committed in getting its vision in place: to build a halal empire that specialises in coffee-making by serving some of Tanjong Pagar’s finest coffee, besides offering an array of delectable dishes such as smoked duck, seafood aglio olio, Havana chicken, brazen striploin, beef short ribs and lamb shank pie.
» The Dim Sum Place (http://www.thedimsumplace.sg/)
Mainly serving Cantonese dishes with some of them given a local twist, this Halal-certified restaurant is located on North Bridge Road. Among the favourites are deep fried fish skin with roasted salt and garlic, crystal shrimp dumpling, molten salted egg custard bun and boxing chicken.
» Days Hotel by Wyndham Singapore at Zhongshan Park (https://dayshotelsingapore.com/)
Only 15 minutes’ walk from Novena MRT station and six kilometres from Orchard Road and Marina Bay Sands complex (complimentary shuttle available), this hotel boasts 405 comfortable rooms in sky blue and warm orange hues. It also has a halal restaurant called 21 on Rajah serving Mediterranean and Singaporean dishes.
Gaya Travel Magazine extends our heartfelt gratitude to POTO Travel and Tours, Dream Cruises and Singapore Tourism Board for making our writer’s trip smooth sailing.
