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The Ultimate Cruise to Nowhere review: Royal Caribbean Cruise Vs Dream Cruises

If you could only pick one cruise-to-nowhere getaway, it’d be…

In Dec 2020 when Cruises to Nowhere had just begun, we got to experience Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas .

On that post, someone asked:

So this one’s for David, as well as those who can’t decide which cruise to go for — Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas ? Or Dream Cruises’ World Dream ?

In this Cruise to Nowhere review, we’re breaking down each cruise line’s accommodation, food and activities (including shows) to give you a fair comparison of both cruises.

Covid-19 tests and Pre-boarding Process

Photo credit: The Straits Times

Swab tests are now compulsory on both cruises with slight logistical differences. The good thing is COVID-19 tests are included in your cruise package for both cruise lines.

Royal Caribbean

On Royal Caribbean cruises, you’re required to take a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test at Raffles Convention Centre 72 hours before boarding.

We took ours two days before the cruise and received our results the next day. The process was really quick and straightforward so we were in and out within 15 minutes.

At the end of the cruise, you’ll be given one final swab — there’s no need to wait for results this time and the swab doesn’t go in as deep as the pre-boarding test.

Dream Cruises

For Dream Cruises, an Antigen Rapid Test (ART) will be administered on the day of boarding. A pre-assigned time slot will be printed on your ticket so you just need to show up. Test results will be ready after 20 minutes to an hour.

Our experience through the testing area was quick and smooth too. The whole process was very organised and the only significant waiting time we had between stations was waiting for our results.

Although not as accurate as the PCR test, the ART is a lot less invasive! Instead of the swab going all the way in, it only scrapes the walls of your nose.

Same as Royal Caribbean, you’ll be swabbed one final time upon disembarkation but there’s no need to wait for results before leaving the cruise centre.

Cruise Accommodation

The two cruises offer similar accommodation types from staterooms to grand suites.

Royal Caribbean Balcony Stateroom

The balcony staterooms are pretty similar and are perfect for two.

Dream Cruises Balcony Stateroom

The only difference between these two rooms is the bathroom. Dream Cruises’ comes with a double sink and a wider shower area — great for families with kids.

Dream Cruises Balcony Stateroom Bathroom

Dream Cruises’ Balcony Staterooms: From  ~S$419/pax for three nights Royal Caribbean’s Balcony Staterooms: From  S$469/pax for three nights

For an elevated experience, book a suite for extra perks and access to experiences.

We personally got to experience Dream Cruises’ Palace Suite . Although it’s the cheapest class in the Palace Suite, the perks you get outside the room do give you a nice feeling of being taken care of.

Dream Cruises Palace Suite

Perks include butler service, a basic drink package (coffee, tea and juices) and complimentary dining at all speciality restaurants. Palace residents also get full access to all the private facilities — from a separate pool area to 24-hour dining at the Palace Restaurant!

Photo credit: Royal Caribbean

A comparable room on Royal Caribbean is the Junior Suite. The interior is pretty similar — with space for the room, balcony and bathroom. However, in terms of the suite experience, the Junior Suite is more similar to a bigger balcony stateroom than a suite.

Apart from extra room, WiFi, the Deluxe drink package and access to specialty dining are excluded.

If you’re going for a low range suite experience, then Dream Cruises gives you more bang for your buck!

Dream Cruises’ Palace Suite: From S$630/pax for two nights Royal Caribbean’s Junior Suite (Large Balcony): From S$769/pax for three nights

If “go big or go home” is what you live by, here’s the ultimate experience on each ship:

Royal Caribbean’s Grand Loft Suite is the second highest class and comes with a mezzanine! The suite also fits a king-sized bed, two bathrooms, a spacious living area and an  equally  spacious balcony.

Grand Loft Suite Stateroom

Apart from complimentary access to all  speciality dining experiences , staying at the Grand Loft Suite also includes the Deluxe drinks package which means free-flow drinks all day — alcoholic beverages included! But the best part is that you’re assigned a Royal Genie (personal butler) who will help you with bookings and customise the experience so you have a memorable one on the ship ✨

Palace Penthouse living area. Photo credit: Dream Cruise s

Dream Cruises’ equivalent is the Palace Penthouse. Unlike the Palace Suite, it features a separate living-cum-dining area, with a private step-out balcony. The space can hold up to six guests.

Dream Cruises’ Palace Penthouse: From ~S$786.30/pax for three nights Royal Caribbean’s Grand Loft Suite: From S$744/pax for three nights

For the ultimate experience, here’s what you can expect from the most luxurious rooms of each ship:

Dream Cruises’ Palace Villa is the epitome of luxurious living with two bedrooms, a dining room, a living room, a jacuzzi and three bathrooms. This suite is so big, it can accommodate up to eight people!

On top of the Palace privileges, you’ll be even more spoilt with round-the-clock butler service, and priority access to shows.

Royal Caribbean’s most luxurious suite is their Royal Loft Suite. It doesn’t have multiple bedrooms like Dream Cruises’ Palace Villa, but it boasts a spacious two-floor contemporary design perfect for parties of six. These suites are either located at the front or the back of the ship for utmost privacy.

Upon checking in, you’ll be welcomed with Moët and Chandon in the room. Epic room aside, you also have complimentary dining at specialty restaurants, all-day free-flow drinks and a Royal Genie at your every beck and call!

Dream Cruises’ Palace Villa: From  ~S$1,259/pax for three nights Royal Caribbean’s Royal Loft Suite: From ~S$3673.53/pax for three nights

Breakfast at Dream Cruises’ Palace Restaurant

For foodies, a cruise is the best place to be! From glorious buffet spreads to high-end speciality dining experiences, both cruises boast an array of dining experiences. Here’s how they compare.

Complimentary Dining Experiences

Royal Caribbean’s Windjammer and Dream Cruises’ Lido are where you get an all-you-can-eat buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. These buffet options are open to all guests (regardless of room class).

In terms of size and variety, Windjammer takes the cake — serving a wide range from burgers to tacos and even vegetarian and gluten-free options! Lido seems quite limited in comparison, but they serve more fried foods and Asian cuisines.

There may be fewer options on Dream Cruises’ Lido but a plus point is that the menu switches up during Themed Night Dinners. On their recent Thai-themed cruise , the buffet spread included popular Thai dishes like Pad Thai, Wok-Fried Crab in Thai Curry and Steamed Barramundi Fish with Lime Juice!

For complimentary dining options, Royal Caribbean has a much better selection. Apart from the buffet, they have four main dining rooms: Sorrento’s pizza, Dog House’s crafted hot dogs, as well as sandwiches and soups at Two70. Dream Cruises only has Lido and two other main dining rooms for complementary options.

Specialty Dining Experiences

Specialty dining requires a top-up if you’re not a suite guest.

For Dream Cruises, speciality dining works on an ala carte basis where you’ll need credits to spend on dining. Purchase these credits onboard, with up to 20% off dining credits when bought on embarkation day!

On Royal Caribbean, you just pay a one-time fee and eat as much as you want — basically paying for a reservation.

Although both cruises have a steakhouse, Dream Cruises serves more Asian cuisine with Korean BBQ, hotpot and Teppanyaki.

Umi Uma Teppanyaki

Something special on Royal Caribbean is their novel dining experiences like Jamie’s Italian ala carte buffet and Wonderland’s molecular gastronomy.

Painting our menu at Wonderland

If food experience is a priority when you travel, we’d say go for Royal Caribbean’s cruise.

Activities On Board

Royal Caribbean’s surf simulator, FlowRider

Free activities on Royal Caribbean: FlowRider, bumper cars, rock climbing, archery, Seaplex activities, Dodgem Cars, outdoor film nights, dance classes, jewellery making, scrapbooking, folding artistry, Yoga classes, Pilates classes, Spin classes.

Royal Caribbean’s rock wall

*Pro-tip: Aim for the first slot of the day or during meal times to beat the crowd as these activities can get packed quickly.

Dream Cruises’ water slides

Free activities on Dream Cruises: Water slide Park, obstacle rope course, rock climbing, mini-golf, life-sized chess, ping pong, SportsPlex, Muay Thai classes, HIIT classes, belly dancing, ballroom dancing, bingo, Cinema at Sea.

Dream Cruises’ high-elements rope course

Paid activities on Dream Cruises: Esc EXPERIENCE LAB — a Virtual Reality studio with eight thrilling game stations. Imagine chasing zombies or shooting down enemy drones (top-up of $4–20/game).

Paid activities on Royal Caribbean: iFly’s indoor skydiving (S$54.40), North Star ride ($27.20) and an arcade.

For activities, Dream Cruises has a lot more variety so it seems like there’s always something to do. You could learn a new sport before breakfast and pick up new dance moves after lunch!

Places to Chill On Board

Dream Cruises Public Pool

There are pools and jacuzzis on both cruises which you’ll have to get a timeslot for. However, the booking systems on Royal Caribbean and Dream Cruises are completely different.

On Dream Cruises, you’ll need to make a physical reservation at the pool itself to get a slot sometime in the day. Whereas Royal Caribbean works on a first-come-first-serve basis with lifeguards limiting and controlling the numbers.

*Pro-tip: Head to the pool first thing in the morning for both cruises to beat the queue.

One perk about cruising with Royal Caribbean is having a kid-free escape like The Solarium, an adult-only pool.

Royal Caribbean’s Solarium

Dream Cruises doesn’t have this for the general public, but if you’re a Palace guest, you’ll have exclusive access to their private pool area at the top of the deck — reservations are required.

Dream Cruises’ Palace Private Jacuzzi

On Royal Caribbean’s North Star

For a nice break from the busyness, take a seven-minute ride on Royal Caribbean’s North Star (top-up is ~S$15.90 or free for suite guests). This observation deck takes you 300 feet above sea level, offering mad views of the endless horizon and a birds-eye view of the cruise below.

Alternatively, both cruises have deck chairs all around that face the ocean. It’s still a great view nonetheless, especially during sunset.

Dream Cruises’ Faith Show

For me, a huge part of the cruise experience is late-night entertainment. If you’re looking to have your mind blown with multitalented performances, Dream Cruises’ acts are definitely where it’s at. With stunning acrobatic acts and quirky dance numbers, I was thoroughly entertained throughout.

Photo credit: Dream Cruises

Dream Cruises also hosts a special show — Dream Boys (only for those 18 and above)! It’s basically their version of Magic Mike, featuring beautiful men and raunchy dance moves, with sprinkles of comedy throughout. The show costs S$50, which is a steal compared to Magic Mike Shows in London (~S$146.38).

Fun fact: These performers have multiple roles on the ship — Muay Thai instructor in the day, Dream Boy by night!

Royal Caribbean’s Two70 Violin act

Royal Caribbean’s Two70 showcases are a great way to just unwind. Enjoy world-class music performances and mind-boggling magic shows before calling it a night.  

Drink Packages for Three-Night Cruise

For some of us, drinks are a crucial part of the Cruise To Nowhere experience — yes, we get it. If that’s the case for you, Royal Caribbean is definitely where you can drink your money’s worth. The Deluxe package at S$163 for a three-night cruise includes all beverages including cocktails, beer, wines and non-alcoholic beverages (basically anything under $12).

Dream Cruises’ full drink package on the other hand only has free flow coffee, tea, juices, and soft drinks. Alcoholic beverages are only free-flow between 5–7PM.

Royal Caribbean Vs Dream Cruises — Which Cruise to Nowhere Would You Pick?

Royal Caribbean’s Solarium, an adult-only pool

Here’s our take:

Rooms — The rooms on Dream Cruises’ World Dream are generally more affordable than Royal Caribbean for a similar room size. However, if you’re going for the ultimate luxury experience, Royal Caribbean takes the win.

Entertainment — This is a tough fight. Both ships have more than enough options to keep you entertained on a three-night cruise. If you’re going for more extremes, you’ll appreciate Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas for its Flowrider and iFly.

Dream Cruises’ World Dream has its epic water slides and more options when it comes to shows and classes. Of course, the star of the show here is the Dream Boys — if that’s your thing.

Dining — If you’re a real foodie, we’d go with Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas for this one.

Cruises are basically our only chance to get away from Singapore for now. And the good thing is cruises do make you feel like you’re overseas! So whichever Cruise to Nowhere you end up with — whether it’s Dream Cruises or Royal Caribbean — you’re bound to have a good immersive break, until travel resumes once again!

We hope this Cruise Comparison was helpful — if you’ve experienced both Cruises to Nowhere, let us know which you prefer in the comment section below!

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Hi, great post on the comparison! Wanna update on something, i just came back from Dream Cruise, they did not do a swab test before disembarkation. So i was only swab once, before boarding. Hope this helps!

thanks for the update!

Hi , thanks for the superb comparison ! I just got back from Dream Cruise World Dream.

An update for you , you don’t have to make reservation for accessing the pool now.

thanks for sharing!

I recently took a cruise on Royal Caribbean and it was amazing! The service was great and the ship was very clean. Dream Cruises, on the other hand, was not as great. The service was not as good and the ship was

Thanks for sharing!

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Cruise to Nowhere Review of Dream Cruises’ World Dream: Things to do Onboard!

Cruise to Nowhere is still one of the easiest getaways from Singapore. While the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme picks up pace with the announcement of VTL to Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Britain and the United States without quarantine from 19 October onwards, there are still additional costs required for tests. This time, we went “overseas” with a 4D3N Cruise to Nowhere onboard the World Dream by Dream Cruises . Here’s what to expect…

Cruise to Nowhere Dream Cruises World Dream – Is it Safe?

As you can see from the safe cruising guide, there are many measures that Dream Cruise has put in place to ensure your safety onboard . These include

Preventive Measures (Part 1)—Embarkation & Disembarkation – Guests aged 7 & above are required to download the TraceTogether APP or bring along the TraceTogether Token. TRACEY will be issued to all guests upon embarkation. – Mandatory COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART) prior to embarkation for all guests. – Mandatory temperature screening and pre-boarding health declarations for guests aged 7 & above. – Infrared fever screening system at the ship gangway. – Higher frequency with increased levels of sanitization and disinfection at the ship gangway and passenger walkways. – Stringent checks for all embarking individuals including crew travel documents. – Online check-in for guests: receive designated arrival time at the cruise terminal to minimize crowd congestion. – Additional waiting areas for cruise boarding & disembarkation (with staggered times.) – Compliance with all local port and health authorities’ regulations.

Preventive Measures (Part 2)—Guest Accommodations – Higher frequency with increased levels of sanitization and disinfection in guests’ cabins with hospital grade disinfectants, including: (1) Twice daily wipe-down of guest cabins and guests cabin corridors (2) Fogging of vacant guest cabins and guests cabin corridors – Clean and disinfect guest bathrooms with heavy duty alkaline bathroom cleaner and disinfectant. – Timely removal of food items from cabins to prevent spoilage and cultivation of microorganisms and bacteria. – Timely housekeeping cabin turnover; bedsheets and linens professionally cleaned and disinfected at high temperatures. – Injection of diluted cleaning solution into drains to avoid clogged pipes and preventing bacterial growth. – In case of sickness, thorough cleaning and disinfection with hospital grade disinfectant and fogging the cabin after.

Preventive Measures (Part 3)—Common Public Areas – All public areas on board will undergo a two-tier sanitization process with thorough cleansing, fogging and wiping using hospital grade disinfectant. On-board Ship Venues and Cleaning Frequency: Elevators: Every 2 hours Public areas and facilities: 2 – 10 times daily Spa and amenities: Min 2 times daily Other Public Areas: To adjust disinfection frequency accordingly – Common public areas will be sanitized from once daily to 2 – 4 times daily and frequent touchpoints such as handrails, lift buttons, table-tops, door handles etc. will be sterilized every hour or less during peak hours (Embarkation & Disembarkation time, returning from shore excursions, meal periods.) – Frequent usage of heavy-duty neutral PH floor-cleaning agent to disinfect all floor areas of the ship. – Sanitizer dispensers available at various public areas and crew members stationed at key onboard venues to provide hand sanitation. – Guests are to practice social distancing. – All guests are required to wear a face mask except when dining and engaging in sports activities.

Preventive Measures (Part 4)—Food Hygiene Practices & Standards – F&B restaurants / bar areas, including galleys, will be cleaned and sanitized 3 times daily, during and after service. – Guests are encouraged to wash hands before entry and use sanitizer dispensers available at F&B outlet entrances/exits. – Guest seating will ensure ample spacing; disposable cutlery will be provided, upon request. – Self-service at F&B buffet restaurants will be suspended. All food & beverages will be served to guests by crew members wearing face masks & disposable gloves. – Stringent procurement guidelines will be enforced and product sourcing from highly affected regions will be strictly prohibited.

Preventive Measures (Part 5)—Entertainment & Recreational Activities – The theatre will be sanitized before and after each show; 3D glasses disinfected before and after guest usage (if applicable.) – Cleaning and disinfection of all toys, games and Kids’ Club facilities twice daily and/or after every use. – All duty-free shops and entertainment venues will be disinfected twice daily before and after service. – All recreational equipment will be disinfected every 2 hours before guest usage. – On board venues operating at reduced capacity to provide ample space. – Sanitizer dispensers will be readily available at various venues including entertainment venue entrances/exits. – Spa & Gym facilities will be sanitized prior to and after usage by guests.

Preventive Measures (Part 6)—Fresh Air Ventilation Systems – 100% external fresh air is filtered and supplied to each guest & crew cabin, and onboard public areas. – No re-circulation of air between cabins or within the ship. – Air filters and cooling coils thoroughly checked, cleaned and replaced to ensure healthy air quality.

Preventive Measures (Part 7)—Medical Centre – Isolated wards available in the Medical Centre and cabins can be converted into quarantine rooms if required. – Contaminated items and medical waste will be properly sealed and disposed according to health and safety guidelines. – Used face masks and protective equipment disposed at designated central collection points. – Medical equipment and waste bins cleaned, disinfected and washed twice daily with hospital grade disinfectant. – 2 Doctors including an Infection Control Officer (ICO) will be present on every sailing.

Preventive Measures (Part 8)—Crew Members Practices & Standards – Daily temperature checks. – Reduction of crew movement. – Medical Centre Isolation Area staff related to suspected cases are required to: Adequate Personal Protective Equipment (face mask, eye protection, disposable gloves & disposal outer garment) follow proper hand washing practices before and after work duty update personal health information daily – All Frontline crew are required to wear face masks. – Housekeeping and F&B crew must wear disposable gloves. – Designated crew may also wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if required. – All crew to use anti-bacterial hand soap for at least 20 sec to sanitize hands. – Provide Training Workshops and pertinent information on health and safety preventive measures. – All crew had passed stringent health screening & quarantine protocols in accordance with local government requirements.

With so many preventive measures in place, we felt that it was thoroughly safe to do a Cruise To Nowhere with Dream Cruises ! For more details of all the measures by Genting Dream Cruise, click here .

Is it too “Troublesome” to do Tests for Cruise to Nowhere with Dream Cruises World Dream

With Dream Cruises, the ART test is simplified . Just follow the scheduled timing on your cruise ticket and take the ART on site at Marina Bay Cruise Terminal. The results will be out within 20 minutes and once cleared, you’ll be able to proceed with the check-in procedures.

Remember to refresh your TraceTogether app to get the results as it will be about 5 to 10 minutes faster than the notification via SMS.

Cruise to Nowhere with Dream Cruises World Dream – Dining Options

Dining is one of the main features of a Cruise to Nowhere. Onboard the World Dream , there are 3 complimentary dining options :

1. Dream Dining Room (Upper) for Asian Cuisine 2. Dream Dining Room (Lower) for Western Cuisine 3. The Lido for International Buffet

World Dream – Dream Dining Room (Upper) (Deck 8)

Dream Dining Room (Upper) serves up Asian Cuisine onboard the World Dream. In general, Dream Cruises has one of the better complimentary asian food as compared to other most other cruises. Except for the one breakfast that was rather disappointing , we were rather satisfied with the rest of our meals here.

World Dream – Dream Dining Room (Lower) (Deck 7)

Although there were several comments online to say that the Western food at Dream Dining Room (Lower) is not that good, we thought it was still quite ok. Though, not as good as “the other” cruise line, it was still quite decent. The fish that we had were mostly quite fresh and we were impressed with the Oktoberfest menu that we had on the last day – the boiled pork knuckle was delish! Also, at DDR (Lower), you’ll be able to enjoy nice sea views, remember to request for it. Being there 15 minutes before opening hours will almost guarantee a seat of your preferred choice!

World Dream – The Lido (Deck 16)

We preferred to dine at the Dream Dining Rooms because we’re served at the tables and are able to get refills on any dish that we like. However, for those who are die hard buffet fans, fret not, you still will be able to enjoy buffets at the Lido . We enjoyed the roast beef with loads of fatty bits on one of the evenings and if you head over for breakfasts, don’t forget the now-famous Nasi Lemak! The chili and curry chicken were sedap!

24 Hours Snack Outlet – Right outside the Lido at Deck 16

Beside these 3 dining options, there is a 24 hours snack area right outside the Lido at Deck 16 . Here, you’ll be able to get snacks such as fries and drumlets. Also, after 10pm at night, you’ll get “mains” such as the vermicelli that you see in the picture above. You can choose to dine here or for those who are unvaccinated or prefer to have the snacks in the room, you can choose to take-away as well.

Book with Klook Here: Genting Dream by Resorts World Cruises

World Dream Specialty Dining Restaurants

There are also several specialty dining options such as Seafood Grill, Prime Steakhouse, Silk Road Chinese Restaurant, Umi Uma and Blue Lagoon for various seafood, steak, Japanese and Singaporean fare. This time, we tried out the Hot Pot option. Why? Because of its al fresco hot pot dining experience that allows you to enjoy views of the vast oceans while gathering around a nice hot pot for beautiful conversations. These specialty dining restaurants come at additional costs but you can buy some F&B credits to help offset the overall bills :

Buy $50 and get $55 Buy $100 and get $120 Buy $150 and get $180 Buy $200 and get $250

What are the Complimentary Activities on Dream Cruises World Dream Cruise to Nowhere?

There are actually many complimentary activities onboard the World Dream . Let’s start from the Sports Activities Centre at Deck 18…

Sports Activities Centre (Deck 18)

The most popular activities of Rock Climbing and Rope Course are on a first-come-first-serve basis while other activities such as basketball, table tennis and mini golf can be booked in advance. We’d strongly recommend the Rope Course. The course itself can be quite exciting and challenging. Best of all, it ends with a flying fox over the ocean – an exhilarating end to the activity!

Swimming and Water Slides

During the pandemic, you will need to make bookings for swimming pool slots. For details, do refer to our pre-cruise preparations post onboard the World Dream for all the tips to get ahead of the game. But what we really want to recommend are the water slides! They are on a first-come-first-served basis. Hence, even if you didn’t manage to book any swimming or jacuzzi slots, you’ll still be able to enjoy the thrills and spills of the water slides. There are 5 water slides in total. 2 of which have a sharp drop at the beginning – perfect for thrill seekers. As for the other 3 slides, they are more benign and we particularly enjoyed the one with a “bowl” in the middle where you’ll go round and round before wriggling into a tube in the centre to end off the slide. Probably one of the better water slides we’ve enjoyed at sea!

The jacuzzi experience is a “must-do” during your cruise to nowhere with Dream Cruises World Dream! To have the best experience, remember to check out our tips to booking in our pre-cruise preparations post . To have the best experience, book the jacuzzi at Beach Zouk Club. This is because, you’ll be able to enjoy privacy and a dedicated showering area. Most of all, you’ll be able to take in the sea views while soaking it up in the Jacuzzi. Only the jacuzzis at Zouk Beach Club offers this experience. Choose wisely!

Workshop and Classes at Sea

Besides the more physical activities, you’ll also be able to enjoy complimentary workshops organised by the crew. There are dance classes, quiz and trivias as well as some DIY workshops for you to choose from. We enjoyed the rose-making, keychain making and fun graffiti classes. During some of these classes, you may be able to get complimentary ice cream from the staff as well. Enjoy!

Signature Performances on Dream Cruises World Dream

There were also several comments online that the performances on World Dream is not as good. While there’s some elements of truth to it, we still pretty much enjoyed the shows. In particular, the magic show Vision , by French Magician Vincent Vignaud is not to be missed. We particularly enjoyed his humourous interactions with the audience – several times with Singlish accents as well!

Complimentary Themed Events

As it was Oktoberfest at Sea during our Cruise to Nowhere with Dream Cruises, we were able to enjoy Oktoberfest-themed workshops and performances. There were Apfel Strudel making and a traditional Dirndl workshop to increase our awareness and cooking prowess. There was also a little Oktoberfest dance segment prior to the Faith show. Best of all, we enjoyed the Oktoberfest menu on the last evening where the boiled pork knuckle with the fatty parts were soooo goood!

VR Games at ESC Experience Lab on Dream Cruises Dream World Cruise to Nowhere

For paid activities, we tried out the VR Games at ESC Experience Lab at Deck 16 . During Happy Hour promotions (twice daily), you’ll be able to enjoy 2 games for the price of $22 (usual price $15 per game). The 2 must-try games are the VR motion simulator as well as the VR Maze. The VR motion simulator is not for the faint-hearted. The visuals are realistic and you actually control the movement of the avatar via the motion simulator. This means that if you walk, the avatar walks. If you run (away from zombies), the avatar runs as well. An unique experience. As for the VR Maze , the VR goggles are programmed according to the physical maze that you will be walking through. However, the VR environment is so immersive that you will feel as though you’re at the edge of the platform and can feel the elevator’s motion as it descends downwards. So while you’re not physically moving, the VR visuals make you feel as though you are. Definitely worth a try!

Cruise to Nowhere Dream Cruises Beverage Package on World Dream

One thing that we’ll definitely recommend would be the Beverage Package on Dream Cruises . For only $142 per person, you’ll be able to enjoy unlimited beers (including draft beers), red wines, white wines, sparkling wines (moscato!), premium coffee (latte, flat white, cappuccino) and water (pellegrino, acqua pannna). Not only that, it gives you the flexibility to check out the various venues around the ship and also have a drink to go along with your meals.

We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of the things to do onboard the World Dream by Genting Dream Cruises! If you have any questions, do let us know in the comments section below. Lastly, stay tuned for our final post for comparisons between the cruise to nowhere by Royal Caribbean Cruise (Quantum of the Sea) and the cruise to nowhere by Dream Cruises (World Dream)!

Check out our video review of Cruise to Nowhere on Dream Cruises

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Quantum of the Seas 5D4N Cruise to Nowhere Day 4: Towel Art Folding, Accolade Duo, MDR, Cafe Two270 and Jamie’s Italian

Quantum of the Seas Cruise to Nowhere Day 5: Disembarkation Day =(

Cruise to Nowhere Review on Quantum of the Seas by Royal Caribbean Cruise!

Genting World Dream Cruise to Nowhere

Genting World Dream Cruise to Nowhere: Important Pre-Cruise Preparations!

Genting Dream Cruises Classic Beverage Package Review: Is it Worth it?

Genting World Dream Cruise To Nowhere Day 1: Bookings, Drinks and Shows

Cruise To Nowhere Genting World Dream Day 2: Chilling, Swimming and Attending Workshops

Dream Cruises Cruise to Nowhere Day 3: Gym, Jacuzzi, VR and Rope Course!

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Would really like to see you compare Dream Cruise vs. Royal Caribbean! Thanks in advance!

How did you guess that we’re doing a Dream Cruise vs Royal Caribbean Cruise to Nowhere post?! :O

It will be available tomorrow! Stay tuned!

Tom & Kate, 2bearbear.com

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Genting Dream Cruise to Nowhere Review – Part 1: Reservation, ART Test, Boarding

By: Author Eva

Posted on Published: September 23, 2021  - Last updated: October 19, 2023

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Resort World Cruise (formerly World Dream Cruise) is one of the ships in the Genting Dream Cruise line, which is owned by Genting. During the period of border restriction (2020-2021), the cruise is granted the permission to operate “Cruise to Nowhere” in Singapore.

Having been grounded for more than a year in Singapore, I’m craving a real holiday that’s much more than just a staycation . There are 2 cruises that are allowed to operate “cruise to nowhere” in Singapore: Royal Caribbean and Genting Dream Cruise. I’ve went on a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2018 , but I’ve never been on a Genting Cruise before.

Genting Dream Cruise prices are much more affordable than Royal Caribbean’s. The cheapest room in Dream Cruise is Balcony Stateroom, while RC’s cheapest room is Interior Room. Furthermore, RC’s Balcony Room is almost double DC’s Balcony Stateroom! As a budget traveler, it’s a no-brainer for me. Dream Cruise it is!

Because this is a 4 days 3 nights trip and I have loads of information that I want to share on this blog, I’ll be breaking them into multiple parts for ease of reading.

Genting Dream Cruise to Nowhere (2021) Series Part 1: Reservation, ART Test, Boarding Part 2: Balcony Stateroom Part 3: All Inclusive Dining Part 4: Activities and Shows Part 5: Tips for FOMO Travelers

During my visit in 2021, the ship was called World Dream . However, they changed name to Resort World Cruise in 2022. Just want you to know that they’re interchangeable =)

Reservation

Similar to flights, you can book a cruise trip directly from the operator or through an agent. Booking through agents will allow us to use promo codes thus saving us money. However, if we need to amend our reservation in future, it may be a hassle to deal with agents.

Pro-Tip: If you just want to get the cheapest rate, do compare the price on the Offer section on DC’s website as well as on Klook .

Because one of us is going to renew his passport soon, we’re afraid that it’ll be a hassle to change passport number via agents. So, we called the customer hotline to ask whether it’s possible to change passport detail if we book through agent. After 30 mins of waiting on the line, we finally got hold of a customer service staff who said, “It’s better to book directly because we have limited info from travel agent.” It sounded like she didn’t know the answer, and we’ve wasted 30 mins for this inconclusive answer! We then sent an email to reservation team, but didn’t hear back until 1 week later, when we’ve already made our booking. The email stated that if we’re booking through agent, it’s possible to update passport details when doing online check-in.

Considering the passport-renewal situation and the ever-changing corona situation, we decided it’s safer to spend a bit more and book directly through Dream Cruise to have a peace of mind during the time of uncertainty.

If you’re planning to book a cruise during promotion period, I’d recommend that you book as soon as possible. That’s because prices increase everyday (similar to flight tickets). We took 4 days from the day we shortlist a sailing date, to the day we finally made the booking, and the price had increased by $40/pax during that 4-day period! Sigh.

For info, during the booking, we only had to key in our full name, date of birth, email, phone number and place of residence. Passport is not required at all during booking. Passport is only required during online check-in, which can only be done 90 days before departure. Choosing room or deck is not allowed.

Not long after booking, we received our ticket which stated our room number as well as ART test timing. Glad that we got an early slot at 1.30pm. Based on ship brochure, we were able to know exactly the location of our cabin.

In the ticket, we also found that hubby’s name was wrongly recorded even though during booking he input correctly. He had a screenshot of what he input during booking, so it’s clearly a problem with the system. We got it fixed by writing email to DC.

Online Check-In

A few days after booking, we received an email that asked us to check-in online. The email says, “Online check-in is available up 90 days before departure”. To be honest, it’s very confusing and very contradicting to what airlines usually say. Airlines usually say that online check-in is available up to 4 hours before departure, that means we need to check in more than 4 hrs before departure. In this case, does it mean we have to check in more than 90 days before departure?

Our sailing date is still more than 100 days away, so we tried to click the link to check-in online. We couldn’t get into the system and there was no error message explaining what was wrong. I guess that ended our confusion, the check-in online system is only available WITHIN 90 days before departure, NOT UP TO 90 days before departure.

Fast forward to 3.5 weeks before our departure, we did online check-in and found that hubby’s nationality was wrongly recorded. During booking, we weren’t asked to fill in our nationalities, but the system automatically assumed everyone is Singapore citizen. So, we had to call up customer service to ask them to change. Waited for more than 20 mins for English-speaking staff but still couldn’t get hold of them, then we changed language to Cantonese-speaking and managed to connect with a staff in less than 1 min!

Once the nationality issue is fixed, we proceeded to check-in online. During the check-in, it’s not enough to just key in the details of our passports, we also had to UPLOAD a photo of our passport. It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s definitely a hassle.

Pro-tip: If you really need to talk to customer service, and you are multilingual, avoid choosing “English language” because the waiting time for English-speaking staff is generally longer than other languages. The language options keep changing every time we call, we’ve dealt with Cantonese and Mandarin speaking agents and they’re very efficient compared to the English-speaking staff we encountered before we booked our ticket.

Change of Date due to Heightened Alert

Our original sailing sate was 1 August 2021. However, Singapore went into Phase 2 Heightened Alert (P2HA) between 22 July 2021 and 18 August 2021. During P2HA, cruises have to reduce capacity from 50% to 25%, and dining-in is not allowed, cruise goers must dine inside their cabin.

That’s not the kind of holiday that we envisioned. Dream Cruised announced on their FB that affected travelers may change date of travel for free and would receive SGD 75 credit. Hence, we decided to postpone to September and got our ticket changed by calling.

We are thankful that the process of changing sailing date is quite hassle-free. The disadvantage of changing cruise date is that our room got re-assigned. Instead of Room 10250 near lift, our new room is 10510 which is the furthest room from lift. Also, our original room has a bigger balcony than the new room. Oh well, I guess sometimes it’s ok not have the best thing.

Going to Marina Bay Cruise Centre by Public Transport

To get to Marina Bay Cruise Centre by public transport, you need to take MRT to Marina South Pier Station (Red Line). From there, you have 2 options. The first option (which I recommend) is to take exit A, then walk about 10-15 mins to the cruise centre. If you choose this option, do consider using suitcase instead of hand-carry bag to ease your burden. I usually choose the first method because it saves me time from having to wait for the bus.

The second option is to take Exit B, then walk to the bus stop and take bus 400. Cruise centre is just one stop away. The bus will alight at the carpark of cruise center. From there, you just need to take lift to Level 2.

Our ART Test was scheduled on 1.30pm. Even though we arrived on time, we still had to join the queue at Level 2, before finally arriving at Level 3.

Once we were at Level 3, everything seemed to move faster. First, we had to sit down at registration counter to register our phone number, then we went to the testing room to get tested. After that, we had to sit at a holding area and wait for the result. While waiting, we started planning our first day based on the cruise itinerary that’s given to us right before we did the testing.

We got our result in about 20 mins through SMS and went back to Level 2 to proceed for immigration and check-in.

Immigration, Check in, Boarding

I was surprised to find that the automated clearance lanes at immigration is using a face detection system. The last time I went through immigration, I was still using a thumbprint.

We had the impression that since we have done online check-in, we can self checked ourselves in using the kiosk. Well, it turns out that only Singapore citizens can use the kiosk. Permanent Resident and Long Term Pass Holders still need to go to the counter for manual check-in. Then, we have to go to another counter at L2 to collect Tracey, which is the token we have to carry around during the entire cruise duration.

After that, we received a paper with the word “3E” and were asked to sit down at the hall to wait for our turn to board. Basically, the boarding is done in a staggered manner, according to the boarding sequence. Since ours is 3E, we had to wait for those people in Group 2, then Group 3A to 3D to board, before we can finally board.

Must do Before Boarding: Download Dream App

I highly recommend that you download Dream App before going to the cruise (or before the cruise departs) because you need Dream App to do a lot of things, such as to book shows, purchase wi-fi packages, see the menu of Dream Dining Rooms, see your bill as well as make payment for your bill.

You can only login to Dream App once you’re on board and connected to their wifi. So, don’t be alarmed if you can’t see what’s inside the app before you board the ship.

I feel that Dream Cruise’s reservation system definitely has a lot of room for improvement. As for customer service, the quality of service is mixed, we had bad experience with English-speaking staff and amazing experience with Cantonese and Mandarin-speaking staffs.

The ART Test process is pretty painless and I would say quite smooth. The boarding process could have been made faster. There was 1 hour gap between the time we received SMS on ART result and the time we actually reached our room. It would be nice if the gap can be reduced to 30 mins and if Lido’s operating hour can be extended to 4.30pm on the first day.

Part 2 – Balcony Stateroom

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Thursday 24th of August 2023

Hi, I am Ow, i cannot check in online cause invalid captcha, try several times still same, can tell me what is happening, tq.

Do reach out to the cruise company directly

Sunday 11th of December 2022

When you want to do on-line check-in, which website to use. Cos I am going on the cruise in Jan 18 2023. I have recd my confirmation and voucher in my email.

Use the official cruise website, which is rwcruises.com

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Ultimate Cruise to Nowhere Showdown: Dream Cruises vs Royal Caribbean

Dream Cruises vs Royal Caribbean: Which cruise liner offers the better cruise to nowhere experience?

If you’re looking to escape Singapore on a Cruise to Nowhere, it’s currently a two-horse race between Dream Cruises and Royal Caribbean , the only STB-approved operators. Dream Cruises operates 2-3 night cruises on World Dream; Royal Caribbean operates 2-4 night cruises on Quantum of the Seas. 

But which one is a better choice? Having done both, here’s my take. 

Dream Cruises vs Royal Caribbean: Policies

Before we even talk about the differences onboard, let’s talk policies and practices. Dream Cruises and Royal Caribbean differ in some very important ways:

Your stateroom location could be the all-important determinant of how much you enjoy your cruise. Those prone to sea sickness will want to be mid-level, mid-ship where movement is kept to a minimum. Light sleepers will want to be located away from elevators and entertainment venues. Lazy bums will want to avoid either extreme of the ship (long walking times).

Royal Caribbean lets guests choose their exact stateroom during the booking process; Dream Cruises has no such functionality (you’ll need to call up reservations if you want a pre-assignment). 

COVID-19 testing is a mandatory part of your cruise experience, and both companies go about it very differently. Dream Cruises uses the less invasive (and less accurate) COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART), which is carried out on the day of departure. Passengers will need to arrive early at the cruise terminal to do their test, wait about an hour for the results (in the carpark, not very glam), and board after they test negative. 

Royal Caribbean uses the more invasive (and more accurate) COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, which is carried out between 48-72 hours before departure at Raffles City. Results will be released within 24 hours, and passengers with negative tests can proceed straight to boarding once they arrive at the cruise terminal. 

For those who like their booze, Royal Caribbean permits guests to bring on board two bottles of wine or champagne (750 ml each) per stateroom. These can be enjoyed in the room, or in a restaurant for a US$15 corkage fee (which in my experience, was never charged). Dream Cruises strictly forbids passengers from bringing alcohol on board.

Finally, it’s possible to pre-purchase dining, beverage and internet packages ahead of your Royal Caribbean cruise through the online cruise planner. Dream Cruises lacks this feature, and all package purchases must be done on board. I feel like this puts more pressure on guests, insofar as they have no opportunity to research the packages ahead of time (but not you, dear reader, as I’ll lay them out clearly in subsequent reviews), and it also means a lot more stress on boarding day as you rush to book things up. 

Who wins here? Royal Caribbean, without a doubt. I like the convenience of being able to choose my exact stateroom online, browse the various dining/beverage/internet packages ahead of time, and BYOB. While their COVID-19 test requires you to physically head down to Raffles City, it cuts both ways- on the day of departure, there’s no further wait and you can start enjoying your cruise immediately. 

Dream Cruises vs Royal Caribbean: Price

Cruise pricing can fluctuate dramatically, so take the above quotes with a pinch of salt- it’s always best to do a comparison search with your actual dates.

For May 2021, the lowest rates I could find on Dream Cruises were well below Royal Caribbean. It’s possible to get some discounts on Royal Caribbean fares with HSBC credit cards or AIA Vitality, but my general sense is that Dream Cruises is more budget-friendly. I suspect you’re being cross subsidized by the gamblers.

Dream Cruises vs Royal Caribbean: Staterooms

The stateroom categories on Dream and Royal roughly map to each other. There are interior rooms with no outside view (although Quantum has rooms with virtual windows ), ocean view rooms with portholes, balcony rooms, and suites. 

Here’s how they measure up in terms of size:

As a general rule, Royal has larger non-suite staterooms, but slightly smaller entry-level suites .

I stayed in a Balcony stateroom on both Royal and Dream, and even though the difference in room size is perhaps 20-30 sq. ft., it’s definitely noticeable. I’m trying to use shots from similar angles in the respective staterooms, but do note I was on the port side for one voyage and starboard on another, hence the door and balcony are reversed. 

The Quantum of the Seas stateroom feels slightly wider, and has more storage space thanks to two wardrobes and an additional credenza. On the other hand, the World Dream room is more modern, (it launched in 2017 vs 2014 for Quantum), with features like 2x USB ports on each bedside and notably faster Wi-Fi. 

Both rooms have excellent beds and soundproofing, so a good night’s sleep shouldn’t be an issue either way. 

The balcony on World Dream is extremely cramped. You can tell by the fact they couldn’t even place the two chairs perpendicular to the railing. 

In contrast, the balcony on Quantum was relatively more spacious (note how the chairs are perpendicular to the railing, and there’s even space for an ottoman), and it felt more pleasant spending time out here. 

Rooms on both ships were clean and made up twice a day, although I found Royal Caribbean to be a bit more personable in this respect (the cabin attendant personally introduces him/herself on the first day).

Dream Cruises vs Royal Caribbean: Food

Both Quantum of the Seas and World Dream have a wide variety of dining options, and some concepts will overlap. For instance, both have a main dining room and a special one for suites guests, both have a steakhouse and a Japanese restaurant. However, not all concepts will have a corresponding equivalent- World Dream has a hotpot and a specialty Chinese restaurant, while Quantum of the Seas has a molecular gastronomy fine dining restaurant and a specialty Italian joint. 

Here’s a rundown of how things map across ships:

In general, Dream Cruises caters to a more local audience, while Royal Caribbean will appeal to international palates. 

Complimentary Dining

Complimentary dining on Dream is served across two main locations: the Dream Dining Room Lower and Dream Dining Room Upper. The Upper section serves Chinese food, while the Lower section serves Western food. 

Unlike other cruise liners, Dream does not have “traditional” dining where you show up at a fixed time every night. It’s strictly first-come-first-serve, which means the potential for waits. Also, since you get a different table every time, you can forget about receiving anything other than anonymous service. 

On Royal, the complimentary dining is split across four different restaurants- American Icon Grill, Chic, Silk, and The Grande. They all serve the same menu, and where you’re seated is a function of whether you’re on My Time Dining or Traditional.

Regardless of which you choose, they endeavor to put you at the same table each night so you can have the same waitstaff and build a rapport. Our waiter was fantastic- by the second day he had figured out our preferences, and automatically brought extra portions of what he thought we’d like (and was spot on). 

I found breakfast to be the most underwhelming meal on both cruise ships, but at the very least Royal offered more options. On Dream, you had the same Western breakfast every day, with the only variable being a special that rotated between french toast, waffles, and pancakes.

The Chinese selection had more variety, but still relied heavily on oily carbs. 

Royal’s menu stayed the same each day, but they had nine different options plus a wide choice of sides. 

The star of lunch and dinner on Dream were the fish dishes. I was surprised by how good they are, and thankful they didn’t use cheap dory or some other bottom feeder. Instead, we had seabass and snapper, both cooked to perfection. 

The rest of the stuff on Dream, sadly, was cheap and unappetizing. I’d actually have been perfectly happy just going for the mains and skipping everything else. 

If your tastes veer more Chinese, you’d be able to enjoy a rotating menu of several dishes at each seating. It goes without saying that the Chinese option on Dream were much better than Royal’s. 

On Royal, lunch focused on fast-casual options, like burgers, quesadillas, pasta and sandwiches. 

Dinner was the real highlight, with choices like Steak Diane, Mojo-Marinated Grilled Pork Chop, and a surprisingly delicious prime rib. You can order as many appetizers, mains and desserts as you want, and we never left hungry. 

In the battle of the buffets, Windjammer trounces Lido. Not only does the layout feel more inviting (cuisines are grouped by islands, instead of an assembly line, and there’s much more room for people to move around while browsing), but the variety and quality at Windjammer put Lido to shame. 

Frankly, the food at Lido was depressing. I’m going to quote from my review here:  

Think industrial cafeteria food, then imagine it a hundred times worse. Then picture it served in a chaotic, cramped environment with screaming kids and dirty tables, and you’ve only started to conceptualise the hell that is Lido. 

The options were low quality, heavily reliant on carbs, fried food and processed items, and presented in a bland and unappetizing way. Dire. 

In contrast, the options at Windjammer may not have been steak and lobster, but they were certainly higher quality than Lido. There were also a few stations that would assemble your item to order, like burgers or pasta. 

Other free food options on World Dream are extremely limited- in fact, outside of the MDR and Lido, I can’t think of any other venue that had complimentary dining. On Royal, you’ll be spoiled for choice with pizza at Sorrento’s, hotdogs at the Dog House, healthier options at Solarium, sandwiches and soups at Two70, and random surprises like soft serve ice cream by the pool. 

Specialty Dining & Beverage Packages

Dream and Royal differ in the way they price specialty dining.

On Dream, specialty dining works purely on an a la carte basis. When you board the ship, you’ll be offered a Day One “embarkation offer”, where you can buy dining credits at the following prices:

• Pay S$50 get S$55 credit (9% off)
• Pay S$100 get S$120 credit (17% off)
• Pay S$150 get S$180 credit (17% off)
• Pay S$200 get S$250 credit (20% off)

In addition to this, certain set meals at places like Umi Uma and Hotpot will also be sold at a 20% discount (which you can further pay for with discounted dining credits, saving even more). When I was sailing, KrisFlyer members received a 20% discount off all food at specialty restaurants as well. 

On Royal Caribbean, things work differently. With the exception of Izumi (which uses an a la carte model), you pay for a reservation , during which you can order as much as you want at a particular restaurant. You can also buy an Unlimited Dining Package (UDP), which lets you eat at as many specialty restaurants as you wish (it cost S$135 for my four-night cruise). 

Both Dream and Royal have beverage packages, which I’ve tried to map to each other below:

Drinks packages are generally cheaper on Royal. If you opt for a la carte pricing, it’s more or less comparable, with the exception of hard liquor. A shot costs S$15 on Dream Cruises, versus S$12 on Royal. 

Remember: the key with Royal Caribbean is to wait for sales. Opt-in to their email communications (you can always unsubscribe after the cruise) so you’ll know when beverage and dining package are going on sale.

If in doubt, just lock in something first- you can always cancel without penalty prior to boarding. 

Chops Grille vs Prime Steakhouse

In this category, there’s just no contest. Chops Grille is an amazing place to get a steak, and Prime Steakhouse is an amazing place to waste your money. 

Let’s talk prices first. Chops Grille costs S$31 for lunch and S$68 for dinner. You’re technically allowed one appetizer, one soup & salad, and one main course + unlimited sides, but in practice the staff are more than happy to bring multiple items. 

At Prime Steakhouse, a steak alone already costs you S$55 (I’m adjusting for the 20% discount available from buying credits on embarkation day, and adding in the 18% gratuity). Once you factor in a starter and sides, you’re definitely going to be shelling out more on World Dream. 

Does that extra money buy you quality? Like fun it does. Here’s Chops Grille’s ribeye…

…and here’s Prime Steakhouse’s version. 

Visually speaking, the Chops Grille ribeye looks so much more appealing, with a lovely char and juicy-looking marbling. In contrast, the Prime Steakhouse ribeye looks anemic and although there are some grill marks, the sear isn’t anywhere as impressive. 

Flavor wise, it’s a home run for Chops Grille. While both steaks were cooked to a proper medium rare, the Chops Grille ribeye had an amazingly juicy interior, perfumed with roasted garlic and dotted with melting fat. The Prime Steakhouse ribeye lacked the distinctive marbling you’d expect, and was even chewy at times. 

Izumi vs Umi Uma Teppanyaki

Quantum may walk the steak contest, but World Dream takes the Japanese restaurant category. 

I wonder how much of it is due to the fact that Izumi is a victim of Royal Caribbean’s arcane sourcing procedures. Because it’s a US-based cruise liner, it’s subject to FDA regulations, one of which is all raw fish must be frozen and sent to the USA for inspection. I don’t need to tell you what freezing does to sashimi, salmon sashimi in particular. It was a watery, unappetizing mess.

Even ignoring the sashimi, the rest of the menu at Izumi was plain bad. The ramen was soggy and tasteless, the rolls were sticky and unappetizing. 

In contrast, Umi Uma’s teppanyaki was the highlight of my meals onboard World Dream. They use fresh prawns (Royal only has frozen), and the difference is night and day. My set menu of surf and turf wasn’t cheap (~S$100), but I really enjoyed it. 

Other Specialty Restaurants

The specialty restaurants on Quantum of the Seas are somewhat inconsistent. During my first visit, Chops was phenomenal, Jamie’s and Wonderland dreadful. During the second, Chops was average, Jamie’s was pretty good, and I didn’t bother returning to Wonderland because I felt ripped off the first time. I think they’re all worth trying at least once, but it’s really a case of YMMV. 

It’s not like the specialty dining on World Dream was any better though. Hot Pot’s “premium” set was a mix of cheap, fatty pork (80% fat, 20% meat), and bulked up with cheap items like fish and beef balls. It wasn’t enough food for one person, but ordering additional items was extremely expensive (S$5 for a single portion of mushrooms, $6 for beef balls, $17 for pork belly). 

Last point: be careful when ordering wine on World Dream. Two times at two separate restaurants, I ordered a sparkling brut from the wine list. Both times, I was served Moscato; the bartender had mixed up the bottles. I’m willing to believe it was a genuine mistake, but as a safety precaution, always ask to see the bottle. 

The winner for dining? Royal, hands down. On Royal, the question always was “how many more meals can I squeeze in?”  On Dream, the question was “what’s the least bad thing I can eat?”

Dream Cruises vs Royal Caribbean: Entertainment

All shows on Quantum of the Seas are free, and there’s a wide range to choose from:

• Comedy Juggling by Steve Rawlings (comedy)
• Gold Art Duo (acrobatics)
• Sequins and Feathers (cabaret)
• Starwater (musical)
• Viktoria Stryzhak (violin recital)

I managed to catch all of them (review here ), and while some were better than others, the overall standard was very high. Starwater was a particular highlight- a blockbuster original musical with top notch costumes, singing and production values. It’s the kind of thing I’d have paid money to see outside. 

Also fantastic was Sequins and Feathers, a tribute to cabaret shows throughout the ages. 

World Dream, on the other hand, only has two free shows:

• Dream Variety (variety show with singing and acrobatics)
• Vision by Vincent Vignaud (magic show)

A third show called Dream Boys is available, but this will cost you S$50. What was especially surreal was the way the cruise director casually sauntered onto stage after the magic show finished, told the kids in the audience about the upcoming video game tournament, then in the same breath started pitching Dream Boys to the adults. 

“It’s not just sexy, it’s also funny,” she tried to explain, as if the main obstacle to attendance was the lack of a healthy dose of comedy to accompany the acts of wanton carnality. 

Get used to these pitches; they’re a frequent feature onboard World Dream. Dream Boys also got a shout out immediately after the suitable-for-all-ages Dream Variety show, and I swear the grandmother in front of me swallowed her dentures when she saw the trailer. 

As for the free shows, well, I didn’t particularly enjoy any of them. The Dream Variety show was a strange mash up of English and Chinese dance numbers and songs, and I suppose it may appeal to the older generation, but it wasn’t for me. 

Likewise, Vincent Vignaud’s magic show felt a bit like Gob from Arrested Development (he was so campy I half expected Final Countdown to start blasting), but not in a good way. In my opinion, a solid magic performance is more than just technical competence; it’s about having the charisma and humour to engage the audience. I didn’t get any of that here, and it didn’t help that many of the illusions weren’t that hard to figure out (one of them was a carbon copy of Mark Shortland’s phone smashing routine on Fool Us).

I realise it’s all subjective, but if you ask me, Royal Caribbean wins the entertainment round hands down. 

Dream Cruises vs Royal Caribbean: Activities

Both cruise lines go all out to ensure that guests don’t get bored. 

On World Dream, you’ll find an elevated rope course that culminates in a zipline ride 18 decks above the ocean. There’s also a mini-golf course, five waterslides, a LAN gaming hub, and a VR game studio (do the early bird 1-for-1 games; never pay full price). 

Quantum of the Seas, on the other hand, has a wave pool and skydiving simulator, bumper cars, an observation capsule, and more swimming pools (including the lovely Solarium, exclusively for adults). There even used to be laser tag and escape room games, but those have been suspended due to COVID. 

Both ships also have kid’s clubs, and dance classes/trivia sessions throughout the day.

Do note that the pool on World Dream requires reservations, and getting one means standing in a long, slow moving queue (there’s no digital booking option). With Quantum, it’s first-come-first-serve, and the lifeguards will enforce social distancing restrictions. 

I think the options are solid on both; it boils down to what you’re more interested in. 

Dream Cruises vs Royal Caribbean: Wi-Fi

Both Dream Cruises and Royal Caribbean offer Wi-Fi onboard, at the following prices:

Dream Cruises is cheaper if you just have a single device, but by the time you go up to four, Royal Caribbean becomes the better deal. As mentioned earlier, Royal Caribbean holds frequent sales in the run up towards departure, so pay attention to the prices in Cruise Planner. You can always cancel and repurchase plans without penalty, so lock in deals when they appear. 

In terms of internet speeds, my experience was that Dream Cruises was better. That said, I realise this is highly dependent on weather conditions, the route your cruise sails, and how many people are on board, so you’ll need to take these results with a pinch of salt. 

For what it’s worth, I was able to do Whatsapp video calls on both ships without too many issues, and for Royal Caribbean, YouTube videos were able to load quickly enough at 480p. 

Dream Cruises vs Royal Caribbean: Overall Vibe

Dream Cruises knows that a sizeable proportion of its clientele come to gamble, and it’s not shy about appealing to that.  In fact, it’s hard to find a byway on the ship that isn’t lined with slot machines or some other game of chance, assaulting you with their bright lights and constant din. 

Even if you’re not a gambler, the gambling is almost impossible to ignore. On embarkation night, a ship-wide announcement was made over the PA informing everyone we were now in international waters, and the casinos (that’s plural; World Dream has more than one) had opened. If you wandered through the main concourse, you’d almost certainly run into one of many jackpot bingo sessions (cost of entry: S$20). 

Want to take in a relaxing show? Sure, but before that, a message from our sponsors. Did you know you can buy scratch cards and win fantastic prizes? Yes, and we’ve got people wandering the aisles now selling them, so be sure to flag them down! 

It was just relentless, and come to think of it, even the kid’s games in the arcade were predominantly games of chance. Start them young, why don’t you?

Some will say I’m nitpicking; that getting annoyed with gambling on Dream Cruises is like complaining that a cow moos too much. Perhaps so, but I want everyone to go in with their eyes open. For all its ancillary attractions and activities, Dream Cruises is, first and foremost, a floating casino. If you like that, you’ll have a great time. If not, you’ll find it grates after a while. 

Royal Caribbean, on the other hand, had a decidedly more family-friendly theme. You won’t find male strippers here, and the vice is strictly contained within a single casino area. You could spend a week onboard and never come across it. It could just be me, but I found that a lot more relaxing. 

No prizes for guessing that Royal Caribbean was my favorite of the two cruises to nowhere; the food was better, the service was better, the shows were better. By the end of day 2 on Dream, I couldn’t wait for it to be over; with Royal, I didn’t want it to end. 

For those who want more details, here’s my complete reports for World Dream and Quantum of the Seas. 

What else would you like to know about Royal Caribbean vs Dream Cruises?

• quantum of the seas
• royal caribbean
• world dream

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Review: royal caribbean royal genie experience, review: royal caribbean spectrum of the seas grand loft suite, 50 comments.

Dream Cruises is run by Genting. Not surprising at all. The cruise line is just an excuse to run a casino.

With $500 vs $1200 for the same package (3 nights, balcony), yeah, no surprise winner here.

Waiting for the “Mandarin Orchard vs. Mandarin Oriental” or the “Economy to Japan vs. Business to Japan” showdowns 😉

actually, throughout April, Dream Cruise balcony room shoots up to S$1,044, so be careful!

That is a very fair warning to people who haven’t tried either indeed. If the price is the same, pick Quantum of the Seas. If you’re able to book Dream for $500 though I’d consider that to be a decent deal (then again I spent most of my time on both ships on the balcony reading my first books in years). But yes, avoid Lido at all cost (unless it’s 3am and you’re hungry), lol. Meanwhile I wouldn’t mind some better promotions to have another trip with the Quantum of the Seas. At the current price point, I’d rather revisit …  Read more »

I will use Air India to New Delhi and SQ A380 to New Delhi to replace the latter metaphor LOL

I found the shows on Dream quite bad.. But there’s some free lounge performances that were decent. (Singing)

Outdoor activities were good coz I love thrill stuff. (The flying fox over the water was the highlight). Waterslides were a bit different coz i hate the water lol.

Food I found the western options on Dream quite ok. The chinese one sucked. lol.

And yes. They heavily advertise casinos yet don’t have the brains to open up more tables lol. can be a 1hr wait to play your games

Soups at the Western were really appalling. Chinese was tolerable for me, and dim sum for breakfast simply beat Lido or western. Was trying to be cheapstake on World Dream and didn’t go for any paid F&B/activities. Would be interested to know free activities on RC also.

I don’t like chinese soups at all mostly except for the common ones like lotus or peanut lol..

Western was ok but some soups were indeed weird.

VR is a must to go for. The rest I didnt pay too lol

VR games were really really short though. surprisingly so.

P.S Aaron you need to remind Dream Cruise goers to bring swimming spectacles for waterslides.

The casino is a joke.. thats all I can say… There is no vibe at all. Partner cannot even stand behind/next to u.. really a big joke.

western free food was decent actually. But chinese is really just common stuff you can find outside.

Cant comment on lido/breakfast as I didnt eat those.

It’s due to safe distancing…Even though there may not be safe distancing ambassador onboard to fine you, photos uploaded to social media can cause greater reaction…

3N Dream cruise actually has 3 shows (though the 1st on boarding day may not be regarded as show, just singing only).

I don’t count the singing performances- royal has those too e.g. beatlemaniacs, live music at boleros

BTW is RC only available on their official website? Meaning cannot use SRV.

RC is on klook as well, but can’t remember if it’s SRV eligible I think not.

Saw it, but don’t understand why prices of 3N vs 4N are 289 vs 619…

Looks like I am joining AIA vitality!

definitely worth joining even for the base level discount. 10% off your cruise will certainly be more than the $8 monthly fee.

I always take Dream Cruise Palace category, which I feel it’s more worth the price. As Palace guest, I have the following perks: ( 1.Priority on boarding & disembarking , swab test 2.Unlimited wifi, unlimited all kinds of drinks including alcohol drinks, 3.Daily free meal from those paid restaurant for both lunch & dinner, 4.Butler service (1 butler serve about 10 Palace guest) 5.Daily pressing service, 6.Delegated poor, gym, 7.Better seating for daily entertainment show 8.Delegated gambling room (I don’t gamble thought) I wanted to try Royal Caribbean, but I find their tier of suite rooms are too complicated. Different …  Read more »

how is the palace restaurant? i heard the food is much better than MDR. do they have upcharges for items like lobster or is it included?

The palace restaurant is good for breakfast, with good selection from western, to dim sum or porridge. But they do not serve lobster.

Usually I take lunch & dinner at those paid restaurant which is available for palace guest for free.

As Palace guest can only visit each restaurant for free once during the sailing, you can have free lobster from Seafood Grill by Mark Best & Prime Steakhouse. As two of the restaurants are at same location and serve the same menu.

Royal Caribbean offering kids cruise free and would probably be cheaper if the pricing is based on 4pax/cabin. would paint a different picture compared to the pricing based on 2pax/cabin.

For similar price point I can get Palace suite on dream cruise or junior suite on RCL, the choice goes easily to dream cruise for the perks. But of course if I can get grand suite on RCL for same price then I would go for grand suite LOL

“Other free food options on World Dream are extremely limited- in fact, outside of the MDR and Lido, I can’t think of any other venue that had complimentary dining.”

Did you mean “Dream Dining Room and Lido”?

Thanks for all the cruise reviews, it’s interesting to see how they have changed. My last cruise was when SuperStar Virgo was still a new ship…

I use mdr and dream dining room interchangeably! Because it’s the same basic concept

Thanks for the detailed analysis. By the looks of the screenshot you took of the cruise planner it seems that we are booked on the same 4 night cruise at the end of March.

Are you having trouble booking things at the moment? For example the dining options / packages were only loaded for me yesterday and I still don’t have any activities to book such as the gym apart from the Northstar and iFly.

RC said this was because it is one of the extended sailings but are you having the same problem?

dining packages were loaded late, yes. I didn’t see them at the time of booking, they only appeared a couple of days ago.

for activities, i only see northstar and ifly (plus sushi and cupcake class). gym has not appeared yet

Lol you are just nitpicking cos of the casinos.

Now no more premium drink package included with Dream Cruise’s Palace Level Benefits unless one has booked one before Early Feb. Now it’s only Happy Hour at Palace Lounge between 5-7pm when it comes to alcoholic drinks.

i heard! it’s a shame, all day booze was one of their biggest selling points (RC only gives that on their top tier suites)

Just came back from a RC cruise in the Jr Suite category – we got a 4N deal for $800 pp! Service was impeccable, food was seriously good at Coastal Kitchen (and pretty good at Windjammer and the other free spots too), performances were OK, though production values were generally very high. But the ship is decked out beautifully, very tasteful – and I loved the chic Solarium! For the price we got, it was an amazing experience, certainly suited to our preferences.

solarium is probably my favourite place on the ship! sadly it was a lot more crowded than my last visit, but if you go during off peak it’s still tolerable.

I’ve always been a bit iffy about junior suites, because they’re like suites lite- no concierge club, no concierge service (to book shows), no free internet or all-day coastal kitchen. but glad to hear you still found it enjoyable!

不用比较，根本没得比，Royal C 就像五星级酒店，另外一艘就是食堂。服务员水平的距离也差不多那样。水平的问题。

When you say this “ you can always cancel and repurchase plans without penalty, so lock in deals when they appear”, do you actually lose money because your bank would have to convert to USD the initial payment and then back to SGD for the refund?

Thanks in advance!

you may lose a few bucks, yes. but if you’re cancelling and rebooking, i’m guessing it’s because you found a cheaper package, and your savings should outweigh whatever forex losses.

Hi Aaron, thank you for your reply! I plan to get the Deluxe Beverage Package at 30% off but am wondering if I should wait for the price to drop to 40% off. Thing is, not quite sure (1) if it will even drop to 40% off; and (2) if the 10% difference (approximately 100 bucks) will outweigh the forex losses.

You were absolutely right about the magic show by Vincent Vignaud. We just came back from a 4 day 3 night stay at Dream Cruise and went to his magic show. Not only was he neither entertaining nor funny he picks on audiences to entertain the crowd because he lacked humor.

Be careful when you attend his show – you can get picked on and be humiliated. We wished we had read your review earlier so we did not have to waste our precious vacation time to watch his incompetence in magic and engaging the audience.

yeah i mean, look. I don’t want to question the man’s craft, because he certainly does magic a lot better than me. but if you ask me “was I entertained”, then the answer is probably not. The best magic performances I’ve gone for are those where the magician has the charisma to engage and hold the audience’s attention. In this case…I think there might have been a language barrier, but he didn’t seem comfortable with that part of the job.

True that. Everything aside, we are really glad to have found this useful site that gives more comprehensive (and honest) reviews that are not obviously written in favor of the respective cruises/restaurants. We’ll definitely be using this more often for our staycations/future travels! Once we can actually get out of Singapore…

Aaron, I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your review. It was painstakingly detailed and done with a lot of heart. Thought you should know your effort and passion got through to your audience. Best wishes!

thanks samantha! hope you had (or will have) an enjoyable cruise. i’m also hoping they bring in a new RCL ship at the end of the year, just for a change of things to do.

Life's Tiny Miracles

Award-winning singapore lifestyle & travel blog, on a dream and a cruise with dream cruises.

July 26, 2021 by Angie. S 2 Comments

5 reasons why Dream Cruises is an excellent holiday option for families

The Hubby never fancied a cruise as a holiday and used to scoff at people who spend their hard-earned money on cruising to “nowhere”.  After all, his idea of a holiday is to “get away from the crowds”, have a change in scenery and enjoy new experiences.  It didn’t help too that his past two ‘cruise’ experiences, which are more like ferries in Europe didn’t quite turn out well.

The prolonged pandemic has made him game to try THIS new experience – going on a cruise to nowhere.  So off we went during the height of Phase 2 (HA – Heightened Alert) where cruise capacity is capped to 25% and dining restricted to only in-room among other tightened safe distancing restrictions.

Surprisingly, after experiencing Dream Cruises’ World Dream, he came back waxing lyrical about our “Cruise to Nowhere”. This newly minted cruise convert now goes around actually encouraging families to go on Cruises as a good alternative for a family holiday.

Here are 5 reasons:

• Crowd? What Crowd?

Cruise capacity during this the Phase 2 and 3 period is capped at 50% of normal capacity (and further reduced to 25% during Phase 2HA).  Imagine that!  Even though the capacity is halved (or quartered) of what it should be normally, the level of experience in comfort and luxury still remains at its optimum. That alone is already a good motivation for families to book the cruise.

During our recent trip on board Dream Cruises, there were moments where there was even hardly anyone else on the large liner.  With some careful planning, we avoided the so called ‘peak’ period of mid-morning and late afternoon. Social distancing on board was taken very seriously. We enjoyed all the facilities in very safe settings.  What a bonus!

2. Convenience:

With a cruise, virtually everything is conveniently included.  From meals to entertainment to family activities.  There is no need to worry about how to engage the kids, what to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Almost everything is inclusive, all located nearby and all worry-free. Truly, a one-stop fuss-free vacation!

We love the option to dine inside the room, far from any crowd (not that there was any) but in the comfort and peace of our own suite. Here’s the sampling of dishes we had! Top notch!

3. Choices, Choices, Choices:

Hot on the heels of convenience are choices.  When families go on holidays, we don’t want to make too many complicated decisions.  With the Dream Cruises’ World Dream, it’s just a matter of planning your itinerary to maximize the enjoyment.  These range from working out at the high elements adventure course, lounging in the jacuzzi for some ‘couple time’, bonding with the kids over the gigantic water slides or just relaxing in the comfort of the well-appointed state rooms. 

In fact, one of the main highlights was watching the two world-class LIVE performances onboard.  We didn’t realize how much we missed the energy of a LIVE performance so much till we were seated in the Dream Theatre!

Please refer to the listing of the many recreational choices onboard:

• Live Show and Entertainment Options:

https://www.dreamcruiseline.com/en-sg/world-dream-entertainment

• Sports and Recreational Options:

https://www.dreamcruiseline.com/en-sg/world-dream-sports-recreation

• Onboard Enrichment Activities:

https://www.dreamcruiseline.com/en-sg/world-dream-onboard-experience

• Dining Options:

https://www.dreamcruiseline.com/en-sg/world-dream-dining

4. Change in Scenery:

Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Singapore, we have been cooped-up for close to 2 years now. This cruise, we were so pleased to be able to admire the wide expanse where the sea meets the sky during the day, and ogle at the countless stars in the sky at night.

All rooms onboard the Dream Cruises World Dream comes with a balcony.  To say we enjoyed the ‘change if scenery’ was really an understatement.  In fact, we felt it was a much-needed therapy after these 2 years of ‘stuck’ in Singapore.

5. Comfort. Luxury. Value:

Since international travel is still curtailed, the hubby upgraded our trip to the Palace Suite that comes with a personal butler service.  Butler? Yes the best decision we ever made.  With the upgrade, we enjoyed:

• Service of the personalized butler round the clock 24/7
• The butler helped to plan and book our schedules (including show times, meal orders, swimming pool slots etc.)
• Early check-in to board the cruise earlier at 11am  
• Personalized check-in and use of exclusive lounges while waiting
• All-inclusive dining at their specialty restaurants 
• One-time top-up of in-room bar fridge inclusive of alcoholic drinks
• In-room set-up for dining at your own time and convenience complete with fine crockery and plating
• Exclusive use of Palace Suite deck (with Swimming Pool, Sunbeds and Jacuzzis)
• Assistance with disembarkation

Perhaps the greatest value from our World Dream cruise with Dream Cruises was that we had a worry-free and fun-filled experience where we enjoyed 3 days 2 nights of family bonding time, away from the rest of Singapore. The hubby is now a cruise convert and we are already planning our next cruise trip!

Where to book your Dream Cruise ‘Seacation’?

We booked ours through Singapore’s trusted holiday provider KLOOK . Check out their social media pages for promotions and discounts! Follow our IG account @lifestinymiracles and view more snippets of our Dream Cruise Seacation in the highlights album.

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Inside Singapore's first 'cruise to nowhere,' where vacation-starved guests took turns using the pool and carried contact tracing devices everywhere they went

• Dream Cruises just had its first "cruise to nowhere," a voyage that started and ended in Singapore, with no stops in between.
• It was the first cruise ship voyage in the country since the no-sail order in March and part of a "safe cruise" pilot program.
• Each passenger is tested for COVID-19 before being allowed to board. There's an on-board lab that can produce virus test results in an hour.
• These cruises are for Singapore residents only. Singapore is mostly closed to short-term visitors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently advises that "all people avoid travel on cruise ships."
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

The coronavirus pandemic has hit the travel industry hard and left people around the world starved for a getaway.

From flights to nowhere to fake plane trips complete with boarding , some companies are coming up with innovative ways to give people a taste of going on vacation.

"Cruises to nowhere" are the latest such effort. These are trips on cruise ships that start and end in the same destination, with no stops in between.

On November 6, hundreds of passengers set sail on one such trip, dubbed the "Super Seacation" on the World Dream ship. It was part of a "safe cruise" pilot program, which stipulates that ships can only set sail at half capacity, and are open only to Singapore residents, according to the Straits Times .

Going forward, three and four-day cruises to nowhere on the World Dream will be offered regularly, according to a press release by Dream Cruises .

Keep reading to see what the two-night voyage was like.

"Super Seacation" on the World Dream ship set sail from Singapore on November 6. It made no stops and returned to port two days later.

Fares ranged from around $1,300 for a balcony stateroom for two to $5,433 for a "Palace Villa" suite, according to representatives of Dream Cruises.

It was the first cruise ship to launch in Singapore since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's no-sail order in March.

On October 29, the CDC changed the original March order to " conditional sailing ," meaning that cruises can accept passengers once they've made significant improvements to their health and safety measures.

Many companies and governments chose to voluntarily renew the ban until December 31, 2020 , as they figure out these new protocols.

The first cruise to nowhere was approved by the Singapore Tourism Board, and only Singapore residents were allowed to go, according to representatives of Dream Cruises.

The World Dream can typically sleep 3,400 passengers, but it sailed at half capacity for its first "cruise to nowhere," according to representatives of Dream Cruise.

With 1,100 crew members onboard, there was almost one crewmember per guest.

World Dream is a 1,099-foot, 18-deck ship with 35 restaurants and bars, a spa, a theater, six waterslides, a zip line, a rock-climbing wall, mini-golf, and karaoke rooms, among other things.

Source: Dream Cruises

Passengers were assigned time slots for boarding to avoid overcrowding at check-in, according to The Straits Times.

Source: The Straits Times

But before they could board the ship, passengers were first required to take a mandatory COVID-19 test as well as undergo temperature checks.

They had their results in as little as 20 minutes.

Onboard, the ship also has a clinic that's equipped to produce virus test results in an hour, according to the South China Morning Post.

Source: South China Morning Post

In addition, the ship is outfitted with an intensive care unit in case someone does contract the coronavirus.

After their COVID-19 tests, guests were able to board the ship but were required to socially distance and wear masks.

Dream cruises also said there was "100% fresh air ventilation in guest and crew cabins, as well as public spaces."

No-touch handwashing stations were installed all over the ship, and there were daily health checks on board, according to Cruise Hive.

Source: Cruise Hive .

Buffets were eliminated. Food and drinks were served to guests by crew members wearing face masks and disposable gloves.

In addition to wearing masks and staying away from other guests, passengers also carried an electronic contact tracing device.

These tracing devices are not new in Singapore. As early as June, the country said it was testing wearable tracing devices to track its residents for coronavirus contact-tracing efforts.

Dream Cruises said it also upped its sanitization and disinfection practices for guest cabins, crew member quarters, public areas, and recreational facilities.

Tables and chairs were also kept spread apart, and guests pre-registered for everything.

The ship's exercise classes were also at reduced capacity and enforced social distancing, according to the cruise line, the South China Morning Post reports .

Onboard theaters blocked seats to ensure social distancing and maintain capacity limits. Venues were sanitized after each show, according to a Dream Cruises representative.

The ship didn't skimp on entertainment. There was a laser show called the "Vitamin Sea & Dream," which is the only laser show at sea in Asia, according to Dream Cruises.

The cruise was Christmas themed, with Santa and his helpers making appearances as well as a "Verry Christmas" musical production.

Crew members had to take a series of COVID-19 tests before the arrival of passengers and quarantined for 14 days on the ship before the voyage.

While there were no reports of COVID-19 outbreaks onboard the "Super Seacation," other cruises have not been so lucky.

The first cruise ship to resume sailing in the Caribbean had passengers test positive for COVID-19, despite having been required to test negative within 72 hours of sailing, and again at boarding, according to USA Today .

The trip was cut short.

Cruise ships see infectious disease outbreaks relatively often due to their isolated environment and prolonged close contact between travelers and crew, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to the Miami Herald , as of October 2, there have been 3,908 cases of the coronavirus and 111 related deaths across 87 vessels.

The CDC had a no-sail order from March 14 to October 29, 2020. It now requires a phased approach to resuming operations , with the implementation of new health and safety measures, as well as on-board labs.

On November 23, 2020, it  advised that "all people avoid travel on cruise ships."

• Main content

Cruise to Nowhere: Review of World Dream by Genting’s Dream Cruises

• March 25, 2021
• 7 minute read

Is a Cruise to Nowhere worth it? Absolutely! At under $400 per pax, my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our 4D/3N stay on Genting’s World Dream cruise ship and would totally do it again if we could. If you’ve been hesitating on whether to book a trip, here’s my review and I hope it helps with all the burning questions you have on how a cruise to nowhere will be like!

Note: this is not a sponsored post (although I wish it was :P)

Pre-boarding Process

Covid-19 swab test.

For Dream Cruises, we had to take an Antigen Rapid Test (ART) before you board the cruise. This is all done on the same day, so you don’t have to go out of your way for an extra trip down at all.

You’ll be given an allocated swab test timing once you have done your online check-in (up to a week in advance before your sailing date). We checked in as soon as we got our email notification, and the allocated swab test time was 5pm i.e. 4 hours before departure.

Lest you think the swab test is scary, it really isn’t! In fact, it felt more like a tickle up my nose – I was expecting it to go a lot deeper / higher up my nose and had to clarify with the swab test administrator that it was done correctly, lol! 

It took about 20 – 30 minutes for the results to be out, and we had to wait in a separate waiting area before being allowed to board. All in all, the whole process was faster than we expected.

Aside from your TraceTogether token/app, you will also be needing the boarding card which will be issued to you at the check-in counter (and you’ll need to bring it around with you everywhere on the cruise).

It is recommended to download the Dream Cruises app before you board the ship as well, which has everything you’ll need for your cruise including pre-bookings of events, shows and restaurants.

If you’re pregnant like me, note that you will need a “Fit to Sail” letter from your gynae and that mummies beyond 23 weeks of pregnancy will not be allowed to board, for safety reasons. So…do your babymoon before that like I did! 😉

Accommodation

Room and toilet.

I opted for the cheapest room – a Balcony Stateroom – which came with a queen bed, a long sofa, an attached bathroom and a private balcony deck. Lest you think cheapest room = worst, that was totally not true and I LOVED our room!

The bathroom was spacious enough even though I was juggling my 20-week-big pregnant belly, and toiletries (hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, body foam, body moisturiser) were provided. The fragrance was great and I didn’t have any skin sensitivity from the toiletries, but the real surprise was in the conditioner, because it was actually able to get rid of the frizz from swimming in the pool!  Bath towels and toilet paper were also provided, together with a floor mat.

You can view my in-room video of our Balcony Stateroom here on my Instagram highlights.

Other provided items

Another pleasant surprise was the hairdryer, which was wayyy better than what most hotels normally provide, and didn’t leave my hair roasted or frizzy after using it. 

Bathrobes came in handy when we had to go to the pool, and you’ll find them in your wardrobe (most people don’t realize this!).

The TV had on-demand videos which are FREE, and the selection of movies were awesome! We watched Fast and Furious, The High Note and Gemini Man on our trip.  You can view the entire selection on my Instagram highlights here .

There’s also 2 bottled water provided each day, and coffee/tea if you’re boiling any water in the kettle (we didn’t, as we got all our drinks at Lido each time).

There are 4 inclusive restaurants (i.e. no extra surcharges) on the World Dream cruise ship:

• Lido (international buffet with halal options)
• Upper Deck Dining (Western)
• Lower Deck Dining (Chinese)
• Lido 24-hour outdoors snack bar

Entertainment

There were so many entertainment options on the ship that we couldn’t finish them all, even though we had 2 full days onboard! 

Here’s what we did try out:

• Giant Chess
• Table Tennis at the SportsPlex
• Swimming Pool – pre-bookings required, which we did on the first morning
• Faith the musical – featuring tap dance, ballet, acrobatics, aerial silk, aerial hoop, trampoline acts and more! We loved this so much that we went for it twice!
• Vision by Vincent Vignaud – magic show
• Yoga – taught by one of the professional acrobats who starred in Faith (and she provided pregnancy-friendly variants on many of the moves for me – thank you!)
• Jackpot Bingo – this was the highlight for the guys, and they spent $60 each on 6 bingo tickets!
• Key Master – an extremely appealing but frustrating machine game
• Swimming pool – the length is pretty short so don’t expect much of an exercise here, although I did do my 20 laps before our 1-hour allocated timeslot was up.
• Jacuzzi – the guys tried this, but I didn’t because it isn’t suitable for pregnant mummies. My husband joked that the warm water would “cook” the baby, LOL!

Here’s what we skipped:

• Waterslides – not suitable for pregnant ladies
• Ropes course – not suitable for pregnant ladies
• Flying fox – not suitable fo pregnant ladies
• VR games at the Esc Experience Lab – we visited the place, but pregnant ladies aren’t suitable for many of the activities so we ended up not doing any 🙁
• Dream Boys – a male striptease show

Gambling / Casino

Once the ship sails, the casino / gambling dens are open 24/7! We only played a few games for fun since we’re not big on gambling, but there were many people who were playing until the wee hours of the night.

Final Thoughts

Safety and hygiene.

I had pretty low expectations, and packed clothes that I wouldn’t mind getting dirty because I wasn’t sure if the public seats or areas would be clean. However, as it turns out, I could have just brought all my prettiest dresses without worries because I was honestly impressed and blown away by the safety standards and hygiene levels observed on the ship, including:

• Check-in at each venue: with your boarding pass and TraceTogether token/app
• Social distancing: there were Cruise Ambassadors who went around ensuring guests who weren’t from the same group were of a safe distance apart
• Pre-booking: to reduce crowding, although this provided some inconvenience (worth it for the safety though)
• Toilets: there wasn’t a single dirty toilet I encountered which surprised me! It was always clean and dry no matter where I went

Seasickness? Nope.

Can you use singapore rediscovers vouchers nope., is the ship family-friendly / wheelchair-friendly, tip: packing list.

• Basic toiletries (facial wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, razors, any skincare routine items)
• 3 smart casual outfits – I was always in a dress, whereas the guys were in a T-shirt and shorts / bermudas
• 3 sets of underwear
• 1 sports outfit – or maybe 2 if you want to spend more days outdoors at the Sportsplex
• 1 swimming costume / bikini 
• Chargers – for your electronics
• Shoes – 1 slippers / casual and 1 sports shoes

I’d love to go on another cruise later this year again once I’ve given birth, and this time, bring along our parents and children. Now, if only Royal Caribbean would sponsor me next… well, I can continue dreaming 😛

• SG Budget Babe

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• Dream Cruises ,
• Lifestyle ,

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Cruise to Nowhere with Dream Cruises

Image: Dream Cruises

Go on a super seacation with dream cruises on board the world dream ship..

Activities on board

Lunar New Year Celebrations on World Dream ‍

With ships sailing at reduced capacities, now is as good a time as ever to go on a cruise.

Dream Cruises' Cruise to Nowhere packages start from as little as 2 nights so they're perfect for families that are looking for a short getaway.

Voted the "Best Cruise Line for Family" in the Travel Weekly Asia 2019 Readers' Choice Awards, parents can be assured that there'll be plenty of activities to keep the family and kids occupied.

Activities on Board

You'll find plenty of entertainment onboard the World Dream ship, from outdoor facilities such as the waterslide park and rock climbing wall, to indoor recreation such as the arcade and VR rides.

Most activities are already included in the cruise price so you just need to pick and choose the ones you want to do.

Outdoor Activities

You can try your hand at many exciting outdoor options if you're feeling adventurous or just want to get some sun.

Waterslide Park ‍

Get the adrenaline pumping by speeding down slippery slides that tower high above the ocean.

Choose from six slides, from easy going chutes for families, to steep drops for the thrill seekers!

Ropes Course

Take on the challenge of navigating the outdoor ropes course then catch a ride on the thrilling zipline which sits 18 decks above the ocean.

Kids can choose to "walk the plank" at the same height for a similar challenge.

Rock Climbing Wall

‍ ‍ Put your strength and agility to the test at the rock Climbing wall.

The wall is suitable for kids and beginners as well as the difficulty is at a manageable level.

Main Pool Deck

‍ Chill by the pool or relax in one of the four jacuzzis.

A large outdoor court where you can play sports such as basketball, tennis, and archery, as well as games such as bubble soccer and  giant snooker.

A nine-hole putting course with a splendid ocean backdrop.

Indoor Entertainment

For those that are more into indoor entertainment and games, there are many options to choose from as well.

Esc Experience Lab

Experience exciting VR experiences such as riding a rollercoaster and soaring over mountains.

You may forget that you're still on a ship!

Esport Arena

‍ The world's first permanent eSports facility at sea, the Esport Arena features state of the art professional level equipment in a 1,700 sq ft facility.

The giant 4K LED Wall will take you to a level of immersive viewing experience that you won't get at home.

‍ Video game lovers can look forward to the latest games at the arcade.

Activities just for kids

Aside from the recreational facilities, there are tons of activities for kids so parents won't have to worry about keeping them happy and occupied.

Little Dreamers Academy at Sea

The signature program of Dream Cruises for kids aged 2-12, it offers an action-packed itinerary of STEAM education activities including the LEGO BOOST Robot Coding Basic Workshop and Advance Maze Challenge, as well as music and storytelling sessions.

Little Dreamers Club

Kids can enjoy different kinds of activities with supervision from professionally trained child care staff so parents get the chance to take a well deserved break too!

Little Dreamers Club (Indoors)

Little Dreamers Club (outdoors)

Junior Talent Shows

‍ Is your child a natural performer? Kids from ages 5-16 can now showcase their talents and be a star on board.

Be treated to a multitude of entertaining shows such as live music and dance productions, as well as a mystifying magic show from renowned European illusionist Vincent Vignaud.

You also won't want to miss the spectacular fireworks and laser show display - Asia's one and only fireworks and laser show at sea!

Cinema at Sea

Movie buffs can look forward to enjoying the latest blockbusters at various locations on board such as the Zodiac Theatre and Zouk Beach Club.

The Zodiac Theatre features the latest 3D blockbuster flicks, complete with Dolby hi-fidelity surround sound and 3D glasses.

The Zodiac Theatre, which is also used for shows and performances.

For a more chill out experience, head to the Zouk Beach Club, a one-of-a-kind outdoor beach club where you can watch movies under the stars on a giant LED Screen.

One of the things that everyone looks forward to on cruises is the food!

And with over 25 dining areas with cuisine ranging from Chinese and South East Asian to Japanese, Korean, and International, you'll be spoilt for choice. Just remember to pace yourself!

Enjoy hot pot on an outdoor deck with the ocean as the backdrop, accompanied by cool sea breezes.

Kick back and enjoy the ocean view at Palm Court.

Halal Friendly

Families looking for a Halal friendly experience will be glad to know that the World Dream is Asia Pacific's first Halal friendly cruise ship.

The Lido, one of World Dream's most popular on board restaurants, offers a dedicated Halal and vegetarian buffet section. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and has a 24/7 snack corner, so you'll be able to savour a wide variety of Halal cuisine at sea.

In-room Halal-certified dining services are available as well.

In addition, there are a whole host of muslim friendly facilities and amenities on board including a prayer room, with quran, prayer mats, and compass available on request.

There are basically four types of rooms starting from the Interior Stateroom to the most luxurious Palace villas and suites.

Interior Stateroom

While you don't get any ocean views at the Interior Staterooms, they are still very comfortable.

Oceanview Stateroom

Oceanview Staterooms give you a panoramic view of the ocean.

Balcony Stateroom

Balcony Staterooms let you admire the sea from your own private balconies.

The highest tier is The Palace which offers an ultra luxe cruising experience.

Image Credits: Dream Cruises

Check cruise packages.

Looking for more staycation ideas? Check out this article on 41 of the best kid friendly hotels and resorts for a family staycation in Singapore

Disclosure: This article contains some affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a commission at no extra costs to you. This helps keep us going and allows us to continue creating free content for you. As always, we only recommend things we would use ourselves.

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Cruises to Nowhere Cruises

UPDATE: As of 2016, cruises to nowhere are no longer available from US ports of call. To learn about alternative cruise vacations, please call 1-800-377-9383.

A cruise to nowhere may seem a little crazy, but it’s actually a great opportunity to get away for a quick time and to really experience cruising and all that cruise ships offer. It’s also a chance for first time cruisers to find out what cruising is all about, go to a show and experience the myriad of dining options. And for the more experienced cruisers, a cruise to nowhere is a great opportunity to get a taste of a new ship, or a new cruise brand. Lastly, it gives people with hectic schedules a chance to unplug and make their couple of days really count. It’s a stress free vacation: you’re meals are made for you, you have a fun schedule of activities to choose from and someone is even there to make your bed.   

Things to Do on a Cruise to Nowhere

You may not be getting off the ship, but trust us when we tell you that you can have just as much fun onboard your ship. You can go from breakfast to a trivia game to the pool deck or mini golf course, and follow that up with a spa visit – and before you know it, it’s time for dinner.

• Sleep in and enjoy breakfast in bed. On a cruise ship, most room service is complimentary, and sometimes available 24 hours a day - so you'll always have a plethora of delicious options to choose from.  
• Work it out. You could head to the ship’s gym for a run on the treadmill, or you could feel that sea breeze if you run on the outdoor track. Some ships even feature outdoor basketball courts, golf simulators, putting greens and more.  

• A cruise to nowhere is short so make sure to try lots of the food onboard – have fun and try a bit of everything. You'll find several specialty restaurants, each offering a unique dining experience. And remember, on a cruise, dessert is always included!  
• When on board, make sure to spend some time on you . This is your vacation after all, so be sure to indulge in something like a spa service, sauna cleanse, a gift from the gift shop or a tropical drink (or two).  

• Hit the theater. After dinner you can probably catch a great show featuring Broadway-style performances.  
• Have fun at night by dancing to a live band, gambling at the casino or singing your heart out at the karaoke bar.  

Top 10 Cruises to Nowhere Cruises

Cruises to nowhere: cruise lines.

Popular cruise lines will schedule a few cruise to nowhere itineraries into their yearly cruise calendars. These are great opportunities to have a fun couple of days away from home without a care in the world. 

Cruises to Nowhere: Departure Ports

Cruises to nowhere take place in ports all over the world, but vary greatly. For instance, you could get a cruise out of New York or Sydney, or you could find a cruise out of a smaller port like Cape Liberty in New Jersey. Each of these ports offer easy accessibility to the terminal and you can usually find some interesting sites to see if you want to extend your vacation with a couple days in the port city before or after your cruise. For instance, in New York you could see a Broadway show or visit the Statue of Liberty. In Cape Town, South Africa you could take a day trip to the wine country or climb to the top of Table Mountain. 

Photo Gallery for Cruises to Nowhere Cruises

Check out these pictures of all the activities you can do while on a cruise to nowhere. As you can see, zero ports of call doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. 

Enjoy breakfast in bed

Hit the dance floor

Put your feet up and relax

Relax at the cruise ship spa

Romantic gourmet dinner for two

Spinning in the onboard gym

Win big at the casino

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• GENTING REWARDS

Your leading choice in hospitality.

Experience luxury cruising with the Genting Dream.

Welcome aboard the Genting Dream, the flagship of Resorts World Cruises. We’ve been a pioneer and a trendsetter in hospitality for 50 years and we know luxury cruising like no other. We’ll be bringing you fresh, novel experiences and an array of cuisine, entertainment and themes from across the globe for a cruise that’s limited only by your imagination.

View Brochure 查看郵輪手冊 查看邮轮手册 View Cruise Itinerary 查看郵輪⾏程 查看邮轮行程

Your Top Experiences

An exclusive ship-within-a ship boutique hotel enclaved with private facilities and a 24-hour butler service for connoisseurs of true luxury.

Waterslide Park

Slip and slide on one of our six different waterslides! Perfect for those looking to get drenched with some thrilling waterpark-themed fun.

Rope Course & Zipline

For the more daring bunch, get your heart-racing with the feeling of gliding above the ocean on a 35-metre zipline and ropes course.

Our buffet-style restaurant with a smorgasbord of international and halal cuisine including vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian dishes.

Crystal Life Spa

Rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit in our Asian and Western-style spas. You can also enjoy a selection of healthy meals and beverages here.

Enjoy world-renowned vintages, premium Scotch whiskies, cocktails or bubbly while we entertain you with performances and live bands.

The Boutiques

Splurge on international luxury brands at our boutiques and take your pick from some of the biggest names in fashion!

Little Dreamers Club

At our kids-only club, we have exciting games, workshops and costume parties lined up just for them! For kids aged 2 to 12.

Zodiac Theatre

Catch one of our live production shows from our critically acclaimed production team in our opulent theatre.

Zouk & Zouk Beach Club

If there’s one thing we know how to do, it’s partying! Dive in at one of our famous pool parties or dance till dawn to the beat of our guest DJs at Zouk.

Our Staterooms

Palace Villa

可容納人數6人 位於17層甲板 一張特大雙人床 + 一張雙人床 + 一張雙人沙發床" }'>Approx. 224 sq.m Max Occupancy 6 Deck 17 1 King-sized Bed + 1 Queen-size Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed

Palace Penthouse

可容納人數4-6人* 位於13/16層甲板 一張特大雙人床 + 一張雙人沙發床 / 一張雙人床 + 兩張雙人沙發床 / 一張雙人床 + 一張雙人沙發床 (*如有特殊需求，指定皇宮行政套房的可容納人數可增加至6人，視預定情況而定)" }'>Approx. 56 - 115.4 sq.m Max Occupancy 4-6* Deck 13/16 1 King-size Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed / 1 Queen-size Bed + 2 Double Sofa Beds/ 1 Queen-size Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed (* The maximum occupancy of designated Palace Penthouss can be up to 6 guests upon request, subject to stateroom availability)

Palace Deluxe Premium

可容納人數4人 位於9/10/11/12/13/15層甲板 一張特大雙人床 + 一張雙人沙發床" }'>From 41 - 61 sq.m Max Occupancy 4 Deck 9/10/11/12/13/15 1 King-size Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed

Palace Deluxe Suite

可容納人數4人 位於15層甲板 一張雙人床 + 一張雙人沙發床" }'>From 41 sq.m Max Occupancy 4 Deck 15 1 Queen-size Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed

Palace Suite

可容納人數4人 位於13/15/16/17層甲板 一張雙人床 + 一張雙人沙發床" }'>From 37 - 40 sq.m Max Occupancy 4 Deck 13/15/16/17 1 Queen-size Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed

Balcony Deluxe Stateroom

可容納人數3-4人 位於8/9/10/11/12/13/15層甲板 一張雙人床 + 一張單人沙發床/一張單人沙發床 + 一張壁櫃床/一張雙人沙發床" }'>From 22 - 28 sq.m Max Occupancy 2-4 Deck 8/9/10/11/12/13/15 1 Queen-size Bed + 1 Single Sofa Bed / 1 Single Sofa Bed + 1 Ceiling Pullman Bed / 1 Double Sofa Bed

Balcony Stateroom

可容納人數2-4人 位於8/9/10/11/12/13/15層甲板 一張雙人床 + 一張單人沙發床/一張單人沙發床 + 一張壁櫃床/一張雙人沙發床" }'>From 20 sq.m Max Occupancy 3-4 Deck 8/9/10/11/12/13/15 1 Queen-size Bed + 1 Single Sofa Bed / 1 Single Sofa Bed + 1 Ceiling Pullman Bed / 1 Double Sofa Bed

Oceanview Stateroom

位於5/9/10/11/12/13層甲板 兩張單人床 / 兩張單人床 + 一張雙人沙發床 / 兩張單人床 + 一張單人沙發床" }'>From 16 - 35 sq.m Max Occupancy 2-4 Deck 5/9/10/11/12/13 2 Single Beds / 2 Single beds + 1 double Sofa Bed / 2 Single beds + 1 Single Sofa Bed

Interior Stateroom

可容納人數2-4人^ 位於5/8/9/10/11/12/13/15層甲板 兩張單人床 / 兩張單人床+ 一張壁櫃床 / 一張單人床 + 一張壁櫃床 + 一張雙人沙發床 (^上圖為2人房佈局圖，另有3人及4人房可供選擇） " }'>From 13 - 14 sq.m Max Occupancy 2-4^ Deck 5/8/9/10/11/12/13/15 2 Single Beds / 2 Single Beds + 1 Ceiling Pullman Bed / 1 Single Bed + 1 Pullman Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed (^ The image shown is for a stateroom configuration for 2 persons - other stateroom configurations for 3 persons & 4 persons are also available)

At 335m end to end, we’re bigger than a skyscraper and way more fun.

VIEW 360 VR

Gross Tonnage

(下舖床位)" }'>Passenger Capacity (Lower Berth)

Meyer Werft Germany

Ship Manufacturer

Fresh Air Ventilation System

Resorts Cruising At Sea

來最佳的度假體驗。在您探索東南亞的所有景點 時享受難忘的體驗。" }'>At Resorts World Cruises, we bring the classic resort experience to you even while at sea. Enjoy elevated experience while you explore all that Southeast Asia has to offer.

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$49-a-day standby cruise offer that includes Whittier sailings could be a dream, or a nightmare

A cruise ship in port at Whittier in 2023. (Anne Raup / ADN)

For last-minute adventure seekers or those who love a good deal, Holland America Line has introduced a unique Standby List Program , offering travelers the chance to cruise for as little as $49 a day.

The concept is simple: Travelers add their names to a standby list for a specific itinerary, and if unsold rooms become available, they’ll be notified two to seven days before departure.

Cruise ships participating in the program depart from Whittier, Alaska; Seattle; San Diego; Boston; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Montreal; Quebec City; and Vancouver, B.C.

Although the program offers huge savings, it has a few catches. Standby passengers do not have control over their stateroom category, must be ready to embark on short notice and must be prepared for the possibility of not being selected (in which case they’ll receive a full refund). Young families are also excluded, because the fares are available only to those 21 and older.

“Travelers who want to benefit from a standby fare should keep in mind that once confirmed, Holland America Line assigns their room,” Rob Clabbers, founder and president of the agency Q Cruise + Travel, told Condé Nast Traveler . “While that might result in savings, it means travelers may end up in the last remaining and likely less preferred location — above a theater or night club (or) all the way forward or aft. While this may work for some, it is definitely not recommended for those who fear seasickness, have mobility issues, would like to be close to travel companions, (or) want to be near or away from elevators,” he said.

However, the payoff could be significant for those willing to roll the dice, especially for group travelers. The third and fourth guests in a stateroom can sail almost for free, paying only taxes and fees.

Despite the uncertainties, the allure of deeply discounted fares and the excitement of a last-minute adventure may be enough to entice daring travelers. As one Reddit user put it, “I feel like (a) 7-day notice for going to Hawaii is the kind of anxiety I need in my life.”

Autonomous vehicle company cruises into Sunnyvale in major expansion

 A General Motors-backed autonomous vehicle company is setting up shop in Sunnyvale as part of a major Bay Area expansion that will bring hundreds of tech jobs to the South Bay.

Cruise, an independent subsidiary of automaker General Motors, is opening a new office in Sunnyvale at 840 W. California Ave. in Sunnyvale.

The company said it expects to employ 400 people at the new Sunnyvale office.

General Motors, Honda Motor, a Softbank fund, Walmart and Microsoft all own stakes in Cruise through various investments.

Cruise is awaiting final regulatory approval from the state Public Utilities Commission for a permit to begin commercial operations for a fleet of robotaxis in San Francisco.

San Francisco-based Cruise said it needed to open a Sunnyvale office to tap the vast number of skilled workers in Silicon Valley and to help reduce the brutal commutes for its employees to the company’s head offices in San Francisco.

“We are reinforcing our commitment to the Bay Area, and investing in Sunnyvale to alleviate commuting pressures to San Francisco for current employees, and make Cruise more accessible to the diverse talent pool that resides in the South Bay,” Cruise said in comments emailed to this news organization.

At present, Cruise employs more than 2,000 workers and intends to ramp up its workforce by 20% during 2022.

“This office will house 400 employees and be custom-built for several critical Cruise teams, mainly housing divisions of our engineering departments,” Cruise said.

Cruise is using a hybrid approach for its return to the office in the wake of the economic dislocations unleashed by the coronavirus.

“We want to be thoughtful about weighing commute times with meaningful connection,” Cruise said.

Sunnyvale officials embraced Cruise’s arrival.

“We are excited to welcome Cruise to Sunnyvale and look forward to their future growth and success,” Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein said. “Cruise will be a wonderful addition to our business community.”

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7 amazing cruise itineraries to book in 2024

I don't know about you, but each year, as the weather turns cold, I start daydreaming about getting out of Dodge — or, in my case, Pennsylvania. My mind wanders to cruises that will take me to places where the temperature is warmer, but I also take a hard look at the (exceptionally lengthy) list of places I'm longing to visit.

After digging through what's new for 2024, I've come up with a shortlist of sailings that I think are noteworthy. They range from a standard Bahamas voyage with a new twist and an extended Alaska sailing that includes a foray across the Arctic Circle to more far-flung destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Dream on, dear reader, and add these to your list of 2024 cruise itineraries.

Note: All prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, unless otherwise noted. Fares do not include taxes and fees.

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Seabourn's 'Kimberley Expedition: Waterfalls and Wandjinas' itinerary

Last year, the Australia and New Zealand cruise region gained momentum following the pandemic shutdown. In 2024, the hardly populated Australia region of The Kimberley is gaining popularity. Luxury cruise brand Seabourn will be offering a series of six 10-night voyages between Broome and Darwin on expedition vessel Seabourn Pursuit during what will be early winter in the southern hemisphere.

The line's " Kimberley Expedition: Waterfalls and Wandjinas " will take passengers to places along the coast few passengers are able to visit to see the stunning teal waters and horizontal waterfalls of Talbot Bay, sample wines in the Hunter River Region and check out nature preserves in Wyndham.

Details: The first sailing, from Darwin to Broome, embarks on June 12. The final voyage, from Broome to Darwin, departs on Aug. 1. Prices start from $6,134 per person ($613 per person, per night), double occupancy, for the July 2 cruise. All accommodations are suites with balconies.

Celebrity's 'Best of Japan' and 'Vietnam and Thailand' cruises

The number of voyages in Asia was trending upward notably prior to 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought cruising in the region to an extended halt. And it's once again on the rise. Following that curve, Celebrity Cruises will be running new 11- to 13-night Asia sailings in 2024 on two ships — Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Solstice — that bring stops in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand.

What's notable about the offerings is that they will aim to immerse passengers further into the destinations by including overnights in a total of 11 ports across all itineraries. That means more time to explore Hanoi's Old Quarter as the sun sets, indulge in nighttime gastronomy in Hong Kong, visit one of Bangkok's many markets, or learn why Osaka is known for street food.

Details: Celebrity Millennium's " Best of Japan " cruises run from early mid-March to early October. At press time, the least expensive fares — for a 12-night sailing — start from $1,330 per person ($111 per person, per night) for an inside cabin. It travels round-trip from Yokohama and visits Hiroshima, Pusan and other ports, including Osaka, where the ship will overnight.

Celerbrity Solstice's Vietnam and Thailand cruises kick off in mid-January and run through March. The ship will resume them again in the fall of 2024 and run through the winter season. Prices start from $1,255 per person ($105 per person, per night) for an inside cabin. The voyage sails from Hong Kong to Singapore with stops in Da Nang and Koh Samui, plus overnights in Hanoi and Bangkok.

SeaDream's 'Yachting the Adriatic & Greek Isles' sailing

Here's one to put on your radar if you're looking to book — but not necessarily sail — in 2024. It's a new Mediterranean itinerary that doesn't start up for nearly three more years, in 2026. The SeaDream routing brings stops at seven ports that are rarely visited by cruise passengers. During the seven-night voyages, there will be calls at Primosten, Croatia; Cesme, Turkey; Cetubal, Portugal; and Kythira, Kythnos, Syvota and Tinos, Greece — making these sailings unique and well-suited to anyone who loves the region but who's looking for new places to experience.

SeaDream's small ships, each of which carries just 112 people, are able to reach locales about which passengers on megaships can only fantasize. Couple that with excellent service, and you'll be visiting the Our Lady of Loretto statue in Primosten, touring the Cesme Castle and lounging on stunning Greek beaches from a home base that puts you squarely in the lap of luxury.

Details: An itinerary that includes three of the seven new ports is the 11-night " Yachting the Adriatic & Greek Isles " itinerary from Venice, Italy, to Athens, Greece, departing on Aug. 8, 2026, on SeaDream I. Prices start from $10,399 per person ($946 per person, per night) for a room with a porthole view.

Holland America's 'Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice' Legendary Voyage

Alaska is an absolute must for anyone who enjoys the vastness of untouched wilderness, the wildlife it houses and adventurous pursuits it provides. (Think whale-watching, hiking on glaciers and salmon fishing.) However, Holland America 's Westerdam is hosting a 28-day sailing that's anything but your standard cruise to the Last Frontier .

Passengers will visit the usual Alaska ports, such as Ketchikan, Sitka and Juneau, with scenic sailing through the Inside Passage, past Hubbard Glacier and to Glacier Bay. But they can also expect less-common stops at places like Nome, Kodiak, Anchorage (with an overnight) and Homer. Plus, about halfway through, this cruise crosses the Arctic Circle — a rite of passage for many travelers.

Details: Holland America's 28-day " Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice " cruise — one of the line's Legendary Voyages, known for longer durations and a unique mix of port calls — sails June 9-July 7, round-trip from Seattle. Inside cabins start from $5,299 per person (about $189 per person, per night).

Silversea's summertime French Polynesia cruises

Another consideration for future travel is Silversea Cruises , which is featuring its first full-summer season in French Polynesia in 2026. Silver Whisper will offer two immersive itineraries, including overnights, across 17 voyages between April and September.

Passengers can choose seven-night sailings that visit idyllic favorites like Tahiti, Moorea and Huahine and which also include overnights in Bora Bora. Or, they can cruise for twice as long by selecting a 14-night voyage that calls on the same ports as the seven-night option but with Fakarava, Nuku Hiva, Fatu Hiva, Atuona and Tahuata added.

Details: Silversea's seven-night voyages begin April 6, 2026, and start from $5,650 per person ($808 per person, per night) for an ocean-view cabin.

The line's 14-night sailings start on April 20, 2026. Fares start from $10,450 per person ($747 per person, per night) for ocean-view accommodations.

New Bermuda voyages on Carnival Venezia

Beginning in May of 2025, Carnival Cruise Line 's Carnival Venezia will sail a series of eight four- and five-night cruises to Bermuda from New York. These itineraries are notable because the line is aiming to increase its presence there but also because the style of the ship is new to even most of the brand's most dedicated passengers.

In 2022, Carnival announced its Costa by Carnival concept after revealing it would be transferring ships from its Costa sister brand to the Carnival fleet. Now, when travelers visit the Gibb's Hill Lighthouse or check out the island's renowned pink-sand beaches during a sailing on Carnival Venezia, they can enjoy both the Italian style of the ship and Carnival's fun atmosphere and high service standards.

Details: Voyages kick off on May 22, 2025. Prices start from $429 per person ($108 per person, per night) for an inside cabin on a four-night cruise departing Sept. 18, 2025.

Disney Cruise Line's Lighthouse Point itineraries

Disney Cruise Line 's new Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point , a private destination on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera, is set to open in June with a three-night preview sailing on June 6 aboard Disney Magic. Following the initial voyage, the line will run regular three- to seven-night voyages to Lighthouse Point on Disney Magic, Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream.

The island will feature a dedicated family beach and water play area, an arts and culture pavilion focused on Bahamian culture, 20 family cabanas, an adults-only beach and a selection of shore excursion options.

Details: Prices for itineraries that include Lighthouse Point start from $624 per person ($208 per person, per night) for a three-night cruise on Disney Magic. The cruise departs Nov. 5 and sails from Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.