Genting Dream: Cruise experience (1 of 5)
About the ship
MV Genting Dream (IMO 9733105, Nassau) is a cruise ship owned and operated by Dream Cruises, a subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong. At 150,695 tonnes, she ranks 21st among the largest cruise ships in the world as of September 2019.
Genting Dream belongs to the Breakaway class, a class of 8 cruise ships built by Meyer Werft for Genting Hong Kong’s cruise lines. Six of these ships are owned and operated by Norwegian Cruise Line (Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Encore), while two are operated by Dream Cruises (Genting Dream and World Dream).
Day 1: Embarkation and Departure from Singapore
Genting Dream’s cruises start from Marina Bay Cruise Centre, a large purpose-built cruise terminal located at Marina South Pier.
Check-in process is as follows:
– Assign boarding group
– Security screening
– Check-in
– Issuance of cabin card
– Immigration clearance
– Embarkation
– Assign boarding group
– Security screening
– Check-in
– Issuance of cabin card
– Immigration clearance
– Embarkation
As I have arrived early, I was assigned to the first non-priority boarding group.
Refreshments are available while waiting for embarkation call.
My first view of the large, 160,000-tonne cruise ship.
Walking up the air-conditioned gangway.
This is the one of the ship’s two lift lobbies. Each lift lobby is served by eight lifts. These lift lobbies divide the ship into three sections – forward, mid, and aft.
At the ship’s scheduled departure time of 1700 hrs, the ship’s security officers began preparations to close the embarkation gate at Deck 7 (boat deck).
After departure clearance has been obtained, a MBCC staff retracted the gangway while the embarkation gate is locked.
Mooring lines off, ready for departure!
Marina Ariel, a 5000BHP tugboat stands by at the ship’s port quarter, ready to provide assistance if needed.
Despite her large size, Genting Dream is actually quite nimble at port manoeuvres thanks to her three powerful bow thrusters and two azimuth thrusters that can swivel 180° to work as a stern thruster. The tugboat Marina Ariel did provide some assistance by giving a solid pull to stop the ship’s turn after she turned away from MBCC’s berth.
Bye Singapore, see you in 5 days’ time.
Less than 20 minutes after departure, a pilot boat approached Genting Dream from port quarter.
The pilot that navigated Genting Dream out of the cruise terminal is now safely on board his pilot boat.
Dining Venues (Inclusive)
The ship has a total of three inclusive dining venues where passengers may dine at no additional cost.
Dream Dining Room at decks 7 and 8 is the main dining hall of Genting Dream. The dining hall is divided into two dining rooms – Dream Dining Room (Upper) and Dream Dining Room (Lower).
Dream Dining Room (Lower) serves an international buffet breakfast in the morning with eggs to order, and either a Western or Chinese set menu for lunch and dinner.
Western set menu consists of:
- Appetizer salad (usually a choice of a meat variant or a meat-free variant)
- Soup
- Entree (usually a choice of fowl, seafood or red meat)
- Dessert
- Bread with butter
- Choice of tea or coffee
Vegetarians can opt for a vegetarian bento at the Western section of the dining room.
Chinese set menu consists of:
- Appetizer (usually a platter of roast meat)
- Soup
- Fish
- Prawn or other seafood
- Pork
- Fowl or egg dish
- Vegetables
- Dessert
Dream Dining Room (Upper) serves a Chinese set menu for all three meals of the day. The lunch and dinner menu of this dining room is the same as those on Dream Dining Room (Lower).
The Chinese breakfast set menu consists of:
- Bun
- Dough fritter (Youtiao)
- Two types of dim sum
- Noodle
- Congee
The Lido at Deck 16 aft serves an extensive international buffet with separate halal and vegetarian sections to cater passengers of different dietary needs.
The Lido also has a 24-hour outdoor dining area serving a selection of sandwiches and finger food.
Dining (Chargeable)
In addition to the inclusive dining venues, Genting Dream also offers a number of chargeable restaurants for passengers who are willing to splurge on exotic food and a unique dining experience.
Silk Road Chinese Restaurant at Deck 6 foward is a cabaret restaurant serving Chinese lunch and dinner menus. The restaurant’s interior is designed and laid out based on the theme of “Old World“, and has a centre stage for cabaret shows during mealtimes.
Blue Lagoon at Deck 7 mid is an East Asia-themed 24-hour cafe serving Asian hawker fare and a selection of international dishes.
Lobby Café at Deck 6 mid serves Southeast Asian delicacies plus a selection of cakes and pastries.
UMI UMA at Deck 8 mid is a Japanese/Korean restaurant with an attached sushi bar and an al fresco dining area.
On Deck 8 mid, there is also a cluster of Mark Best (a well-known Australian restaurateur) restaurants, Seafood Grill by Mark Best, Prime Steakhouse by Mark Best, and an outdoor Boardwalk Burger by Mark Best.
Gelateria at port side boardwalk, Deck 8 mid, offers a selection of premium ice-creams.
Hot Pot at both quarters of the boardwalk is an outdoor steamboat restaurant offering Chinese steamboats for lunch and dinner.
And lastly, there is Crystal Life Cuisine at Deck 15 forward where health-conscious passengers may enjoy a virtuous and nutritious meal of bentos with fresh juices.
(To be continued…)
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