This is the second time to experience Dream Cruise, we just went in Dec 2020 but because of the promotion deal, we went again in April 2021. This time we wanted to have more time to relax so we get the 4D3N package which only cost SGD189 per pax. Previously we booked 3D2N but cost us more than SGD400+ per person.
This time the theme is Amazing Thailand while last Dec, it was a Christmas theme. So Thai music was aired in the background, movies, Muay Thai training, massages, and street food can be all experienced in the cruise ship.
Just like the first time we went in Dec 2020, we had to pass the swab test before boarding. This time the swab test for covid 19 took longer than expected. It took almost 2 hours to complete the test, the lines are just long but everything is still in order.
The actual swab test took less than 5 min, this time the cotton bud used is slightly thicker than the last, so it can’t go deeper, hence you don’t feel it at all. More comfortable than the thinner cotton bud.
This time there is no covid test upon arrival back in Singapore. You can immediately leave the terminal and go home.
In this blog, I am going to talk about the hidden gem and some tips that were not covered in my previous blog.
Trace together app or trace together token
Please make sure to have your trace-together app downloaded on your phone or you can go get a trace-together token.
Download Dream cruise app before you boarding
The app allows you to check on the information pages on daily timetable and booking shows through the apps.
If you wanted to connect your friends and family outside the cruise, checking on Facebook and Instagram then you may want to pay for the wifi package. For standard package, 3 night, is SGD27 per device or family or buddle package up to 4 devices cost SGD81 for 3 Nights.
If you are bringing your kids along, I would suggest you not to subscribe the wifi and let them focus and play on the cruise. You can still connect with them by using the Dream Cruise app on board and it is free.
Carry your own luggage to board the cruise ship
Once you have gotten the test result, you can go drop your luggage at the front desk. But I would suggest you bring your own luggage with you if you can. This is because once you are on board, you can immediately go to the waterpark to play. If you drop the luggage at the front desk, you won’t be getting your luggage that soon and can be as late as 7 pm. By 7 pm, the waterpark is closed.
Parking
If you are coming by car, the parking cost is below for your reference.
Drive Cruise Package
- 4 Days 3 Nights $45
- 5 Days 4 Nights $55
- 6 Days 5 Nights $65
The need for safe distancing means there will be capacity limitations for all activities and amenities. This could mean that only a certain number of people will be allowed at, say, the pool, with similar restrictions at restaurants and lounges.
The boarding time is around 2 pm. Once you board on the cruise ship, the first thing you should do is go to the waterpark at deck 16 and book the facilities for the pool and jacuzzi. You cannot do the booking through phones for the pool and jacuzzi. You have to go in person and book with the crew on duty. They will check on the availability manually and write you the time slot on the paper.
Only 2 people are allowed in the jacuzzi and there is a certain number for the pool too. Do not go to Lido for your lunch first, the line will be too long after your lunch.
Once you have booked the facilities for the pool, then go have your lunch at the Lido buffet. Also, don’t forget to book all the shows you wanted to watch through the Dream Cruise app.
Booking of Gym if you are a gymrat
Go book for your time slot for the gym if you are a gymrat like me. You can have your meal first, the line for the gym is not long as they aren’t many people so eager to workout on the cruise, but a lot more wanted to use the pool and play with the water. The gym starts as early as 7 am and each time slot is about one and half hour.
There is only one smith machine, some cable machines, treadmills, and free weights. No Olympic bar and no squat rack.
It is amazing to workout on the cruise ship because the window is just next to you and you can look at the sea and workout, it is a different feeling and experience.
Palace on the World Dream
The Palace on the World Dream is a separate premium section at the top of the cruise ship. In another word, it is a VIP treatment with premium charges. But then you get a private lounge, dine at different restaurant, using a private deck and pool. I got a good peep from the Palm Court Bar. I can see the Palace residents enjoy their privacy more and less crowds too.
On top of that, you also got complimentary access to spa facilities, free wifi, priority check-in, VIP lounge access, and 24 hours butler service. Well, if you are willing to pay a premium, then you can enjoy the VIP treatment.
What to wear?
For some inclusive restaurants, slippers are not allowed to enter.
Bring along:
- shoes,
- slippers for pool
- swimsuit
- gym clothing and workout shoes
- sun hat
- sunscreen & sunglasses.
- Try not to bring expensive jewelry because you are not allowed to wear necklaces, earring, bangles, bracelets, and rings when you play the waterslides and outdoor activities such as rope course, zipline, and rock climbing.
- A jacket especially for the elderly, it gets quite cold in the restaurant and theatre.
A good pair of sports shoes is recommended especially when you are doing the rope course.
Bring your own socks for Rock Climbing
You have to have your own socks when you do the rock climbing. However, rock climbing shoes will be provided. Ladies you may want to bring some stretchable long pants for rock climbing. Shorts would be a bit risky as people may be able to see through from the bottom. Also long pants can protect scratches from the rocks if any.
Where to shoot the best picture for the Zipline rope course?
If you want to take a good video of your rope course journey, ask your photographer to go one level higher than where you start your rope course journey. Then he or she can capture clearly when you do the final part of the zipline over to the other end.
The VR Game
During my visit, every day there is a certain time having special promotions for VR games. Please find out from the daily timetable to check for the promotion before you try out the VR game. We paid for SGD18 for 2 games only for a person and each game lasted only 5 mins. SGD 18 is after the promotion.
Balcony stateroom vs Balcony deluxe stateroom
What is the difference? The difference is not that big, to be honest. We booked balcony deluxe stateroom in Dec 2020 and balcony stateroom in April this year. Both have 1 queen-size bed, 1 double sofa bed. The obvious difference is in the bathroom toilet. For the Balcony Deluxe stateroom, there are 2 basins and a bathtub, and a shower but for Balcony stateroom, only shower and a single basin. I don’t usually use bathtub so I would suggest just go for the balcony stateroom is good enough. The difference in size is 22 sq.m vs 20 sq.m so there is only 2 sq.m different and you can’t spot it at all.
For deluxe, we paid an extra 40 for 2 Nights per person.
Zouk Beach Club
Zouk Beach Club is where you could watch outdoor movies on a giant LED screen, the experience is wonderful because the backdrop is not the wall but is the wide big ocean. During my visit, the Dazzle Trio performed the songs from Teresa Teng in Zouk Beach Club. The sound system is really wonderful there.
World Dream BINGO
Buy the bingo at SGD$20 each and win big price. Check the timetable for the Bingo time.
Dining in Dream Cruise
There are 4 inclusive restaurants in Dream Cruise, for Lido located at deck 16 near the pool, it is buffet style serving international cuisine.
The other 2 restaurants serve Western and Chinese cuisine. The daily menu is fixed and food will bring to your table. For Chinese, it usually has about 4 dishes, a soup, 3 dishes and end with the Chinese dessert such as Ching Teng or red bean soup.
As for the western, it has salad and soup for a starter, main course, either fish, meat or pasta or pizza and end with a well-decorated dessert. For Chinese and Western restaurants, please go early. Just walk in a bit earlier before the restaurant starts, once it full, you will have to wait for other timing. They will give you a later timing such as 1.30 pm for lunch or 8.00 pm for dinner.
And yes, there is a 24 hours snack corner located outside Lido in case you are hungry when all the restaurants are closed.
The Chinese restaurant breakfast with dim sum style.
Western desserts are so yummy and you could order all of them from the menu.
Non-inclusive Restaurant
Some other non-inclusive restaurants are Umi-Uma, the Japanese and the Hotpot.
Hidden Gem no. 1 – The secret pathway around the ship
This is the second time we join Dream Cruise, the first time was only 2 nights and it was very rush to check out everything on the cruise ship, plus there are so many activities to join, few shows to watch, and restaurants to dine in. So, we don’t have enough time to see the whole ship. This time we have 3 nights plus it was the second time with Dream Cruise so I have more time to explore places that I have never seen yet. Amazingly, I found a hidden gem at deck 7 or 8, you can enter from Hot Pot restaurant, follow the path and it will lead you to the outdoor open-air pathway. I walked the entire pathway, it is wheelchair friendly and there are no stairs. The pathway makes one big round of the ship so you are walking one big round of the whole ship from deck 7, 8 and 9. The best thing is, it looks like not many people know about this secret pathway because we didn’t meet anyone at all. It was an amazing walk and very relaxing. Trust me, if you happen to board on Dream Cruise, go find this hidden gem. If you happen to dine at Hotpot restaurant, not an inclusive restaurant. They offer outdoor seating overlooking the sea view. You can walk on the pathway and it leads you to the next destination, the ship captain control room.
Hidden Gem no2 – The Ship Captain Control Room
This is the main control center of the ship, lucky enough we saw the head of the captain using binocular looking at the sea. Only authorized personnel are allowed to enter this area and the highest-ranking officer of the watch is generally placed in charge in this control room.
Hidden Gem no 3 – Captain Room in Deck 15
Captain Room is on deck 15, where the gym and spa located. Walked past the gym and there is a door leading you to get a closer look at the captain room. There are about 6 captains maneuvering the ship and coordinating with the engine room. The control room houses the radar system, steering controls and other complicated equipment for navigation purposes. The room also located with a clear view both ahead and abeam, it does have good visibility. I have a look at the captain’s background and found they are from Singapore, China and Finland and Sweden.
Show Performances
During my visit, we watched Faith, skilled acrobatic performances from Ukraine. You cannot miss this show. Another good show is the Magic show, the magician is from French. Handsome and having a cute French accent. It is both interactive and engaging as the audience will get to experience the magic right before their eyes. Please make the booking through the dream cruise app once you are onboard.
Light and Sound show
The light and sound shows happen in deck 16 near the pool area. It only lasts for 5 mins and you should not miss this. No booking is needed as it was conducted in the open air.
Beverage package
You can purchase beverage package which includes all types of alcoholic drinks, cocktails, mocktails, wines, good coffee, mocha, cappuccino, hot chocolate, tea, soft drinks, and juices at a very good deal. During my visit in April, the premium package cost SGD 235, Classic package SGD 138, and refresh package cost SGD90. Different timing may have a slightly different price ranges.
If you enjoy beers, wine, and cocktails, you have to get the package as it is so worth it and cheap. Please note that there is no alcohol serve after 10 pm at all the bars on the cruise ship. On the check-out day, the last drink stop at 9 am. The ship usually arrives in Singapore at around 9-10 am.
Majong booking
I have see few groups of people playing majoing whole day at deck 16, near the pools. It is actually convenient because when they get hungry or thirsty, they can just walked over to the snacks corner which opens 24 hours to get something to fill their stomachs.
Dream Cruise Medical Center
The 24/7 medical center can only be visited via phone appointment. There are doctors onboard each sailing and 7 staterooms have been converted into isolation cabins to house suspected and positive cases. If the guest tests positive for Covid 19, all activities will seize and all guests asked to return to their cabins, while the ship will return to Singapore immediately.
Disembarkation
Cruise ship usually arrives back to Singapore shore at around 8-9 am in the morning. On the day of disembarkation, please have your breakfast early as it ends at 9 am. The last drink from the beverage package also stops at 9 am. After your breakfast, please go to the lobby at deck 6 to pay for your gratuity and other consumption that you have spent. For 3 nights cruise, the gratuity tax cost about SGD60 plus per person. Then you can go back to your room and wait for the staff to knock on your door for disembarkation. Disembarkation was conducted in sequential order by deck, each assigned to different timeslots. Ours at deck 11 and was out at around 10 am. Going through the custom only takes less than 10 mins. And there is no covid swab test on the arrival in Singapore. We can go straight to the car park to get our car and go home.
Final thoughts:
This time with more guests on board, the Lido buffet was fully opened so guests can get their food from the bar easily. The queue is still not that bad and everything is still in order with many cruise ambassadors on boards and crew staff working to make sure everything is taking care of and in order.
And yes, don’t forget to visit the captain’s room and check out all the handsome captains on board. Lastly, please also go find the secret pathway, the entrance is near hotpot restaurant. The pathway walk is simply amazing, you get to seaview from a different perspective and with lots of privacy.
Lastly, for those who wanted to enjoy a gateway on the high seas, now is probably the best time to make that booking.
Enjoy your holiday.
You can find more information at the youtube below: