The Cruise My last cruise was with Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas few years ago and I had the chance to get onboard Genting Dream Cruises this month. A short 3-day, 2-night cruise on Genting Dream feels less like a holiday packed with itineraries and more like a purposeful escape — one where your only real decision is whether to lounge by the pool, queue for hotpot, or catch another show at night. 

Sailing regularly out of Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Genting Dream positions itself as a “luxury-lite” cruise experience tailored for the Asian market, with a strong emphasis on food, entertainment, and high-density fun. 

And with itineraries like Singapore to Melaka, you get just enough port time to say you “travelled”, without disrupting the main event—which is the ship itself. 

This isn’t a quiet, introspective, European-style cruise. Think of it more as a floating integrated resort: high-energy, family-friendly, occasionally chaotic, but entertaining. 

The Room I stayed at one of the entry rooms which is the Balcony Stateroom. At around ~20–21 sqm, the room feels comfortably sized for a short cruise, with a layout that is clean and functional. 

It is always nice to have a balcony even though it is not huge. 

In-room amenities are fairly standard: TV, ensuite bathroom with shower, basic toiletries, minibar, and a safe. Nothing overly luxurious, but everything works—and on a short cruise, that is more than enough. 

It is not quite five-star hotel level, but easily the best value-to-experience ratio on the ship. 

The Facilities The real reason most people book Genting Dream isn’t the cabin—it is everything outside of it and this is true to a large extent. 

Spread across multiple decks, the ship packs in an almost overwhelming range of facilities. Highlights include: 

• Waterslide park with multiple slides for all thrill levels 

• Ropes course and 35m zipline for that “Instagram moment” over the ocean   

• Swimming pools, jacuzzis, and outdoor decks for lazy afternoons   

• Zouk Beach Club for daytime parties and surprisingly lively nightlife   

• Glow bowling, arcade, and kids clubs—great for families 

• Theatre shows ranging from acrobatics to musical-style productions 

• Spa and gym for those pretending this is a wellness trip 

In addition, there is also something constantly happening—live music, performances, themed events—which makes it almost impossible to feel bored. 

The trade-off? It can feel crowded, especially during peak hours. This is very much a “mass premium” experience rather than an exclusive one. 

The Restaurants Let’s be honest—like most cruises, Genting Dream is really about eating as well. 

With over 35 dining outlets onboard, the variety spans across Asian, Western, and everything in between. But it is also important to manage expectations: only a handful is complimentary, while many specialty restaurants come at extra cost. Here are some of the main concepts to expect: 

Complimentary Dining 

• The Lido Buffet 
  A sprawling buffet with Asian and international dishes, plus halal and vegetarian options. Functional, reliable, but can get crowded fast. 

• Dream Dining (Upper & Lower) 
  A slightly more refined experience with Chinese (upper) and Western (lower) menus in a semi-buffet format. This is your go-to for proper sit-down meals. 

Specialty Dining (Paid, but worth considering) 

• Umi Uma – Japanese teppanyaki and Korean BBQ, interactive and fun 

• Hotpot – Great for groups, especially for dinner with sea views 

• Silk Road – Classic Chinese banquet-style dishes with a premium feel 

• Steakhouse & other concepts – For when you want to dial it up a little 

The food quality is decent but not outstanding, at least for the ones I tried at The Lido buffet and Dream Dining. 

The downside? Queues. Lots of them at the complimentary concepts. Timing your meals becomes almost a strategy game. 

As part of Dream Cruises’ 10th anniversary program, they are having a limited-time dining collaboration with Chef Tommie Lee (aka “French Papa” from Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars Season 2) at specialty restaurant, Bistro.

Enjoy a 5-course French menu at S$90 nett per person. I managed to try this special collab on board and needless to say, it was my best meal. 

Rants The main pool is perpetually crowded, so are the complimentary restaurants. Wifi needs to be purchased, and connectivity speed is not that fast. 

Overall Experience A short, fuss-free getaway that delivers a resort-like experience at sea without the need for long travel planning. It is ideal for families and groups, couples looking for a casual short break and anyone who prioritizes food, entertainment, and convenience. It is less ideal for those seeking quiet luxury or exclusivity and those who dislike crowds or structured dining timings. Genting Dream may not be ultra-luxury, but it hits a very practical sweet spot especially for Singapore-based travellers. 

Ranted by The Ranter