A Memorable Family Getaway on Genting Dream Cruise

It has been a good 13 years since I last went on a cruise trip!

The key consideration for this trip was to bring both my parents and in-laws along for this short getaway. Going on Genting Dream Cruise fit the agenda as both the elders and the young will have something to do.

Easy Boarding at Marina Bay Cruise Centre

My fading memory from the last trip prepared me for a long and messy boarding and I am glad that I couldn’t be more wrong about that. Marina Bay Cruise Centre is much bigger than Harbour Front and is able to cater to the larger number of passengers.

The boarding process was seamless. After dropping our luggage, I was able to exchange for our room keys in less than 10 minutes. While the waiting time for boarding was much longer, it’s similar to taking a flight. There are enough seats for resting and the staff staff boarded passengers in organised groups.

Comfortable Accommodation at Balcony Class

As I’ve gotten older and my budget has increased, I opted for a Balcony Class cabin. While still relatively small compared to landed hotel rooms, it was significantly more comfortable than my previous experiences in State Rooms. Additionally, it came with complimentary Wi-Fi for two devices and a 10% discount for onshore excursions.

Ample Food Options

From international buffets to Chinese and Western cuisine, there were plenty of dining options included in the cruise fare. For those who wanted to avoid queues or try something different, there were also many specialty restaurants.

The queues were manageable as we rarely waited more than half an hour for a table. As an easy eater, I found the food, particularly from the Chinese restaurant, to be delicious.

Unfortunately, we didn’t take any food photos this time. However, the fact that I gained 2 kg after the cruise speaks for itself!

Onboard Activities for Bonding

A major draw for many Genting Dream cruisers is Resort World at Sea, where my parents and in-laws spent a fair bit of their time. I didn’t partake in the gambling, but the rows of slot machines spanning three decks were quite impressive. Perhaps one day, without the kids, I’ll give it a try.

Meanwhile, my family and I enjoyed the swimming pool, water slides, rope course, arcade, and bowling alley. With a more mature crowd on board, we had easy access to these activities.

The pool and rope course were free, and the arcade was reasonably priced at S$1 per game. Bowling, however, was a bit more expensive at S$10 per person per game. Through the activities, we had a great time bonding as a family.

Onshore Excursions to Penang

We only ventured on shore in Penang. As a lazy planner, I simply opted for one of the cruise’s pre-arranged shore excursions. I chose the package that included visits to Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si Temple, and Gurney Paragon Mall.

Apart from a minor incident involving a couple of passengers who overstayed at the temple, the excursion was enjoyable. While I’m not religious, I appreciate the intricate details of the temple’s statues.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that our package included an express pass for the funicular ride up Penang Hill. Looking at the long queue for the return journey, I was grateful for the time saved and the improved experience.

Amazing Shows

The Zodiac Theatre hosted daily shows, but we only managed to catch the final night’s performance. We were impressed by the singing, dancing, and acrobatic displays, which were enhanced by dazzling lights and props.

However, our favourite performance was an impromptu dance by one of the crew members to the APT song as we disembarked. His talent was truly impressive and provided a fantastic end to our cruise. Check out the short video at the end of the post to see for yourself.

What’s the Damage?

No financial blog is complete without discussing the cost, right?

On average, this cruise cost slightly more than S$900 per person, including travel insurance. That’s 30% higher than last year’s 5D4N trip to KL-Genting, which came in at S$675 per person.

While last year’s trip offered more activities and better accommodations, this cruise experience was still enjoyable. Most importantly, I’m grateful that my parents and in-laws (parents, brother, and sister) could join us on this trip.

Given the priceless memories we made, I’m happy to have invested a bit more in this experience. Here’s a highlight video to relive the fun.