Pandemic cruising: World Dream
Sunday afternoon. Adventure beckons as we stand on the topmost deck of a floating city, looking down at miniaturised Singapore skyline and the ocean beyond. The former well and thoroughly explored, while the latter, still unfathomable and mysterious.
This is our second cruise since the pandemic and our first cruise aboard the World Dream.
Owned and operated by the same company that owns Resorts World Sentosa, the Genting Group, this 17-storey ship is able to accommodate about 3,300 passengers and 2,000 crew members — a figure that is, now, thankfully, halved because of the pandemic.
As one of two cruise companies currently operating from the Marina Bay Cruise centre, the World Dream is a megaship like Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, with enough activities onboard to keep one occupied for several days.
However, the similarities end there.
“But you wanted something different,” said my husband, when I remarked on our jarring, though not entirely unpleasant, experience.
“Well, yeah but this is different different,” I replied, getting increasingly annoyed as the smell of cigarette smoke wafted into our room for the 115th time that day. It turned out we were booked into a balcony cabin that was wedged between two chainsmokers.
But here’s the thing: the Quantum of the Seas and World Dream is designed and built for two very distinct groups of cruisers in mind. If you’re anal like me, here are some differences to take note of before you start booking your next sea getaway.
PRE-DEPARTURE
Quantum of the Seas
You will receive an email 10–14 days prior to your date of sailing with instructions on how to schedule a COVID test. You will, however, be required to travel to a testing facility in the city 48 to 72 hours prior to boarding, but the whole process is very smooth, with minimal waiting times. The results will be released a day later and, if negative, boarding is swift and efficient on the day of your cruise.
5 out of 5.
World Dream
Testing is done on the day itself. You will herded like cows into a carpark-slash-holding pen, where you are confronted with a ghastly scene (unless you are a guest of the Palace Suite).
Waiting time can be a little tedious, so bring some books along if you have kids and dress comfortably because it can get hot. You will then be issued with stickers and allowed to proceed to the testing booths, where there is more waiting involved.
Things move a little faster once the test is completed. You are ushered into another waiting area to wait — again! — for your results. Once your results are issued, you can then begin the process of boarding. The upside is that you don’t have to travel to a different facility to get your tests done but — and this is a big BUT — getting your COVID tests done on the same day drags out the entire boarding process. It took almost 3 hours before we were finally allowed — exhausted and a little frazzled — on the ship. NOT a great start to a vacation.
3 out of 5.
INTERIOR
Quantum of the Seas
We thought the ship was designed beautifully. The main lobby is located in an airy, light-filled atrium and there is also a spacious shopping promenade where the boutiques are located. There are plenty of photo ops and interesting art pieces scattered throughout the boat so you can Instagram flex.
5 out of 5.
World Dream
You can’t miss the casino here — the whole ship is built around it. If you love wagering a bet, then great! If you don’t, then be prepared to traipse past an endless row of slot machines and depressed-looking, jaundiced gamblers to get to your destination.
The lobby is our least favourite spot on the ship because it is reminiscent of a Chinese gulag. It’s not just a lot smaller and more claustrophobic than other ships we’ve been on, the lights are also dimmed to dungeon-mode here, so you won’t be able to tell if it’s day or night — or if there is a prison guard waiting to whip you into gambling submission. Art is random and haphazard, but who has time for that anyway?
2 out of 5.
ROOMS
Quantum of the Seas
We got a room with an extra large balcony and loved hangin’ outside in the evenings when kids are asleep. Room was slightly bigger than your average cruise ship, with a queen-sized bed and a sofa bed.
Our stateroom attendant, Argus, pops by twice a day to clean up our room and prepare the bed for our kids in the evenings. Let’s also not forget that all stateroom attendants are masters at towel art (which was a highlight for our kids)!
5 out of 5.
World Dream
The only extra-large balconies here belong in the Palace Suites, so we had to settle for a regular balcony room that’s similar in terms of layout — but somewhat smaller in size — compared to the Quantum. The toilets on both ships are, fortunately, the same (aka a tight squeeze).
The sofa bed was more of a mattress on the floor and it was never turned into a couch for the duration of our stay, while the balcony was diminutive (we couldn’t use it anyway because of our chainsmoking neighbours).
We had a lady attendant, who was lovely but all business so we didn’t get her name. She comes by only once a day to tidy up our space and was definitely not a towel aficionado.
1 out of 5 if you live next to chainsmokers.
Otherwise, 3.5 out of 5.
FOOD & DRINKS
Quantum of the Seas
There are about about 15 different F&B outlets onboard and 5 of which are complimentary. These including main dining rooms Chic and Silk, buffet restaurant Windjammer, Italian cafe Sorrento’s and light bites at the Seaplex Doghouse. You can opt to dine at a fixed time on all days, but take note that you can’t opt to change it halfway through your cruise.
Food at the specialty dining restaurants are cost extra, unless you buy the dining package or stay in the suite. Prices even in the ship’s swankiest restaurant, Chop’s Grille, is extremely reasonable.
The food was decent enough, although their Western food fares significantly better. The kids were obsessed with Sorrento’s so you can find them here, all day, every day, stuffing their faces with free margherita pizza.
4 out of 5.
World Dream
There are also a good mix of F&B vendors here though but only 3 complimentary restaurants — the Dream dining room (where food is served in courses), The Lido (buffet restaurant) and the Silk Road Chinese Restaurant (which specializes in Chinese food). Fans of Asian grub would be delighted to know that the Dream does great curries and briyanis and even has a small halal section.
But (and this is a big BUT ) there is no possibility of booking a table prior to your cruise so — apart from the buffet restaurant (which always has decent food and an available table) — you’d have to show up EARLY at the restaurant of your choice and hope they have a free spot.
This was pretty stressful for us as the queues can be long, and there are no guarantees that you will be able to get a spot — especially at the Chinese restaurant, which was extremely popular with the locals. We ended up having buffet most of the time.
The additional restaurants, meanwhile, are chargeable (unless you stay in the Place Suite) but prices bordered on the obscene here (a plate of nasi lemak here, for instance, costs SGD12++ compared to SGD39 for a seafood tower at Chop’s Grille in Quantum). Unlike the Quantum where you can buy a drinks / dining package, one can purchase dining vouchers in the Dream and get about 50% off in extra credits in return.
2 out of 5 if you don’t particularly enjoy Asian food.
Otherwise, 4 out of 5.
SPORTS AND RECREATION
Quantum of the Seas
There are enough adult-centric attractions onboard to keep one occupied for a few days. Charged activities like the iFly and North Star are overpriced, while the surf simulator, the bumper cars and the rock climbing wall, while free, have a minimum-height rule. These free attractions require no booking but has super long queues.
The young ‘uns do have several pools to pick from, but the overall set-up is not one that inspires excitement. There is also a lifeguard-cum-Nazi who will make sure your kids toe the line and have as little fun as possible while on holiday.
We liked the Solarium, with its cascading pools and jacuzzis, and the gym, but these are no-go zones for children. So hello to Mr. Grumpy Lifeguard it is!
3 out of 5.
World Dream
Like the Quantum, there are several things to do here that doesn’t require digging into your wallet, like mini golf and rock climbing. The best of these is, however, the obstacle ropes course (which is, also, unfortunately, not open to kids below a certain height, although there is a mini one for children too).
For a fee, guests are able to to ride on a roller coaster or battle with Stormtroopers without leaving their seat at the Esc Experience Lab, a virtual reality studio.
Wait times are much shorter on the Dream because the crowd is older and they probably get their thrill elsewhere — like the casino! — rather than ziplining across the open ocean. YASS.
There are no dedicated adults-only pool / jacuzzis here (but rather, a Palace Suite pool) and the gym was a tiny affair so we skipped that altogether. Unlike the Quantum however, you’d also have to book a spot for the pools and jacuzzis in advance (each slot is limited to an hour).
However, the ship has a fantastic waterpark (no booking needed), with plenty of slides and playful water features, and no grumpy lifeguards so our kids had the best time.
4 out of 5 if you don’t have children.
5 out of 5 if you do.
ENTERTAINMENT
Quantum of the Seas
The Royal Caribbean has a facility in Miami serving as a dedicated training ground, gym and costuming center for every performer on its ships so it’s no surprise that every original production here is Broadway-worthy. The shows here are a no-expenses spared affair, and we were especially impressed by the state-of-the-art theatre that currently hosts Starwater, a curated Gatsby-like show with maximum bling. The only problem is booking a seat to the main shows because of the pandemic — but that is easily sorted with a trip to Guest Services.
There is also a solid lineup of intimate musical performances in bars and lounges throughout the day, including a Spanish guitar duo and a Beatles tribute band, and a daily movie screening of not-so-impressive shows.
What I cannot get enough of were the trivia sessions, which were held several times a day. It would’ve been even better if I won something, however, but I guess I’m not as clever as I thought I was lol.
5 out of 5.
World Dream
Let’s put it this way: it’s not the Royal Caribbean so don’t expect it to be. The main performance on opening night consisted of an elderly duo who may have once belonged on the Broadway but are now doomed to belt out songs that are as tired as their voices.
The other performances were better — if you go in with zero expectations and keep an open mind. Surprisingly, the ship managed to cobble together an expensive-looking original production in conjunction with their 25th anniversary — I found it fun and campy most times, and slightly annoying at others. We preferred the magic show on the Dream too.
There is also the option of a late-night adults-only performance by the Dream Boys, featuring a cast of ripped male dancers from countries like Russia and Bulgaria — cover charge costs SGD60 and includes one free drink (it’s too bad I had to miss this!). Like the Quantum, seats are hard to come by for the free performances so just head to Guest Services for assistance.
Since the entertainment is largely skewed to the Chinese market, there is no trivia, but they do have Theresa Teng tributes and the like, if that’s your thing. However, we loved the airy open-air cinema at Zouk Beach Club, which screens multiple films a day. The movie selection here is much better and more varied than the Quantum and can be also watched in your own room, if you prefer.
We also enjoyed the country-themed cultural events onboard. We were there when the ship was celebrating all things Thai, so there were flower-making workshops, classical Thai dance and muay Thai classes as well as a small songkran party for adults.
4 out of 5.
KID’S CLUB
Quantum of the Seas
The massive kid’s club spans two floors and is divided according to different age groups. There are numerous supervised activities for your children, but certain areas like the slides are sealed off because of the pandemic. Spots are also limited and each child is limited to a 2-hour entry for the entire duration of the trip. You can book your slots in advance.
3 out of 5 because of the pandemic.
5 out of 5 other times.
World Dream
Unlike the Quantum, the kid’s club aboard the Dream is small and caters to children from the age of 2 all the way to 12. There is also a two-hour time limit and one parent is required to accompany their child at all times, which completely defeats the whole purpose of a kid’s club.
Entry is on a first-come-first-served basis and the place can only accommodate 10 children and 10 parents at any one time. Strangely enough, my kids preferred this kid’s club because they get to have a go on the Nintendo with mommy and daddy.
The Dream also has a fully-supervised workshop for your kids that costs SGD60 and lasts only for about 2 hours (I suppose it’s a small price to pay for some time off with your spouse!).
This includes a short magic workshop with their resident magician and a magic kit they can take home.
3 out of 5.
SERVICE & GRATUITIES
Quantum of the Seas
Service was warm and personal here. We knew the names of our stateroom attendant and waiters, and they always go above and beyond in making our holiday a memorable one. Gratuities are already included in the room fare, but we tipped extra at the end of our stay.
5 out of 5.
World Dream
Gratuities is not included and apparently “it’s stated in the fine print.” Well nobody reads the fine print but that’s ok and we’ll pay your staff if you refuse to do it. With an attitude like that from management, it’s no wonder why the Dream’s employees seem less happy and more apathetic in general.
The free restaurants also seem to be constantly understaffed, with one waitress bustling between eight tables or something equally ridiculous. But you’ve gotta hand it to them for remaining professional and courteous despite the trying circumstances.
3 out of 5.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Quantum of the Seas
The Royal Caribbean is an industry leader and it shows. Operations are sleek and professional from start to finish and we felt well looked after, even though several COVID restrictions has put a dampener on things and there aren’t a lot of things for children to do now that the kid’s club have a time limit. Still, I am thinking of booking our next cruise as I type.
8 out of 10.
World Dream
Genting is different, alright. After you factor in the gratuities and all the little extras, prices per night are more expensive than the Royal Caribbean. By day 2, one cannot help but feel that the company is out chasing profits — they are certainly not subtle about it.
The ship itself is one giant money-making machine: When they’re not trying to sell you tickets for a show, they’re waving a toy in front of your children in the hopes that he / she will start haranguing you for money (well, it worked). Frankly, I was pleasantly surprised that the ropes obstacle course and ziplining was free.
Despite the obvious strengths of the ship (waterpark, Asian food, themed sailing), I’m weary about booking another stay. My kids, however, had so much fun they preferred the Dream!
6 out of 10.
