Forget the five C’s - it’s the high seas now

SINGAPORE — The art of cruising is being taken up a few notches with the debut of Asia’s first luxury cruise line, Dream Cruises.

Rolled out by Genting Hong Kong, which also runs Star Cruises and Crystal Cruises, the new Dream Cruises line is designed to cater to increasingly affluent maritime thrill-seekers from China and the region.

Cruising, in fact, is set to ride a new wave. At the launch of Dream Cruises’ inaugural ship, Genting Dream, last week, Minister for Trade and Industry S Iswaran said: “Asia is set to become the world’s second-largest cruising region within the next five years. By 2020, 3.8 million annual passengers are expected to cruise in Asia.

There is growing interest in exploring Asia, and South-east Asia in particular stands to benefit from that. Our diverse mix of exotic beaches, ancient civilisations and futuristic cities makes South-east Asia one of the best regions to combine cruise holidays with land space.”

So, it is a good thing that Genting Dream truly does not hold back. With space for 3,400 guests and 2,000 crew members, the luxury ship has 18 decks and 1,674 staterooms. It boasts the largest Asian reflexology spa at sea, with more than 70 “treatment thrones”. And its “Dream Palace” features two floors of lavish suites complete with butler service.

The dressed-to-impress party does not stop there. Genting Dream also takes Singapore’s most famous club, Zouk, out to sea for the first time ever. Its 322sqm Zouk Beach Club has an outdoor day and night party deck with movie nights and weekend fireworks; an indoor dance club; a sports bar with billiards; and a four-lane glow-in-the-dark bowling alley.

To make sure the Zouk experience is consistent on board, signature drinks such as Zoutinis and Zouk Sangrias will be offered on board. And Zouk DJs will do special stints there: DJ Lenerd is slated to spin on Nov 18, while DJ Lincey will be helming the Christmas festivities, and DJ Matthew, the New Year’s Eve party. That is in addition to the ship’s resident DJs, who have taken courses with Zouk.

But by day, the area will be teen-friendly. “We are planning to do a tea dance for teens as well, to show them the way we grew up — the Zouk way,” said a Zouk spokesperson, who also shared that exclusive pre-boarding party packs that include custom-designed merchandise such as T-shirts and light-up bracelets will be available. Plans are in the pipeline to offer merchandise such as Zouk beach towels exclusively on board the cruise.

In another first, the ship’s live entertainment offerings include China’s Got Talent – The Dream Experience, a 45-minute theatrical representation of the hit TV series.

The coolest part, though, just might be the presence of two deep-water submersibles on board, each of which can carry up to four passengers who want to explore the undersea world while staying dry.

On the wining and dining front, there are 35 restaurant and bar options including a signature restaurant by Australian chef Mark Best; a sushi bar; a Chinoiserie-themed cabaret; and five watering holes including a cocktail bar, a champagne bar, the Johnnie Walker House, the Penfolds Wine Vault and a cigar lounge.

Additional entertainment options include five karaoke rooms, a 3D cinema, a mahjong room, six water slides (five for adults, one for kids) and a 35m zip line over the side of the ship (yikes!). That is on top of the usual cruise-ship suspects such as a rock wall, a 9-hole mini golf course, a basketball court, an arcade, a bowling alley and over 1,100sqm of duty-free shopping.

If all that sounds like it floats your boat, then it might be time to abandon land and jump on board for your next vacation.

Genting Dream will be having its maiden voyage from Hong Kong on Nov 12. A 3D/2N Hong Kong – Cruising Day – Hong Kong FlyCruise starts from S$638 per person with a return air ticket on Cathay Pacific Airways. For more info, log on to www.dreamcruiseline.com/