6 - 10 May 2021
After repeatedly viewing photographs of cruise trips on social media, I was finally influenced to research more into the two available cruises - Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas and Genting's World Dream - available for booking in Singapore.
Based on the availability, and the positive peer reviews, we settled for Royal Caribbean. The promotion was almost unbelievable: 50% off for adults, additional 10% off for seniors; free for children below 16. It was a great opportunity to try the cruise out.
Safety was another consideration. I was quite impressed with the CruiseSafe programme put in place by the Singapore Tourism Board. Singapore is probably the first country in the world to develop and put in place a mandatory certification programme for cruise lines before they could commence sailings. Since the resumption of cruise travel from November 2020, there were no cases of on-board COVID-19 infections.
The requirement to undergo swab test prior to boading the cruise was ironically what made us hesitant to go for cruise. In fact, after my first swab test done in my life for this trip, I told myself that this trip had better be worth it.
The COVID related restrictions on mainland were applicable on the cruise. The restriction of group size from 8 pax to 5 pax occured on 8 June while we were onboard, so for the first 2 days, we could dine as a group of 7 but had to split tables from 8 June.
Pre-Cruise
We did some research online to find out the layout of the ship and online reviews to determine which level and which area of the cruise should we book for our rooms. We picked Level 10, which was not too near Level 14 where most activities were and yet, offered a high enough view out of the balcony.
After signing up for the 4-Nights cruise trip, EDMs for promotion and deals for activities onboard were sent via email. Perhaps the most important thing to do pre-trip was to download the Royal Caribbean mobile app which would reflect the activities available, nearer the date of the trip.
While the Genting's World Dream offered its guests the Antigen Rapid Test (ART) swab test, conducted immediately before the boarding, Royal Caribbean's guests had to schedule their Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) swab tests 2-3 days before the trip. To the uninitiated, PCR swabs are generally more uncomfortable.
We also did our check-in way ahead of time and managed to secure one of the earlier slots at 3pm.
And the Trip Begins!
Just as stated in the instructions, admission into the MBCC was kept strictly to the timing. We arrived right on our scheduled timing at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre and had a clear lane in. A long queue was already building up for those who reached earlier than their stipulated timing.
After clearing immigration smoothly, we boarded the towering Royal Caribbean.
An exciting holiday awaits!
Thanks Tan Giok Hio for your Genting card
Our cabin with a small balcony
Open deck at Level 15
A view of MBCC with Marina Bay Sands in the background
A view of the indoor pool
Our first activity we booked was the bumper car! While most of the activities required booking, our experience in the coming days showed that the staff practised some flexibility and allowed in, based on capacity limits.
Our first bumper ride together
Next, we headed to extended lunch buffet at the Windjammer at Deck 14.
A model of the ship at the entrance to Windjammer
We signed ourselves up for My Time Dining during the cruise reservation. Highly encouraged to do so as the tables would be reserved for your family. The table would be the same one throughout the trip and you would be served by the same set of waiter and assistant waiter. Otherwise, one would have to join the queue.
The ship started sailing at about 7pm while we were dining. We did not even feel the movement of the ship.
Due to capacity limits, we could only book one theatre show for the trip. We booked it on the first night and enjoyed the Sequins & Feathers show.
An introductory session for casino games was held an hour before the it opened for operation. Chairs were wiped clean each time there was a change of guest at the table.
See you Singapore!
Waking up to good weather on Day 2 on a slow-moving cruise to nowhere. Therapeutic to enjoy the sea breeze and slow moving waves.
Our room at 10-160
The pool was quite a small one. Each of the indoor and outdoor pool areas had two jacuzzi pools which were restricted to use by members of the same group. There were queues, but thankfully, the crew assisted in keeping time to ensure users leave the jacuzzi after 15 minutes of use.
I had my first try at surfing at the FlowRider after a queue that lasted close to an hour. Due to the pandemic, only boogie board surfing was allowed. No stand-up surfing.
In the afternoon, we went to the arcade as per requested by my son who caught a glimpse of the Transformers game machine. We were there at 3.45pm but there was already a family in front of us queuing to enter. There were slight delays and we only got in 15 minutes after 4pm, the start of the opening hours. There were some disappointments when those at the back of the queue heard that the capacity limit was at 10 pax.
Depending on where we were, it might be a long walk back to the room.
Socially distanced bench chairs
The North Star
There were many timings and several locations within the cruise for photography and the photos taken were quite impressive.
The weather was generally well for most part of the trip, although from time to time, we could see heavy storm in a distance. We wondered if the ship was steered deliberately out of bad weather.
Looking left from our balcony
Looking right from our balcony
The robotic bartenders were under maintenance :(
Enjoying a piano performance
My son as a tracelet watch model
At the main dining room, we were served by the same waiter and assistant waiter for all four nights. Menu was accessed via the Royal Carribean mobile app via scanning of the QR code, ala carte buffet style.
Food could always be taken away back to the room.
Safe Distancing Ambassadors policing the safe management measures
Outdoor Movie Screening
The bedroom was tended to housekeeping two times a day.
Elephant towel display
Breakfast at Windjammer
Outdoor dining area at Windjammer
We learnt how to fold towels into animals, taught by housekeeping staff, at the Music Hall.
The SeaPlex was a versatile location, holding various dance, yoga exercises as well as bumper cars. Its upper deck had table tennis and XBox facilities.
We signed up for a complimentary talk on feet wellness. About 15 minutes spent on analysing foot prints and another 15 minutes on balancing test and the rest of the 1-hour session focused on an exclusive insole foot support product.
My Mother undergoing the balancing test
Standing on see-through glass at Deck 14
On Mother's Day, we made some roses out of ribbon tapes.
Indoor Movie Screening of Trolls World Tour
The service staff at dining area performing magic to reward children who had finished their food
We were twice unsuccessful to queue for the Beatles Show, even when we were 1 hour early for the queue. On the last night of the cruise, we were glad we managed to be in the queue for the live band performance. It had been a long time since many of us had viewed one.
Performance by Aura Band
Welcome back to Singapore
We were informed of our disembarkation timing through the announcement made over a dedicated television channel in our cabin. The process was a very smooth one.
Sunrise as the ship docked at MBCC
Waiting to collect our water gun which was confiscated before entry
What a refreshing and serene trip! Highly recommend everyone to give it a try.
Thankful for a safely managed and controlled environment that could allow a holiday getaway! Come to think of it, the days on board were probably much safer than daily living on mainland, because of:
- All guests being swabbed and all tested negative prior to boarding
- Strict capacity limits
- Strict enforcement of safe management measures everywhere onboard
- Due to a wide range of activities available, guests were dispersed to various parts of the cruise and it was uncommon to see a crowd
