[Dream Cruise Line] Everything Genting Dream PART II

I just got back from a 7N cruise on the Genting Dream.

For the 5N destination cruise there were 1600 pax and the 2N week-end cruise 3500 pax. Total capacity for GD is 3900 pax.

Why the big difference on pax. I am at a lost myself.

The 5N cruise pax is made up of half HK residents and half Guangdong residents.

Why the difference is due to the Chinese hating long cruises of 3night or more and is during non-peak. Weekend works due to them not taking so much leave. This was why Dream Cruises said they got locked out of the market and re-position Genting Dream to Singapore seeing that they can get more people to cruise from Singapore. That is some really low loads for a Big ship to fill.

I don't think GD will do well in Singapore either. But with the very low load for their 5N cruise they have to try something else. Presently SC Gemini in SG is not doing well. When I was there in Feb. there was less than 50% load. And this is on their 3N cruise. For GD with the 5N cruise for SG I think they would face the same situation.

It may be they have an identity problem. How to transition from a casino cruise ship company to a mainline cruise ship company. I am not sure if they can make this transition. Both because of the ingrain public perception of them as a casino company and their own marketing and operational changes to a cruise ship company.

All this at a time when their World Dream is coming to market in several months time.

Do you think it's possible that the whole company re-strategize their concept from a casino cruise line to mainstream? Would they consider changing the purpose and layout of the ships to come after World Dream?

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For my Genting friends, here's the aft block of World Dream;

I saw the Genting Dream in Hong Kong last month. There were also several Pearl ships

I don't think GD will do well in Singapore either. But with the very low load for their 5N cruise they have to try something else. Presently SC Gemini in SG is not doing well. When I was there in Feb. there was less than 50% load. And this is on their 3N cruise. For GD with the 5N cruise for SG I think they would face the same situation.

It may be they have an identity problem. How to transition from a casino cruise ship company to a mainline cruise ship company. I am not sure if they can make this transition. Both because of the ingrain public perception of them as a casino company and their own marketing and operational changes to a cruise ship company.

All this at a time when their World Dream is coming to market in several months time.

Hmm... SC Gemini reposition to TH in fall. So likely mean GD permanently replacing it. I guess genting market SG to be the `premium` market and relocate Gemini to source new income

Do you think it's possible that the whole company re-strategize their concept from a casino cruise line to mainstream? Would they consider changing the purpose and layout of the ships to come after World Dream?

 

 

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Yes and no.

You can guess from Gemini reposition. SC in SG is purely comp. It can't sustain for alot of reason. So it hope GD can attract mainstream, families, etc while retaining its existing VIP from Gemini.

If Gemini remain, then we know GD is focusing on standard cruise vacation, aka mainstream. Now with confirmed Gemini reposition , it proof GD is still toward casino focus.

World Dream's hull art

Wasn't world dream supposed to have a more blue-ish theme to it, like I remember seeing the ocean on it and like a kingfisher of sorts!

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Went on the weekend cruise - 26th May. First impressions were quite good. Had the balcony deluxe room (8530) near FWD on 8th floor which was quite a walk from the centre. Overall, the room was quite spacious and comfortable with extra large balcony. The bed IMHO was actually better than RC's Ovation. The bathrooms were spacious and had all the basic amenities (unlike RC's) provided and replenished. However didn't get the designer Ferragamo toiletries as shown in the youtube videos.

Last weekend cruise was quite packed consisting of HK and Mainland guests.... also noticed significant number of Indian guests...

Bottled water was provided but not replenished.. can be bought at HK$5 per bottle if required. Tip: you can pick up free bottled water from the slot machines near the casino. Plenty of things to do to keep family occupied but the ping pong table should be moved indoors like Ovation.... too windy to play.

Only had one show - "Voyage of a lover's dream".... no concerts or "China got talent" shows.

The weekend cruise is too short (you only get a full day to enjoy the ship)... the ship arrived back in HK around 7am and you are expected to disembark by 8.30am after breakfast.

Went on the weekend cruise - 26th May. First impressions were quite good. Had the balcony deluxe room (8530) near FWD on 8th floor which was quite a walk from the centre. Overall, the room was quite spacious and comfortable with extra large balcony. The bed IMHO was actually better than RC's Ovation. The bathrooms were spacious and had all the basic amenities (unlike RC's) provided and replenished. However didn't get the designer Ferragamo toiletries as shown in the youtube videos.

 

Last weekend cruise was quite packed consisting of HK and Mainland guests.... also noticed significant number of Indian guests...

 

Bottled water was provided but not replenished.. can be bought at HK$5 per bottle if required. Tip: you can pick up free bottled water from the slot machines near the casino. Plenty of things to do to keep family occupied but the ping pong table should be moved indoors like Ovation.... too windy to play.

 

Only had one show - "Voyage of a lover's dream".... no concerts or "China got talent" shows.

 

The weekend cruise is too short (you only get a full day to enjoy the ship)... the ship arrived back in HK around 7am and you are expected to disembark by 8.30am after breakfast.

I notice you are local. Did you pay cash for the cruise or points from the casino.

I was on the 5N and 2N weekend cruise in February. Yes the weekend gambling cruise is really packed, 3600 pax. 2 Chinese restaurants fully book, and the buffet restaurant ran out of food. Don't even have roast pork which was about the only meat dish when I eat there.

Dream is changing their schedule again and the Jun 30 and Jul 2 cruises have been cancelled.

How do casino members book for the cruises now since the booking call centre hotline is not operative and the booking website is down for more than 1 month now.

I notice you are local. Did you pay cash for the cruise or points from the casino.

I was on the 5N and 2N weekend cruise in February. Yes the weekend gambling cruise is really packed, 3600 pax. 2 Chinese restaurants fully book, and the buffet restaurant ran out of food. Don't even have roast pork which was about the only meat dish when I eat there.

Dream is changing their schedule again and the Jun 30 and Jul 2 cruises have been cancelled.

How do casino members book for the cruises now since the booking call centre hotline is not operative and the booking website is down for more than 1 month now.

I paid in cash. There was a 25% off promo for HK residents... paid HK$8443 excl gratuities. There was roast pork at the lido buffet in fact a lot of it. The Jun 30 and Jul 2 cruises have been cancelled I think may be due to the 20th Anniversary of the HK handover. Premier Xi is in town so security is very tight all over HK and surrounding. The Jun 25th cruise will embark from HK but disembark in Shenzhen. DC will provide free transportation back to HK.

For casino members you can redeem by calling the hotline. I actually called yesterday and had to wait around 8-10 mins to get thru.... think they are extremely busy.... running a buy 1 free 1 promo now. Redeem a room (inside, oceanview or balcony) for discounted 18 cruise points and get another weekend trip free. You have to book the free trip by 28th Jul. Same points for balcony or inside room so better hurry before they run out.

Tip: Call the gold/platinum card hotline to get thru faster. Once thru, they don't care what level member you are.

I paid in cash. There was a 25% off promo for HK residents... paid HK$8443 excl gratuities. There was roast pork at the lido buffet in fact a lot of it. The Jun 30 and Jul 2 cruises have been cancelled I think may be due to the 20th Anniversary of the HK handover. Premier Xi is in town so security is very tight all over HK and surrounding. The Jun 25th cruise will embark from HK but disembark in Shenzhen. DC will provide free transportation back to HK.

 

For casino members you can redeem by calling the hotline. I actually called yesterday and had to wait around 8-10 mins to get thru.... think they are extremely busy.... running a buy 1 free 1 promo now. Redeem a room (inside, oceanview or balcony) for discounted 18 cruise points and get another weekend trip free. You have to book the free trip by 28th Jul. Same points for balcony or inside room so better hurry before they run out.

 

Tip: Call the gold/platinum card hotline to get thru faster. Once thru, they don't care what level member you are.

Thank you for the feedback.

It surprises me that HK residents would the high price you quoted for a short weekend cruise.

Regarding the roast pork I think I should clarify that when I check the lido at 7 pm there was plenty of roast pork. But when I wanted to eat at 8pm there was none available. The lady next to me ask the kitchen staff and was told there was none available now.

From July 7 onwards GD will no longer call at Nansha China and do only the weekend cruise to nowhere from HK.

It surprises me that you said the SC casino VIP hotline is working. I check every day and once from the Penang SC office and even the staff was surprise he couldn't get through on the line. It is possible the HK line is still working. But why not SG and MY and other countries.

The SC casino VIP website I check every day also. It doesn't work as you cannot click through to final payment. Also SC cash payment website do not show any booking for weekend cruises. So how do they get pax on the weekend cruises.

They are still doing the 6D/5N to Okinawa from HK. Nansha is still available in July.. check out "www.dream***************" website for the itineraries.

The hotline works ... just takes a long time for someone to answer. Tip: they log off at 11.30pm so good time to try calling would be at night and select mandarin language. I suspect they have more mandarin speaking staff.

Did you try their new resortsworldatsea.com website?

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They are still doing the 6D/5N to Okinawa from HK. Nansha is still available in July.. check out "www.dream***************" website for the itineraries.

 

The hotline works ... just takes a long time for someone to answer. Tip: they log off at 11.30pm so good time to try calling would be at night and select mandarin language. I suspect they have more mandarin speaking staff.

 

Did you try their new resortsworldatsea.com website?

 

 

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"They are still doing the 6D/5N to Okinawa from HK. Nansha is still available in July.. check out "www.dream***************" website for the itineraries."..................Just check before posting here. I said only weekend cruise schedule is changed.

"The hotline works ... just takes a long time for someone to answer. Tip: they log off at 11.30pm so good time to try calling would be at night and select mandarin language. I suspect they have more mandarin speaking staff" .........................I tried mandarin, gold card line endless times. Doesn't work.

"Did you try their new resortsworldatsea.com website? "................. EVERYDAY

Interestingly, the weekend cruises are still packed.... maybe the members are booking when onboard.

I managed to be thru to their hotline but have not booked yet because I need to nominate list the accompanying guests online first prior to booking. Will try again soon and let you know if I get thru.

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Interestingly, the weekend cruises are still packed.... maybe the members are booking when onboard.

 

I managed to be thru to their hotline but have not booked yet because I need to nominate list the accompanying guests online first prior to booking. Will try again soon and let you know if I get thru.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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No need to do your nomination list. I never had a list of nomination. Tell us if you manage to talk to someone on their hotline.

I just tried calling SCSG number and the message was call back Mon - Fri 9.30am-6.30pm. Then I tried HK number... got thru within seconds. Already booked my next travel on 23rd Jun.

Suggest you try the HK number now. +852-23782088.

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I just tried calling SCSG number and the message was call back Mon - Fri 9.30am-6.30pm. Then I tried HK number... got thru within seconds. Already booked my next travel on 23rd Jun.

 

Suggest you try the HK number now. +852-23782088.

 

 

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I just try the SG hotline again before posting again. And Walla!!!!! ............The line is working now. So I will make the booking again.

Let me just mention that I have been a casino VIP member for the last 20 years. But with all the fantastic increases in points to cruise I am about the last 5% of members still cruising SC in SG. Been on SC ships 2 times this year and did not do any gambling. My next trip will be to use up my remaining points and will be my last cruise on SC.

I just try the SG hotline again before posting again. And Walla!!!!! ............The line is working now. So I will make the booking again.

 

Let me just mention that I have been a casino VIP member for the last 20 years. But with all the fantastic increases in points to cruise I am about the last 5% of members still cruising SC in SG. Been on SC ships 2 times this year and did not do any gambling. My next trip will be to use up my remaining points and will be my last cruise on SC.

I can imagine you must a high roller.... it takes 50 Cruise Points to redeem a 6D/5N inside cabin or 100 CPs for balcony stateroom. I managed to collect around 55 cruise points from the last weekend trip which is not enough to comp a 6D/5N balcony cruise so will keep the points for a couple of weekend trips instead. Btw, did you stay at dream palace suites the last trip? I wonder how much they cost and how to book it, the best you can book thru website is a dream suite which is not dream palace.

I can imagine you must a high roller.... it takes 50 Cruise Points to redeem a 6D/5N inside cabin or 100 CPs for balcony stateroom. I managed to collect around 55 cruise points from the last weekend trip which is not enough to comp a 6D/5N balcony cruise so will keep the points for a couple of weekend trips instead. Btw, did you stay at dream palace suites the last trip? I wonder how much they cost and how to book it, the best you can book thru website is a dream suite which is not dream palace.

You Sir are the High Roller. Not me. Stayed in window cabin.

The 7N cruises were points from last year. Points accumulated from last year cruises. Each 10 US points get us 1 cabin night on the GD as well as SC ships. Now we have to get much much more points than that.

I would not even gamble and get more points as that would cost me a pot of money.

Have leftover points from last year to give me a 3N cruise on the Gemini. So waiting to book online for the Gemini.

Move over to RCI. Ovation and Voyager. Like Ovation so much I am coming to HK in October to go on the Ovation.

I have booked Ovation for 3 Nov ... 5N to Vietnam. Initially wanted to book the 9N from HK to SG but didn't want the hassle of booking hotel and travel back to HK. Been on Ovation before but just booked first... paid minimum deposit first.

Still tempted to try Norwegian Joy..... but need to fly to Shanghai.

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Have the queues for the Genting Dream MDR been improved yet? Always heard long queues when someone goes for dinner. And is the food comparably better than RCL or about the same? Thanks

Have the queues for the Genting Dream MDR been improved yet? Always heard long queues when someone goes for dinner. And is the food comparably better than RCL or about the same? Thanks

RCL is way better hands down. Quite disappointing they spend their money improving the hard product when service is not at a minimal industry standard.

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Have the queues for the Genting Dream MDR been improved yet? Always heard long queues when someone goes for dinner. And is the food comparably better than RCL or about the same? Thanks

On my last trip, didn't see any queues for dinner. In terms of food, (to me) the free buffet food was probably about the same with RCL. However, the hawker food (not free) was really good... the fried kuey teow and bak kut teh was good. The hainan toast, eggs and coffee at 6th floor bakery was also pretty good and cheap (around HK$35 for the tea set I recall).