Cruising To Ports (Once Again), A Guide To Choosing Your Perfect Itinerary
Cruise somewhere with your favourite cruise ships, just like old times!
Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas (Left) and Resorts World Cruises’ Genting Dream (Right) docked at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore. PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY
Resorts World Cruises has announced that they will be cruising to destinations beginning this July. Their flagship Genting Dream, which is currently scheduled to carry her first passengers since joining the Resorts World fleet on June 15, 2022, will now sail to international destinations beginning July 1, 2022. This comes after Royal Caribbean International announced their return to Malaysia beginning June 30, 2022.
For many cruisers, this return to cruising “somewhere” is a much-welcomed step towards pre-COVID normalcy. Getting to step off the ship to walk and explore popular destinations around the region like Penang, Phuket and Bali, just as cruising intended to do. And with a boom in new cruisers recently, we thought that it would be helpful to put together a guide to help those who are on the fence to choose the perfect itinerary!
Resorts World Cruises’ Beginnings
Genting Dream docked at Surabaya North Quay Cruise Port. PHOTO: PEMERINTAH KOTA SURABAYA
Small steps in the beginning (July to October 2022)
EDIT: Resorts World Cruises has announced changes to Genting Dream itineraries. Please click here for updated itineraries.
Genting Dream will begin her series of international voyages with a 2-Night Bintan and Batam Islands Weekend Getaway Cruise departing every Friday, beginning July 1, 2022. Genting Dream will also sail 3-Night and 2-Night cruises visiting Port Dickson (for Melaka and Kuala Lumpur) and Penang, departing every Sunday and Wednesday respectively.
Another important note - the July 3 and 6 sailings will visit Port Klang, Malaysia instead of Port Dickson. Be sure to check the dates if you’re not looking to visit Port Klang!
Itineraries in detail can be found here:
Future Itineraries (From October 2022)
Resorts World Cruises is committed to expanding their destination offerings in the near future. At present, their website is already accepting reservations for cruises visiting Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia from October 2022. “We will continue to include more popular destinations to Phuket and Krabi in Thailand and North Bali in Indonesia from October 2022 onwards to provide our vacationers with more destination options”, said Mr Michael Goh, President of Resorts World Cruises. At this point, this is how we would describe the itineraries on offer.
Weekend Getaway (2-Night Bintan/Batam Cruise)
Looking for something special for the weekend? Why not try out the 2-Night Bintan/Batam Cruises? The ship departs for the scenic island paradise every Friday evening and returns Sunday morning, perfect for a quick weekend getaway.
DIY - Decide It Yourself! (2-Night Melaka-Kuala Lumpur Cruise, 3-Night Melaka-Kuala Lumpur-Penang Cruise)
At Port Dickson, guests get some flexibility in crafting their own adventures! Port Dickson will be guests’ gateway to two popular Malaysian destinations - the historic city of Melaka and shopping paradise that is Kuala Lumpur. Guests will have the option to explore either Port Dickson itself, or hop on a transfer to Kuala Lumpur or Melaka during their time ashore. Perfect for big groups that cannot decide on one place to go, or if you’re feeling spontaneous.
2-Night sailings depart every Wednesday, and 3-Night sailings depart on alternate Sundays. 3-night sailings also include a stop in the historic city of Penang on Day 3.
Experience Phuket Nightlife (3-Night Phuket Cruise)
On offer is also a 3-Night Phuket Cruise that features an overnight stay in Phuket, Thailand. The ship departs on alternate Sundays, arriving at 6 PM on day 2. The ship will remain in Phuket overnight, giving guests a chance to experience Phuket’s local nightlife scene - something you can’t do often while cruising. Feel free to explore until mid-day on day 3 before charting your return course for Singapore.
More Sea Days and Port-Heavy Itineraries (5-Night Cruises)
Prefer a longer trip? Then the 5-Night Cruises are right for you! Ranging from 2 to 4 port calls throughout the trip, there’s quite the variety of destinations across Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Be sure to book early, as these itineraries currently only have one departure date each!
Penang - Phuket - Langkawi - Kuala Lumpur Cruise (20 Nov 2022)
The Penang-Phuket-Langkawi-Kuala Lumpur Cruise explores a variety of destinations ranging from historical cities, a modern metropolis to beautiful scenic beaches - perfect if you like waking up to a different place every morning. This cruise departs on Sunday, November 20, 2022.
Surabaya-North Bali Cruise (18 Dec 2022)
Sailing southward, the Surabaya and North Bali Cruise will take you to the doorstep of some of Indonesia’s most popular tourist spots. And with two sea days, it gives you ample time to explore the best of the floating Integrated Resort that is Genting Dream. This cruise departs on Sunday, December 18, 2022.
Melaka - Penang - Phuket Cruise (12 Mar 2023)
If 2022 is a little too soon for your next adventure, consider the Melaka-Penang-Phuket Cruise departing Sunday, March 12, 2023. Situated between Melaka and Kuala Lumpur, enjoy the flexibility in destinations Port Dickson has to offer, as well as revisit Penang and Phuket, the classic Singapore cruise ports. And with one sea day, you too can enjoy the best of the Genting Dream!
The Royal Return
Quantum of the Seas docked at Boustead Cruise Terminal in Port Klang, Malaysia. PHOTO: THE STAR
The Restart (July to October 2022)
Royal Caribbean International’s cruises to Malaysia will commence on June 30, 2022, making Spectrum of the Seas the first cruise ship to resume sailing to international destinations from Singapore. The ship will retain her current departure days of Monday and Thursday until October 2022, visiting the ports of Penang and Port Klang, Malaysia, on 3-Night and 4-Night itineraries.
Future Itineraries (October 2022 and beyond)
Beyond October 2022, Royal Caribbean will take Spectrum and her guests to old favourite destinations. In addition to Port Klang and Penang, Malaysia, the ship will resume cruising to destinations in Thailand, namely Phuket and Laem Chabang (for Bangkok), as well as Ho Chi Minh and Nha Trang in Vietnam for 2023.
Short Getaways (3-Night and 4-Night Cruises)
Royal Caribbean will continue to offer 3-Night and 4-Night itineraries for guests seeking a shorter cruise vacation. Both the 3-Night and 4-Night cruises will visit Penang, Malaysia, and 4-Night cruises will make an extra stop in Phuket, Thailand before the homebound voyage to Singapore.
5N Klang, Penang and Phuket Cruise
Spectrum of the Seas will also be sailing a slightly longer itinerary for those seeking a longer cruise vacation. In addition to Penang and Phuket, the ship will also call at Port Klang, the gateway to Kuala Lumpur, where guests can visit destinations like the Batu Caves, where colourful displays of Hindu deities adorn limestone cave walls.
Do note that the December 19 sailing will visit the same ports in a different order, and that the December 24 sailing will sail in time for Christmas. Be sure to take advantage of that if you’re planning something special for Christmas this year!
More Ship And Shore Time? (5N Penang and Phuket Cruise, 7N Spice Of Southeast Asia Cruise)
Need more time onboard and ashore? Visiting the usual haunts of Penang, Malaysia and Phuket, Thailand, both these itineraries offer overnight stays in Penang. In addition, the 7-Night sailing offers overnight stays in Phuket, as well as two sea days for guests to soak up the best of Spectrum and her destinations.
Further From Home (9N Thailand and Vietnam Cruise)
For the adventurous. This cruise will take passengers East instead of West, visiting the ports of Laem Chabang for Bangkok, Nha Trang and Phu My for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This itinerary is for those looking for vastly different destinations compared to the cruises that mostly sail the Strait of Malacca.
DISCLAIMER: While due diligence has been taken to ensure all information presented is accurate and up-to-date, the information is subject to change, and discrepancies in, but not limited to, timings and/or ports-of-call may occur. In the event of such a discrepancy, the cruise line’s itinerary will prevail. You are advised to contact the cruise lines directly for information, or to speak with your preferred travel consultant. Singapore Cruise Society will not be held responsible for any discrepancies found in the information provided.
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