TRAVEL TRAVEL + L E I S U R E / M AY 2 0 1 7+ LEISURE / MAY 2017 00 51
western elements to become a multi-cultural
outfi t that fl ows onto the ship’s visage. The
lighting on either side of the ship’s balcony are
specially engineered to create an optical eff ect
at night when the ship is at sea.
As I wait at the terminal to board the
Genting Dream for my weekend escape,
I get chatting with some fellow passengers,
a group of Indians, who have added this cruise
experience to their Hong Kong itinerary. This
Genting Dream cruise is now bound for its two-
night, weekend Hong Kong itinerary, a jackpot
for people looking to add a new experience to their
existing plans, something off the regular tourist
path. On board, a 2,000-member-strong crew
helps 3,400 passengers make an eff ortless trip.
The scale of the ship is impressive with 1,600
rooms, 70 per cent of which have private
balconies. The rooms are replete with luxury
amenities like custom Frette linen and concept
bedding with Custom Comfort, hand-tufted
eco-friendly mattresses, and an extensive pillow
menu. For an exclusive stay, you can splurge on
a suite in the ‘Dream Palace’ wing, which is the
boutique wing of the ship—separated from the
other cabins, it has its own privileges.
You can feel the presence of an epicurean
agenda almost as soon as you set sail: There are
35 restaurants and bars on the ship. The pièce
de résistance is Australian star chef Mark Best’s
fi rst cruise restaurant, Bistro By Mark Best, that
celebrates modern Australian cuisine. His kitchen
sources the beef, lamb, and seafood directly from
their producers in Australia. This restaurant
overfl ows onto a 54-seater outdoor grill area.
Nothing short of a fl oating integrated resort
with numerous engagements for its guests, this is
where Singapore’s mythical nightclub, Zouk has built its
fi rst marine outpost. The uniquely conceptualised space has
two private party decks and also features an indoor dance club,
a sports bar, a bowling alley, and an outdoor party deck. Besides
this, the cruise is home to the world’s fi rst Johnnie Walker
House on a ship—a lounge-cum-bar-cum-installation space
characterised by a life-sized statue of the brand’s famed mascot,
the Striding Man, placed at the heart of the lounge. On one of
the evenings, you can immerse yourself into whisky appreciation
with whisky-paired dinners and cocktail-making sessions.
As a wine lover, I fi nd solace in Australian winemaker
Penfolds’ exclusive ‘Wine Vault’. This wine bar stocks some of
the fi nest vintages from his winery, including the Penfolds Bin
170 that celebrates the winemaker’s 170th anniversary. Inside
the vault, the resident sommelier shows me the Aevum Imperial
Service Ritual, a specially designed crystal serving vessel which
is an art collaboration between Genting Dream and the famed
Cristalleries Saint Louis from France.
The trip lingers from one indulgence to another, each coaxing
you for recognition. Book a 90-minute signature treatment at the
massive Crystal Life Spa that features over 70 treatment thrones,
20 private treatment rooms, and a vitality pool. On your way out,
get some retail therapy at the duty-free shopping space that
houses brands like Burberry, Cartier, Salvatore Ferragamo,
and Bulgari. Two-night Hong Kong Weekend Getaway Itinerary
starts at HK$2,378 per person; dreamcruisline.comFrom above:
The Voyage of
a Lover’s Dream
artwork on the
Genting Dream; an
art gallery onboard.
Opposite, clockwise:
The Zouk Beach Club;
the ship has over 35
restaurants and bars;
the Johnnie Walker
House on the ship.The scale of the ship is impressive,
with over 1,600 rooms,
70 per cent of which have
private balconies.
TRAVEL TRAVEL ++ L E I S U R E / M AY 2 0 1 7 LEISURE / MAY 2017 4951