How many passengers? 3352 in 1674 staterooms, looked after by more than 2000 crew.
The itinerary: After setting sail from Singapore's Marina Bay Cruise Centre late afternoon on a Sunday, we headed out into the Singapore Strait with Malaysia on our right and Indonesia on our left. Once we reached the South China Sea we turned northeast towards Nha Trang, Vietnam, where we spent a day onshore, before heading south again for a day in Ho Chi Minh City. The journey included two full days at sea, giving plenty of time to enjoy this beautiful ship, and we arrived back in Singapore on a steaming hot Friday six days later at the very relaxed time of 12pm.
Check-in experience: Reasonably orderly at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, despite the thousands of people. If you're in one of the premium The Palace staterooms there is an air-conditioned VIP lounge at the port with refreshments and someone to sort out your passport and Vietnam landing card for you, before your personal butler assists you with your priority boarding.
Unique features: There's little chance you'll be bored aboard with a raft of entertainment options including a glow-in-the-dark bowling alley, minigolf course, rock-climbing wall, six waterslides, a suite of private karaoke rooms and a ropes course that leads you to a zipline ride over the ocean, but my favourite feature of the Genting Dream was the artwork throughout by Chinese pop artist Jacky Tsai. His colourful hull artwork, "Voyage of a Lover's Dream", tells the fantastical love story of a mermaid and an astronaut and his colourful prints line the hallways of each deck. You can even buy one to take home if you've got a few thousand dollars spare.
Don't miss: Seeing the ship from port at night, with her side lit up with a giant LED light display featuring customised messages relating to the port she's anchored in, the extensive spa areas (Asian, Medical and Western), and the fireworks display on the final night.
My stateroom: A spacious Balcony Stateroom on Deck 10 with a comfy queen "Dream Bed" kitted out with luxe linen, sofa bed, flatscreen telly with on-demand movies and live TV, plenty of storage and a large bathroom with a glass shower box. There are Singaporean, Australia/NZ/Chinese and USB sockets, a small fridge and a kettle. Amenities, including a dental kit, are provided too, and there are lush robes in the double wardrobe. Despite being nearly three years old, Genting Dream still feels fresh and new.
Food: A highlight for sure. The two inclusive restaurants are The Lido buffet, with Indian, Jain, Halal, Chinese and Western options, and the seated Dream Dining, with Chinese and Western menus, partially set. Available for additional fees are nine other outlets, including the excellent Umi Uma (Japanese teppanyaki and Korean barbecue) and Prime Steakhouse by top Australian chef Mark Best.
Entertainment programme: Relentless, from whip-cracking and table-balancing foot jugglers to emoji quizzes and enrichment talks.
Recreation and exercise: There's a jogging track and a fairly substantial gym as well as a good-sized Sportsplex with basketball hoops and bubble soccer, surely one of the weirdest activities ever invented.
Cool tech: Interactive screens everywhere give you a plethora of info, including peak times at the inclusive dining areas, while the Dream Cruises app on your mobile allows you keep to track of your onboard account (and settle it) and book certain activities.
Service: Very slick, particularly in the specialty restaurants.
What's great: It's a refreshing contrast from the Western cruise lines.
What's not: Smoking is still a big part of Asian culture and there are several designated smoking areas around the ship including balconies, as well as in certain areas inside. Gambling is also major feature, from pokies and bingo to the serious gaming tables and Mahjong.
Online: Dreamcruiseline.com
Wi-Fi? Premium packages are SGD$29 per day.
Ideal for: A taste of Asia in well-fed comfort.
Would I return? Yes, but would cruise in a different part of Asia — maybe China or the Philippines. Keep an eye out for Genting Dream's much smaller sister ship Explorer Dream, which is basing itself Downunder from late October.
