It's The Ship is Asia's largest festival at sea, and here's how we celebrated their 5th year.
Onboard The Genting Dream of Dream Cruises, It’s The Ship is an annual EDM festival at sea. For their 5th year anniversary, the destination is Phuket, Thailand and the journey starts from Marina Bay Cruise Center here in Singapore. I invited my friend Paolo of The Wknd Travel to come with me because who wants to go solo on a freaking party ship? Don’t get me wrong, I love traveling solo but there are times when it’s better when you have a companion and this is one of them!
Day One – Getting Familiar
Waiting to board The Genting Dream
The process of boarding was pretty smooth. Just like with any other port, they ask for the passport first and check you in, and scan our bags and luggages for security purposes. We were given a guide that contained a map, the details of the events and side activities for each day, policies, etc.; our room keycard; and some other stuff. We were then called by our group number to go through the immigration. Being employed here in Singapore, I did the automated one and Paolo had to do the manual and get his passport stamped. The crew welcomed us on board, and we had to surrender our passport to them before heading to our room.
The Room
Our names displayed on the flat TV in our room. Fancy!
Our Balcony Stateroom on Deck 10 was amazing and it is of decent size for two people. The best part was of course the view of the sea! I could sit by the balcony the whole day and appreciate its beauty and tranquility.
Appreciating the wonderful view from our balcony.
Dream Dining Room
Paolo and I about to dig in!
Our first activity – get our face stuffed at the Dream Dining Room. I mean it’s only right to energize ourselves before going crazy with partying. We were served with a set menu which included frog legs… eek! It was my first time to eat such, and it tasted like chicken as what many people would say.
The Crown Stage
Right after having our dinner, we stepped out to the main pool deck on Deck 16. We partied and drunk the night away, and oh boy, it was a lot of fun! I had never seen such a big party, much less on a ship!
One of the acts that I really enjoyed – DJ Helena Legend!
Day Two – Whole Day of Activities
A bright beautiful day! Skrrt skrrt!
Buffet at The Lido
On the second day, we tried the buffet breakfast at The Lido for the first time. It’s basically a whole day bonanza as they also serve lunch and dinner. Who doesn’t love free flow of food and drinks?!
Foam Party
Prior to the foam party, I was supposed to join a group interview with the main act of this EDM festival – Big Shaq – but it was cancelled last minute. I headed back to our room to change my outfit, and I was ready to get wet in no time!
This was easily the best part of the whole cruise for me!
Try to find me in this group pic with DJ Helena Legend who played another set this day! Credits: It’s The Ship FB.
Side Activities
There were lots of side activities and pop-up parties, so wherever you may be on the ship you would not miss on the fun! And did I mention that the DJ’s also took part in some of them? Definitely made things more exciting!
Exploring the inside of the ship
And while everybody was busy partying outdoors, we also explored the inside of the ship. First, there’s Crystal Life Fitness gym that you can access for free if you want to get some last minute gainzzz. Believe it or not, I actually was working out to next Big Shaq at some point.
Photography: Dream Cruises
And then there’s the Bridge Viewing Room where the real shipmates are. You can also find a scale model of the Genting Dream ship on display.
Visiting Phuket, Thailand
Sunset in Phuket
On the second night, we reached our destination – Phuket, Thailand! But the stop at this place was very short, only from 08:00 PM to 10:30 PM. There was also a Gala Dinner which happened at the same time as the stop, but ultimately we chose to hop off the ship because: 1.) We didn’t have a mask and formal attire to wear to the gala. 2.) It would be my first time in Phuket. 3.) I wanted more stamps on my passport.
Sawasdee kub!
What could we possibly do in such a short time? Nothing else but to eat some scrumptious Thai food! We thought it would be nice to take a break from the food on the ship.
Great vibe at Laimai restaurant
Before heading back to the port to catch our boat that will send us back to the big ship, we also checked out the vibrant Patong Beach.
The stunning ticker of the Genting Dream ship as seen from the port!
Day Three – The Last Day
Breakfast at the Dream Dining Room
At this point, we were already taking things slow as we pretty much had seen every corner of the ship. After a late breakfast, we chilled by the poolside and did some people watching.
People were partying literally day and night.
Meeting DJ Maddix
With Dutch DJ and music producer Maddix.
In the afternoon, I was set to interview DJ Maddix. They gave me the chance to choose any DJ and I chose him because he is my friend Paolo’s fave! Too bad I couldn’t bring Paolo with me to the interview, but we met Maddix at his set on the first night so all good!
Last chance to party
Last night on The Genting Dream!
We partied and drank as much as we could on the last night. Did you know that they have their own Zouk Club on this ship?! One of the side activities there for the last night was a beer pong match with EDM group Cash Cash.
Zouk Club on Deck 17
Sam Frisch of Cash Cash
Day Four – Back to Singapore
Overall, I really enjoyed my first cruise ever; it was so much more fun than I had expected! Add the fact that it was also an EDM festival, so that’s ticking two things off my bucket list. Paolo headed back to Manila after reaching Singapore, and I’m glad I shared this really amazing experience with him.
Here’s one final look at The Genting Dream.
It’s The Ship mascot
#MOTHER5HIP
Zodiac Theatre
Every spot is Instagrammable!
In case of emergency
Thank you #ItsTheShip!
It’s The Ship 2019
It’s The Ship will sail again from Singapore on 13-15 November 2019, and the destinations this time will be China and Japan! Cabins will be available soon. If you want to be on the wait list, visit ItsTheShip.com.
Dicussion
How exciting that your first cruise was for a bit floating music festival. Good thing you took your friend with you. It certainly did look like they had a variety of food to eat. The foam party does look like it was a lot of fun. I can’t imagine cleaning up from this. It was good that you had a chance to go out in Phuket. Eating at the night market was my favourite thing! (LD Holland)
What a rocking time you had. An EDM festival on a ship sounds really incredible. Can see you had a gala time. The foam party looks like great fun. It is indeed the best of both worlds, cruise as well as party!
The room looks very neatly tucked. And the food options are mind blowing. But the best part is there were so many activities to enjoy. A cruise trip is next on my bucket list, and I will definitely check this one out.
ok this looks like a fun cruise!
The foam party looks so fun! And the pool is inviting. The food delicious. What a great trip!
I think we can be friends. I also love food and partying lol. Getting my face stuffed with food is something I would do too! I’ve tried frog legs but that was in France. Can’t say it’s for me. And OMG. The foam party looks fun! Pity you didn’t get to interview the main act, Big Shaq but on the plus side – less work and more play.
Wow, it must have been great fun. And it is good that you took your friend with you. After all, it was such a cool party. The cruise looks great and so are the food, rooms and deck. You first cruise experience is surely rocking!
Ι would have never guessed that you can have so much fun on a cruise ship- I have it in my mind as an easy type for older people vacation. But… parties, swimming pools, food- you clearly had a blast!
Oh, my! The cruise does look absolutely fabulous! Loved it!
The food looks incredible too, and they do seem to have a lot of activities on board for the guests to indulge in.
When I was your age, I enjoyed that much partying, too! But now, when I take a cruise, I’m looking for peaceful relaxation and the opportunity to enjoy some spectacular off-board experiences (like snorkelling the Belize coral reef or walking on a glacier in Alaska!) The great thing about cruising is that if offers something for everyone. Glad you enjoyed your first one.