Dream Cruises Genting Dream
Hong Kong 2-3 Night Cruise Guide
Departing from Kai Tak Cruise Terminal: 151,000-ton mega-ship with 35+ restaurants, 6-level water park, top-deck pool, all-inclusive from HK$ 1,499 for 2 nights. No packed itinerary — just weekend escape mode.
1. What is Genting Dream? Quick Overview
| Ship | Genting Dream (151,000 gross tons, 18 decks) |
|---|---|
| Departure Port | Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Hong Kong |
| Itineraries | 2-night (Friday–Sunday) / 3-night (Sunday–Wednesday) |
| Pricing | Interior HK$ 1,499 / Oceanview HK$ 2,200 / Balcony HK$ 3,200 / Suites HK$ 5,800 |
| What's Included | Accommodation + main dining buffet + pools + basic entertainment + gym |
| Best For | Couples, families, friend groups, seniors — anyone wanting a hassle-free weekend escape |
2. Why Choose Genting Dream?
Hong Kong has plenty of weekend getaway options — Macau, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Taiwan — but a cruise is the only one that requires no visa, no itinerary planning, and lets you start relaxing the moment you board. Dream Cruises' Genting Dream is one of the largest ships sailing from Hong Kong, and since its debut in 2016 has welcomed over 2 million passengers.
It's not marketed on being "cheap" (HK$ 750 per night is actually slightly pricier than a hotel), but on delivering an all-inclusive "one-price-covers-everything" vacation:
- Zero planning: food, lodging, entertainment — all on the ship. No route research, no restaurant reservations, no transfer coordination.
- 35+ dining venues: from Chinese buffet to Japanese teppanyaki, lobster bar, Indian curry. World cuisine without leaving the ship.
- Water park + top-deck pool: 6-story slides, infinity pool, hot tubs — more exciting than any Hong Kong hotel pool.
- Something for everyone: kids clubs for families, spa for couples, casino for friends, jogging track for seniors.
- 2 nights is enough: Friday night departure, Sunday return — no vacation time needed.
3. Cabin Types Explained
1. Interior Stateroom
Approximately 15–17 sqm, no windows. Best for budget-conscious travelers who'll spend all day on deck. Includes twin/double bed (convertible), private bathroom, TV, safe, mini-bar. 2 nights from HK$ 1,499.
Tip: If claustrophobia is a concern, upgrade to an oceanview. Otherwise, interior cabins offer the best value — you'll be out enjoying the ship anyway.
2. Oceanview Stateroom
Approximately 17–20 sqm with a porthole or window (not openable), ocean views. 2 nights from HK$ 2,200. Great for those who want to feel the sea from their cabin.
3. Balcony Stateroom
Approximately 22–28 sqm with a private balcony (4–6 sqm). Step outside, breathe ocean air, watch the sunrise. 2 nights from HK$ 3,200. This is the best choice for couples — morning coffee on your private deck, no better date vibe.
4. The Palace Suite
40–100+ sqm with separate living area, butler service, and access to The Palace — an exclusive "ship-within-a-ship" zone (dedicated pool, restaurants, lounge). 2 nights from HK$ 5,800. For those chasing the ultimate experience or traveling in larger groups. Palace guests enjoy buffet-free dining — no queues.
Cabin Comparison Table
| Type | Size | Feature | 2-Night Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior | 15–17 m² | No window | HK$ 1,499 | Budget travelers |
| Oceanview | 17–20 m² | Window with view | HK$ 2,200 | Want to see the sea |
| Balcony | 22–28 m² | Private balcony | HK$ 3,200 | Couples / romantic escape |
| Palace Suite | 40–100+ m² | Butler + exclusive zone | HK$ 5,800 | Luxury experience |
4. Dining: 35+ Restaurants & Bars
Over 35 dining venues — the biggest pleasant surprise of the cruise. Split into complimentary (included in your ticket) and premium (extra charge):
Complimentary Restaurants
- Lido Buffet: breakfast, lunch, dinner daily. International spread — Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Southeast Asian. The go-to main dining for most guests.
- Silk Road: order-ahead Asian cuisine, focus on Cantonese and dim sum.
- Blue Lagoon: 24-hour casual café, burgers, sandwiches, salads. Late-night snack hub.
- Poolside Grill: lunch service on pool deck, hot dogs, grilled meats.
Premium Dining (Reserve 1-2 venues)
- Dream Restaurant: French fine dining, around HK$ 350–500 per person.
- Teppanyaki: live cooking show, around HK$ 400 per person.
- Lobster Bar: lobster tasting menus from HK$ 280.
- Hot Pot: Chinese-style, around HK$ 200 per person.
- Bars: multiple themed bars, cocktails HK$ 60–90 each.
Tip: Free restaurants are genuinely good and plentiful, but for a special occasion (anniversary, birthday), booking one premium dinner elevates the experience. Teppanyaki books up fast — reserve it on the first day of boarding.
5. Entertainment & Activities
Something to do every hour, from sunrise to late night:
- Water Park: 6-level slides (spiral + straight), kids' splash pool, climbing wall. Free.
- Zouk At Sea nightclub: opens 22:00+, live DJ, the ship's nightlife center.
- Main Theater: nightly variety shows, magic, acrobatics. Free admission.
- Dream Casino: slots, baccarat, roulette, poker. Open 24/7 in international waters.
- Crystal Life Spa: massage, facials, sauna, steam (fee: ~HK$ 400–800).
- Fitness Center: treadmills, weights, free group classes (yoga, Pilates, cardio).
- Kids Club: separate zones for ages 2–6 and 7–12, supervised play. Parents get free time.
- Climbing wall, basketball, mini-golf: deck sports, free to use.
- Arcade: video racing, shooting, VR (pay-per-play).
6. Cruise Itineraries
Two main options departing from Hong Kong:
2-Night Open Sea (Most Popular)
Typically Friday 19:00 departure, no port stops, circles around in international waters, returns Sunday 08:00. Perfect for weekends — no passport required (China ID or HK travel permit is fine). Pure onboard fun.
3-Night Vietnam Itinerary
Usually Sunday evening departure, stops at Halong Bay or Da Nang, returns Wednesday morning. Includes optional shore excursions. Requires a passport. Better for those wanting one extra destination.
Typical 2-Night Itinerary Timeline
- Day 1, 17:00: Boarding, luggage drop, ship exploration.
- Day 1, 19:00: All aboard. Watch Hong Kong harbor fade from the promenade deck — the most emotional moment.
- Day 1, 20:00: Dinner (Lido or Silk Road).
- Day 1, 21:30: Main Theater show.
- Day 1, 23:00: Zouk club / casino / stargazing on deck.
- Day 2, all day: Sea day — pool, water park, spa, lunch buffet, afternoon tea, deck activities.
- Day 2, 19:00: Formal night (optional), captain's welcome reception.
- Day 2, 21:00: Second theater performance.
- Day 3, 06:00: Sunrise viewing (absolutely worth it).
- Day 3, 07:00: Breakfast, checkout.
- Day 3, 08:00–09:00: Disembark in Hong Kong.
7. What's Included vs. Extra Charges
| Included | Not Included |
|---|---|
| Cabin accommodation | Premium dining venues |
| Buffet dining (all day) | Alcoholic beverages |
| Theater performances | Spa / massage |
| Pools + water park | Wi-Fi (HK$ 150/day) |
| Fitness center + group classes | Shore excursions (3-night cruises) |
| Kids clubs | Laundry / dry cleaning |
| Deck sports | Casino chips |
| Port taxes + fuel surcharge | Travel insurance |
8. Packing Checklist
First-time cruisers often wonder what to bring:
- ID Documents: passport or HK travel permit (2-night cruises) / passport (3-night cruises) + Klook e-confirmation.
- Swimsuit: at least one; the pool and water park are the most-used facilities.
- Sunscreen + sunglasses + hat: the deck is intense UV.
- Light jacket: ship cabins are very cold (~20°C), and the deck is breezy.
- Motion sickness tablets: even on a large ship, sensitive travelers should pack. Take 30 min before departure.
- Power bank + universal adapter: limited outlets in cabins, adapters may be needed.
- Formal wear (optional): captain's night has a dress code. Men: shirt + trousers; women: cocktail dress or skirt.
- Flip-flops: not always provided, useful for the pool deck.
- Don't pack: outside food or drinks (forbidden), hair dryer (in cabin), excess luggage (cramped rooms).
9. Genting Dream vs. Other Hong Kong Cruises
| Ship | Gross Tonnage | Restaurants | 2-Night Price | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genting Dream | 151,000 | 35+ | HK$ 1,499 | Largest, most venues, Asian dining focus |
| World Dream | 151,000 | 35+ | HK$ 1,699 | Sister ship, same setup, different routes |
| Royal Caribbean | 138,000 | 20+ | HK$ 2,100 | Western vibe, climbing wall, FlowRider deck surf |
| MSC Cruises | 92,000 | 15+ | HK$ 1,800 | European style, excellent Italian dining |
Genting Dream wins on: lowest price, largest ship, most Asian restaurant options. Choose Royal Caribbean for Western resort vibes; Genting Dream for Asian food and best value.
10. Boarding Process & Practical Tips
- Arrive 2 hours early: need time for check-in, security, and photo ID for onboard charges.
- Getting to Kai Tak Terminal: MTR Kai Tak station exit B (10 min walk), taxi from Tsim Sha Tsui (~HK$ 50), airport express to Kowloon Station then taxi (~HK$ 80).
- Luggage: check large bags at the terminal — they'll be delivered to your cabin.
- Onboard charges: link a credit card to your room card. Everything runs on the card — don't bring excessive cash.
- Wi-Fi: expensive and slow (HK$ 150–300/day). Consider it a digital detox opportunity.
- Motion sickness: at 151,000 tons, Genting Dream is very stable in South China waters. Sea sickness is rare unless there's a typhoon. Mid-ship cabins are the most stable.
- Gratuity: included in the ticket. Specialty restaurants (optional tip).
- Best booking window: 2–4 weeks before departure for best prices. Too early = no discounts; too late = interior cabins may be sold out.
11. Who Should Book — & Who Might Not
Ideal Passengers
- Couples: balcony cabin + specialty dinner + spa = romantic weekend.
- Families: kids clubs + water park + buffet = low stress, high fun.
- Friend groups: casino + nightclub + activities = epic weekend.
- Seniors: accessible facilities, no heavy walking required, all meals sorted.
- First-time cruisers: 2 nights is a great low-commitment taster.
Probably Not a Good Fit
- Severe motion sickness (rare, but possible).
- Dislike crowds (peak season buffets and pools get busy).
- Want deep cultural experiences (2-night open-sea cruises don't dock).
- On an ultra-tight budget (dorm beds on land are cheaper than HK$ 750/night).
12. Why Book With Us
- Klook pricing is 10–15% cheaper than the official site;
- Instant e-confirmation, scan-to-board at the terminal;
- Free cancellation up to 7 days before (Klook policy);
- 24/7 multilingual customer support;
- Bundle with other Hong Kong activities (Big Bus tours, etc.).