Ship Inspection: Dream Cruises, Explorer Dream

Explorer Dream arrived in Sydney on Sunday 27 October 2019, on her inaugural sailing to Australia. Media and travel partners were invited to the Welcome Ceremony, for a Ship Tour and an East-meets-West Fusion Lunch.

Highlights

Explorer Dream arrived in Sydney on Sunday 27 October 2019, on her inaugural sailing to Australia. Media and travel partners were invited to the Welcome Ceremony, for a Ship Tour and an East-meets-West Fusion Lunch.

We were greeted with a glass of champagne, along with a chance for a photo booth opportunity. Once onboard we headed to The Palace which has a dedicated dining venue, swimming pool, lounge, and a team of Dream Butlers for The Palace Guests. We were treated to a welcome ceremony where Captain Christian Gerhard Aalbers received a special plaque for the inaugural visit to Sydney. A performance by the onboard entertainment team including dancers and amazing acrobatics even featured a mermaid diving into the pool at the end of the performance! Guests were then taken on a ship tour which included sampling the menu of each specialty restaurant. This included Umi Uma where a Teppanyaki chef cooked scallops, prawns and squid, and lobster with truffle at Seafood Grill by Mark Best.

Lunch was a delicious 6 course menu in the main dining room where Mark Best dined with us. A stand out dish was the Red Braised Wagyu Short Rib with Gai Choy and Black Truffle. Explorer Dream offers a range of both Asian and Western cuisine in the included Dream Dining Room (main restaurant), the multiple specialty dining options and in The Lido – International buffet.

Once we disembarked some of the team waited in Circular Quay to wave ‘Bon Voyage’ as the ship sailed under the Harbour Bridge and onto Newcastle, her next destination.

Top Tips

1. The Palace is in a class of its own and is great value with all the extra benefits. With private VIP facilities such as its own swimming pool, lounge and dinning. The Palace includes all beverages, a butler, Wi-Fi, Shore Excursions, Nespresso coffee machine in every suite and more.

2. With over 16 restaurants and bars onboard you’ll be spoilt for choice. Some restaurants not to miss out on are Seafood Grill by Mark Best, Hot Pot or Teppanyaki in Umi Uma.

3. 24 Hour Dining – the Blue Lagoon venue offers 24 hour excellent hawker food with a great atmosphere. There is a charge per dish, however from 11pm – 1am each dish is just $2!

4. Whatever you do, do not miss out on the entertainment. Explorer Dream has the most talented entertainment team onboard including dancing, acrobatics and magic acts along with some absolutely amazing costumes.

5. The staterooms are very modern looking with beautiful colour tones and artwork. The bathrooms looked quite spacious compared to some cruises I have taken.

6. If you fancy a spot of shopping there is plenty to choose from including watches, fine jewellery, superior leather goods and more. The layout of the shops was an open plan layout which made for a more flowing experience.

7. Teenage & Children club facilities onboard. The Little Dreams Club is for children 2-12 years old which includes a number of activates including arts and crats, movies, games and more. There is even an inflatable jumping castle! Teenage activates include DJ Mixing, Hip Hop Classes, Football, Karaoke and more.

8. Explorer Dream has a number of Australia and New Zealand itineraries from Oct 19 to Feb 20.