Asia’s luxury cruise ship Genting Dream Cruise made its maiden voyage to Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta, on Wednesday.

The ship reportedly carried 3,300 passengers and some of them took part in excursions in the capital.

The Tourism Ministry’s honorary advisor Indroyono Soesilo said at a press conference on Wednesday that around 320,000 travelers are expected to visit Indonesia by cruise ship this year, revealing the potential of cruises in boosting the number of tourists visiting the country.

Meanwhile, Raymond Lim, Singapore Tourism Board area director for Indonesia, said the cruise allows Indonesian travelers to enjoy a different experience when traveling to Singapore.

What exactly are the cruise's facilities and how does it give a different experience to travelers? Below are some examples:  

All-inclusive packages

Cruises offer all-inclusive packages, including onboard accommodation, meals and entertainment.

Michael Goh, international sales senior vice president of Genting Cruise Lines, said Dream Cruise provides five meals daily, namely breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon tea in its three restaurants.  

However, alcoholic beverages and other dining options are available at additional costs.  

Read also: AI technology services coming soon to Genting cruise ship

Entertainment

On cruises, entertainment is not limited to swimming pools or a fitness center. For Dream Cruises, passengers can enjoy a myriad of free entertainment programs, varying from six water slide parks, a flying fox zip wire, live performances, mini golf, wall climbing and bowling.

Other facilities, such as the Johnnie Walker House and cigar room are available at extra costs.

Medical facilities

Since cruises are designed for all ages, the ship is equipped with an onboard medical facility. The facility has a general practitioner, providing passengers with basic medical treatment.

MICE facilities

Aside from onboard entertainment, Dream Cruises also caters for meetings and events. At its conference venues, companies or small groups can hold presentations or annual meetings. Meanwhile, the outdoor facilities, such as Dream Cruise’s multi-purpose SportsPlex and flying fox zip wire, are suitable for those who look for a venue for team building.

Visas

Besides all the facilities, a free-visa policy is among the perks of traveling on the cruise.

The Directorate General of Immigration applies a free-visa policy for foreign passengers traveling by cruise ship to Indonesia.

Meanwhile, some countries, such as Japan and Russia, also apply a similar policy for Indonesian travelers. Dream Cruise sales manager Hari Susanto told The Jakarta Post that Indonesians traveling on cruise ships can enter Japan without a visa. However, they are required to return to the cruise ship after the shore excursions. (kes)