World Dream COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test & Boarding Procedures at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore

World Dream Super Seacation Cruise To Nowhere

The World Dream Super Seacation cruise is Dream Cruises’ restart of cruises to nowhere in Singapore under STB’s CruiseSafe certification. Though the rest of the world seems puzzled by cruises to nowhere, it was actually common pre-COVID in Singapore for short weekend breaks.

Cruises to nowhere are great for those who would rather enjoy the ship’s facilities rather than offshore excursions, but with the general restriction for Singaporeans still being ‘do not travel’, a cruise to nowhere is now the only thing where you can travel out of Singapore without incurring the wrath of the Ministry of Health.

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In the new normal, boarding the World Dream cruise to nowhere begins with the COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART) before check-in procedures.

COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART)

The first step in the boarding process is the compulsory COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART). This costs S$60 as part of the compulsory costs when you book your cruise, no matter if direct or through an agent. This is conducted at Level 3 of the Car Park.

SafeEntry and Health Declaration

The first thing that you would see is the usual SafeEntry QR code to scan and check-in to the venue. TraceTogether is also accepted here.

Unfortunately, no photos are allowed throughout the process, so I’ll just describe them in words.

Once in the testing venue, the waiting game starts with a health declaration with the usual health questions like if you had travelled overseas for the past 14 days or if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.

COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART)

The next step is the actual test. There will be a counter where you provide the medical staff your passport or IC and they’ll give you a string of stickers after checking through all your details. Following which, you will be assigned a testing station.

After taking most of the stickers, the doctor or nurse will return you 3 stickers which you have to keep till the end of the cruise where you do the arrival test again.

Having gone through the PCR test before, I can attest that the COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART) is absolutely not painful, neither does the swab go deep in to your nostril. It felt like probably just 1cm up my nostril. Your finger would have gone in deeper than the ART if you were digging your nose.

You then receive a coloured number sticker. The colour corresponds to your assigned waiting area while you wait for your test results, and the number corresponds to your person. This takes approximately 1 hour according to official timings, but I got mine in like 20 minutes.

After receiving my negative test result, it’s time to head back down to Level 2.

World Dream Baggage Check-In

(This can be done before or after your COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART).)

After the COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART), if you have bulky luggage, you may use the Baggage Check-In service, similar to boarding a flight. You need to show your cruise ticket and your COVID-19 test timing or result when checking in.

Your baggage will be delivered to your cabin door along the corridor.

Do note that you are free to hand carry your luggage if it’s cabin sized and below if you’d like.

World Dream Cruise Check-In

Next, head inside the terminal for security screening and cruise check-in.

Security screening is just like at the airport – scan all your belongings including those that are in your pockets.

After security screening, head for check-in. Manual counters are on the left, while self check-in is on the right.

Even if you have done your online check-in already, you still need to queue here as this is where you will get your room key.

TRACEY Collection

Next, head upstairs to collect your TRACEY. This replaces the previous MICE Pod issued, but it’s very similar in function.

The TRACEY functions just like the TraceTogether Token for contact tracing on board the ship only. This will have to be returned before disembarkation at the end of the cruise.

In total, you would get your room key, MICE Pod, and identification documents in a Dream Cruises lanyard.

Singapore Immigration

As you are heading out of Singapore waters, a passport is still needed to board this cruise to nowhere. You will go through Singapore immigration as per normal as if you are travelling overseas.

A key change in immigration procedures for Singapore passports includes the introduction of iris and facial scans, with fingerprint verification removed. This is great for me since my thumbprint doesn’t work sometimes and I get hauled into the office to verify my identity to get bypassed.

Boarding the World Dream Cruise

With all the procedures done, it’s finally time to step on board the World Dream cruise ship.

Signs around the path to the gangway bid goodbye to me saying “Thank You For Visiting Singapore”. How I wish I was heading overseas though.

Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore uses a modern automated gangway similar to an aerobridge, so this made me feel like I was flying instead.

There is a desk to tap-in to the ship using your room key before heading up to your stateroom. You will need to tap in to such stations wherever you go around the ship as part of contact tracing, since the MICE Pod doesn’t track your location.

Report to Muster Station

With Safe Management Measures in place, the usual safety briefing as a group is not conducted. Instead, each person goes down individually to report to the Muster Station, tapping the room key on the counter. This is where you need to be in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Safety Briefing

The safety briefing is conducted as the ship departs from Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore over the PA system, with staff around the ship performing the safety briefing.

Once everything is done, it’s time to enjoy the cruise!

Book your World Dream Super Seacation Cruise To Nowhere here!

This cruise was kindly sponsored by Dream Cruises Singapore, under a separate project.


World Dream Super Seacation Cruise To Nowhere

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