2022 Cruise to Nowhere : A Royal Carribbean Adventure Day 1

As the borders were still closed (and we are getting that cabin fever), we decided to try cruise to nowhere (during the pandemic). Everyone we know at least tried to take a cruise (I was thinking that I will only do a cruise, when I am old), so why not give it a shot. The fees were reasonable so we decided to give it a go.  

and this was how the whole cruise experience went by on the first day: 

Since we are travelling in the year of covid, we need to take the ART test (24h before boarding.Edit: Since Jun 2022, there are no more requirements to take ART / PCR tests upon arrival in SG). We just wing it and did not get any travel insurance.  Luckily, everything turned out ok. 

Tip: You need to check which test centers are open on a public holiday. Since the test centers near our area are closed, we had to go all the way to City Hall, and take Fullerton Health. There is no variation with having an appointment as they just accept walk ins. 

Embarking at Marina Bay Cruise Center. The nearest MRT is Marina South Pier. Though since you will be carrying your luggage around best to board Grab / Taxi to go to the pier.  

After going through check in counter, security and immigration (Yes, you can bring in water bottle, and liquids more than 500ml on board.Normally, they just don't allow you to bring electric kettle, electric water bottle, hair dryer,etc.)

You will be directed to the safety briefing typically held in 1 of the theater halls. After that, it is straight to your cabin via designated signs, so just follow them. All you need to know is your room number.  

Note: They will not give you the keys to your cabin in the concierge nor during the safety briefing. You will find them in the room itself (with your names on them). 

How the room look like (State Balcony, 7th floor) 

What the room look like: 

I booked a stateroom with Balcony via Klook. (You can't really book direct from the website because they are giving different error codes, you can try to book early and see). 

The view from the balcony. It is also not bad to get a balcony to hang clothes dry. But you won't be able to see much of the view because it is all sea view (and you tend to get dizzy when you look below deck)

Basically, you can squeeze in 4 ADULTS on a king size bed (and the sofa). This already has luxurious space because most of the places I have stayed in are really tiny. 

After the safety briefing, and having settled in the cabin, go grab your food (while booking your activities) in the Windjammer (you need to use ship's intranet to book activities). Do plan all of your evening activities, if you want to watch shows all throughout or jam at Two70 Cafe or the Music Lounge.  

Tip: You need not eat your lunch (as the buffet is open!) before boarding the cruise ship. 

Some of the food that we got to eat were: 

Some steaks, DIY burger and fruits 

The windjammer is also on the way to the adult-only pool, the Solarium.  Practically, you do need it to get away from the people and the crowd (and to also go there in the morning, so the water is still "clean" but in all honesty, the pool is not as maintained as what I hope it will be and I'd rather just stay in the lounge chairs)

After eating a hearty meal at Windjammer (IMHO, this is one of the worst food in the block. Better to always get your meals straight from the Main Dining Room , which is free since you paid for it), one way to lose the calories and exercise is by walking around the ship and see what it has to offer. Some of the things I've found were (not all are accessible to the public, like Deck 2- which is reserved for the crew members and the front of the ship since they used it for crew members to relax.):

The arcade, the kiddie pools, the skypad, a rock climbing wall. (The pools are free, the rest, you have to pay)  

Tip: Do go to the (AFT) of the ship (where the Skypad is). It is best to come here around sunset time on Day 1 while it is still docked in SG to get the view of the marina. You don't get a view of the sunset on other days as you're in the middle of the ocean (sunrise too). 

After resting in the cabin, we decided to eat at the main dining room. 

We were ushered to our assigned table. You can order anything from their menu (provided you can finish them all). They will serve you complimentary drinks ( ice tea or pink lemonade or water - similar drinks you can find in any of the dining options like the Windjammer).

This is what we got on Day 1: 

Appetizer: Crispy calamari, escargot

Entree: Beef tenderloin, crispy duck

Dessert: Apple puff pastry, carrot cake, vanilla ice cream

After that we headed back to our cabin while we waited for the show for the day (Best to go there 15-20 minutes before the show starts). 

Note: They do screen movies after the show, it's just that I've already seen the movies they were showing. ( I shouldn't have watch that much films in my life.haha)

Since it was late, we decided to call it a night and went back to our cabin.