I've been traveling the world (or at least, Asia) since 2018 and it's my first time cruising. I've always been a traveler who preferred airplanes over ships, but this year, I have decided to finally try it - with Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas. And let me tell you, it was something that is magical as a first timer.
This is my second time in Singapore (last time was in 2019) and I did a bit of an exploration of the city again this year. My Malaysia trip in 2019 was short - I only visited Kuala Lumpur - and this time, the visit was also short in Penang. Same goes with Thailand - I've been to Bangkok in 2023, but this year, I was able to visit one of their beautiful beaches in Phuket.
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| A photo of me in front of the cruise ship Ovation of the Seas in Penang, Malaysia |
Read Also: Singapore Travel Blog 2025
Before boarding, a little preparation will make your cruise smooth and stress-free
What I prepared before the cruise:
1. Travel Documents
- Passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your sailing date.
- SetSail Pass that can be found on your Royal Caribbean app
- 4 copies of your scanned passport
- Singapore is a visa-free country for Philippine-passport holder, but if your country requires a visa upon entry in Singapore, you should have this ready as well
- Swimsuits and casual outfits for sea days
- Smart casual or formal wear for themed or fine dining nights
- Refillable tumblers or water bottles
- Motion-sickness patches or medicines in case you get sea sick
- Power cables or multi-port chargers because outlets can be limited in cabins
- Portable bidet since the toilets in the cruise ship only uses toilet papers
- Toiletries - they only have shampoo and body wash included, so make sure you have your toothbrush and toothpaste, and other toiletries you may need
- Bring an ID case and lanyard as you will need this for your SetSail pass/stateroom key card
What to expect on your sailing day
Check-in early
Our cruise will begin in Singapore so we arrived in Marina Bay Cruise Center before 11am since we also scheduled it during this time. The check-in process is smooth, you just have to provide your passport and SetSail pass and you can now board the ship. Upon entering the gangway, the staff will take your passport and will only be returned on the last day of the cruise. Make sure you have a copy of your passport saved in your phone or the printed ones in case needed when you alight the ship during shore excursions. Checking in early will allow you to maximize your first day exploring the ship rather than waiting in lines.
When you enter the ship, make sure to go first to your assigned muster to ensure that you are checked in before exploring the ship. This allows the staff to account the guests that are already inside the ship.
Staterooms will open around 1pm
We arrived inside the ship around 11:30 so we had our lunch first at Windjammer Marketplace. We took some photos of the ship without the crowd since we were early, and then waited for staterooms to be opened. When the staterooms are opened, you can now check out your rooms. Every stateroom has their own key cards so make sure you have it with you all the time. Every person checked-in in the room will have their own key card, but if you need an additional one, you can request it from the Guest Services area.
Checked-in luggage will be distributed on your staterooms or in the nearby hallways. Double check within your deck or report lost luggage to the Guest Services area in case you don't get your baggage before 6pm.
Enjoy your day 1 and prepare for the upcoming days.
4D3N Singapore-Penang-Phuket Cruise Itinerary
Here's a summary of the cruise itinerary and I was amazed how everything was on time. I didn't get to explore Penang since it was raining hard that day. We did go to a nearby mall to buy a suitcase, and we went straight back to port so that we can have our dinner.
Read Also: One Day in Phuket, Thailand | 2025
What to expect in the cruise ship - Ovation of the Seas
Dining Experience
There is really no shortage of dining options onboard. Some of my personal favorites are:
- Windjammer Marketplace - the go-to buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We often get our breakfast here.
- Cafe @ Two70 - light bites, wraps, and pastries
- Main Dining Rooms - fine dining experience at sea. Every night there are different cuisines prepared by the culinary team
- North Star experience - a glass capsule that lifts you 300 feet above sea level for breathtaking panoramic views
- Ripcord by iFly - An indoor skydiving simulation. This is perfect for adrenaline junkies. I swear that this is the longest minute of my life. The air pressure inside is strong!
- FlowRider - Must-try surfing or boogie boarding with fake waves! My first try was a good one. I did boogie-boarding and was able to control the board
- Bumper cars in SeaPlex - at night, bumper cars are setup in SeaPlex. It's a fun activity for ages 5 and up. I wish that it's longer than 2 minutes though.
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