StarDream Cruises Review 2026: What Real Travelers Are Saying (Honest Guide for Indian Passengers)

If you’ve been thinking about a cruise from Singapore and keep seeing StarDream Cruises pop up, you’re not alone. After a major relaunch in 2025, StarDream has become one of the most talked-about cruise options across Southeast Asia – especially for Indian, Malaysian, and Singaporean travelers looking for short, affordable sea getaways.

But is it actually good? What do real passengers think?

We’ve compiled verified traveler reviews, ratings data, and on-ground experience across StarDream’s two main ships – the Genting Dream and the Star Voyager – so you can decide if this cruise line is right for you before you book.

Genting Dream: The Flagship – Full Review

Overall Verdict from Recent Travelers

The Genting Dream is currently Singapore’s most popular year-round cruise ship, and for most travelers, the reviews back that up. This 150,695 GT vessel sails 2 to 5-night itineraries from Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore to destinations across Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. It also runs regular “cruise to nowhere” weekend getaways — a favourite among locals, especially casino enthusiasts.

Traveler ratings across platforms in 2025–2026 are generally strong, with consistent praise for cabin quality, food variety, and entertainment — alongside some recurring complaints that are worth knowing before you travel.

Cabins & Staterooms

Cabin quality is one of the Genting Dream’s strongest suits based on recent traveler feedback. The ship offers Interior Cabins, Oceanview Rooms, Balcony Staterooms, and luxurious suites under The Palace.

The Balcony Stateroom opens up into your very own private balcony — and one of the favourite things to do is chill out on it to soak in the beautiful view and enjoy the fresh sea breeze.

The Genting Dream’s Palace Suites come with private restaurants, spa access, and butler service.

One real passenger noted: “The cabin room is large and spacious, with a big balcony” — a sentiment echoed across multiple TripAdvisor reviews from 2025 and early 2026.

Tip for Indian travelers: Pick midship cabins on lower decks if you’re prone to seasickness. Avoid cabins directly below the theatre to minimize vibration noise at night.

Food – What Indian Travelers Specifically Say

This is the section Indian cruisers care about most, and the Genting Dream genuinely delivers here. For Indian and Muslim travelers, food is never just food — it’s comfort, culture, and faith combined. After sailing on the Genting Dream Cruise, many travelers realize this ship truly understands Asian travelers.

Food on the Genting Dream is one of its strongest points. The ship markets itself as having “over 35 dining concepts,” but in reality only 3 restaurants are fully complimentary with your cruise fare. That said, the free options are generous enough to keep most travelers well-fed throughout the cruise. The Lido (Deck 16) is the main international buffet — with over 554 seats and a massive spread covering Asian, Indian, Western, and halal options.

The halal-certified section runs along the port side, while a dedicated Indian vegetarian and Jain section sits on the starboard side.

Indian vegetarian travelers are often pleasantly surprised by the food variety onboard. The international buffet regularly serves Indian comfort food that feels familiar after long sightseeing days or onboard activities.

One complaint that did surface in 2025: a new “double-dining” fee means guests who want to sample different inclusive restaurants during the same mealtime now incur a $15 charge, which feels like a step back for the guest experience. This is worth factoring into your budget.

Entertainment & Activities

Access to pools, jacuzzis, waterslides, gym, ropes course, zipline, rock climbing, mini-golf, and Sportsplex are all included with your cruise fare.

Genting Dream also features a Zouk Beach Club, LED-lit bowling alley, theatre shows, and luxury shopping.

The live shows get consistent praise from passengers — one reviewer noted the quality of free shows is high-class. One piece of feedback that appeared in multiple 2025–2026 reviews: there is only one show per night, and guests felt two performances would be better for crowd management.

What Travelers Are Complaining About

No honest review skips this. Here are the most common complaints from verified 2025–2026 TripAdvisor reviews:

The check-in and onboarding process is very slow. Compared to industry competitors who have streamlined check-ins, Genting Dream feels stuck in the past here. Multiple reviewers from September and October 2025 flagged long waits at embarkation with little information from staff on expected waiting times.

Staff communication is rated as poor in several areas — particularly around shore excursions and disembarkation timings.

One reviewer with a history of sailing on Genting Dream summed it up fairly: “In general everything else was pretty good including food, staff, service, housekeeping, shows as well as the Dreamers Club” — suggesting that individual experiences vary but the core product is solid.

Star Voyager: The Intimate Alternative

Following a comprehensive US$50 million refurbishment, the Star Voyager was relaunched under the StarCruises brand on 26 March 2025. As of early 2026, the ship has shifted its primary homeport to Hong Kong (Ocean Terminal) for a 9-month deployment running from February to November 2026, offering 2-night, 3-night, and 5-night sailings to destinations including Xiamen, Sanya, Naha (Okinawa), Keelung, Halong Bay, and Da Nang.

With an overall satisfaction score above 8.5 out of 10, the Star Voyager has earned strong approval from leisure travelers, couples, and families alike. Travelers describe the cabins as cozy, functional, and well-updated. After the refurbishment, rooms now feature upgraded lighting, fresh interiors, and improved sound insulation. Balcony Staterooms remain the most popular choice, offering ocean views and private space.

The smaller scale of Star Voyager creates a calmer onboard environment, which appeals to travelers who want less bustle but still appreciate a range of activities and entertainment. Early reviews note better Wi-Fi coverage and sleeker cabin interiors post-refurbishment.

If you want a quieter, more intimate cruise experience — especially for couples or senior travelers — the Star Voyager is worth serious consideration over the larger, busier Genting Dream.

Pricing: What Does StarDream Cruises Actually Cost?

A realistic total budget for a family of four on a 2-night Interior cabin with modest extras is around SGD 1,200–1,800. A Balcony cabin with more extras comes to SGD 2,000–3,000. Keep an eye out for seasonal promotions, kids-sail-free deals (3rd/4th passenger up to 95% off), and platform discounts through Klook, Trip.com, or credit card partnerships.

When factoring in everything — a floating hotel room, unlimited meals at three restaurants, entertainment, pools, slides, and activities — the Genting Dream delivers a premium cruise experience at a mid-range price.

For Indian travelers booking from India, the SGD to INR conversion makes this one of the most cost-effective international cruise options available, particularly for 2–3 night sailings.

StarDream Cruises: Honest Ratings Summary

Category | Genting Dream | Star Voyager
Cabins | |
Food (Indian options) | |
Entertainment | |
Check-in Experience | |
Value for Money | |
Family-Friendliness | |
Overall | |

Who Should Book StarDream Cruises?

It’s a great fit if you:

Are a first-time cruiser wanting a short, affordable introduction to cruising

Are an Indian family looking for a ship with proper vegetarian, Jain, and halal food options

Want a 2–5 night cruise from Singapore without a massive budget

Are traveling with senior parents or young children who need a structured, comfortable experience

You might want to look elsewhere if you:

Want the highest-tier Western cruise line experience (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity)

Have very little patience for slow check-in processes

Want extensive nightlife and late-night entertainment options