Meet Santa like in Miracle on 34th Street — aboard a ship
Cruzia, the homegrown global platform driving South Korea's cruise industry
Cruzia, a homegrown global cruise booking platform driving the growth of South Korea's cruise industry, is launching a special year-end voyage where passengers can skate on the open sea and meet Santa Claus just like in the film Miracle on 34th Street.
StarDream Cruises, which carries on the legacy of Star Cruises — a pioneer of the Asian cruise market — is inviting travelers to an unusual winter holiday aboard the Genting Dream, centered on ice skating at sea.
From Dec. 1 through Dec. 31, the ship will offer onboard skating sessions, lessons from professional skaters and ice shows, adding a taste of winter fun to a Southeast Asian cruise itinerary.
Cruzia, the global cruise booking platform created by South Korean company S-Marketing, is accepting reservations for Genting Dream sailings departing during the event period. Detailed information on departure schedules and cabin rates for each voyage is available on Cruzia's official website, where booking consultations can also be arranged.
The program is designed to let passengers enjoy both warm-weather relaxation in Southeast Asia and classic winter activities. Between port excursions and time spent unwinding on the ship, travelers can lace up skates or watch performances by professional skaters. The lineup caters to families with children as well as friends and couples planning a year-end getaway.
The skating program takes place at the Zouk Beach Club on Deck 17 at the stern of the Genting Dream. General skating sessions run 30 minutes per slot, with a maximum of 10 participants each. The fee is 10 Singapore dollars ($8) per person.
Lessons led by professional skaters are also available — 30-minute sessions for up to 10 participants at 15 Singapore dollars per person. Passengers can choose between the general skating experience and the instructional lesson based on their preference.
Professional ice skaters will perform two 30-minute shows per sailing. The combination of hands-on skating and live performances means passengers can both participate and watch.
The skating program is part of the Genting Dream's year-end themed event "A Dream Wonderland," which runs from Friday through Dec. 31 and features a wide range of interactive activities including music, games and crafts. Family-friendly activities and programs tailored for children and teenagers broaden the options available to passengers of all ages and interests.
The music program includes carol singing, percussion and body-rhythm activities, and music games. Guests can also take part in a candy cane race, snowman-making, a 10-second challenge and a ring-toss game targeting reindeer-antler-shaped boards — all designed for families and friends to enjoy together.
The crafts program lets passengers paint rocks and wood pieces and make wreaths, cards and clay decorations using paper bags. Some activities — including designing custom plates and tumblers — carry an additional fee.
In December, the ship will add science experiments, a lantern parade, carol singing and craft sessions for children and teenagers. Outdoor activities include a foam party at the Zouk Beach Club, a dance party, a relay challenge and a family pool game. Passengers can mix and match skating, performances, crafts and outdoor activities to build their own onboard schedule.
Santa meet-and-greet sessions, photo opportunities and Christmas celebrations will add to the festive atmosphere. As the new year approaches, passengers can make 2027 calendars, wish lanterns and New Year's crowns, then ring in the year together at a countdown party on the open sea.
The Genting Dream is based year-round in Singapore, operating cruises to Southeast Asian destinations including Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Travelers can pair a city stay in Singapore with a cruise itinerary to enjoy both urban sightseeing and onboard relaxation. This December, the addition of skating sessions and ice shows makes the winter voyage more varied than ever.
Details on individual "A Dream Wonderland" programs are available on the StarDream Cruises official website. Schedules and venues for each activity will be announced through the ship's onboard newsletter, Dream Daily. Some activities carry separate fees, and specific schedules and programs are subject to change depending on operational conditions.
abc@heraldcorp.com
