In its 25th year of expedition cruising, the leading luxury ocean cruise line in Asia, Genting Cruise Line continues to unlock an extensive range of immersive experiences ashore by incorporating short volunteering stints with its unparalleled floating hotel voyages. Featuring a countless assortment of activities – onboard and ashore – that include perennial favourites and a number of service-based shore excursions, travellers can now pursue their favourite passions and discover new ones. Voyagers can now rejoice as Genting Cruise Lines unveils its expansive roster of voluntourism activities across the Dream Cruises and Star Cruises Fleet. Here’s to experiencing cruise voluntourism, travelling from the heart!
What is cruise voluntourism?
Tell people you are off on a cruise holiday and they picture an extravagant escapist luxury of uninterrupted sea views of the warm turquoise waters, indulgent buffets laden with endless culinary possibilities, and a cocktail in hand as you lounge by the pool. Often, you’ll find that cruises tend to attract an older crowd, especially time-rich retirees enjoying the warmth of their golden years as they embark on a journey across the oceans in utmost comfort.
Today, cruise companies are shaking off their old image and making them appealing to younger holidaymakers in search of enriching vacations by pairing them with opportunities that forge deeper connections to the places and communities they visit. In February, Genting Dream Cruises launched a voluntourism voyage to Phuket and Penang. Besides the usual shore activities, other land-based excursions include additional volunteer-oriented itineraries that are designed to offer small groups of travellers opportunities to lend a hand while engaging with locals – often those who come from underprivileged communities and delve deeper than ever into the destination.
Cruising with Genting Dream
Dream Cruise invites you on a four-day voluntourism jaunt that will take you to two ports of call along the Andaman Sea, followed by a reversed trip back to Singapore. Stops are scheduled in Phuket and Penang whereby guests can devote part of their vacation to a cause; the options include a trip to a service centre for the handicapped as well as a visit to a primary school hit by the 2004 tsunami.
Following the short volunteer program, there is plenty of time left for you to explore the craggy coastline and long stretches of wide, pristine beaches in Phuket, strung together by craggy limestone karsts that rise dramatically out of the water. Get a taste of the famous Penang street food as you lose yourself in streets crammed with preserved shophouses, teeming markets, artisan workshops and decades-old hawker stalls.
Open your hearts to aid the disabled
Since 1991, Eden has been working with the disabled community in Penang and runs a non-profit organisation to provide practical training to support people with disabilities to lead independent lives. At Eden Handicap Service Centre, volunteers will assist the disabled residents with their daily activity of stuffing toys into capsules for sale; which may seem small act to you, but it can make a significant difference to their lives. Alternatively, you can help the children overcome a difficult transition period and adjust to a life with disability by teaching daily life skills such as ways to dress and undress, to eat by themselves and to communicate using the Makaton sign language. And as you work beside them, you’ll share their struggles and learn about their frustrations of not being able to do tasks that most able-bodied people take for granted. You’ll gain a unique insight into how they struggle to survive in a community where resources are already tight and the persistent stigmas attached to disability. You’ll finally open your eyes to a more realistic picture of the world and immerse yourself into the community in a way not possible on an average land-based excursion.
Rebuilding a storm-demolished school
Bann Kalim School stands no more than 1.6 miles (2.57 km) inland from the sands of Patong Beach, along the western coast of Phuket. Given its close proximity to the sea, the school was almost completely destroyed by the storm’s fury when a tsunami delivered its knockout blow in 2004 on December 26. Fortunately, there were no casualties since the tsunami struck on a Sunday when the school was not in session. With aid from the Thai authorities, UNICEF, as well as local communities, the newly constructed school, reopened in 2006. And they are still there rebuilding the school, teaching English, and imparting knowledge and skills to empower youths trying to climb out of poverty.
As a volunteer on this project, we help to create a better environment for the teachers and pupils through simple efforts of painting the walls of the library and meeting rooms. It may be backbreaking work, yet rewarding and uplifting in equal measure seeing the smiles on the children’s faces.
Back onboard Genting Dream Cruise
You don’t have to worry about getting bored at sea. After a long day of exertions in the stop-offs, sit by the pool area on the 16th-floor deck and catch some exciting live entertainment, from a strong line-up of open-air live concerts and shows to a spectacular display of fireworks, while working your way down the cocktail list. Another highlight aboard the 3352-passenger ship includes the high-energy Zouk nightclub where cruisers can dance to their hearts’ content. It’s just as lively during the day, thanks to the water playground on board with 7 waterslides, a sports complex with an overwater zip-line, 7 metres (22 feet) rock climbing wall and a tricky rope course as well as Zumba classes for kids. When guests aren’t busy sweating it out at the gym or clocking laps at the swimming pool, there is an arcade, bowling alley and even a nine-hole putting course.
Cruise voluntourism: To do or not to do?
Despite the criticism on voluntourism and its various impacts, ultimately it really boils down to the motive behind the activities and the types of activities it involves. It’s undeniable that we cannot resolve the problems faced by the community with our small efforts, but each and every little act of kindness can go a long way. Overall, it is a positive movement which comes from a well-meaning place and travellers’ desire to return with a purpose; inspired by the poverty they witness when travelling to a deprived area. Since you’re already on a cruise holiday, why not make your trip more meaningful by supporting local communities in practical ways?
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