Step aboard It’s The Ship, where all that glitters is gold.
The newly refurbished Royal Carribean cruise liner turned party ship sailed off the shores of Singapore on November 21 for an epic five days, four nights adventure to Langkawi, Malaysia.
Otherwise known as “Voyager of the Seas”, the massive 1,020 foot-long ship gave its close to 2,000 guests a grand experience befitting of the price it commandeered from the moment their feet touched the carpeted floors off the gangway on the second floor of the 15 deck high ship.
“Asia’s largest music festival at sea”
Not content with conquering the lands with Future Music Festival Asia, event organisers Livescape took to the seas to make a statement and show the world that partying on the high sea is just as fun as it is on land.
Renowned international acts such as Dash Berlin, Basement Jaxx and Alex Metric took up positions on the main deck at deck 11, belting out tunes on a podium while revellers danced and made merry at the pool area, while Chvrches, SBCR (The Bloody Beetroots) and Louisahhh!!! played at the other stages, such as Studio Bass, Hot Tub Time Machine and the After Dark Social Club.
Dance with the Stars
Besides the chance to rock it out with some of the biggest names in the music industry, It’s the Ship also gave guests the chance to get cosy with them, with interesting activities such as a mini golf challenge with Aeroplane and Alex Metric, a cooking class with the Crookers, and a chill out session with scotch and cigar with the Sick Individuals.
These side shows, as they were called, put guests in intimate settings with the artistes and allowed them to get to know them even better. Of course, that also meant more opportunities for fans to latch on to their idols, and it was not unusual to see them clamouring to take selfies with their idols, or asking for an autograph.
On board facilities
There’s never a dull moment in It’s the Ship, especially after it’s US $80 million makeover in Singapore.
Guests tired of partying could try the new FlowRider Wave simulation machine, take each other on in a game of ping pong, or take a shot at the golf simulator and rock climbing wall. That’s not all. Feeling lucky? Head down to the close to 10,000 square feet casino to try your luck at the betting tables.
It’s the Ship may very well be the only cruise where lucky fans had a chance to sit at the same blackjack table with Alex Metric and the guys of Chrvches (Writer’s note: Lauren sat this one out, unless she popped in when we weren’t looking!)
If all the partying, gambling and drinking is affecting your moral compass, realign it with a classic live performance at the La Scala Theatre, which featured a one hour long production performance called “Music in Motion”, filled with rock and roll hall of fame songs, courtesy of the Voyager of the Seas orchestra.
Food, Glorious Food
They say the best way to cure a hangover is to have a good breakfast, filled with sausages, bacon, omelettes and all that goodness. Or, well, to have another drink. It’s The Ship has it all covered. Guests can shuffle in to the Windjammers Cafe the morning after to have their daily fix of coffee and recharge themselves for another night of partying.
For those with stronger livers or extreme self control, guests who could wake up before 9.30 in the morning had the choice of dining at the Sapphire Room, where they could indulge in an authentic Italian dining experience, complete with the forks, soup spoons, steaks and all. For free, of course.
Those who are willing to pay a bit more can walk in to any of the specialty restaurants, such as Giovanni’s Table, Chops Grille and Johnny Rockets. While dining at either the Sapphire Room or Giovanni’s Table, guests had the chance to try Italy’s best kept secret- the focaccia della casa, otherwise known as the Italian flat bread. Dip it in oliver oil, vinegar and parmesan cheese, and this appetiser is the perfect start to any meal. Be sure to save some space for the main course.
The Alcohol
And then of course, there’s the alcohol. We saved the best for last, as literally everywhere you went, there was a bar or makeshift booth dishing out drinks such as whiskies and cocktails to the thirsty or needy (read: alcoholics).
William Grant and Sons, an independent family-owned distiller from the United Kingdom (UK) had partnered with Livescape to provide guests with the most critical component to the party, no, to any party, really. Drinks.
There was whisky and there was vodka. There was cocktail and there was mocktail. (For the weak) Guests could choose their choice of poison, such as Grant’s blended scotch whisky, which balanced vanilla sweetness with floral frangrances, or the Monkey’s Shoulder, which was sweet with a rich vanilla flavour, among others.
To spice things up, Grant’s also introduced a series of activities for guests to try, such as challenging guests for to get a tattoo (air brushed, of course!), and swopping tops with someone of the opposite sex for a voucher that can be exchanged for more alcohol.
All in all, guests on board It’s the Ship had a ball of a time, and one can only imagine their thoughts stepping off the gangway on the ship, back onto the shores, and harsh reality, of Singapore. Fret not though, if you didn’t manage to join in the fun this year, as a second edition of the event is being planned for next year in 2015.
Many thanks to William Grant & Sons for the invitation!
