Yo Ho Ho! IT’S THE SHIP’s (ITS) 5th voyage spanned from 4 to 7 November and was one heck of a party. Think all you can eat buffets, costume theme parties, international DJs spinning, our captain Big Shaq and lots of other fringe activities all happening on board the cruise simultaneously. As Asia’s largest music festival, this event is definitely not-to-be-missed on your festival calendar next year!
Check out our ship log for this year as we go analogue & o’skool with the following photos we took, shot on 35mm film.
4th November (Day 1)
2pm – As our first time on board a cruise, we sure were excited to be here! It was capital F.U.N. with the largest music festival in Asia, where the Genting Dream would be home to over 4,000 shipmates for the next 4 days!
2.30pm – After checking-in to our rooms, we explored the various venues and even stopped by the buffet at Lido Restaurant, oh yes food — glorious food! Lots of people were already on board, chilling, drinking and checking out the various sights as well. Check out the views!
5.30pm – Weigh Anchor and Hoist the Mizzen! We were now off to the seven seas (well actually just Phuket). Matey! Who’s ready to party!
6pm – No time to adjust our sea legs! We headed to our first party with an entire line up that would last till the early morning! The Crown stage, which took up the entire Main Pool deck 16 had been completely transformed into an open air festival ground Aye Aye.
11pm – Did someone say Onesie Party?? We went round looking hard for our twins!
12midnight – FOUND ‘EM! We found our twins (there were a few giraffes and even more unicorns and dinosaurs). Party’s only getting started and we met loads of party goers dress up in various costumes/onesie.
1am – Godlands lifted up Lucille Croft, she’s tiny, plays hardstyle music and she can lift! Lucille Croft was of course spinning the decks at the electrified Zouk Club on Deck 16. A prominent model, fashion designer and DJ, Lucille has been mixing the decks for ITS since 2016. Be sure to look out for her and her darkly mesmerising set next time!
3am – Day 1 and we are still up… No time for sleep! We checked out Sleepless society at the Silk Road venue with Le Youth opening the set, intimate club with luscious red drapes all over — it even has beds for you to roll in with a stranger or two!
5th November (Day 2)
12noon – 5 mins more on the bed please…
1pm – 5pm – After a quick lunch, we were off checking out the string of artiste led – fringe activities that ITS had in store for all shipmates to join. Parties were already happening at the Crown and Anchor stage, but we’re here to explore!
- Football Clinic by Puma
- Musical Beers by Suntory Premium Malts
- Dunk Tanks with Playboy Bunnies Thailand
6pm – Land ahoy! As we arrived at Phuket, we were greeted by an amazing sunset over the islands of Thailand. Like a frenzy of hungry fishes, we saw ferries alongside our cruise ship waiting to pick up our shipmates by boat to Phuket. Have fun y’all!!
8pm – We on the other hand, are all dress up for the glamorous Gala Dinner on ITS. We heard that the ship’s captain Big Shaq would be there waiting with a sumptuous dinner for all of us. There’s also talk that there would be some exclusive news for all of us.
9pm – Happy 5th Birthday ITS!! As everyone celebrates, we were informed that ITS will be setting off from China next June. This voyage is set to sail from 13-17 June 2019 from China’s biggest city, Shanghai to the humble Japanese island city of Shimonoseki and back. See here for more information.
Now, off for a quick change of clothes and party never stops!
1.30am – Paging for Mike, It’s your birthday today but we can’t find you! Instead we found ourselves partying along with beats from DJ Zack C and some amazing looking Drag Queens. The LGBTQ friendly DJ Zack C is a regular in the Singapore music scene armed with his mix of familiar Top40s tracks with edm/club mix fusion.
3am – We checked the Anchor stage one last time before heading off to bed, and duuude… the parties are still happening, but that’s the end of Day 2 for us.
6th November (Day 3)
1pm – These were the days where we drank, we partied till late and we stayed in bed. Quick lunch and we were off again to check out all that was happening on Day 3 of ITS.
2pm – With Belly Flop happening at the Main Pool deck, the vibe was hyped up and competitive amidst all that belly shaking and big splashes into the pool.
3pm – At the Anchor stage, the theme for this afternoon is Hip Hop, where the captain Big Shaq and a line of other Hip Hop djs got everyone grooving to their beats. No sign of the capt., so we headed around to check the other activities.
3.30pm – Whisky & Cigar session with Sander Van Doorn! Fancy some 12-year Auchentoshan whisky and quality cigar? Well yes… mixed in with the chance to enjoy them both with the legendary dj/producer? Count us in! There was a long queue before we went into the intimate setting humidor lounge.
5pm – We returned yet again to check the Anchor Stage and finally present to you the Captain, Big Shaq! A major draw for all the crowd, as everyone rush in to take a photo with the big man performing his signature Man Not Hot track. There was hip hop everywhere with everyone bouncing to the beats played out by Big Shaq’s personal DJ.
9pm – Meet & Greet – we got our chance to rub shoulders with the headliners of ITS, Cash Cash, and Paul Van Dyk. They were super friendly and even posed for some shots with the fans.
10pm – Lighting and thunder won’t stop this party, after a brief scare we were back and partying with the likes of Cosmic Gate, Vini Vici and Paul Van Dyk on stage. The crowd knew it was the last night but were as energised as ever as trance tunes hit the soundwaves.
3am – Hot Dub Time Machine – the group of us did some time traveling as we went into the Silk Road lounge for our late night after-party. Traveling through the year with hits from the 60s all the way to 2018, everyone simply couldn’t stop dancing through the beats!
5am – Did a quick soak with some new friends in the Jacuzzi; this was simply the best time to chill in a nice hot tub.
7th November (Day 4)
2pm – It’s Day 4 and unknowingly, the last couple of days just went by so quickly. We were able to enjoy the various theme parties on board and had many chances to rub shoulders with world renowned DJs. As if checking out of summer camp, we went through a quick disembarking process and were soon back on land.
While everyone was reaffirming next year’s attendance, we personally felt that it’s an addictive festival… One that can lead party-goers to get hooked by the whole experience of partying out in the sea with the breeze, the sunrise or even the fact that you can get back to your room to rest rather quickly when tired out. ITS 2019, see you there!
