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I Tried China's Worst Rated Cruise 🇨🇳
6 Days on China's Worst Rated Cruise - Honest Review
I spent 6 days on one of the cheapest cruise in China to see what the experience is actually like. Maybe ill take Adora Cruises next? 爱达邮轮.
I spent 6 days on one of the cheapest cruise in China to see what the experience is actually like. Maybe ill take Adora Cruises next? 爱达邮轮.
Joel Griffin embarks on a six-day journey aboard one of China's most budget-friendly cruises, discovering what the experience truly entails. With a mix of humor and curiosity, he navigates the highs and lows of the vessel, hinting at a future upgrade to the more luxurious Adora Cruises. A candid look at affordable travel on the water.
I spent 6 days on one of the cheapest cruise in China to see what the experience is actually like. Maybe ill take Adora Cruises next? 爱达邮轮.
Joel Griffin embarked on what he called the cheapest cruise in China—the Oriental Dream—after locals warned him it would be terrible. What followed was a six-day voyage full of surprises, frustrations, and genuine moments of connection. The ship, originally an Italian Costa Cruises vessel, now sails under a Chinese company with many Italian signs still taped over. Joel's interior cabin had no windows, a broken fridge, rust drips, and a TV with only two channels. The food situation was the biggest shocker: free buffet only from 5-6 PM for dinner and 8-9 AM for breakfast, with no other free meals. Water was mostly paid, except for hot water on deck 5. Joel cleverly smuggled coffee from breakfast and used juice from the buffet hour as cocktail mixers. He met a fellow foreigner Jurgen and two Chinese friends who became his cruise companions. The crew were universally friendly, especially Nini who pitched a Russian strip show that Joel politely declined. Activities included a calligraphy class with no pens, a beauty contest that turned out to be a scam where participants got only a small medal, and a surprisingly good gym with Technogym equipment. The Korean stop in Jeju and Incheon was chaotic—Joel skipped the mandatory tour group using his American passport and explored Central Park, a free museum, and even Costco. He successfully bought a shirt using WeChat to exchange money with a Chinese shopkeeper in Korea's Chinatown. The cruise ended with a two-hour delay disembarking, no food provided while waiting. Joel's challenge to spend zero extra money onboard succeeded, but he noted that even budget Carnival cruises offer 24-hour free food. The real value was the people he met along the way.
Joel Griffin's 6-day budget cruise in China was a masterclass in lowered expectations. From $45 water bottles to a beauty contest scam, this ship delivered constant surprises. But the real highlight? The incredible people he met—including a Russian strip show pitch and a dance-off with Chinese aunties. A wild ride from start to finish.
Joel's 6-day budget cruise in China reveals surprise food policies, friendly staff, and a memorable Korean adventure.
Budget China Cruise Review 6 Days of Surprises and Scams
7:17 Bring your own snacks and protein bars. The cruise only offers free buffet dinner 5-6 PM and breakfast 8-9 AM, with no other free meals.
18:49 Use your own cup to get free ice from deck 5 bar. Hot water is free, but cold water is only available from that bar with your own container.
49:50 If you have a foreign passport, you can skip the mandatory tour group in Korean ports. Explore solo instead of being stuck in gift shops.
6:58 Bring a reusable water bottle. The cruise charges for bottled water, but you can refill at the deck 5 hot water dispenser.
39:07 Avoid the beauty contest and other 'free' activities—they are scams designed to make you perform for no real prize.
57:08 Use WeChat to exchange money with Chinese shopkeepers in foreign ports. It works when your bank card is forgotten.
55:57 For souvenirs, buy something useful like clothing that you'll actually wear. It reminds you of the trip every time you put it on.
7:17 Bring your own snacks and protein bars. The cruise only offers free buffet dinner 5-6 PM and breakfast 8-9 AM, with no other free meals.
18:49 Use your own cup to get free ice from deck 5 bar. Hot water is free, but cold water is only available from that bar with your own container.
49:50 If you have a foreign passport, you can skip the mandatory tour group in Korean ports. Explore solo instead of being stuck in gift shops.
6:58 Bring a reusable water bottle. The cruise charges for bottled water, but you can refill at the deck 5 hot water dispenser.
39:07 Avoid the beauty contest and other 'free' activities—they are scams designed to make you perform for no real prize.
57:08 Use WeChat to exchange money with Chinese shopkeepers in foreign ports. It works when your bank card is forgotten.
55:57 For souvenirs, buy something useful like clothing that you'll actually wear. It reminds you of the trip every time you put it on.
0:01 Cheapest cruise in China intro
2:08 Boarding and room tour
7:17 Dinner buffet disaster
10:54 Russian strip show pitch
39:07 Beauty contest scam
49:50 Korea tour group escape
51:04 Costco and Korean BBQ
59:42 Chinese chess and farewell
0:01 Cheapest cruise in China intro
2:08 Boarding and room tour
7:17 Dinner buffet disaster
10:54 Russian strip show pitch
39:07 Beauty contest scam
49:50 Korea tour group escape
51:04 Costco and Korean BBQ
59:42 Chinese chess and farewell
budget travelcruise reviewchina traveltravel vlogcruise foodtravel tipskorean porttravel adventurebudget cruiseWhat were the sweet potato noodles like?
They looked like shining leather and tasted yummy!
What was the most surprising thing you found?
Probably the $1 haircut and the fact that I didn't need a ticket to enter the Zhu-long cave!
