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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.
More about the current video:(Published on 2026-07-23)
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.