Super Star Virgo

[BJC]

Hi Mike,

 

Should this be posted on the Gemini thread mate?

 

Regards, BJC

[deck 9 001]

Hi Bruce,

 

Uh,,,yeah,,,,it should have gone to the Gemini thread.:rolleyes: I must have been having a turn when I posted it here.:D

 

I'll re-post to Gemini thread, if my brain always me to.

 

Regards,

Mike

in dark skies,drizzly, 14C Taipei

[boeckli]

Yes, Eddie is still aboard Virgo. He has not signed-off for holiday yet. He is a fabulous man, and a real pro at being Hotel Manager.

 

Has Eddie Teo taken over from Tawfik Ayyad?

[deck 9 001]

Eddie Teo is "relief" Hotel Manager aboard Virgo.

 

Regards,

Mike

[Doubletrouble_in_oz]

Hi All,

 

With the NCL Wind due to become Superstar Aquarius sometime this year and sailing out of Hong Kong, does anyone know if the itineraries have been published yet?

 

At this stage we are looking at the Virgo in June/July 2008, but depending on the new sailing we might change to the Aquarius:D

 

Cheers

 

Justine

[deck 9 001]

Hi Justine,

 

The itineraries and sailing dates for SuperStar Aquarius are not yet confirmed. They are in the process of being finalized. I expect that all will be announced shortly on Star Cruises Hong Kong website. Sailings should begin in late June or early July.

I will keep everyone updated if I hear further news.

Regards,

 

Mike

[Doubletrouble_in_oz]

Thanks Mike!

[Joyfredsblondecruiser]

Dear Deck: I went to the Star Cruise website and I did not see any offices in the United States. I guess that is because they own Norwegian here. I would like to take the Star cruise line and go on the Gemini. Would I be able to book this with another office such as in London? Thank you. Happy Sailing, Joy

[laceytreigh]

Hi there, I have been posting on the SS Gemini board, but thought I'd come over here and say hi! My husband and I are going on a 3 week cruise on the SS Gemini departing Singapore in May 2007. I see that boeckli has been to Ho Chi Minh and Kota Kinabalu, which are 2 of our ports. I'd appreciate any more info about these ports or any of our others........ Ko Samui, Laem Chabang (we plan to go to Pattaya Beach), Nha Trang, Danang, Halong Bay, Hong Kong, and Kuching. We will also have a week in Singapore. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks. Tracey.

[deck 9 001]

Hi Joy,

 

When the SuperStar Libra was sailing in The Med I know that many British people did book their cruises from London. Whether they booked directly with Star or through an agent, I am not sure.

 

This is the info for Star Cruises office in London:

1 Derry Street,

Kensington,

London W8 5NN

 

Tel:+(44) 207 591 8225Fax:+(44) 207 591 8065

Contact Person:

Mr Michael Dupont

Director of Sales & Marketing

 

I hope this will help you. You should be able to get all the info you need through them. If you live in the USA perhaps you can contact NCL and they will be able to direct you as to how to book a cruise with Star Cruises.

 

Regards,

Mike

[Joyfredsblondecruiser]

Dear Mike: Thank You so much for taking the time to answer my question. I appreciate it so much. I like the itinerary that Star offers very much. Happy Sailing, Joy

[deck 9 001]

Hi Joy,

 

It's always a pleasure to be able to help.

 

May I also add that if you run into difficulties, you can always e-mail Star Cruises at their Customer Service Department. They are helpful, willing and informative. Here is the e-mail addy: starcare@starcruises.com.my

 

Happy cruising to you too.

 

Regards,

Mike

[boeckli]

Hi there, I have been posting on the SS Gemini board, but thought I'd come over here and say hi! My husband and I are going on a 3 week cruise on the SS Gemini departing Singapore in May 2007. I see that boeckli has been to Ho Chi Minh and Kota Kinabalu, which are 2 of our ports. I'd appreciate any more info about these ports or any of our others........ Ko Samui, Laem Chabang (we plan to go to Pattaya Beach), Nha Trang, Danang, Halong Bay, Hong Kong, and Kuching. We will also have a week in Singapore. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks. Tracey.

 

Hi Tracey,

I bet you're looking forward to your cruise in May. We have never been on the SS Gemini but I've spoken to quite a few people over time that really enjoyed her. In my signature there are linke to photos of our cruises on SS Virgo, which include a few of the ports you will be visiting. Have you been over to Asia before? If so, where have you been? We took a ship's excursion city tour in Ho Chi Minh City (great for an overview and to get your bearings in a sprawling city) and the following morning we took the shuttle bus into the city and explored a bit more on foot. As it was the start of the SARS outbreak at the time, we did not go into any of the large markets there.

From Laem Chabang we took the ship's excursion into Bangkok (was a whole day). Again, very interesting with a good guide, a great overview if you've never been before.

On Ko samui, we had a private driver (pre-arranged) for a tour around the island - we were a bit disappointed with Ko Samui (but that's personal impression).

We've been to Kota Kinabalu 3 times now, twice with SS Virgo and once for 2 week holiday. Spectacular sunsets to be seen and photographed .... First Virgo visit we again took city tour, but you can also hire a taxi which are quite cheap (make sure you agree on fare before you go). Good market for souvenirs but quite a bit more expensive than in Ho Chi Minh City (at least in 2003 it was ....) For Ho Chi Minh City (and probably the other Vietnamese ports as well), it's a good idea to carry US DOllars in small denominations, as that is the main currency other than their local "Dong" and is accepted everywhere.

Have also been in Kuching on a lay-over flying back from kota Kinabalu. City of cats (statues of them everywhere. Quite a nice, clean city on a river (name escapes me right now). Wonderful sunset we had there as well.

If you have any other or more specific questions, feel free to ask.

Main thing : ENJOY YOUR CRUISE .... :)

[Joyfredsblondecruiser]

Little Britain: Thank you so much for posting the pictures of your suite. I enjoyed seeing this very much. Do you remember the number of your unit? I would really enjoy having this suite. Deck thank you again for taking the time to help me. Happy Sailing, Joy

[Doubletrouble_in_oz]

Hi Everyone,

 

On our first cruise on the Virgo both my kids spend time in the Kids Club and absolutely loved it!

However, next time we sail on her, our son will be 14 and therefore not eligible for it:( .

My question is: has anyone got any experience with the organized activities for teenagers? I do not recall seeing anything when we where on board, but then I wasn"t really paying any attention:rolleyes: .

I know that Star Cruises mentions it on their website, but would love to hear from someone who has actually experienced it:D .

 

Cheers

 

Justine

[Benz]

Hi everyone,

 

Thank you so much for all the valuable info shared. I tried readign all post but had to stop at page 14 and continue later, but I just want to shoot these questions before I log off.

 

Am planning our trip for Star Cruise Virgo this May. If ever we do book we are eyeing the Strait of Malacca 5N (Sgp-Penang-Phuket-Sgp-Malacca-Port Klang-Sgp) or Island Escapade 3N (Sgp-Penang-Phuket-Sgp).

Here are a lot of our questions:

• We are going be a group of 4 (me, my husband, our 7yr old daughter and my mother in law). Do they provide extra beds or pull out beds for both Ocean Stateroom with Window & Ocean Stateroom with Balcony? If they don’t then would we fit in? Are the beds in Stateroom wd Balcony – Double; Queen or King size?
  
• I get sea sick on rough sea would that be a problem for me? what deck would be safe? Also what rooms got correct orientation for the furnitures? Any specific room number I should request for? (still choosing between Deck 10 Balcony or Deck 8/9 Window)
  
• Would anybody have idea what is the entertainment will be this May?
  
• Would anybody have rates of the kids activities and grown up activities that are not part of the cruise package?
  
• Would anybody have price list of the optional tours? Do we book optonal tours beforehand to be safe or risk it and book onboard? Is it worth it or would it be wiser to go on tour or just explore on our own?
  
• Am I right in picking Sgp-Penang-Phuket-Sgp-Malacca-Port Klang-Sgp or is Phuket; Langkawi; Redang better?

Thank you so very much and really trying to check around how much our total expense would be before actually booking to make sure we maximize our enjoyment.

All your postings excites me so much!

Thank you!

-Benz

[Benz]

Am sorry if this is appearing twice btu I cant find the post I sent in this thread. Where ever it is I hope somebody erased that first one.

 

I have been reading post but stopped at page 14 as I have to log off alread. But would want to post the ff questions before I do so I may get reply when I log back in later :)

 

Am planning our trip for Star Cruise Virgo this May. If ever we do book we are eyeing the Strait of Malacca 5N (Sgp-Penang-Phuket-Sgp-Malacca-Port Klang-Sgp) or Island Escapade 3N (Sgp-Penang-Phuket-Sgp).

 

Here are a lot of our questions:

 

1. We are going be a group of 4 (me, my husband, our 7yr old daughter and my mother in law). Do they provide extra beds or pull out beds for both Ocean Stateroom with Window & Ocean Stateroom with Balcony? If they don’t then would we fit in? Are the beds in Stateroom wd Balcony – Double; Queen or King size?

2. I get sea sick on rough sea would that be a problem for me? what deck would be safe? Also what rooms got correct orientation for the furnitures? Any specific room number I should request for? (still choosing between Deck 10 Balcony or Deck 8/9 Window)

3. Would anybody have idea what is the entertainment will be this May?

4. Would anybody have rates of the kids activities and grown up activities that are not part of the cruise package?

5. Would anybody have price list of the optional tours? Do we book optonal tours beforehand to be safe or risk it and book onboard? Is it worth it or would it be wiser to go on tour or just explore on our own?

6. Am I right in picking Sgp-Penang-Phuket-Sgp-Malacca-Port Klang-Sgp or is Phuket; Langkawi; Redang better?

 

Thank you so very much and really trying to check around how much our total expense would be before actually booking to make sure we maximize our enjoyment.

 

This forum have been so helpful I was beside myself the whole weekend as I have been wanting to post these hehehe

 

Thanks for all the infi and help.

 

-Benz

[Doubletrouble_in_oz]

Hi Benz,

 

Welcome to the Boards:) .

 

I will try to answer your questions as best as I can.

 

1. I dont think you can have 4 people in a Balcony cabin, there just isn't enough room for the extra beds.

In fact, from memory, the only cabins allowing 4 passengers are the inside ones. Someone please correct me on this, if I'm wrong!

 

2. Do not worry about getting seasick:) , Straits of Malacca as as smooth as your local pond. My husband gets affected just by watching sailboats on the river:rolleyes: , but he had no problem whatsoever. Take Kwells just in case, but I bet you won't be needing them.

 

3. Sorry, don't know about the entertainment, but keep reading the website. I'm sure it will be fun though!

 

4. Kids Club charges $6/hr, with some free activities (eg. on Gala night 3 hours are free of charge!). Our kids spent an average of 3 hours at the Club each day, usually after dinner, when me and hubby hit the Casino or enjoyed a couple of drinks at the Bar. They loved it, the Staff was amazing!There are so many activities free of charge for the whole family throughout the day. My daughter (she was 7) and I did line dancing, origami, napkin folding, towel animals activities. There is table tennis, mini golf, board games and so much more.

 

5. I do have prices for tours (Phuket, Langkawi and Redang) somewhere. I can dig them out and scan them, if you would like me to. I think most people were booking on board. We did it on our own, we just wanted to get a "feel" for each place so we hired a taxi and drove around. On our next cruise (July 2008 and probably the same itinerary), we will consider one or two ship excursions.

 

6. We did the Trio of Islands and loved it. Redang is absolutely beautiful and a nice way to end a cruise, just relaxing on the beach.

 

 

Hope this answers a few of your questions.....please let us know if you need any more advice!

 

Happy planning:D

 

Cheers

 

Justine

 

6.

[Lisa-UK]

Hi all and Mike

 

I am new to these boards and have never cruised before!!! :eek:

 

I found this wonderful site and was hoping that some of you kind folks can help me to fiind info about the exciting SSV cruise that we have booked in Aug 07.

 

We are 2 adults - me and hubbie - both 40:rolleyes: and son of 12. We have booked a 2 night stay in Singapore-5 night Cruise on the SSV-followed by 7 nights in Bali!!! I am sooooo excited :D

 

As I am new to all this, I have made a list of questions I hope you can help with. I have tried to read and digest all of the pages on this thread and so apologise in advance if the answers were there all of the time!

 

Here goes :

 

How busy / full is the Cruise likely to be in August – I know you don’t have a crystal ball, but at home (in Blighty) the ‘holiday season’ for most Brits travelling overseas would be July/August – is this a busy time onboard the Superstar Virgo?

We have some 2-way radios (purchased in US), do you know if we will be allowed to use these onboard – or is this a definite ‘no-no’?

I have heard ‘shorex’ is recommended for excursions – can these be booked up via the Star website previous to the trip? I did have a look on their site, but couldn’t find anything regarding booking. If not, is it simple and easy to book trips once onboard? Any insider tips or info on shore excursions would be great to hear.

Could I confirm that we will need to pay for use of the video/arcade games?

Do you purchase tokens?

Our son will be 12 when we travel – and he is quite mature for his age and trustworthy (so far!!). Do you know if we will have to accompany him at all times (unless he is in Kids Club). I know this sounds a bit dumb, but he is not the kind of kid to ‘run-riot’ all over the place and I know he would like his freedom to have a look around on his own – or with other kids, whilst onboard.

Could you confirm what electrical outlets are available in the cabin. I ‘think’ we can use the 3-pin UK plug, but could someone confirm this?

 

Are there any self-service laundry facilities on board?

 

I'm sure I will have more questions and hope to post again and look forward to any replies.

 

thanks in advance

Lisa

 

reporting from the UK - Fleet, Hampshire - where today there has been snow and ice and it is ffffffffreeeezing! :eek:

[Benz]

Thank you so much for the reply Justine.

 

Another question.. does the room have Television sets?

:)

 

 

-Benz

[deck 9 001]

Hi Benz,

 

Yes, all cabins have TV's but they are rather small. Good for watching while dressing for dinner or to check the ships track and entertainment chanels. There is a news chanel also available.

 

Mike

[deck 9 001]

Hi Lisa,

 

Welcome aboard! We're all here to help.

Now, let's see about some of your questions:

 

August can be a busy time in Singapore for cruising. Indeed SuperStar Virgo gets many passengers from the U.K. during this time. Each year can be different though. Even when full, Virgo is large enough to absorb all the passengers and you should rarely see crowding, except maybe for peak dining hours. You'll love Virgo.

 

To my knowledge, Star Cruises does not allow the use of 2 way radios on any of their ships.

 

Shorex: Star Cruises website does not have a booking engine for shorex. You can book easily enough once you are onboard. I do recommend that you look over the excursions that are offered and choose and book as soon as you can, because they will fill up quickly. This link will take you to the shorex page for Virgo. http://www.starcruises.com/Fleet/Virgo/tours.html

 

Video Arcade games are not free. I do not know if they use tokens or coins, as I have never played them. I am usually busy "donating" in the casino.:rolleyes:

 

I think you son will be ok to be on his own for a while. 12 is old enough to know right from wrong. Kid's center and other friends his age will keep him busy. I do strongly suggest that he attend kid's ship sponsored activities during the evenings. Safety is a concern that everyone should take into consideration no matter what the age of a person is.

 

If I remember correctly the electrical outlets in the cabins should accommodate your three pin plugs. And if they don't just ask your steward/ess or the Reception Desk for an adaptor.

 

Sorry Lisa, no self service laundry facilities onboard Virgo. If you really need to do a wash before or after the cruise, just ask your hotel concierge desk where the nearest laundromat is to your hotel.

I've done this and it works out ok.

 

Hope I have helped some, and please ask more question if you have any. We are all "friends" here on this thread and we like to help.

 

Have a fantastic cruise.

 

Regards,

Mike

 

P.S. Hope your weather gets better for you. I just returned from Hong Kong where the weather was fine until last night when the temps really dropped. Quite cold.

[deck 9 001]

Hi Everyone,

 

The question was raised if 4 pax can stay in a balcony cabin. Let's see if I can help here a little.

 

It is not recommended, even for kids, to have 4 people in a balcony cabin. It will be very tight, and the sofa bed is not that large to be comfortable.

An alternative is to get one balcony cabin and an inside cabin across the hall for the kids, if they are old enough to be on their own. If not, here is another alternative.

You can book a Window Cabin in Category CA,CB or CC. The configuration for sleeping will be two lower beds, one pullman upper and one sofa bed.

 

Hope this is helpful to future Virgo cruisers.

 

Regards,

Mike

 

Regards,

Mike

[deck 9 001]

Hi Justine and everyone,

 

Star Cruises has just published the itineraries and sailing dates for the SuperStar Aquarius sailing ex-Hong Kong. The ship will start service in June.

 

Sailings are mainly one night getaway cruises, but there are also 3D/2N destination cruises which sail twice monthly. Check out the full listings here http://www.starcruises.com/Itineraries/HongKong/index.html#SSQ

 

Regards,

 

Mike

[Doubletrouble_in_oz]

Hi Lisa,

 

Yes, you will need to purchase tokens for the arcade games. They has a special deal in July 2006, 30 tokens for S$15 and most games only needed 1 token. I don't think the price would have gone up by much.

 

Cheers

 

Justine

 

From a sweltering 41C heat in Perth :eek: