SuperStar LIBRA

[tulip02]

Hi there Kerri & Mike,

 

Chanced upon this thread while googling on SS Libra's gala dinner :) Am glad that this is such a recent thread on SS Libra since I'm also boarding SS Libra this Feb 23.

 

We are flying from Singapore to HK for this cruise and have already booked the shore excursions for Sanya & Halong Bay through our local travel agent. You may like to see the kind of shore ex available from our agent's website : http://www.cruises.com.sg/Star_Cruise/Star_Libra/ssl_index.htm

(just look for the header Shore Excursion on the left and click on the respective destination)

 

It's been many years since I've been on a cruise so am looking forward to it.....

HK and SS Libra, here I come.......

 

Jes

[kezza]

Thanks Jes, it's great information. Much appreciated.

 

Not long now before we're off cruising.

 

Kerri

[deck 9 001]

Indeed it is not too long before you both are cruising aboard SuperStar Libra. I know the cruise will turn out to be everything you both hoped for.

I hope the weather will stabilize and be good for your cruise.

 

Bon Voyage!

 

Mike

[kezza]

Thanks Mike. Just a quick question, do the guys have to wear long pants to dinner or are 3/4 cargos ok.

 

thanks.

 

Kerri

[kezza]

Thanks Mike. Just a quick question, do the guys have to wear long pants to dinner or are 3/4 cargos ok.

 

thanks.

 

Kerri

[deck 9 001]

Hi Kerri, While I'm sure a person will not be turned away, the norm would be slacks/pants and shoes. I would save the 3/4 cargoes for lunchtime or Mariners Buffet. But just "feel it out" and then decide what you think would be acceptable. Hey, it's your holiday andyou should feel comfortable.

 

Mike

[ssv]

The ship is truly "freestyle." As long as you are comfortable, it is alright. No bathing robe; swim suit; birthday suit though!

[kuldalai]

Mike what is SS LIBRA doing after current deployment in Hong Kong . As usual Star website shows nothing beyond March for Libra itineraries, albeit I was under the impression she was returning to Taiwan for 6 months or so . Or she being used elsewhere during the Olympics ?

[deck 9 001]

kuldalai, yes Star is very behind in updating the future deployments and itineraries. Hopefully once their new website is fully in place everything will be updated.

 

SuperStar LIBRA is indeed returning to Taiwan after Hong Kong.

Libra leaves HK on 26 March and will arrive Kaohsiung, Taiwan on the 27th and then do a few cruises ex-Kaohsiung and then head to Keelung for a season of cruises to the Japanese Islands of Naha, Ishigaki and Miyako.

There will also be cruises to Taiwan ports such as Hualien and Penghu Island. Some weekend 3D/2N "high seas" cruises are also being offered along with a few 2D/1N cruises.

 

I believe this itinerary will prove successful with the local market.

 

Welcome back SuperStar LIBRA!

 

Mike

[kuldalai]

Generally STAR provide info on their website about shore excursions; but it is not necessarily up to date, and tours for new ports/itineraries are often posted very late, if at all. For example in the case of the recent Australian season for GEMINI the tours offered on board were far more extensive than those shown on the website and in many cases cheaper than website .

 

Generally when you board if you go to The Shore Excursions Desk on the vessel the tours relative to your cruise will be available on a-4 sheets .

Often a briefing is given on the first day (sometimes before sailing) by the Cruise Director .

 

NCL are far more professional in that the tours are up to date on the website for each port, and you can book on line, and when you board the vessel your tour tickets are in your cabin and charged to your on-board account . STAR could well copy the practices of their NCL division and offer a more professional service in this regard .

[Deck10 007]

kuldalai, yes Star is very behind in updating the future deployments and itineraries. Hopefully once their new website is fully in place everything will be updated.

 

SuperStar LIBRA is indeed returning to Taiwan after Hong Kong.

Libra leaves HK on 26 March and will arrive Kaohsiung, Taiwan on the 27th and then do a few cruises ex-Kaohsiung and then head to Keelung for a season of cruises to the Japanese Islands of Naha, Ishigaki and Miyako.

There will also be cruises to Taiwan ports such as Hualien and Penghu Island. Some weekend 3D/2N "high seas" cruises are also being offered along with a few 2D/1N cruises.

 

I believe this itinerary will prove successful with the local market.

 

Welcome back SuperStar LIBRA!

 

Mike

 

Any other information.

Never seen anything like this.

No Itinerary and departure dates published for Taiwan cruising which starts in a few days time at the end of this month.

In Singapore the booking for gamblers just started a couple of days ago and the Aquarius will be in Singapore before the end of this month.

The Pride of Aloha will be in Asia in 2 months time but there is no news of even where it will be homeport.

[kuldalai]

The STAR product is fantastic but their marketing efforts and website currency, co-ordination with media releases etc leaves a lot to be desired . In being so slow to tell the market place what it is doing Star condemns itself to gamblers and last minute cruisers. Most other lines have their itineraries out as far ahead as late 2009 and believe me they are well booked as I have tried booking on them . Star wonders why its Aus Gemini season was not well booked, simply because the marketing in Aus was hopeless and far too late, all the other lines had offered their cruise programs months earlier . Those lines and more are returning with a vengeance to Aus in 2008/09 . Royal Carribean has one vessel in Asia at the moment working out of Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai. RC offers with this deployment itineraries to Japan and Korea which Star currently do not . Itinerary wise Star seem very conservative (more of the same) whereas the other lines are far more innovative in what they offer .

Star needs to offer new itineraries and ports as people are not going to go on the same old cruise over and over again . Viz: Hong Kong, Shanghai, Japan , Taiwan , Hong Kong round trip is a stand out itinerary option for Superstar Aloha .

[deck 9 001]

Greetings from Thailand!

 

Well, at least the Aquarius itineraries ex-SIN are now posted on Star's websit. You can view it at this link:

http://www.starcruises.com/newweb/our_fleets/superstar_aquarius_itineraries.aspx

 

As far as Libra, sailing ex-Taiwan, they are still working on it.

 

Mike

[Westaussie]

Hi Mike, hope you're enjoying Thailand!

 

Yes, saw the itineraries for Aquarius, would like to see some longer and more exciting cruises. Was reading up about Sihanoukville where we'll be stopping in May when we're on the Sun Princess, I think a few new places like that would make for more interesting cruises especially for those of us who have travelled with Star Cruises several/many times!

 

Vera

[deck 9 001]

Hi Vera,

 

Thanks, I am feeling much better here in Thailand. The cold and rainy weather in Taipei has mbeen horrible this winter.

 

Indeed Star should add some new and interesting ports of call. At least with Libra sailing ex-Keelung this season Star has ressurected Miyako and is now on some itineraries. It's still Japan, but slightly different than the "trid and true" Naha and Ishigaki route.

 

Enjoy your cruise on Sun Princess, and please let us all know how it went.

 

Mike

[deck 9 001]

Hi all,

 

Star Cruises has just released the English version of itineraries and schedules for SuperStar Libra for the 2008 Taiwan season which begins tomorrow.

 

Itineraries can be viewed through this link.

http://www.starcruises.com/newweb/ebrochures/PDF/SSR/ssr_itin_mar-oct08_en.pdf

 

Please note that this is currently in pdf format.

 

It is a rather nice and varied lineup of sailings and ports of call.

 

Mike

[deck 9 001]

From what I have heard, Libra's cruises ex-Kaohsiung were very successful as was the first cruise of the season from Keelung. Good pax loads.

 

I am sailing this Friday and will let you all know my opinions when I return.

 

Mike

[boeckli]

From what I have heard, Libra's cruises ex-Kaohsiung were very successful as was the first cruise of the season from Keelung. Good pax loads.

 

I am sailing this Friday and will let you all know my opinions when I return.

 

Mike

 

Enjoy your cruise, Mike :)

[deck 9 001]

Thanks Ursula, much appreciated.

 

I hope the weather stays good for this "high seas" cruise as I want to spend a lot of time outdoors here:

 

Mikw

[Westaussie]

Hi Mike

 

Have a lovely, relaxing cruise. Love the photo - that's the life isn't it!!

 

Vera

[deck 9 001]

Thanks very much Vera. I too like that photo. Caught it just when it was becoming dusk.

 

Mike

[J33JWA]

Hi all,

 

Mike ~ great picture of the sun deck and dusk in the horizon. We have been away in the Caribbean and will hit the Med.later this year.

Still looking for an opportunity to board the Libra again one fine day in the horizon and hope the fantastic and friendly staff are still working on board.

 

You guys keep this thread going for those about to board the ship;).

 

Cheerio and be well. James:)

[deck 9 001]

Hi James, good to hear from you. Glad you liked the photo. Hope you will have a great time in The Med. Will you be cruising?

 

There was a big changeover of crew onboard Libra, but even the new crew was ourgoing and friendly.

 

Thanks for your post.

 

Mike

[Westaussie]

Hi Mike - sounds like you had another enjoyable cruise ... when's the next one!!

 

Any word on what's happening with future ships/itineraries?

 

Vera

[kuldalai]

Well Norwegian Dawn and Majesty will not be coming back to Star as originally anticipated - they have been sold to Louis Cruise Lines.

 

Word is that Pullmantur Cruise Line has refused Stars asking price for Pride of Aloha so we will have to wait and see if Star still wants to sell that vessel, or whether they will take it into the Star fleet mid year when it ceases service with NCLA.

 

One would think that if Star wants to grow the cruise business (as previously announced) that with Gemini going that they would want to take a newer ship into the Star fleet or otherwise they will have less capacity in Asia than now . But then Star seems more interested at the moment in developing on-shore casino opportunities such as the recently announced joint venture in the Phillipines.