ay cruise` and you think the Caribbean` ,or, um, 1om` i you`re really dim,. 1here are, in act, hundreds o cruises to hundreds o destinations to choose rom. Closer to home, Star Cruises remain the top cruise line in Asia Paciic.
\e had the pleasure o going on a cruise recently. Cruises are a no-brainer acation idea. 1here are plenty o actiities on board, enough distractions or een the most hyper-actie toddlers, in this case, my nephew Iko. It`s hassle- ree trael. lor one, you take the hotel-and the mall-with you. 1he Captain does the driing and eerything`s been prepaid ,your trip, cabin, meals, and entertainment, except or optional stu,. Plus, you get to do whateer you like-lounge, swim, workout, eat, play ball, get a spa, watch a moie, play games, read, sur the Net, play mini-gol, take shore tours- without being orced to go to a jewellery actory that sponsors the typical tour. It`s called reestyle cruising.
But the whole point is, you`re doing all these on sea!
\e were booked on the SuperStar Virgo, the largest in the Star Cruises leet ,along with twin SuperStar Leo,. 1o gie you an idea o how large it is, it measures 268.29m long and 32.2m wide. 1hat`s the size o 12 ootball ields. And it can accommodate 1,960 passengers. \e had a glimpse o Virgo just beore check in and the guaranteed reaction is \hoa!`
\ou can take a six-day Straits o Malacca cruise, which takes you to Langkawi, Phuket, and Kuala Lumpur. 1here`s also the our-day Langkawi-Phuket cruise. Or you can take the three-day Kuala Lumpur-Malacca cruise. \e took the latter, as we dumped beach heaen Phuket and instead ly to shopping paradise Bangkok.
Lmbarkation ter an oernight stay in Singabore, er, Singapore ,part o the tour package anyway,, we headed towards the port around eight in the eening to check in and embark. Ater checking-in our luggage, we queued or check in to present our passports and conirmation notice. I was the designated lead o lamily or the entire trip, which meant I had to do all the dirty work like lining up. And this line was hell. It took about an hour to get to the check in counter. Imagine close to 2,000 passengers checking in at the same time and you can understand why I had migraines or the next three days. 1alk about relaxation!
\e decided to just let eeryone queue up or boarding and be the last ew ones to embark. Smart moe. Ater security check, we were handed Access Cards in exchange or our passports. 1he Access Card seres as a boarding pass, room key, and charge card on board.
But beore we een reached the linkway, we had to pass through three or more mascot check points`, as I like to call them. 1hese are photo ops where you`re orced to pose with a penguin ,smile!,, Brazilian costume perormers ,smile!,, and other giant stued animals ,smile!,. All the photos will then be displayed in one hallway o the ship, where you hae the option to buy them ramed, as key chains, or other doodads.
Iirst night S A ter being herded like cattle or a couple o hours, we inally reached our deck ,Deck 5,. \e passed through the long red-carpeted hallway to get to our cabin. 1he proper term is Inside Stateroom`. I like to call it \alk-in Closet`. Okay, it`s bigger than that, about 14.6-16.6 sq.m., comortable enough to sleep in. 1he bathroom was also small, but well urnished. \e had a iew o a, well, a painted iew o the ocean and the bright, blue sky. Pay a little more and you get the Oceaniew Stateroom, with an actual window iew o the ocean. But hey, at least, we get sunny skies and the clear, blue sea 24,!
1here`s a hierarchy on board, just like in airlines and hotels. Most passengers, us included, are \orld Cruisers, and we get to stay at the lower decks. 1hose that pay a lot more or a stateroom with a balcony are in Balcony Class ,duh,. And the ones who can aord an upper deck junior or executie suite with balcony- and Jacuzzi!-are in Admiral Class. \e reasoned that i we wanted a iew o the ocean, we could just step out o our room.
I told my amily we`re in the Losers Deck ,Deck 5,, until I discoered there are still some staterooms in Deck 4 ,losers!,. I elt better. 1he highest deck is Deck 13, so you really hae to take the eleators to get there. lortunately, the restaurants are on Deck 6 and the lobby on Deck .
By this time-it was past ten-we were so stressed, exhausted, and amished. \e decided to hae dinner. Apparently, a couple o thousand other passengers made the same decision. Not knowing any better, we proceeded to the Mediterranean Buet and 1errace.
1he cruise package included three meals a day at any o three restaurants, one being all-you-can-eat buet. It was all- you-can-eat all right, because you cannot eat more than one sering. It tasted like prison ood, except there`s a lot. 1he place was oer-crowded. It was like being at the United Nations or the 1ower o Babel. 1here were Singaporeans, Indians, Chinese, Malaysians, Indonesians, Americans, Luropeans, and lilipinos.
\ell, at least there were many lilipinos in the crew, although we didn`t see any lilipino passenger. Sure, we were outnumbered, but we were treated special by the lilipino sta. 1o be air, the entire crew-one or eery passenger!-were courteous, helpul, riendly, and accommodating ,which is more than I can say or light attendants and waiters who hae made their lie mission to ignore you,.
Ater a disappointing meal, we decided to make a quick tour o the ship. And my, were we oerwhelmed! 1he Grand Piazza, the main lobby and reception, was indeed grand. \e went during the holidays so there was an enormous Christmas tree in the middle. 1he ceiling was as high as a irst-class hotel lobby and certainly a lot more colorul. 1he interiors are a mix o Classical and Mediterranean design, with carpeted loors, multi-hue marble, rich wood inishing, and high-class urniture and dcor. 1he entire ship is like a luxury hotel crossed with an upscale mall. 1he accurate description is loating ie-star resort`.
\e were too tired to explore the entire ship. Besides, it was easy to get lost. \ou really need a map to ind your way as not all decks are accessible at either end o the ship. On the other hand, with laish eleators, lush stairways, and luxurious hallways, instead o dark alleys, what a way to get lost!
1o cap the eening, we decided to take a sneak peak at 1he Lido, an enormous, A Las Vegas-style theatre. 1hat night, they were showing or ree the moie linding Nemo` ,how apt!,, not, thankully, 1itanic`.
By the way, i you want to hae your 1itanic moment, go to the Deck Viewpoint at the bow ,ront, o the ship to take pictures with your spouse or partner and shout I can ly!`, I`m on top o the world!`, or I hate Celine Dion!`.
Ater midnight, while strolling along the promenade, the outdoor walkway at the sides o the ship, we were surprised we were already underway. \e didn`t eel a thing, thanks to the ship`s stabilizers, it`s smooth sailing. Ater a quick shower, we were o to dreamland.
Morning after e planned to wake up early, like six, to catch the sunrise. \e woke up past eight. By this time, we`e already reached the port o Malacca. \e had breakast at- darn!-1he Mediterranean again. Lousy breakast, as expected. Let`s not again, I pleaded. I had coee at the Amphitheatre open-air terrace at the rear area o the ship, the at, i you must know. So there I was sipping brewed coee under the cloudy sky and the open seas. Ahh, bliss!
\e then decided to take Iko or a swim at the kiddie pool, Neptune`s \et & \ild. It`s easy to please a toddler, who only wants swimming, soup, and chips. And the SuperStar Virgo is kid-riendly. 1hey een hae an exclusie StarKids Club that has reebies, goodies, and superised actiities. But een without signing up, children will not run out o things to do.
1here`s the kiddie pool and Jacuzzi, the Computer \orld Centre, the Starlight ideo arcade, and Charlie`s Childcare Centre just or them. 1here`s also a neer-ending stream o actiities or kids and teens, like crat making, games, disco or teens, moies or kids, and creatie workshops.
Grown-ups will be bombarded with entertainment as well. At the Celebrity Disco, you can dance the night away. At 1he Lido, you can watch shows like Amazonian Loe, a Las Vegas-style topless reue ,did you say topless!,. At the Galaxy o the Stars, you can play bingo or the lottery, listen to lie bands, ballroom dance, or play games like line dancing and Reindeer Racing. At 1he Picture louse, you can watch moies in this mini-theater. At Out o Arica, you can sing your lungs out or some group karaoke ,i you sing really bad, you might een win at the \orst Karaoke Competition,. At 1he Oasis Club, you can try to win back what you paid or the cruise by playing blackjack, baccarat, roulette, slot machines, or Caribbean stud poker in the huge casino.
I you`re more o the sporty type, you can jog around the Star 1rack. 1here`s a gol driing range and mini gol at the Sports Deck. \ou can play basketball and table tennis as well. Or, i you like, you can take a dip at the massie Parthenon swimming pool. 1here`s also Aquaswim, a jet current exercise pool, i you want to burn some calories, and our Jacuzzis at the Parthenon, i you want to chill out. I you`re a gym rat, they hae the Uniersal Gym, which has modern workout acilities. 1hey also hae scheduled gym actiities like stretching, aerobics, abs workout, and circuit training.
My brother and sister spent some time at the gym. I, on the other hand, spent some time just chilling out at one o the ew deck chairs at the Promenade or at the Sun Deck. I you want a more laid back pace on board, you can play board games at the Card Room or mahjong games at the Mahjong Room. 1here`s a \ jumbo chess board at the Amphitheatre. 1here`s a library where you can read magazines and borrow books. It also seres as a writing room and Internet area as well. \ou can get a spa treatment at Samson`s or Delilah`s. Or perhaps a acial or haircut at Oscar`s lair & Beauty Salon.
I you`re a workaholic, there are business serices at the reception. 1here`s also a boardroom and meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 18 people. Party pooper! On the other hand, i you`re a shopaholic, there are a ew retail shops like 1he Gallery or your photo needs, the \ine Shop or wines and cigars, and the Ports O` Call and Star Boutique or duty ree shopping.
Keep in mind though that some o the actiities charge a ee, but access to most acilities is ree. Contrary to expectations, aside rom the restaurants, the acilities aren`t oercrowded. \ith so many actiities to choose rom, you won`t eel crowded in the pool, gym, library, casino, disco, or lobby. I you take the cruise, it`s really best to spend your mornings swimming or taking in the cool sea breeze under the cloudy sky by lounging around at the obseratory decks, and not, say, playing mahjong. 1hen make the most o the other acilities in the eening when it`s stark dark outside.
Beore we knew it, it was lunch time. \e decided to try the Pailion Room, which seres Chinese cuisine. As part o the package, you get to choose rom two set menus. 1he ood-soup, steamed ish, stir ried chilli diced chicken- thankully, was good. \ou do hae to ollow a set schedule or all meals, 12-2 or lunch and 6:30-9 or dinner. So sometimes there`s a line or waiting list, especially at the Pailion. And you`re assigned a table, at times you hae to share with other passengers. But while there`s supposed to be a dress code, they`re not really that strict. Dinner that eening was at the Bella Vista, which seres International cuisine. I had lamb chops, which was passable, in a hotel cuisine kind o way. But the ambiance is unbeatable. 1he Bella Vista is an enormous upscale restaurant, and we were seated at the ar end, where there`s a huge window iew o the at. \e can see Port Klang getting smaller and smaller as the ship was leaing, while we were haing dinner.
O course, you`re not limited to the three restaurants that are part o your package. But then you hae to pay extra or Japanese at Samurai, Italian at the Palazzo, Chinese at the Noble louse, Indian at the 1aj, or Southeast Asian at the Blue Lagoon. SuperStar Virgo oers the most number o ala carte dining restaurants on any cruise ship in the world. 1here are also bars and caes like Bellini, 1aerna, 1he Den, and Ca Gelato. Prices are similar to prices at hotels in Singapore.
Ater lunch, we reached Port Klang in Kuala Lumpur. Larlier, we booked an optional aternoon tour in KL just to see the Petronas 1owers. 1here are other tours aailable, like sightseeing and city tour, shopping tour, historical tour, and theme park tour. \e took the shopping tour, which will take us a stone`s throw away rom Petronas 1owers.
Last day endeaoured to wake up as early as I can on our last day, to catch the sunrise. I managed to rise up around seen. 1he sun has started to rise but it was still quite cloudy, casting a dreamy green hue on the ocean. \ith most passengers still dozing o, I rested at a deck chair to breathe the resh air.
\e then had sumptuous breakast at the Bella Vista. 1his time, we had more I choices. All you do is tick o on a card items you want to eat. O course, we ticked o most on the list.
I spent the morning exploring eery nook and cranny o the ship, hanging out at the Captain`s Bridge Viewing Gallery and the obseratory deck, and reading magazines in the library ,I`m reading a magazine in a cozy library with a window iew o the ocean!,.
1hen we had a quick lunch at the Pailion, packed our bags, settled the extra charges we racked up, and got ready to disembark. Good thing disembarkation was a lot quicker, though there was still some lining up to do. 1hree days seem to be just enough or a cruise. Ater the noelty and excitement on the irst couple o days, you`ll start yearning or land ,land ho!,.
Note as well that large ships like the SuperStar Virgo are best or amilies. I you`re a couple interested in more exotic destinations rather than on-board actiities galore, and want ewer crowds and a more relaxed pace, try the smaller or mid-sized ships. But i you hae a amily, with small kids, the megaships are best. And in Asia Paciic, you can`t go wrong with Star Cruises. Just aoid the buet restaurant.
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Nautical Notes Some nautical terms you need to know:
Starboard Side: Right side o the ship acing orward Port Side: Let side o the ship acing orward Amidships: 1he Central area o the ship lorward: 1he lorward area o the ship At: 1he Rear area o the ship Knots: 1he speed o the ship ,1 knot is equialent to 1.8kmh, Underway: \hen the ship is moing, it is underway Ship's Colour: llag o the Country o Register o the ship ,Panama,
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Ship Iacts Ship Name: SuperStar Virgo Gross 1onnage: 6,800grt Length: 268.29m \idth: 32.2m Aerage Cruising Speed ,knots,: 24kn Maximum Cruising Speed ,knots,: 25.5kn Number o Stabilisers: 1set Bow & Stern 1hrusters: 3 lull Satellite Naigation System: 2 Number o Cabins: 980 Passenger Capacity ,based on lower berths,: 1,960
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About Star Cruises Star Cruises was incorporated in September 1993, representing a bold initiatie to tap Asia Paciic`s potential as an international cruise destination.
It`s presently operating a combined leet o 19 ships with oer 24,000 lower berths, with cruises to destinations and islands in Asia-Paciic, North and South America, Caribbean, Alaska, Lurope, Mediterranean, Bermuda and Antarctica under the Star Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Orient Lines and Cruise lerries brands.
Vessels operated under the Star Cruises' brand in Asia-Paciic are SuperStar Leo, SuperStar Virgo, SuperStar Aries, SuperStar Gemini, SuperStar Capricorn, Star Pisces, MegaStar Aries, and MegaStar 1aurus.
\ithin 10 years since its inception, Star Cruises has become the world`s third largest cruise company. Star Cruises has won coeted awards that include: Best Cruise Operator, 199-2002, 11G 1rael Awards in conjunction with PA1A 1rael Mart and Best Cruise Operator in Asia Paciic, 199-2002, 11G Asia 1rael Award.
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How to get in touch Star Cruises Unit 3B, Paciic Place Building, 539 Arquiza Street, Lrmita, Manila, Philippines. 1el: ,63, 2 521 5660, 526 8401 lax: ,63, 2 521 563
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Common cruise questions lran \enograd Golden in Cruise Critic ,www.cruisecritic.com, proides the ollowing lAQs or cruise newbies.
Cruise "newbies" oten hae more excuses as to why they'e neer cruised than there are ships at sea. And these excuses are oten based on misconceptions about what a cruise acation is really like. lere we answer some common questions to gie you better insight into the cruise experience.
Isn't it expensive? 1he upront price may come as a shock, but remember your cruise are includes your accommodations, ood, actiities ,including children's programs, and nighttime entertainment. Add that to the option o reduced-rate airare and transers, and you can actually sae bucks going on a cruise as opposed to a land-based acation.
Won't I get seasick? Most ships are so big and well stabilized you can hardly tell you're moing, especially in the calm waters o the Caribbean and Alaska's Inside Passage. Radar helps big ships outrun hurricanes and other bad weather patches, but i you do happen to pass through some rough water, any queasiness can usually be relieed by an oer-the-counter medication like Dramamine or Bonine. I you are ery prone to seasickness, ask your doctor beore you leae home or the 1ransderm patch, aailable by prescription. Alternatie remedies include ginger capsules and acupressure wristbands, aailable at most pharmacies.
Can I stay in touch? On most ships you'll get CNN on your in-room 1V. A daily newssheet may also be aailable that combines wire reports with stories rom major newspapers. \ou can make phone calls and send e- mails rom most ships, although it's usually cheaper to do both rom the ports.
Is cruising safe? Ships must ollow an extraordinary number o rules and regulations that assure passengers' ,and crew members', saety while on board. 1he Coast Guard conducts rigorous quarterly inspections o all ships operating rom U.S. ports, looking to make sure they comply with its emergency-response requirements. Rather than sinking a la 1itanic, ire is the biggest concern, and when it comes to ire saety, ships operate under international rules known as Saety o Lie at Sea ,SOLAS,. 1he rules require most ships to hae smoke detectors, sprinklers and low-leel emergency lighting or escape routes. \ithin the irst 24 hours o sailing, eeryone on your ship is required to participate in a saety drill that includes trying on a nity orange lie jacket and locating your assigned lieboat, on the odd ,and rare, chance that you need to use it.
Is there good security? Gien the current world enironment, increased emphasis has been put on cruise ship security by the Coast Guard and others. New international rules hae been established that among other things require all ships and ports to hae both security oicers and security plans. Cruise lines are now required to report names o passengers beore each sailing, and the lines hae tightened policies that require guests and crew to proide identiication when boarding and re- boarding a essel ,passengers are issued special boarding cards, and in some cases ships een hae a machine that takes and stores your photo or identiication purposes,.
Will I be bored? \ou may need a map to naigate around today's big ships, and there's something to do in nearly eery corner. lor intellectual stimulation you can listen to guest speakers, participate in a Bridge tournament or attend a wine lecture. 1o get your heart pumping, play some hoops or isit the ship's gym, and then reward yoursel with a cool one at the sports bar. 1here are pools or soaking and swimming, shops or shopping and spas or pampering. \ou can participate in a contest, learn a crat or watch a moie. Or simply grab a book and get a tan. Plus, remember you're not on the ship all the time. Ships also take you exciting ports.
Won't I get fat? Okay, we know the rumor that the aerage person gains about ie pounds on a one week cruise. But or those watching calories, be assured there will be low-at options on the menus and boast at least some healthy choices at the buets. Meantime, you can burn calories by working out in the ship's gym, walking ast or jogging around the arious decks ,we like walking the stairs,, and mountain biking, hiking and kayaking at the ports.