Super Star Virgo

[boeckli]

Have just seen ads for earlybird specials for SSV 'standard' cruises ex Hong Kong between Apr 13 and Oct 12 by two wholesalers/online TA's

5 night itinerary Hong Kong - Sanya - Halong Bay - Hong Kong - Xiamen - Hong Kong (always leaving on Sundays)

 

There are a few sailing dates missing, so assume there will be some special sailings as well ... ? No official announcement from Starcruises yet ...

[ssv]

Virgo will have good passenger load throughout her HK season I believe. The HK public like the Leo(Virgo sister) very much and constantly emphasize it even though Leo has been away for many years. Currently, there are already a few sailings blocked off due to charter of vessel(most probably by SV88).

 

There will be one or two special sailing to Taiwan, never before by Star Cruises from HK(except the Libra ex-Taiwan to HK later this year).

 

 

I sincerely hope(and pray every night;) ) the Virgo will return or a new ship will be built very shortly. SSQ is extremely inadequate for ex-Singapore sailings.

[Lisa-UK]

Hi Lisa - I'll be on Gemini in November from Bali to Fremantle. If I get talking to Harold will mention the nice things you've said about him! Your cruise must seem like years away - are you planning another yet?

 

Vera

 

Hi Vera

 

How sweet of you - if you do see him, say Hi! He might remember us - Lisa, Andy & Jack and he will probably laugh if you mention Andy's shirt! My DH wore a very nice shirt one evening, (I bought it!!) and Harold kept saying he loved it - it was unusual - coloured stripes and the collar and cuffs are flowery (sounds vile, but it is nice). I also think that Harold had quite a thing for my Hubby - who in fact won 'most handsome man on the ship' :D :rolleyes: :eek: at the end of the cruise! I kid you not!! He had to do a dance in front of all the disembarking passengers who were waiting in the Lido. Dear hubby, along with the other 6 or so other unfortunate blokes who volunteered - never knew what they were in for!

 

I am planning another cruise hopefully for next year. However, we have just decided to have some work done on the house and so it is a tough decision to get that done, or just go for the cruise! I have been looking at Royal Carribean - and quite fancy the Mexico cruise which departs from San Diego. I loved our last holiday as we did Singapore for 2nts, the SSV cruise and then a week in Bali - which was brilliant. So I am going to see if I can do a 7 nt Mexico cruise and combine it with a tour around that side of the US. As our son will be 13 and the summer hols here run from mid Jul through August, it rules out some of the places we can go. We would love to do Carribean and Orlando (as my true passion is Florida/Disney/Universal) but my hubbie will kill me if he gets dragged there again and in August it is no fun to be in the parks as it is hot, hot, hot, humid, hurricane season, crowded and expensive at that time of the year.

 

I love planning and so will be thoroughly checking everything, but would welcome any suggestions or a pointer to any of the other forums here. Our 2 main criteria are: 1) Must find something suitable for our 13 yr old who loves to be active, gets bored easily and is looking for more to do on a cruise - SSV was great, but he never palled up with any of the kids because there were none :confused: and 2) has to be August.

 

I bet you wished you had never asked! :p

 

Bye for now

Lisa

[jyi1693]

I will be on SSV from 16th December 2007 for the 5 night Pearls of the Orient cruise. Will be taking a flight from home (KL, Malaysia) to Johor and take a bus or taxi to Singapore and board Virgo. However, we will not be making the return trip to Singapore from Port Klang, as it would be easier to leave her from Port Klang instead. Can't wait to see Virgo again! :cool:

 

Might be able to keep you guys updated through the Internet onboard.

[Westaussie]

Hi Lisa - will make a note of Andy's shirt - wonder what reaction I'll get to that!

 

If you cruised from San Diego then wouldn't Disney/Universal in LA fit the bill? Certainly should be plenty of kids travelling in August?

 

Hi jwi, love your photo of Virgo and the ones you posted some time ago.

 

I bet you're looking forward to December but I suppost you have exams to do before then? I did my last years of schooling in Alor Star but we also lived in KL (Petaling Hill behind the Istana!)

 

Vera

[electricron]

Obviously, having larger casinos is popular in Asia.

 

Here's what I was discussing about the changes on the Leo/Spirit. Note, NCL halved the casino space.

Superstar Leo Norwegian Spirit

 

So, I'm not surprised to see ships moving to Star Cruises doubling the casino space.

 

But I will admit tripling and qudrupling the casino space may be making the casino too large. Changes in the size of the casino can be undone too. I would think Star Cruises would/should size the casino to match the market the ship is intended to sail.

 

When the Norwegian Dream, the Superstar Aquarius sister, repositions to Star Cruises next fall, Star could resize the casino the same as the Aquarius, or keep it as small as on the Dream, or someplace in between.

 

Norwegian Dream

 

On the Aquarius, Dazzles (the Disco Bar) and Lucky's Bar were ripped out and converted into casino space. Plus other spaces on other decks were converted into casinos. With NCL, only the space labeled as the Monte Carlo Casino had gambling.

 

As I wrote before, what was done to the Aquarius could be undone, if Star wished to use that space for other purposes.

[kuldalai]

Despite the fact that the Marketing / PR Slackies at Star have still not announced the fleet re-deployments or updated the Star website the full details are available on several travel agent websites one of which is :

 

http://www.cruising.com.au/templates/search.jsp?partner=&region=296&cruiseline=30&cruiseship=&cruisedate=&duration=&ports=

 

Note repositioning cruises for SS Virgo & Aquarius Singapore - Hong Kong, and Hong Kong - Singapore later in year.

 

Star Marketing and PR people are asleep at the wheel .

[Lisa-UK]

Hi all

 

interesting news on the fleet posted - looks exciting!

 

Vera: thanks for your comment - yup a trip to Disney LA would be fantastic - I am going to work on that one!

 

thanks

Lisa

[ratel]

I am new to the cruise holiday. Are we able to take our duty free alcohol on board to drink or do they lock it up.

[ratel]

Forgot to say we are travelling on the superstar virgo

[jyi1693]

Hi Lisa - will make a note of Andy's shirt - wonder what reaction I'll get to that!

 

If you cruised from San Diego then wouldn't Disney/Universal in LA fit the bill? Certainly should be plenty of kids travelling in August?

 

Hi jwi, love your photo of Virgo and the ones you posted some time ago.

 

I bet you're looking forward to December but I suppost you have exams to do before then? I did my last years of schooling in Alor Star but we also lived in KL (Petaling Hill behind the Istana!)

 

Vera

 

Hi Vera, thanks. I have more photos of Virgo if you'd like them.:)

 

Yup, I'm actually in the mids of my exams. Can't wait till December and keep thinking of Virgo now!:D:D:D

[Lisa-UK]

Hi Ratel

 

I'm sure there will be a more experienced cruiser coming along to answer you alcohol question. However, we were not asked when we boarded if her had any alcohol/bottles on us or in our luggage........however, I'm not sure of their rules.

 

I wish I had taken a bottle of Baileys on as I guzzled enough of the stuff on the cruise and whilst I don't want say the wrong thing here - I'm sure one or two bottles won't go amiss....................... I hope I don't get shot here - AHHHHHHHHHHH :D

[kuldalai]

This question gets asked repeatedly on these threads and gets answered again and again. In joining these threads best to first read back 5 - 10 pages and most queries will be answered .

 

For the umpteenth time the answer is :

 

- You might bring it on board in your hand luggage and drink it in your cabin, but then it might be confiscated .

 

- Try and bring BYO to restaurant and you will be charged hefty corkage like $ 18A so forget that.

 

- Star drink prices are very reasonable like Australian bar prices (full bottles quality wine in restaurants like $ 17 A ) so forget all the hassles of lugging grog around and all the duty free BS (duty free saves bugger all these days) and just go with the flow on board .

[boeckli]

This question gets asked repeatedly on these threads and gets answered again and again. In joining these threads best to first read back 5 - 10 pages and most queries will be answered .

 

For the umpteenth time the answer is :

 

- You might bring it on board in your hand luggage and drink it in your cabin, but then it might be confiscated .

 

- Try and bring BYO to restaurant and you will be charged hefty corkage like $ 18A so forget that.

 

- Star drink prices are very reasonable like Australian bar prices (full bottles quality wine in restaurants like $ 17 A ) so forget all the hassles of lugging grog around and all the duty free BS (duty free saves bugger all these days) and just go with the flow on board .

 

kuldalai - Not sure why you are acting as if you are the "keeper" of this thread - firstly the question has rarely been discussed on this particular thread (if it has been on others, like the Gemini one, do not assume that someone about to cruise the Virgo would necessarily read that). Secondly, the question was asked by someone with their first post to these boards - how about a welcome, or at least a courteous response with the relevant facts - or even no response at all would have been better than berating the poor person who asked (who may not dare to ask another one :eek: ) .

Also, comparing ship's prices with Australian ones may not help all posters, as we cannot assume that everyone is from this country.

My understanding is that we are all here on these boards because we share an interest in cruising and trying to help fellow cruisers with advice.

[ssv]

ratel - Bringing duty-free or duty-paid alcohol or cigarette onto the ship is no problem if I'm not mistaken. Bringing them into F&B areas will incur a corkage fee though. So no worries, just bring them onboard!

 

But if you don't have a preference for wine, then do consider purchasing onboard as prices are more-or-less similiar, it saves you the hassle of carrying extra hand-carry and you'll be able to drink it anywhere you want(F&B areas charge no corkage for wine purchased onboard).

 

 

Just back from another trip with Virgo, food is getting from good to excellent(it was good in the past)! IMO its close to perfect and I'm looking forward to another meal onboard again.

 

BTW, every Monday there'll be a special gastronomic delight dinner. Its S$75.00 + 15% Service Charge, it promises to be excellent and not to be missed. At least 2/3 diner is needed, maximum is 10. And Mr. Colin is Cruise Director now, till at least Christmas.

[boeckli]

Just back from another trip with Virgo, food is getting from good to excellent(it was good in the past)! IMO its close to perfect and I'm looking forward to another meal onboard again.

 

BTW, every Monday there'll be a special gastronomic delight dinner. Its S$75.00 + 15% Service Charge, it promises to be excellent and not to be missed. At least 2/3 diner is needed, maximum is 10. And Mr. Colin is Cruise Director now, till at least Christmas.

 

Aren't you lucky to have such a ship on your doorstep !! BTW is Reinhard Mammes still Executive Chef?

[ssv]

Boeckli - Very lucky, at least till April 08.

 

Mr. Harald Markt is executive chef for now, but I think Mr. Reinhard Mammes and him rotate on a 6 months basis. I'm not too sure though, Mike can you confirm?

[kuldalai]

http://www.starcruises.com/News/2007/20071008.html

[ssv]

The much awaited itinerary for 3 of the largest ship in SC has finally been released!

 

SSV will do standard cruises to China, Vietnam as per the statement. There is 1 special cruise to Keelung, Taiwan every month; one of the week's itinerary will also be disrupted due to a charter most probably by SV88. 2 weeks in August is also blocked off, with itineraries TBA.

 

SSQ Singapore season will feature standard cruise to Phuket and Penang from Sunday to Thursday. One-night high sea cruises on Thursday and two-night high sea cruises on Friday. It's the same itinerary for every week so far but IMO there might be some changes in coming months.

 

If anyone needs any information on the ships departure time and date, I'll do my best to answer

 

 

Lastly, anyone joining the relocation cruises?

[seasick_in_a_bathtub]

Hi everyone,

 

We are seriously considering a cruise on the SSV from Hong Kong in early July 2008. I believe that is the beginning of the wet season in that part of the world......how rough does the sea get?

We sailed the Straits of Malacca and it was very smooth, absolutely perfect.

 

Any advice will be greatly appreciated,

 

Cheers

 

Justine

[ratel]

We are booked on the SSV 24th February, excited already. Never been overseas yet, how sad is that. Travelled all around Australia though. Hoping to see if anyone else is travelling then. Does anyone know what shows are on then. Finally caught up on all the previous threads, boy that took a awhile so have got some fantastic information out of everyone. Need to recheck with my travel agent as am confused about itinerary. Was sure when we discussed it we were not doing the stop in Singapore in the middle but on our itinerary it seems that we do. :rolleyes:

Thanks again for all the great advice Ta Steph

[ssv]

ratel - Feb 24 is a 6d 5n cruise to PKL/PHU/LAN/PKL.

 

I don't quite understand what you mean by stopping in Singapore but the ship runs SIN-PKL-PHU-LAN-PKL-SIN so if you meant stopping in Singapore again between Feb 24 and Feb 29, it's not scheduled to happen.

 

If you're on the Island Escapade 4d 3n and Taste of Malaysia 3d 2n which is not the itinerary for Feb 24, then there will be a "technical" stop in Singapore.

 

Shows will be Street Life/Musicians of Bremen if I'm not mistaken although the public released end date is Nov/Dec 07. Current SC Dancers' contract end Feb/Mar 08 if I'm not wrong. You might be in time for the finale or the premiere of a new show.

 

Its a great itinerary as there is a long stop in Phuket, one of my favourite SC destination. Langkawi is also very nice especially the view from the Cable Car.

 

 

Seasick - I wouldn't worry too much about motion.

 

SSVirgo is a "mega" ship with modern nautical equipments which can reduce rock and roll(nautical). I was on SSQ(Aquarius) relocation from SIN-HKG and only the first part SIN-HCMC was rough. Waters around and after Vietnam to Hong Kong was smooth. I'll be more worried about occasional typhoons in that area.

 

SSVirgo July HK has got 2 set of itinerary.

 

Standard ones = HK-Sanya-Halong Bay-HK-Xiamen-HK-HK-HK

 

HK-Sanya-Halong Bay-HK is from Sunday to Wednesday. HK-Xiamen-HK is from Wednesday to FRIDAY. 2 weekend one-night cruises thereafter completes the week Sunday-Sunday.

 

 

Special = HK-Sanya-Halong Bay-HK-Keelung-HK-HK

 

HK-Sanya-Halong Bay-HK is the same as above, from Sunday to Wednesday. HK-Keelung-HK is from Wednesday to SATURDAY, with one sea day in between HK-Keelung. 1 weekend one-night cruise thereafter completes the week Sunday-Sunday.

 

The special itinerary will run on the LAST week of July, this itinerary available in June/July/September.

 

 

SSVirgo itinerary for other months are more or less the same except in Apr/May/Aug 08. Current plan sees Virgo departing HKG on 19 Oct 08, visiting Sanya and HCMC and arriving SIN 25 Oct.

[ratel]

Thats what confused me. When we talked about going on that date they told us we were lucky as that was the itinerary, then when we got our print out after paying deposit we got a different itinerary with the short stopover in singapore in the middle. I am very happy with the correct schedule Ta Steph

[ssv]

Most probably just a printing error by your TA as recent operational schedule still confirms Feb 24 as SIN-PKL-PHU-LAN-PKL-SIN. It is almost impossible the itinerary will change unless there are technical or weather difficulties of course.

[casu1]

we too are planning on a SSV Hong Kong Cruise June /July 08 - Great early bird specials on offer but again not extended to the suites (Must have been lucky in 06 to get 40% off a Junior Suite) I am also wondering about the weather that time of year in the waters around Hong Kong,

Anyhow ...Looks like I WILL get my fix of a Virgo cruise to Vietnam after all :)