Super Star Virgo

[cheeky_minx]

Thanks Justine, have sent you an email. Appreciate anything you can share ...

 

Jane

[Kryton]

Returned a week or so ago. Quite frankly I cannot see why people rave about going on a cruise. Hopefully this is the last cruise I ever have to take. Give me a resort in, say, Penang or Phuket or Bali or anywhere for that matter. :mad:

[boeckli]

Having read all of your posts, it sounds like cruising just is not for you - nobody ever stated that everybody had to like it ...

Just as well that different people like different things :)

As to having to take another cruise (or rather NOT), that's something you probably need to discuss with your family.

[electricron]

You are making very bad decisions for your company.

It just doesn't make sense to interchange the Virgo with the Aquarius. You are taking a 5 star cruise ship from Singapore and replacing it with a 3 star casino ship. For Singaporean cruisers it would be a huge disappointment and you just watch your occupancy rate drop. For the local gamblers the Virgo is doing an adequate job already. The casino is only very crowded on some weekend gambling cruises to nowhere. We don't need the 2 storey casinos on the Aquarius.

For the foreign tourist like the Indians, Australians and other nationalities the star appeal of the Virgo will be gone. You had over 1000 Indians on the Virgo on some cruises even though the Libra was sailing out of India. That must tell you something.

Just got of the Gemini this morning and you have sold it and replacing it with the NCL Dream. The Gemini is an icon with the Australians and you still have 90% of them as pax on this last cruise. The Dream is not the same type of ship as the Gemini.

Maybe the rumour I hear from the hotel manager of the Gemini that you would bring in another new 5 star ship from NCLA would come through.

 

I believe the Superstar Virgo exodus from Singapore is only temporary.

Expect it back in six months.

 

As for NCL ships that Star Cruises already owns, and which NCL presently leases on charter, two more ships will head your way.

 

The Norwegian Dream, the Superstar Aquarius sister, doesn't have posted itineraries after next October. You should expect it joining Star Cruises fleet late next year. It too has the same deck plans as the Aquarius, which can be converted into Casino space. The last is the Norwegian Majesty, approximately the same size as the Superstar Libra, which also has a rather small casino area. It's last posted NCL itineary, like all NCL ships presently except the Dream, is in April 2009. It could arrive in Star Cruises fleet in 2009, 2010, or later; depending upon when the charter lease expires.......

 

Late next year, assuming the rumors posted here are true, I would expect the pair of sisters, Superstar Aquarius and "Dream", the name would be changed, will be home ported full time in Singapore and Hong Kong - doesn't it really matter which one is where? I expect the Superstar Virgo to spend the summers in Hong Kong, and the winters in Singapore. I expect the Libra to summer in Tawain and the winters in India. When the "Majesty" arrives, if it arrives, I would expect it would resume the flexible schedule the Superstar Gemini has done so well this past decade. The Majesty could be refurbished into a luxury cruise liner easily, it already has the best hardware fixtures and teak decks of any NCL ship.

 

Not a bad lineup in my opinion.

 

Of course, Star could return the Superstar Virgo next fall for keeps, having it replace the Superstar Gemini instead for the conventional cruise experence.

 

By the way, I don't agree the sisters Superstar Aquarius and "Dream" are 3 star ships. Star Cruises may have expanded the Casino too much on the Superstar Aquarius, but that mistake, it it was a mistake, doesn't have to be made again with the "Dream". And Star Cruises could always refurbish the Superstar Aquarius again and make the new enlarged Casino smaller.

 

The Superior Oceanview cabins on the Superstar Aquarius and "Dream" are amongst the largest in any fleet with floor to ceiling windows. They do have some Suites and Cabins with balconys, just not as many as the Superstar Virgo.

 

Superstar Aquarius and "Dream cabins with balconys > 74

Superstar Virgo cabins with balconies > 392

[electricron]

Since the topic has come up, if NCLA did go bust sometime next year, and if the rumor is true Star Cruises would get one of the two NCLA ships, which would your rather get, the Pride of Aloha or the Pride of America?

 

Remember to consider, the Pride of America wasn't built to have a casino, there's no space reserved to convert into one either.

[Deck10 007]

You have put down so many speculation here I don't know where to start.

The Libra is not going back to India for reasons mentioned previous by the hotel manager of the Libra when it was in India. Also a child died there during a tender boat mishap and there is much bad publicity.

The extension of the casino on the Aquarius is a mistake. You should see what a casino ship is all about.

Virgo coming back to Singapore? There is a sense that the Singapore Government policy on casino ship is shifting as there are 3 casino ships operating here now. The government is now using the pricing mechanism to control this i.e. raise the levy so that only the high end large casino ships could operate profitably here.

[ssv]

3 casino ships? More than that actually within 1 hour of Singapore

 

Singapore is not relaxing its rules regarding anything on casino ships. Singapore has little jurisdication over casino ships unless in Singapore waters.

 

 

SSQ's layout is a mistake, a huge mistake IMO.

SSV's homecoming from Hong Kong is planned to be in Oct but that might change.

 

 

If my source's and my guesswork is right, Singapore will get Virgo back ASAP. I do have another shrewd and unrealistic theory, in this case, Virgo will be homeported in HKG permanently due to some reason.

 

 

Oh well, I'm now doing my best to go on all the cruises I can before Virgo leaves in case she does not come back. 5 cruises booked now and more to come!

[ssv]

Just an update for entertainment on SSV:

 

Fiesta De Virgo will premiere on Sept 28(from memory) and will include activities such as Open Mic Night(Crew will perform the famous "If I Were Not Upon The Seas"), Family Funtime Party(at Helipad!!), Red Hot Salsa Party, Mexican Party etc.

 

The new theme promises lots of fun for cruisers of all ages - young or old; active or stiff.

[Deck10 007]

Well as far as the Virgo is concerned you are putting your money where your mouth is , I think. ...........5 cruises booked now and more to come

[ssv]

Indeed. I am finalising my schedule for NOV-FEB now which will see more cruises booked apart from the confirmed Nov18 and Dec30.

 

I'm planning for cruises on SSV/SSG for that period.

[electricron]

You have put down so many speculation here I don't know where to start.

The Libra is not going back to India for reasons mentioned previous by the hotel manager of the Libra when it was in India. Also a child died there during a tender boat mishap and there is much bad publicity.

The extension of the casino on the Aquarius is a mistake. You should see what a casino ship is all about.

Virgo coming back to Singapore? There is a sense that the Singapore Government policy on casino ship is shifting as there are 3 casino ships operating here now. The government is now using the pricing mechanism to control this i.e. raise the levy so that only the high end large casino ships could operate profitably here.

 

The Virgo, Aquarius, and "Dream" can easily be changed back into "traditional" cruise ships much like the Libra and Gemini.

 

Check out the Dream's deckplans vs the Aquarius. Check out the Spirit's deckplans vs the Virgo. It's just a simple matter of removing slot machines and putting in cocktail tables and chairs, the opposite process performed on the Aquarius when it transferred to Star Cruises from NCL.

 

The Aquarius was remodeled into a casino ship, it wasn't one a year ago.

Star Cruises more than quadrupled the space of the casino than what NCL had. NCL halved the space for the casino on the Spirit from what Star Cruises had when it was the Leo. The size of the casino aboard a cruise ship can be changed fairly quickly, to meet whatever the demand is.

 

I'll admit I not familiar with the cruising and gambling experences there.

But I am familiar with NCL's older ships, the ships NCL is leasing from Star Cruises, which have and will be transferred to Star Cruises.

 

I fully expect Star Cruises will remodel the "Dream" into a casino ship like they did the Aquarius. I just don't expect both will be sailing from the same port, therefore one based in Singapore and the other in Hong Kong.

 

I don't expect they could remodel the Majesty into one, like they didn't remodel the Libra into one. The existing casino is much too small for the Asian market, and nearby spaces are used as restaurants. At most, I expect the rather large shoping area to be turned into a second more upscale casino, Genting or Admiral Club, like what Star Cruises did to the Libra.

 

When all NCL's older ships have transferred to Star Cruises, Star Cruises would have three Casino ships, the Pices, the Aquarius, and "Dream". Star would have three Traditional cruise ships, the Virgo, Libra, and "Majesty".

 

I'll write again, not a bad lineup. If Asian governments are cracking down on Casino ships as you suggest, both the Aquarius and "Dream" could be remodeled back again into Traditional cruise ships. If that were to happen, Star Cruises would have five Traditional cruise ships vs just one Casino ship.

 

After spending much to start up the cruise business in India, I don't think Star Cruises should drop it over just one incident or accident. But if they do, where will they sail the Libra during the cold winter months?

[Deck10 007]

The Virgo, Aquarius, and "Dream" can easily be changed back into "traditional" cruise ships much like the Libra and Gemini.

 

Check out the Dream's deckplans vs the Aquarius. Check out the Spirit's deckplans vs the Virgo. It's just a simple matter of removing slot machines and putting in cocktail tables and chairs, the opposite process performed on the Aquarius when it transferred to Star Cruises from NCL.

 

The Aquarius was remodeled into a casino ship, it wasn't one a year ago.

Star Cruises more than quadrupled the space of the casino than what NCL had. NCL halved the space for the casino on the Spirit from what Star Cruises had when it was the Leo. The size of the casino aboard a cruise ship can be changed fairly quickly, to meet whatever the demand is.

 

I'll admit I not familiar with the cruising and gambling experences there.

But I am familiar with NCL's older ships, the ships NCL is leasing from Star Cruises, which have and will be transferred to Star Cruises.

 

I fully expect Star Cruises will remodel the "Dream" into a casino ship like they did the Aquarius. I just don't expect both will be sailing from the same port, therefore one based in Singapore and the other in Hong Kong.

 

I don't expect they could remodel the Majesty into one, like they didn't remodel the Libra into one. The existing casino is much too small for the Asian market, and nearby spaces are used as restaurants. At most, I expect the rather large shoping area to be turned into a second more upscale casino, Genting or Admiral Club, like what Star Cruises did to the Libra.

 

When all NCL's older ships have transferred to Star Cruises, Star Cruises would have three Casino ships, the Pices, the Aquarius, and "Dream". Star would have three Traditional cruise ships, the Virgo, Libra, and "Majesty".

 

I'll write again, not a bad lineup. If Asian governments are cracking down on Casino ships as you suggest, both the Aquarius and "Dream" could be remodeled back again into Traditional cruise ships. If that were to happen, Star Cruises would have five Traditional cruise ships vs just one Casino ship.

 

After spending much to start up the cruise business in India, I don't think Star Cruises should drop it over just one incident or accident. But if they do, where will they sail the Libra during the cold winter months?

 

The Libra has been remodelled into a casino ship. Mike (Deck 09-001) in Taiwan come in on this. They have added the Admiral Club and the Club Royale and the casinos now occupy the bulk of the space on the fifth floor. Look at the schedule also. The Friday night weekend cruises is all about gambling like on the Virgo.

What is this about the Majesty coming to Asia. Don't over speculate on this. I agree putting in or taking out a casino is a easy thing to do.

All in all, Elecrtricron, I enjoy this banter with you.

Regards

[electricron]

The Libra has been remodelled into a casino ship. Mike (Deck 09-001) in Taiwan come in on this. They have added the Admiral Club and the Club Royale and the casinos now occupy the bulk of the space on the fifth floor. Look at the schedule also. The Friday night weekend cruises is all about gambling like on the Virgo.

I agree putting in or taking out a casino is a easy thing to do.

All in all, Elecrtricron, I enjoy this banter with you.

Regards

 

I didn't mean to say they didn't make the casino space larger on the Libra, just that they didn't tear out restaurants and bars/lounges to make room for more casino space. All they basically removed were shops.

On the Aquarius, they removed three bars/lounges, including the disco, and the shops to expand the Star Club, (main casino), while also adding the Admiral Club and Genting Club. They also removed one swimming pool topside.

 

Am I to think that any ship with a casino is a casino ship? All the ships sailing from North America would qualify under that definition. Or any ship with many overnight or two night sailings is a casino ship? Half the cruise ships sailing from North America would qualify under that definition.

 

Even the Superstar Virgo would qualify as a casino ship under those definitions.

 

So, how do you define a casino ship?

[electricron]

What is this about the Majesty coming to Asia. Don't over speculate on this.

 

Star Cruises already owns the Majesty. NCL is leasing it under charter from Star Cruises. Back in July 2004, when NCL purchased the Spirit (ex-Leo) from Star Cruises, corporate accountability, NCL sold the following ships to Star Cruises. NCL was just leasing/chartering the Spirit in 2004 prior to the sale.

1)Marco Polo, which has been sold to another cruise line this year, to become effective next year.

2) Dream, still sailing for NCL under charter, with its NCL schedule ending next October.

3) Wind, now sailing for Star Cruises as the Aquarius.

4) Sea, now sailing for Star Cruises as the Libra.

5) Majesty, still sailing for NCL under charter, with a NCL schedule through April 2009 (as far out as any other NCL ship). It might transfer at the time, or at a later time, or it could be sold to another cruise line. But, technically and legally, it is owned by Star Cruises now.

6) Crown, which was sold to Fred Olsen, NCL schedule ending this October, Fred Olsen schedule starting in January.

The SS Norway ownership also changed under a different aggreement.

 

Here's the US SEC filing over the various ship deal/sales.

From http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1318742/000095014407001914/g05791e20vf.htm

The amounts payable by us annually to Star Cruises Limited for the chartering of Norwegian Crown, Norwegian Dream, Norwegian Majesty, Marco Polo and Norwegian Wind are set forth under “Item 5—Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Contractual obligations” above, within the line item “Ship Charter Obligations.”

Ship charter obligations under contract with Star Cruises, as of December 31, 2006

Total $47,905,000

less than 1 year $21,005,000

1 to 3 years $26,676,000

3 to 5 years $224,000

More than 5 years —

 

Therefore, with the significant decrease in charter obligations after three years, I believe it's safe to assume the lease for the last ship ends in very early 2010. Most likely, at the end of the Majesty's Bermuda itineraries in October-November 2009. I believe the last ship is going to be the Majesty, but I'm not absolutely sure it is, because all the other ships under charter would have been sold to other cruise lines, transferred to Star Cruises, or have a shorter future NCL schedule.

 

Whether the Majesty transfers to Star Cruises or not is their choice. They could keep the Majesty or sell her during the interim period of time. But NCL's charter will end pretty soon.

[deck 9 001]

I certainly agree that the casino space has been enlarged onboard the Libra, but they are not in your face, so to speak. It is quite painless to bypass these venues and continue on to where you are going. You do not need to "walk through" these casinos, just pass by in the passageway.

In my opinion, Libra is still a "proper" cruise ship, albeit with more gaming space.

 

On many ships when the casino space is enlarged, this results in the loss of public space for the pax. With Libra however, a new bar/lounge will be installed, quite soon, to the circular balcony on Deck 5 which overlooks the Crystal Court below. This is an example of wasted space being turned into a small intimate lounge that pax can use and enjoy. If further plans are approved, the photo gallery may be moved to another location and this space will be incorporated into the balcony area to make for a larger venue. I believe this will turn out to be a very popular venue.

 

This is the circular balcony to be converted:

 

This is the GA for Deck 5 for those of you who are not familiar with Libra. The circular balcony can be found midships.

[Deck10 007]

First of all let me say Hello to Mike (Deck09 001). It is good that you post the floor plan for the Libra so it is easy for others to follow our conversation here.

Now for my pal, Electricron, I am posting here the deck plan for the Virgo so that he can compare the size of the casinos in the 2 ships. The casino Oasis is in the front end of the ship.

The schedule for the Majesty runs up to the end of 2009. You are too far ahead of your time. You speculate too much. You talk too much. No offence meant, pal.

[ssv]

Libra is definitely not a casino ship IMO. Neither is Virgo. If you compare just the casino size, Virgo is more of a casino ship than Libra with its Oasis club alone larger than Star and Admiral combined on Libra. Royale size on Libra is almost the same as the one on Virgo.

 

Wanna see a huge casino ship? Superstar Aquarius is the one you are looking for. Its casino size per tonnage is even higher than the casino ships sailing around Singapore(e.g. Long Jie, Leisure World, MAR/MTA)

[ssv]

SSV's itinerary in Hong Kong will be pretty similiar to SSQ's. Destinations include Vietnam/China/Taiwan.

 

SSQ's itinerary in Singapore will be pretty similiar to SSV's as well. Destinations include Malaysia/Thailand.

[Lisa-UK]

Hi all

 

During our cruise in Aug, (a few weeks back - feels like years now!) we met the lovely Harold who was a crew member/entertainer and host at the Galaxy of the Stars - he had many guises and hosted the 'not so newlywed game', which we DID participate in - what a funny night that was. Sadly we came 3rd as I can't actually believe my darling hubbie was so honest with some of his answers - totally embarassing !!!:D :eek: Harold is a lovely guy and very friendly and we have received an email from him. Thought I would share this with you and this is part of what he wrote:

 

hope you can still remember me... from the home of the 7,107 islands and islets of the Philippines..... and from the Entertainment Centre of Superstar Virgo of Star Cruises.... My love to all of you!!!!

 

 

also, i will be transferred to Gemini for the Australian Cruise..... i will be visiting the home of the warmest people on board.... Aussie...aussie...aussie... oi...oi.oi.....

I thought this was very sweet of him to remember us - and thought I would share.

Have a great weekend all..........

Lisa

 

[ssv]

I know him on a first-name basis. He will be transferred to Gemini as said on the 14th of Oct as co-Cruise Supervisor. Juliet from SSV, will be in Gemini after her vacation just days before Nov 18 journey to Australia. Harold's colleague Mathew Joseph will transfer to Gemini together with Harold as co-Cruise Supervisor.

 

Harold will be on Gemini for the full-length of Australia season.

 

One of the best Cruise Supervisor I know, a very passionate; fun-loving; kind guy. He and Joseph will be replaced by Kate and probably Zsa Zsa from Libra or Barbara from Gemini.

 

Anyway, Colin will be Cruise Director from Oct 27 if I'm not wrong, he is onboard Virgo already for the premiere of Fiesta De Virgo. Anyone cruising recently will be in treat!

[Westaussie]

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?

 

SSV - just curious - do you work for Star Cruises or on one of the ships? All I have picked up from your posts is that you are in Singapore! I spent several years in Kedah so Singapore is also very much home to me.

 

Vera

[boeckli]

I remember Harold well from our Virgo cruise last year - among other things he provided the commentary to the fruit & vegetable carving demo - very professional presentation.

It's amazing how they remember us passengers - we caught up with Ricky (ex Virgo) on our recent SSG cruise and he recognised us instantly (even the SSV photographer walking by at the cruise terminal remembered us :) )

 

Good to hear that Colin will be back on SSV for a time.

[ssv]

Westaussie - No, I do not work for Star Cruises in any capacity nor am I in any way directly linked to the company.

 

SSV photographer Dolores will be transferred to Gemini. Ricky(ex-Virgo) is on Gemini as Cruise Activity Manager. Myla Catibayan is Cruise Director for the entire Australian season. Colin will be Cruise Director for Virgo from October to end-December replacing Eloisa who will be on vacation.

[boeckli]

Westaussie - No, I do not work for Star Cruises in any capacity nor am I in any way directly linked to the company.

 

SSV photographer Dolores will be transferred to Gemini. Ricky(ex-Virgo) is on Gemini as Cruise Activity Manager. Myla Catibayan is Cruise Director for the entire Australian season. Colin will be Cruise Director for Virgo from October to end-December replacing Eloisa who will be on vacation.

 

I thought we had Dolores as photographer on the Gemini in August already (a friendly, quite small person?) - We had Myla recently on Gemini and found her very good. Eloisa was on SSV last year (disappointing - never saw her anywhere).

[ssv]

Dolores was from the Gemini and will return to the Gemini this week or next. It might be her you saw, I can't remember when was she transferred to Virgo.