Super Star Virgo

[kuldalai]

Strong rumours that SS VIRGO will be doing a three (3) month Hong Kong based season in 2009. But with Star we never know - appears to be no real forward planning, all last minute knee jerk reaction stuff . Other Cruse Lines have their itineraries out into 2009/10 but not Star . Then they wonder why their cruise business is not what it used to be . If any one from Star ever reads these threads the market requires 5 - 7 cruises and some new itineraries .

[cheeky_minx]

Strong rumours that SS VIRGO will be doing a three (3) month Hong Kong based season in 2009. But with Star we never know - appears to be no real forward planning, all last minute knee jerk reaction stuff . Other Cruse Lines have their itineraries out into 2009/10 but not Star . Then they wonder why their cruise business is not what it used to be . If any one from Star ever reads these threads the market requires 5 - 7 cruises and some new itineraries .

 

Thanks Kuldalai

Well, here's hoping that at least SSV or POA will do Hong Kong intineraries - we are looking at getting married in Hong Kong and SSV would be perfect honeymoon

 

Jane

[kuldalai]

Strong vibes that SS VIRGO will be based in HK for 3 months mid 2009 .

 

Pride of Aloha as Norwegian Something itineraries ex Miami posted to 04/09 . POA still listed as for sale on two commercial websites. One minute NCL say POA not worth converting to Freestyle II, then hey presto a 180 with double pike we are converting it to Freestyle II - so who knows . POA probably too big for Star in Asia really, but Star are going to regret that they did not do a Fred Olsen and stretch SS GEMINI as Fred Olsen are currently doing with Braemar .

 

Best option for Star would now be to take back Norwegian Spirit as SS LEO as it was built for the Asian market is sister to VIRGO for interchangability with Virgo, maintenance spares etc . Base SS LEO in HK and work north and south including Taiwan, Vietnam and Shanghai .

 

For all Stars PR spin about expanding the cruise business in Asia , they seem to have largely lost interest in cruising and are obsessed with expanding Casino business opportunities on shore in Asia .

[seasick_in_a_bathtub]

Casu1,

 

Following your advice, we will probably miss going onshore in Sanya and do some shopping in Xiamen. I would like to get some chinese currency before leaving Australia.....no idea what prices are like in China though! Would $100 be too much/not enough/just right? Probably looking at buying mostly local souvenirs. Any help would be much appreciated:D

 

Thanks

 

Justine

[casu1]

Casu1,

 

Following your advice, we will probably miss going onshore in Sanya and do some shopping in Xiamen. I would like to get some chinese currency before leaving Australia.....no idea what prices are like in China though! Would $100 be too much/not enough/just right? Probably looking at buying mostly local souvenirs. Any help would be much appreciated:D

 

Thanks

 

Justine

 

Justine

I would probably get $150.00 easy enough to change back into Hong Kong dollars once back in Hong Kong, Its about 7 chinese to 1 aussie dollar.

I Got leather sandles for around 15 AUD, DVDs were around $3 - 8 aussie, not sure on souveniers though - most things seemed very cheap, Drinks $1, we probably spent 120 AUD in the day I guess

[electricron]

Strong vibes that SS VIRGO will be based in HK for 3 months mid 2009 .

 

Pride of Aloha as Norwegian Something itineraries ex Miami posted to 04/09 . POA still listed as for sale on two commercial websites. One minute NCL say POA not worth converting to Freestyle II, then hey presto a 180 with double pike we are converting it to Freestyle II - so who knows . POA probably too big for Star in Asia really, but Star are going to regret that they did not do a Fred Olsen and stretch SS GEMINI as Fred Olsen are currently doing with Braemar .

 

Best option for Star would now be to take back Norwegian Spirit as SS LEO as it was built for the Asian market is sister to VIRGO for interchangability with Virgo, maintenance spares etc . Base SS LEO in HK and work north and south including Taiwan, Vietnam and Shanghai .

 

For all Stars PR spin about expanding the cruise business in Asia , they seem to have largely lost interest in cruising and are obsessed with expanding Casino business opportunities on shore in Asia .

 

I'll agree the Spirit (Leo) will be perfect for Star Cruises sailing from Hong Kong. But Star can't take the Spirit (Leo) back. They'll have to buy the Spirit (Leo) back, or make a deal with NCL by swapping the Sky for the Spirit, with one side or the other throwing in some cash. On paper, as I understand it, NCL owns the Spirit (Leo), and Star Cruises now owns the Sky. Although both are still sailing for NCL.

 

But, if the Sky is too large for Star Cruises, so is the Spirit (Leo). Both ships are approximately the same size, have approximately the same number of cabins, and carry approximately the same number of passengers. But I'll admit the Spirit was built for Asia, the Sky wasn't. So, it'll cost Star more to refurbish the Sky for Asia than the Spirit.

 

Star Cruises no longer owns NCL outright, they only own half of NCL. They can't move assets around as freely they once did. Apollo Management owns the other half of NCL. Whereas money can solve problems, it should be noted that the Sky is debt free now, the Spirit (Leo) has second and third liens placed upon it by NCL, so NCL could continue its building program of newer and larger ships. It would be a financial mess to free the Spirit (Leo) from debt to make a ship swap.

[kuldalai]

Star says they want to expand the cruise business in Asia, especially China and from 12/08 with Gemini gone they will be one ship down . Star says they need to keep in front of others who are coming onto their patch . Already Costa Allegra is in Asia full time. Legend of the Seas has 105 % occupancy for current Asian season out of Shanghai, Hong Kong & Singapore . Now Legend of the Seas will be full time in Asia from November 2009 . If Star are not to let the grass grow under their feet they need to get moving fast to protect their home patch in replacing Gemini's longer 7, 10 day itineraries with Superstar ????? and some new itineraries covering Shanghai and China . One wonders whether Star still intend to be in the cruise business, as distinct from the floating casinos business ?

[casu1]

I must admit I was wondering the same as Kuldalai. Star have not been actively advertising any cruises apart from the final Gemini cruises in West Australian newspapers this year, whilst their competition have been very active with full page and double page full colour advertising spreads. I am trying to convince friends to look at the Virgo cruises for next year, but many question the need to go back to Singapore or Hong Kong half way through a cruise and offer opinions that they are just a gambling junket whereas the opposition give you a full cruise itinery - as did the Gemini I guess. Star acknowledged the popularity of the Gemini and its longer itinery with Australian cruisers yet they are yet to come up with any viable alternative. When Singapore opens their Casinos I wouldnt be surprised if Star just pack up and move out and relocate to an area with no casino opposition. My experince on this years cruise was that the feeling was different, they certainly ( & constantly) promoted the fact that the the casino was open more prominently than ever before.

[Carlz]

Hi everyone!

 

I came onto this board hoping to get some info about Star cruises in end June/ early July 09...as I had trouble finding anything on the net and the TA's I've spoken to were just as much in the dark. But it looks like Star just don't advertise or plan a year in advance??

 

I'm disappointed as after reading all your posts I was very excited about Planning my first Star cruise... poo!

 

I might go check out Costa.

 

Happy voyages

 

C.

[kuldalai]

Star have nothing out beyond March 09 and they are all short 3-4 night stuff which is no good when you have the expense of an air fare from Aus, NZ or UK to add to the cruise cost .

Others in Asia in 2009 who have out their itineraries further into 2009 are

Costa Cruises with Costa Allegra, Royal Carribean with Rhapsody of the Seas, plus Princess Cruises have quite a few ships also passing through Asia. Check out those websites for some ideas perhaps .

Princess with Sun Princess are running several Fremantle - Straits of Malacca - Fremantle return trips in 2008/09 and 2010 . Also plenty of options Sydney to Asia and v.v. as placement cruises by several lines.

Based on Stars past snail like performance their itineraies for 2009 will be out in August but with 1 ship down it appears the 7 - 10 day itineraries will be thin on the sea or out altogether.

Even on the Straits of Malacca Star have unbelievably got both Virgo and Libra doing 3/4 night stuff Jan - March '09, when Libra should be doing the 7 night Singapore return itinerary currently done by Gemini .

[kuldalai]

Singapore departure & arrival info indicates Virgo will be based in Singapore from late October 2008 till 21/06/09 when it heads north to Hong Kong for a season before returning to Singapore on 04/09/09 .

[Carlz]

Great info thanks.

 

I would love to do a Princess but I want to end up in Hong Kong (or Singapore) not back in Australia.

 

At the moment I am looking at a Costa cruise as it has a great intinerary...and departs end of June perfect for our family. I'm just not 100% sure about it disembarking in China...I have to do a bit more research!

 

I just know that the minute I pay my deposit Star will announce a great cruise and I'll have missed my opportunity!!!! :)

[kuldalai]

SS Virgo should be doing placement cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong via Ho Chi Minh City and Sanya (China) of 5 nights departing Singapore around 21/06/09 if that would be of interest .

Princess Cruise wise in 2009 around June : Only option is Freo - SOM - Freo roundtrip on Sun Princess departing mid June.

Costa Cruises : 6 night ex Singapore on 13/06 or 27/06 round trip on Costa Allegra.

Royal Carribbean : Has a 14 night Shanghai - Singapore on Legend of the Seas departing 24/04/09 . Direct QF Melbourne-Shanghai flights now run two days a week . Hope this helps.

[cheeky_minx]

Hi guys

I have the travel agent keeping an eye out for the SSV Hong Kong 2009 itineraries.

 

However, in the meantime, has anyone here done both SSV and Sun Princess? If so, can you compare the two. We love freestyle, but have heard that Sun Princess dont do their Alternative dining in Asia.

 

We recently did NCL Gem in the Med, and while the ship was brand new and large, it didnt have the 'wow' factor that the SSV has with its soaring atrium, decor, service and its various quiet nooks for just sitting and looking out. Also found it way too commercial - more junk mail catalogues in the cabin in a week than at mail box at home leading up to Christmas !!!

 

Because Star are dragging their heels, am looking at Sun Princess Freo / Asia / Freo June 09.

 

PS, if so, would also look to get married on board. Love SSV, but they do get their itineraries out early enough for those that need to plan.

 

Any advice, help, comments appreciated.

 

Kind regards

Jane

[themaxydog]

Good Morning to all. This is my first post but I have been reading with you all for some time. I apoligise in advance if I do the wrong thing.

 

To Kuldalai. I thank you for your efforts in tracking down info on SSV future itineraries. I have emails from most of the cruise sites around the world coming to my inbox daily with no luck so far on the future of SSV past 31 March 2009. I cruised on SSV for the Singapore-Hong Kong repositioning in March/April 2008 and was a little disappointed but put it down to more the crew than the cruise line. I was planning to go back in 2009 due to the love of Singapore and Hong Kong but it appears that this repositioning will not happen until June.:(

 

I cannot understand why there are not more cruises between these two great cities, I believe it is an untapped market. The 5 day cruise made for a great holiday for 5 days in Singapore and 5 in Hong Kong. If you hear any more on the future of this ship please post it so I can get in quick.;)

 

I agree with those who think that Star Cruises are becoming floating casino ships, this was very evident with what I saw and heard on SSV. The casino had been revamped and enlarged before the repositioning and during the cruise the ship was empty. With only 700 Australians onboard and the the rest of the passengers, around 1000, coming from mainly South East Asia gambling seemed to be a high priority. Personally I liked it, you never had a problem with getting a lounge on the upper deck or a seat at the bar.:)

 

I hope that Star Cruises does get it together because cruising for Australians is difficult due to the airfares and flight time to get to most of the great cruise destinations. While I have cruised Hawaii with NCL :) on the old Norwegian Wind, to get to American west and east coast based ships, or those in the Med requires very long flights and the price of fuel is not going down, plus there's jet lag.

 

If anyone has ideas on any other repositioning cruises I would be interested and appreciate the info. I prefer to end up in a different port from that which I sail.

Many thanks

John

[kuldalai]

When Star get around to it and it seems nothing will move them into getting their itineraries out earlier this is what is likely to be offered re placement cruise SS VIRGO Sin- Hxg late June 2009 5 nights call HCMC and Sanya . Ditto when returning Hxg to Sin around September 09. Whilst in Hxg one would expect similar short duration itineraries as this year .

With other Cruise Lines offering decent duration trips this is what is on offer already for 2009 in Asia:

Princess Cruises - 24 Night Shanghai to Sydney (Sun Princess), and Sydney to Shanghai (Dawn Princess) both in March 09. Also Diamond Princess 21 nights Sydney to Bangkok Feb '09 .

Costa Cruises : Costa Allegra - 2 x 14 night itineraries ex Hxg going north including Korea and Japan several departures in 2009 .

Costa Classica - 2 x 14 night itineraries ex Singapore taking in Vietnam, Hong Kong and Phillipines several departures in 2009 .

Royal Carribean - Legend of the Seas . 14 night Jan & Feb departures Singapore to Shanghai. Feb & April 09 departures 14 nights Shanghai to Singapore. Ex Shanghai 6 night round trip to Korea and Japan in April 09.

Hope this helps . There are some really good itineraies here and new ports in Korea, Manila, Japan, plus Shanghai that Star should be operating to already, given their claim to be the "Leading Cruise Line in Asia / Pacific."

[ssv]

Virgo's Oasis Club/Royale Club enlarged? This is definitely impossible unless they close off Galaxy of the Stars.

[themaxydog]

Virgo's Oasis Club/Royale Club enlarged? This is definitely impossible unless they close off Galaxy of the Stars.

 

 

This was stated to us by the crew, that they had enlarged/modified the venue to fit more in. As it was our first time on board I cannot state that for a fact but the crew did make a big deal out of it.:)

 

John

[ssv]

modified maybe, but definitely not enlarged.

[bodget]

slight confusion,on the email I recieved from star it says that the free visa option excludes the shuttle service? please clarify

Hi all

Just returned from another holiday and thought i would share a few of the experiences.

 

China Visa

You only need to acquire your own visa for Xiamen. A visa is not needed for Sanya if you book a shore tour (this includes the shopping shuttle). However if you want to do your own thing independently, you will need an additional entry visa -

 

Shore Ex

Sanya - in my opinion a waste of time, the tours were of limited interest and trying to buy anything is a nightmare. The ship will only change a maximum of HKD 500 into chinese money and money changers do not exist on sanya - or that we could find

Halong Bay

Terrific, apart from the torrential downpour - no problems here, welcomed and highly enjoyed the halong bay cruise

Xiamen

What a surprise - a terrific port of call and totally unexpected. A vibrant cosmopolitan place - and as my wife called it a shoppers paradise. You can change money here but only in banks with a HKD2000 minimum usually applied.

Boarding and checking in

A nightmare !!! The usual Singapore efficiency has not translated to Hong Kong. we were there at 11am which I know is early but everywhere we looked people were lugging around suitcases and being given conflicting information by star staff as to where to check in their baggage. (it is opposite Panache Bakery on the first floor of Harbour City Shopping mall we eventually found out) we were constantly being sent upstairs then downstairs , signage pointed the wrong way and know one seemed to know what was going on. After we did manage to check in our bags (at 1pm) we were sent upstairs to check in and encouter some of the rudest immigration and star cruises staff we have ever come across. It may have been a bad day as people we met said this was totally unlike what usually occurs.

Maybe the hassles left a bad taste in our mouths but the cruise itself was not as enjoyable as previous, the staff were friendly enough, facilities magnificent and food first class - but something didnt seem right to us .....most of the staff we talked to said they couldnt wait for the ship to go back to Singapore, maybe that in itself says something. So I would give this trip a 6.5/10 rather than the 8 or 9 I would have given previously.

[kuldalai]

The direct advice from Starcare to me is that for SANYA Star can get the single entry Chinese Visa provided one has booked one of the Star Shore Excursions EXCLUDING the Shuttle bus into town which is apparently not regarded as an actual tour .

 

We are taking no chances and leaving all our options open by getting single entry Chinese Visas from the Chinese Consulate here in Aus before going on the Cruise . It only costs A$30 .

[bodget]

thats cheap a double entry visa (sanya & xiamem) is £45 in the uk

[casu1]

Strange that they are giving that info - maybe things have changed - we def only had a single visa for Xiamen and did the shopping shuttle without a visa -and this was only in June - The only passengers that required a visa for Sanya were those going free and easy - making their own way into town

stuart

[bodget]

i booked 10th june and recieved the message from star regarding sanya then

[seasick_in_a_bathtub]

Just returned from Hong Kong and the cruise - our second one on the Virgo. Had a fantastic time, I just wish that it would sail longer routes as 5 nights is definitely not long enough!

Staff, food, entertainment was great....our room steward made us towel animals:D ......my daughter wanted to pack them in our suitcase to take home...LOL

Didn't go ashore in Sanya......saved the visa for Xiamen, but I believe that the shuttle counted as an organised tour...it needed to be prebooked on board.

 

Sigh....back to reality now:( ......dreaming of more cruises in the future.

 

Cheers

 

Justine