Superstar Gemini

[thepairofus]

Is anyone going on the Superstar Gemini on 30March 2008

out of Singapore

[Westaussie]

Hi Tracey - seems a long time since we had a drink at the Raffles! Hope your sister is enjoying living in Singapore.

 

I'd love to be in Sydney this weekend but a bit far to come! Hope someone puts up plenty of video footage for those who can't be there.

 

Any cruises planned? Next one is Sun Princess to Asia in May but would love one more on Gemini.

 

Thanks Kuldalai for your progress reports - I'm surprised there were so few passengers, maybe if it had left from WA with so many from the West who love the Gemini it may have been different.

 

Vera

[OKNO]

Well we are back into the home waters now again, after a quite rough crossing from Darwin to Singapore...

 

I read that someone would like to have those seas in South China Seas, I know some Passengers and Crew who would not like..

[deck 9 001]

Welcome back OKNO, great photo. Brought back some fond memories:cool:

 

Hope you loved your cruise.

 

Mike

[laceytreigh]

Hi Vera,

 

Good to hear from you, hope you are well. I have been following everyone's comments with interest. Linda has left Singapore and is now living back in Oz. Up near Nelson Bay, close to the rest of my family. Ken had applied for 2 jobs back here and left tocome to Oz for the interviews just after we returned from the cruise. A few weeks later they got the good news and they were home by August, or maybe it was Sept..?? Though not all good, his dad has a terminal cancer..............

No cruise in the wind just yet. Next hol is land based to Victoria for the Great Ocean Road. Leave 9th March, so creeping up on us. Home for Easter.

 

To 'thepairofus', I wish......... would actually like to do HK to HK next time......Love to have more time in HK.

[OKNO]

Yes Mike,

 

It looked the same sometimes up between Keelung and Ichigaki, but this was not caused by typhoons, but by two deep lows (one later became a cyclone) and a very strong Monsoon.. But it was fun, for some.......

[25TH]

thepairofus

 

We are heading out from Singapore on the 30th, can't wait.

 

Terry

[helga38]

Kuldalai, I am sure you watched the Queen Vic come through and depart ?

 

Gald all went well on the trip.

 

helga/maggy

[kuldalai]

Helga38 . Queen Victoria came in through Port Phillip Heads at 4am and went out at midnight and whilst Queenscliff (at the Heads) is only 45 minutes from Geelong by road - I am still jet lagged and did not get down given the odd hours of transit .

[helga38]

Kuldalai, I had forgotten how long it took to get up to Melbourne from the Heads; It takes me ages to get over the jetlag, now if i went business class-haha !

helga

[kuldalai]

Those of you contemplating doing any of the longer GEMINI South China Sea Itineraries this year, don't dally too long if you want to book; as the word on board was that all six itneraries have very strong advance bookings albeit the number of trips has been doubled from the 2007 season .

There are 6 dates departing Singapore on either a 21 night round trip or a 10 night one wayer to Hong Kong . Alternatively departing Hong Kong there are 3 dates for a 21 night round trip (a new itinerary choice this year), or 6 dates for an 11 night one wayer to Singapore .

An added reason to book now especially for Aussies and Kiwis is that Early Bird air, accommodation and cruise packages are available till 29/02/08 .

So get in on the GEMINI magic in 2008 whilst she is still in the Star fleet .

Hope to meet some of you fellow CC members 11/06/08 Singapore to Hong Kong .

[laceytreigh]

Well, Sydney was jumping this weekend! What with the A-League soccer grand final, the cricket, and a Mardi Gras event, the visit by the Queen Victoria and QE2 sent the city into overdrive!!

 

As you know, we opted for the harbour and the visiting ships........ what a sight!! We caught the train to Circular Quay for our first glimpse of the Queen Vic. First thoughts...... overwhelmingly big!! Tied up to the overseas passenger terminal, she dwarfed the Museum of Contemporary Art and almost the Bridge as well.

 

We walked around to the Opera House, thru the Botanical Gardens, over to Woolloomooloo Bay to see the QE2 tied up at Garden Island. From the forecourt of the Opera House we could see the funnel of the QE2. We then walked back to the Quay, caught the lift up onto the Cahill Walk which took us around to the Bridge, ducking off briefly for a well deserved refreshment before the Bridge proper. We staked our claim to a piece of bridge rail and had a fabulous view of the 'Royal Rendezvous'. 11 helicopters buzzed overhead and the harbour was covered with boats of all sizes. The Q. Vic manouvred effortlessly under her own steam, whereas the poor old QE2, was rather 'manhandled' around by at least 4 tugs. What a difference with modern technology.

 

Anyway, returned home fairly late and very footsore, the Tevas that served me so well on the Gemini throughtout Asia, let me down badly. Will post a few pics when I pick out the best ones.

 

Tracey.

[mimigigi]

hi..

 

a quick question re restaurants in ss gemini.

 

am thinking of doing the 11 night ex hkg to s'pore but there only seems to be two restaurants on board.

 

what are they like and did anyone get sick of eating at the same places for 12 days?:confused:

[chris1950]

hi kuldalai glad you had a great cruise, have a few more questions which i hope you will be kind enough to answer.

1. i think the gemmini sails from hong kong at 21.00 hours what would be the latest we could board was thinking 17.00 hours as we want to see some of the sites in hong kong you recommended to me in earlier posts.

2. what vaccinations do you take if any for your asia cruises.

3. do we need to worry about mosquitos bites.

4. this one is from my wife because for obvious reasons i dont need them,do the cabins have hair dryers in them.think we on deck 3 although we have'nt had cabin issued yet.

we can't wait for may 21st to come round to start our cruise as we never been to asia.we done all the med and black sea where we visited Gallipoli

a very sad place but very peaceful and well maitained.

[laceytreigh]

Hi mimigigi,

We ate in the same restaurants for 21 nights and I can tell you....... we did not get bored with any of it!! The food is terrific. I felt safer in the restaurant as opposed to the buffet, as there was a rampant bug on board and I thought table service would be more hygenic.

 

Hi chris1950,

I think in the past pax board no earlier than 3 hours prior to departure, but I know pax were waiting on the dock when we arrived in HK, so I'm not sure on that one.

Vaccs depend on what you plan to do ashore... in addition to the usual ones that should be up to date anyway, even if you never go anywhere eg: tetanus, hep b, we had typhoid shot, ... having trouble remembering here.... check out smarttraveller.gov.au. You need to be sure if you want to eat at the hawker stalls etc. If your GP is a bit of a traveller they will know what you need.

Mozzies can carry disease, even at home, so it always pays to avoid being bitten. I think malaria is only a problem in the more jungle-fied areas.

There are hairdryers in the cabins. Maybe not as good as the one at home, but they do the job.

You'll have a great time, the Gemini is a wonderful ship and the staff really make it what it is. Wish it was me.

Tracey.

[kuldalai]

Mimigigi.

 

Yes GEMINI only has the two (2) restaurants. OCEAN PALACE is on Deck 4 aft and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner . (Not open for lunch generally when vessel is in port). MARRINERS BUFFET is on Deck 6 aft and includes an outdoor terraced area .

 

OCEAN PALACE : Breakfast menu is fairly standard with a few alterations on a daily basis. Waitered service to table. Lunch - is waitered 3 course with daily rotating multiple choices for each course. DINNER - waitered 4 course with wide range daily rotating menu choices.

 

MARRINERS BUFFET : Breakfast is buffet self serve with some rotation of items from day to day . Lunch - self serve hot & cold & deserts with daily changes in offerings. Tea- Ditto .(Superb omelletes are cooked to order on the outdoor deck of Marriners each morning.)

 

In 18 days Sydney to Singapore OCEAN PALACE had a very wide choice of dishes on a long rotation with the same appetizers talkng 15 days to be repeated .

 

So do not worry you will have a wide ever changing range of food choice, the only problems are holding back from the trough , quantity wise.

The serving sizes are very sensible. Appetiser is just that - small but adequate. Soup is served on lidded small bowls, and the soups were excellent and adventurous . Main courses focus on quality and freshness and not on humungus stacked volume and are quite adequate . Desserts are small and exotic and the presentation is superb . Overall the quality, freshness and variety behold a good quality restaurant and the catering people do an outstanding job . Service in the restaurants is outstanding . Wine list is extensive and reasonable prices .

 

So relax just book your GEMINI cruise and soak up the magic . The only problem one has is watching the waistline !!!!

 

The itineraries you are looking at either north or southbound are excellent in that you have a mix of days ashore and at sea which makes for a great cruise experience .

[kuldalai]

1. Star will advise latest boarding time for cruise with your documents, indicatively this is usually up to 2 hours prior to departure which for the 11 night Hong Kong to Singapore itinerary is 2100 departure from Hong Kong. Whatever last time they advise don't cut it too fine - we always are there at least 30 minutes before latest boarding time they specify for each port. Spares a lot of stress and heartburn . There is a great lazer light show each evening as boat sails down HK harbour .

 

2. No vaccinations are required unless you have been in Africa in the last few weeks prior to coming to Asia.

 

3. We just use a strong mosquito repellant, and wear long sleeved shirts and trousers in Vietnam and Borneo . In Malyasia, Hong Kong and Singapore we go for the short sleeves and shorts with a touch of repellant as necessary . Mosquito control is pretty good these days, and we have found mossies only in Indonesia, Borneo and Vietnam and then only the odd one. No big deal . Just use sensible precautions .

 

4. In all the cabins I have been in on SS GEMINI there have been electric hair dryers. OSCARS Hair Salon on Deck 8 for formal night hair do's.

 

Check with your TA but UK residents should be same as us Aussies in that

no Visas are required for Hong Kong, Malaysia or Singapore. In the case of Vietnam STAR obtain a "blanket visa"for all travellers and this is normally included in the cruise fare .

[thepairofus]

Hi are you cruising on the Gemini on the 30th March 2008

Have not had any replys ,we are from the UK and we are meeting friends from Perth on this cruise

Pam and Dave

[chris1950]

thank you kuldalai and tracey for your replies to my questions. cant think how i use to go on holiday befor i had a computer :D

what with easlly finding cheaper car parking near the air port,cheaper insurance,finding t.a. who specialise in asian cruises.and most important finding kind people like all you passing on your knowledge to us newbies to asia .a big thank you all

[25TH]

We willl be cruising from Singapore on the 30th on the Gemini.

[thepairofus]

We willl be cruising from Singapore on the 30th on the Gemini.

Hi

Have you cruised on the Gemini before

Pam and dave

[kuldalai]

Further to my previous info in response to another CC'ers query :

 

Star Info Booklet advises no vaccinations required for any Asian country unless the traveller has arrived from Africa (34 countries listed) or South America ( 10 countries listed) wherein such travellers must have current vaccination certificate for vaccination against YELLOW FEVER for entry into Thailand and/or Malaysia .

[25TH]

Hi

Have you cruised on the Gemini before

Pam and dave

 

Hi

 

No we have never been on the Gemini. We have only been on one other cruise and that was the Pacific Sun out of Sydney. So we don't know alot about the Gemini, but we are looking forward to the trip.:)

 

Terese and Col

[thepairofus]

Hi

 

No we have never been on the Gemini. We have only been on one other cruise and that was the Pacific Sun out of Sydney. So we don't know alot about the Gemini, but we are looking forward to the trip.:)

 

Terese and Col

hi Teresa and Colin...At last someone on this cruise with us..we are leaving England on the 9th and going to NZ before meeting Delia and Andrew from Perth ,where are you from,we are staying at the Furama city 2 days before

[25TH]

hi Teresa and Colin...At last someone on this cruise with us..we are leaving England on the 9th and going to NZ before meeting Delia and Andrew from Perth ,where are you from,we are staying at the Furama city 2 days before

 

Hi Pam and Dave

 

We are from Sydney and will be leaving on the 18th. We are spending some time in Thailand(Bangkok & Khao Lak) before heading to Singapore for two nights before the cruise. We are staying at the Ritz-Carlton in Singapore.

 

Terese and Col