Superstar Gemini

[kuldalai]

Now I think you are going to have a problem getting a Visa number in advance. I would cancel your Junk Cruise you have booked independently and take one of the Star offerings instead . We took the half day Junk Cruise and Markets on the Saturday morning and it was excellent - two hours on the junk in and out of the islands in the Bay , round trip . Then bus to local markets, lunch at hotel (included) , then water puppet show and short cultural dancing Vietnamese return to Gemini early afternoon . On the Friday went up to Hanoi on full day Star tour . Long day but well worth it, wonderful contrasts of French and more recent influences .

The Visa Pass Star gets for all pax are given to you on boarding in HK and you show to Vietnam Immigration each time you get on and off in Halong Bay and Nha Trang . Collected by Immigration on last boarding in Nha Trang . So you will not know the paper pass # till you get on in HK . Your only alternative if you still want to do independent junk cruise in Halong Bay would be to apply for and get full Vietnamese Tourist Visa from Vietnam Embassy in UK before leaving for HK . (Probably not time to arrange that now.)

Why would you want to do junk trip independently, when it will be the same one as Star arranges and you get transport to/from junk jetty, lunch etc all included in one very reasonable package tour ?

Save yourself a lot of stress and hassles and go with Star tours.

[Limeycruiser]

Hello Kuldalai

Many thanks for your prompt reply. The reason I booked independently is because we are doing a 2 day 1 night cruise on one that was recommended to me. The Junk we have booked is one of the more upmarket ones and as we are coming up to our Golden Wedding we thought we would treat ourselves to a bit of luxury in our old age.

 

What did you do with youself in Nha Trang, is there any worthwhile trips to go on.

 

Kind Regards

 

Ray

[kuldalai]

These were our picks :

Koh Samui - Elephant riding includes lunch and round trip of entire island.

Good.

Laem Chebang - Did transfer to Pattaya which we found seedy Thai place.

Best bet here is the full day Bangkok highlights tour, not the Bangkok Shopping tour .

Ho Chi Minh City - Frid PM. Pedicab Tour gives good feel of place. Sat - HCMC Highlights was very good . Da Nang - did full day trip to Hue which was sensational . Hong Kong - Do yourself , excellent PT and taxis are cheap . Must dos Victoria Peak at Sunset, Stanley Market, Temple St Night Market, Cross the Harbour on the Star Ferry, Shopping Central on HK Island and Tsim Tsa Tsui on Kowloon . Floating restaurant at Aberdeen, and Ocean Park theme park . Halong Bay - Friday - Did full day to Hanoi, well worth it . Sat - Did Halong Bay cruise, markets and cultural thing - excellent . Nha Trang - Did Cultural Highlights, very good overall, Kota Kinabalu - did White Water Rafting despite our age and it was great fun, included lunch and return coach transfers to/from Gemini. Kuching - Primates and City tour including lunch was excellent .

Singapore - Do yourself excellent PT and taxis are cheap . Must sees Long Bar (Singapore Slings) at Raffles Hotel, Shopping (Orchard Road), Jurong Bird Park, China Town (Temple St), Little India, Night Zoo Experience .

Give a big miss to any suggestions of the kitsch Tiger Balm gardens.

[ging466]

Hi Kuldalai

 

Hope you had a great time in Singapore. I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to you before I disembarked. I had a fabulous time on the ship - it was really a shame to have to get off:D

 

I have a question for you: I signed up for the Star Cruiser Card, spent up big (as you do on holidays:D ), had quite a few points accrued but when I got my bill, I didn't get any reduction using the points. Was this because I did an express check out? I've sent 2 emails to Star re this question but no one responds. I've got a lot of points and can't do anything with them now! What's the story with these points?

 

Cheers

Ging466

[kuldalai]

Yes home again to a freezing Melbourne morning , bought us back to earth in a hurry .

Ging, I never do the express checkout to avoid the type of problems you are now having . The points accrued on the card can only be redeemed in terms of account settlement to offset purchase on board of food or drinks .

(You have to pay for photos, tours and other on-board services as they are in most cases outsourced by Star as concessions.)

Suggest you keep querying with Star . There should be a "contact us" by e-mail link on their website IIRC . The points can be redeemed on services other than Star Cruises (check out the Worldcard Singapore website.)

To all of you lucky people setting out from Singapore next Sunday on Gemini for either the 10 night trip up to Hong Kong or for the full 21 night round trip, have a wonderful time. Captain Jegerfalk and all the wonderful crew on Gemini will give you a once in a lifetime holiday experience . Just relax and soak in the Gemini magic. This itinerary is a wonderful kaleidoscope of Asia from Singapore, through Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Vietnam again (but different ports) and then through Borneo to Singapore . Enjoy lucky peoples ! Lose 2kg weight before boarding as Super Chef Klaus Negwer will be tempting your taste buds daily especially at the Ocean Palace hosted by the Maitre'd Extraordinaire - Pat Gill. Entertainment wise you are in for some great nights - don't miss the Chinese Acrobats, Dasha & Deema (Champion Ballroom Dancers), Twice as Nice (Sensational Vocal Duo) , The Crew Show Night and Buddy Loren (Comedian.) Not forgetting the always sensational SSG Big Band in the Galaxy of the Stars.

[fairywren]

Kuldalai, what time were you able to board in Hong Kong? Our docs say check in from 1pm but we dont want to be hanging around the terminal if we can check in later and board straight away.

[kuldalai]

Check in opens at 1300 and gate closes IIRC at 1930 but be there well before that to be safe . Coming from Star Ferry terminal head for the Ocean Terminal, up the escalator through the glass doors to the first floor of what looks like a huge shopping centre. Turn LEFT and head down through the shops out into the harbour . Look for the marking on the floor Cruise Check In . Right down the end of the pier and shopping first floor you will find the SS GEMINI check in . Departing Hong Kong dinner is served in the Ocean Palace (Deck 4 aft) from 6.30pm and in Mariners Buffet (Deck 6 aft) from 6pm.

Be sure to be outside on Deck 5 for departure at 2100 down one of the worlds most spectacular night time harbours - Victoria Harbour.

On the Hong Kong - Singapore leg the Captains Gala Dinner is on the Sunday night . Have a great cruise and soak in the Gemini magic .

[kuldalai]

Gemini's sister ship Braemar based with Fred Olsen Lines in Europe is just out of dry dock having been stretched . How sad that we are not reading this same news item for GEMINI under Star Cruises , giving her a new lease of life in Asia.

 

http://www.cruise-community.com/ShowStory.asp?ID=14634

[fairywren]

Thanks for the great information on check in, Kulalai. So are you saying we can board straight away if we check in at 1 o'clock?

Just cant wait to get on the Gemini again after about 10 years!

[kuldalai]

Yes we boarded at 1300 (1pm) and settled in . Lunch is still available in Mariners Buffet till 1.30pm if you are quick . As it will be a Wednesday Virgo will probably be in port also and you may well be offered a free Olympic Welcome floorshow in the Lido on SS Virgo mid afternoon . Star give you a special pass and escort transit pax off Gemini over to Virgo (on the other side of the terminal) and back . Also offered in conjunction with this freebie is an escorted tour of SS VIRGO .

[chris1950]

it been over a month since we cruised from hong kong to singapore thought it time i gave my thoughts on it.it was better than all expectations,the best cruise we ever had.althou it a long flight from uk we had good seats thanks to seat guru,plus overnight flights and good service from B.A.we had a good day seeing the sights of hong kong thanks to the advice from kuldai of where to go and what to see.when we got to star cruises embarkation we were through and on ship and in our cabin in minutes .saw the light show on out sail away.the vigo was in port at same time.we sailed just befor her but she soon sailed pasted us.we did all the ships excursions and found them very cheap and beter than any other ships excursions we been on e.g.thompsons ocean village etc.halong bay boat trip around the islands with lunch was out of this world and free when we redeemed our star points.hanoi was a long day but worth it with the cycle taxi trip.plus a great local food lunch,dont know what some of the food we ate but was brill.nha trang trip was temples but a short trip.

kota kinabaluwe did white water rarfting,the wife wasnt keen befor but afterwards couldnt stop talking about it and wanted to go again.we had 7 rafts full lost 3 overboard but they soon rescued and loved it.we had a 70 year old lady on our raft and she was loving it.we even got the dvd to bore our family with.althou it poured with rain and made the river flow faster and rise we never felt in danger.next was kurching and the orangatan trip was our choice.this was another great excursion althou one lady was very unfortunate to be hit by a branch thrown by one of the orangatans and had to be taken to hostpital.

the cabin was very nice the staff couldnt do enough for you the food excellent ,the wife loved the ommletts cooked for you outside the buffet room.the shows were top class and the ships crew show stole the show.

other highlights were seeing dolphins swinging by the ship,having local dancers greet the ship at 2 ports of call.the bridge tour.in singapore we did shoping and a visit to raffles befor our flight home.oh nearly forgot one at nha trang some guest got on and he was on our dinner table at night,he was looking over the ship for the new owners looking to change the out look e.g.the casino area plus the area outside the dinning area where the photo section is,turning this into a bar area for pre dinner drinks etc.he told us it was going to to be marked for russian cruisers in the med area.

we were lucky to get to sail on the gemini befor she leaves the star fleet as we alreading to back next year it looks like it will be the virgo

[hbellman]

is there a massage and beauty salon on the gemini, and does anyone have an idea of the costs, also what is the earliest we can board in singapore

[kuldalai]

Yes OSCARS on Deck 8 . Open daily . Unisex hairdressers etc . Normal commercial charges apply (reasonable) . Charged to you Cabin card .

Massage services available next door , (also chargeable) in the Fitness Centre. Use of Gym facilities is gratis .

[baer]

I have been reading all your wonderful tips, descriptions, hints for months now and am looking forward to our 21 day cruise on the Gemini leaving Singapore on the 27 July. Could someone just tell me if there is a library on board and does it contain a good range of books - or should we lug our own? :confused: With all those lovely days at sea - I am hoping to get a lot of reading done.:)

[kuldalai]

There is a small but adequate library and reading room on Deck 7 mid ships.

Also has 2 x Internet terminals (Pay to use .) Would'nt bother lugging books on board with you . We found things of interest to read, but not that much real free time !!!

The 21 day round trip basically has every second day at sea, and the alternate day at ports . Interesting tours at all ports of call (see my earlier recommendations) . On at sea days there are heaps of activities day and night to get involved in as well as relaxing by the pool on deck 8 with a long cool drink and some reading .

To all of those departing Hong Kong Wed 16/07 have a great cruise .

[helga38]

Yes, Baor, this is a nice little library aboard Gemini.

It is well used

Some people bring newspapers aboard and leave them there and books as well-that is a good turnover.

The paper backs have a good selection,all done on an honour system.

There are 2 computers there at S$.23 a minute and they are VERY slow and in use a lot.

I used the library almost every day and did a lot of reading-no interruptions,excepts meals etc !! Wonderful.

helga

[baer]

Thank you kuldalai and helga38 - I knew that you would come through with the info. I know how busy it can get on board but it is the only chance that I get to read and I can devour quite a few books in three weeks. I may take some books that I can leave on board as well.

 

The next thing I need is for someone to tell me how to peronalise my name with past cruises, count downs etc. It's probably staring me in the face but I can't find it.

[kuldalai]

Go to the Home page for the Cruise Critic Boards.

Log on with your id and password

> select across top the tab User CPU

Here create and preview with your keyboard past history of cruises etc

Preview and create

> select Countdown Clocks and you can create within your signature a countdown clock for your next cruise

 

To get the countdown clock in the right order - create signature and list your past cruise history and save.

Then set up your timeclock countdown for your next cruise and save . Then go back to signature set up and type below your time clock and other cruises to come.

When your clock indicates sailed; go to your signature and delete that timeclock. Then set up another new timeclock, add the cruise just done to your history, and reduce the coming attractions cruise list by one.

Hope this helps and you can understand .

[hbellman]

we have booked window cabins on deck 4 does anyone know if all cabins have two twin beds, can we ask for double bed.

also how early before cruise do we get tickets

 

thanks Hazel

[kuldalai]

IIRC on SS GEMINI all cabins have the two single beds which can be configured as either two single beds with a space in between, or as a double by pushing them together . The beds have a bracket on two inner legs that allows them to be coupled together as a double. Just e-mail :

starcare @starcruises.co.my when you know your cabin number and quote departure date etc and ask that your beds be configured as a double . Simple as that .

[hbellman]

does anyone know how soon before sailing do you get your tickets

thanks

[hbellman]

IIRC on SS GEMINI all cabins have the two single beds which can be configured as either two single beds with a space in between, or as a double by pushing them together . The beds have a bracket on two inner legs that allows them to be coupled together as a double. Just e-mail :

starcare @starcruises.co.my when you know your cabin number and quote departure date etc and ask that your beds be configured as a double . Simple as that .

 

 

tried to email ,wouldn't go through, can you confirm this email address

[kuldalai]

Sorry my dysletic typing :

 

starcare@starcruises.com.my

[danceman]

Hi all,

just returned from the Gemini from my first and prob last cruise on this ship as its now about to be sold. Verdict?......overall, really enjoyed the cruise but some weird aspects to it!

Negatives:....the worlds smallest and most poorly stocked gym...a ball, a bike, a treadmill and some weird machine for your inner thighs!...they also duel use the room for foot massages and indian head massage!

The entertainment was very amateurish and generally poor. There was not one night when the male cruise staff did not dress up as women!!....seemed to be transvestites everywhere!!....they even came around the restaurant in the evening wearing fishnets and high heels and a two piece outfit with bare midriff...lovely while tucking into beef wellington!

No trays at the buffett and i would have liked food to have been served for more hours....couldnt get anything when you got back off tour on some days.

Good points: we didnt have to wait in line for anything...there were only 300 passengers onboard!...less than half full!

Service was impeccable....the staff seemed genuinly happy in their jobs and were just lovely!

Massages on the ship were cheap.

Food was good.

Karaoke....i was the only one in it!...so i sounded pretty good!

Loved the itinerary and tour were fairly good.

The female staff seem to wear very short tight pencil skirts...no problem in that but when i had a massage i was shown into a room with 3 mattresses on the florr. I was shown to one of them and the curtain were drawn around me meaning the other two mattresses were available for other passenges who wanted a massage....i felt this wasnt as private as i might have liked but hey! As i lay on my back, the masseuse sat on my bottom and massaged my back with one knee either side of me.....it was then i started to think about that tight pencil skirt and how it must have to be hitched up around her hips!!....all was fine until she asked me to turn over !!!!!

Anyway, half way through, and then i heard the door open. I heard a couple be shown to the next mattress and the curtains drawn around them and told that their massesses would be with them sortly for their couple's massage. The hilarious thing was....the Austrailian couple didnt realise i was behind the curtain getting my own massage. I started to hear kissing, rustling sounds, and then 'ok big boy, how about i massage it for you' !!!! A whole array of dirty talk then followed (my masseuse didnt utter a word...not sure if she understood it) but then my masseuse started the back slapping with load clapping sounds! Deafing silence came from the behind the curtain as the couple realised they had been overheard followed by stifling s******s. (theirs aswell as mine!) As my massage finished i called out bye big boy to be answered by more s******s! I chuckled over it for hours.

Overall, the ship had a lovely atmosphere and it just felt homely and comfy and i would recommend it even though ive been on much bigger and grander but this little ship does have something unique about it that is hard to put into words. A shame to see this ship go.

[Sydney Oz]

does anyone know how soon before sailing do you get your tickets

thanks

 

We sail on 24 August (two weeks) and we still have not received cabin numbers. Been told we will get them when we arrive in Singapore. I think this is strange but we are assured of a cabin (you better believe it!)