Superstar Gemini

[Westaussie]

Hi SSV - do you know what has happened to Mike - I know he was not well a year ago. Are you able to find out for us as I am sure there are many on this board who would appreciate knowing. Thanks.

 

Vera

[ssv]

Mike has left us on October 10 2008, succumbing to a long-time illness.

 

Regardless of religion, I believe he is back in paradise and relieved of the

pain and sufferings he valiantly fought for a very long time.

 

His helpfulness and wealth of knowledge will be sorely missed amongst other things he may have imparted us during our private conversations.

[Westaussie]

SSV thank you so much for responding so quickly with such sad news. Mike and I had been emailing each other for quite some time and when he didn't respond to my last two I feared the worst. The last few months he was really suffering so at least he is at peace.

 

Vera

[boeckli]

Very sad news about Mike indeed. We'll miss his friendly and helpful advice.

[Cynicor]

So now that there are no longer any Gemini cruises out of asia, can anyone recommend a similar cruise, or line that I should look at? I really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of the cruise as well as the various ports along the way.

 

I know Star are pretty much out of the picture as they seem to mainly offer gambling cruises. I had a look at Costa on the forums but the don't seem to be well liked. Thinking about Royal Caribbean now but if anyone has other ideas please reply!

 

Jon

[Westaussie]

Jon - I think alot of people will miss the Gemini! Hopefully Star will have some longer cruises as they have in the past, to Hong Kong and then across to Sabah and Sarawak - I'd love to do that. Only suggestion is Sun Princess from Fremantle May/June. We did the one to Cambodia last year. Also Diamond Princess later in the year. You may find the majority of passengers on these are 'seniors'.

 

Vera

[ssv]

SuperStar Gemini will be re-named Vision Star sailing for South American cruise line Vision Cruceros beginning Mar 21.

 

Vision Cruceros has three itinerary for Y2009 that will be sailed by two ships:

1) Mexico & Cuba - 8d7n year-round by Vision Star(SSG)

2) Mediterranean - 8d7n year-round exc late-jul to mid-aug by Vision Athena

3) Greece - 16d15n late-jul to mid-aug by Vision Athena

[Westaussie]

Thanks SSV for the info about our dear little Gemini! Maybe we'll catch up with her one day. Any interesting and longer itineraries coming up for Star Cruises particularly Virgo? Would love to do HK, Sabah to Singapore - need some new places to visit.

 

Vera

[ssv]

I don't think SSG-style itinerary will be offered in the near future especially with the rejection of China-Taiwan cruise bid.

[kuldalai]

Star can do Hong Kong - Taiwan and did so regularly last year; and also tentatively had SS VIRGO visiting Taiwan fortnightly this year till the Hong Kong deployment for 2009 was pulled. Mainland China - Taiwan cruises might still be a no go but Hong Kong to Shanghai should be OK as Star have done that previously too.

[ssv]

Any idea why SSV's 2009 HKG stint is cancelled or SSR's schedule empty(SIN/PKG/HKG/TAI were homeports).

 

Expect sale of vessels soon, SSR/SSQ on the chopping board I'm afraid.

[Westaussie]

SSV - I did know what the codes were for the various ships once but have forgotten them! What SSR/SSQ?

 

Thanks V

[boeckli]

SSV - I did know what the codes were for the various ships once but have forgotten them! What SSR/SSQ?

 

Thanks V

 

Hi Vera - as per my notes it was SSQ-Aquarius, SSR-Libra

[Westaussie]

Thanks, I wonder if they'll replace either of them or are they just winding down. Would be good to have the old Leo back.

[boeckli]

Thanks, I wonder if they'll replace either of them or are they just winding down. Would be good to have the old Leo back.

 

As NCL has just spent a fair bit on upgrading the Spirit (ex Leo) I doubt that will happen ...

[kuldalai]

Star seem to have lost the plot totally . By all means sell Aquarius as it is old and they stuffed up the conversion from Wind in that far too much casino space, and HK people do not like her . Yes sell Gemini as ships economics do not favour small ships . But to sell Libra is crazy . Star should either just retreat to micky mouse gambling cruises with a boat in HK and one in Singapore and they can adjust their claim to be the leading floating casinos in Asia.

 

Alternatively they can get one or two newer vessels from NCL convert them properly this time with adequate, but NOT an over abundance of gambling space . Then get into the serious cruising business in Asia/Pacific - the business opportunities are un-limited with the right product and placement.

 

There are some 18 vessels in Aus this Summer and they are all well booked and making money, and yet Star/NCL ignores the Aus market. One just despairs at Stars lack of business development and initiative in developing the crusie business outside of 2/3 day gambling cruises. Princess are doubling Aus / NZ itineraries next Summer whilst Star/NCL are asleep at the tiller . Costa have two boats in Asia now offering a wide range of itineraries to Shanghai, Taiwan, Phillipines, Japan, Vietnam etc - all countries that Star could be developing the business too.

[ssv]

Star should either just retreat to micky mouse gambling cruises with a boat in HK and one in Singapore and they can adjust their claim to be the leading floating casinos in Asia.

 

Finally something you said matches a plan.

[chris1950]

as someone who had great trip from hong kong to singapore last year on the gemini,i am very sad to see it go.we come from the uk so the short trips star do now arent worth all the traveling.after doing some searching we have found azamara quest part of the celbrity group.the quest who we board next sunday is a small ship about the size of the gemini.we sail from hong kong via japan ,korea and china.so if this small ship can make it pay as i think its full for the season,dont know why star couldnt.

[giorgosz]

Superstar Gemini, renamed Vision Star is on 3 and 4 day cruises ex Piraeus for Mediterranean Classic Cruises (ex. Monarch Classic Cruises).

The ship is currently being refurbished in Turkey and soon will start its programm.

[Adventure Before Dementia]

Hi. Have cruise on Gemini a couple for times. It is very sad news to see it gone. It was the friendliest crew, greatest entertainment, the best ship (small or large), out of all the 16 cruises we have been on. We need more ships likes the Gemini. Peronel service - little ship with a big heart. Everyone who has cruised on her will agree with us. Good memories & friends have been made on her cruises. Noelene & Charles

Edited February 18, 2009 by Adventure Before Dementia

[ssv]

Superstar Gemini, renamed Vision Star is on 3 and 4 day cruises ex Piraeus for Mediterranean Classic Cruises (ex. Monarch Classic Cruises).

The ship is currently being refurbished in Turkey and soon will start its programm.

 

That's interesting. Now I see 2 companies owning 2 exactly same ship offering different itineraries.

 

Has Vision Crucerios stopped operations?

[GixxerGal]

Hi. Have cruise on Gemini a couple for times. It is very sad news to see it gone. It was the friendliest crew, greatest entertainment, the best ship (small or large), out of all the 16 cruises we have been on. We need more ships likes the Gemini. Peronel service - little ship with a big heart. Everyone who has cruised on her will agree with us. Good memories & friends have been made on her cruises. Noelene & Charles

 

 

Here here --- loved this ship and sad to see her go :-(

[BMW1100]

Hi all,

 

For anyone who is interested, Gemini(now known as Vision Star) and cruising the Med, still looks as good as ever - if you want to have a look, go to:

 

http://www.cruise.gr/vision-star.html

 

Cheers

Edited March 27, 2009 by BMW1100
Doubled up on sentence

[keltic]

New changes.....Vision has suspended operations, and Gemini is going to operate under Spanish flag again, but with Quail Cruises, and replacing the Pacific while she is in dry dock.

 

It seems that Pacific had been suffering constant power failures in the last season. So she had been sent to dry dock. Now the repairs are going to take longer than expected, so Gemini will replace her.

 

We even think over here, that Pacific will end in Alang (scrapping) and Gemini could be the new Quail single ship.

 

http://www.quailcruises.com/catalogos/GEMINI.pdf

[baer]

Thanks for posting the link to the new brochure for the Gemini. I really enjoyed looking at it - trip down memory lane. I wonder if that wonderful captain has stayed with her or if has moved on elsewhere. He was just fabulous and also very social and funny.