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?

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Indeed all is quiet here missing our most informative and helpful resident poster.

Virgo will continue sailing for at least the next 2 years. I have no idea what lies ahead for the red blue star.

Look around carefully for SSR's January deployment schedule.

Enjoy your time on Star Cruises before the chance runs out.

Damn Star Cruises!

Why based this beautiful ship out of somewhere I can't sail out of! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Incredibly pissed.

You might like the Aquarius. I'm not anti-Aquarius but I'm not her biggest fan either

Very frankly and no offence to Aquarius-lovers (if any), the ship is not worth the time and money. If it's the Virgo then I can assure you that you'll most probably be very satisfied and perhaps be blown away by the ship and her crew.

If possible, join Virgo ex-HK and visit Halong Bay and Haikou/Sanya and/or Keelung.

To answer your questions:

Yes, there are shows almost everyday which are top-quality (IMO).

The food is average at best. I wouldn't expect too much.

However, whats lacking hardware-wise, they make it up with the friendly and dedicated crew. So KUDOS to all the crew fleetwide.

Obligarch are business leaders who have a huge influence over a nation. Kinda like the situation in Russia.

Nah, I had an easy time winning on Libra and Aquarius that it isnt the cause. Probably left it on Virgo, New Years...the casino was extremely lucky the first night.

Gives me a reason to cruise onboard Virgo again plus Celebrity Disco is very attractive right now with my just-realised passion for booze.

Next trip onboard is probably Feb 24-29's cruise to PKG/PHU/LAN

The Supreme Obligarch of Planet Earth is not amused.

Seriously though, I have memory lapse recently. Can't even remember people I've met and spoken to.

Ciao for now, gotta go look for some hidden and mystery herb to remedy the problem.

Looks like I have extremely poor memory.

Mike - Capt. Hakan Svedung took charge of the Virgo for ~5 years before heading over to NCL, about the same time as Colin did. He's currently master of the Dawn I believe. I remember having a picture taken with him but have no idea where it is now.

The Captain in that picture is Capt. Kjell Holm??? Didn't have a single clue who he was until you mentioned.

I met him on the Capricorn and Megastar.

Heh, its all IIRC.

If you are interested I could go find out though.

Hi, I don't recognise him from the ships I've been on. If he is still with SC then I'll guess Pisces or the Megastar series.

Leo's Captain(first rotation - one year) - Capt Magnus Gottberg and Capt. Toivo Norell if I'm not mistaken.

Virgo's Captain(first rotation - three years IIRC) - Capt. Hakan Svedung and Capt. Toivo Norell.

I was in HK and surrounding for 2 weeks this month; on Virgo for 5 days; other time busy running around Singapore.

The word on board is expect big announcement re fleet expansion late February and the hot tip is two (2) vessels to Asia .

 

Hehe, I've said there was something going on even though I don't know the exact details. Electricron from NCL board might want to see this.

 

Whispers of a quiet conversation.

Nah, I hate queueing up. I usually have dinner at Blue Lagoon. I'm sick of Bella Vista's Gala menu anyway and I usually have dinner at ala-carte restaurants on other days.

I will be on the Dec 30 cruise. Sure we can met up if you promise not to step on my tail.

Deck10007 - Now now, why would I do that? Lets meet at GOS after the emergency drill, just approach the staff and say you're looking for SSV. Do tell if the time isn't good for you.

Boeckli - Thank you for the pictures! The Dawn is still as beautiful as ever. Braemer looks exactly like Gemini! Too bad she is going for a "stretch."

Kudalai - Thank you for Gemini's picture! I'll see her soon in Brisbane.

electricron = Oh, I assure you Star will want any "new" ship now if offered and after what happened on the Wind , I'm sure there is no problem finding space for casinoS. I'm not a big fan of the America though, she looks sick with bumps.

deck10007 = I must say that you have very humourous posts. Never fail brighten my day. Thank you eh, we should meet up on Virgo someday (my next trip is Dec 30)

Boeckli = Your email is noted. Imagine the Dawn in Asia as Superstar Scorpio, I'll pray for the (almost impossible) day to come...

I typed the Dawn. It's just speculation on my part (and fantasising), no harm yes? With SC, anything is possible although the ship involved may be different.

I wanted to edit that sentence as it is misleading, but I could not as my trusty modem died on me. Now I just installed a new one and I hope it last as long as my previous one (cause it's pricey)

It should read that: A ship MAY be transferred from NCL Int very shortly and the Dawn MAY be the one, meaning Capt Hakan can sail her to Asia. Afterall, the Captain is very experienced with Asia especially Singapore.

Just speculation on my part.

Oops, I thought Captains move on to other ship every 4-years. My mistake. Maybe he'll sail the Dawn to Asia.

I'll definitely want to try the Gemini. Perhaps I'll sail SIN-PKG to try the ship out before joining her longer cruises.

Harold is a great guy. He is prone to seasick though and gets nauseous very easily, he said he's still trying to adjust to the ship the last time we talked(last week).

Boeckli - It'll be great to meet up for coffee when you are in Singapore! My plan for next year is still very indefinite and I MIGHT relocate to Australia, the US or stay. You have my email - dittopod @ singnet (dot) com (broken up as I don't want to get spam mail). I'll also be Down Under coming Saturday for ~3 weeks around the South East coast.

Thanks! I prefer larger ships but I'm torn because in some way, I want to visit Gemini very much.

Did Capt. Hakan mention anything about his future assignments? If following Star Cruises' "tradition" he'll be moving to another ship by end of this year. It'll be lovely to sail with the very friendly and charming captain again.