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I need to ask for some advice.

Should I join Virgo for the 6d5n City & Island Escapade which goes SIN-PKL-PHU-LAN-PKL-SIN

OR

Should I join Gemini for the weekly trip which goes SIN-PKL-KRA-PHU-LAN-PKL-SIN?

I love the long(er) stopover both ships have in Phuket (but does Gemini dock at Port or anchor off Patong).

If I join GEMINI, I can visit my friends (whom I've not met for a long time) and experience the ship for the first time. If I join Virgo, I can also visit my friends (more like family already) there and I prefer larger ships. I have been to all places both ships offer except Krabi. I'm also worried I'll not like Gemini which is small.

All help and advice is appreciated!

BTW - Boeckli, how was your trip on the Dawn? And I hope cruisers who went on Gemini from SIN-SYD or was any part of that enjoyed themselves despite the (I heard) rough seas.

I couldn't see the load numbers but Australia season is averaging 65-75% so far. Although I'm sure SIN-SYD is more or less full already.

I'll check but I remember it to be ~776 ex-Singapore on a slip of paper somewhere. Or is that Virgo's.

800 based on lower berth(of 2 pax), and there are 2 type of cabin which can take 4 pax.

That information may be limited to SSG only but I can try to find out.

SSG can accomodate ~900 people when all berths are taken up.

No panic, no crowd after the early crowd is gone which I think is ~0930.

Gate closes at 1000/1030 but I'm pretty sure it'll be delayed as she will only arrive from KL at 0900, don't quote me on it though!

Apart from SSQ's relocation cruise and SSR's Singapore stint, I've never seen long queues whilst boarding any Star Cruises' ships. So no worries!

Heidicha is and will be CD on SSG instead of Myla C. who resigned due to other commitments.

Wanted to sail SSG for NOV9's weekend KL cruise but.....ITS FULLY BOOKED!

Oh well, better luck next year

Heidicha is ACD if I'm not wrong and her contract started on June(?) so she'll be onboard till December assuming no extension. If she is CD and her contract started earlier, then no, she will not be onboard as Myla C. is Cruise Director. Don't have much information on Gemini, very sorry!

I might be meeting her late this month during SSG's drydock and if I do, I'll find out more and let you know.

Heidicha does not have a personal SC email address. She reads mail sent to Assistant Cruise Director(XCHG-SSG) which is for business use.

The only way I can think of is for you to send her a snail mail OR have a future passenger pass her your email. Mike might have better suggestions (though I have not heard from him for a week now!)

Eonboard - Congratulations on winning the upgrade!

15% Service Charge is SC's policy that exists on All its ship, nothing to do with Singapore's law.

Glad you had a great time, are you already booked for your next cruise? :D

Anyway, have not heard from Mike for a long time. Hope he is okay(with the typhoon and all).

Libra will not operate Gemini's routes from what I've heard, this is just a rumour though. She will be placed in Greater China instead.

Gemini is chartered back, but it will not last. She is sold to Hyundai for perhaps 1-2 years, then my guess is that she will be reduced to a casino ship ala Superstar Sagittarius(Now Long Jie from Singapore).

My predicted sale of WSQ and another main ship did happen, just didn't thought it would be Gemini.

Plan now is that Norwegian Dream and Majesty will be transferred. Dream first.

Most likely means that Gemini will cease to operate for Star Cruises after the 08 season.

If Im not mistaken, Hyundai Merchant Marine will be the new owner of Gemini.

I have absolutely no idea. At least now we know the new President is making changes, although it is beyond useless IMO.

SSGemini is sold to and chartered back from a conglomerate.

This is just a heads-up.

Overcapacity.

Its all revenue and yield control. Certain period of time e.g. peak school holiday season, third and fourth berth are filled up more easily thus lower % of discount. Whereas during low season or time when only 2 berths are filled, it is beneficial to lower prices to gain revenue as the capacity will be "wasted" anyway

Its market mentality that different sets of discount apply for different times and condition due to demand and supply. Most cruise line do that in case you are wondering.

Whereas fixed increase in room prices as costs increase are required as they cant have a balcony room cheaper than window because consumers fill out window cabins first if it moves along with demand supply curve yes?

Also, fixed prices are given out to wholesalers/TA/online TAs instead of a guideline 42-48%, lower the discount the better so I dont see why is it complex and troublesome for anyone except for the revenue department.

It all boils down to economics.

Like Mike said, 3rd and 4th pax rates differ depending on season etc. however, as a guideline:

Executive suites usually have no discount.

Ca-DC is approx 45-62% the most expensive category with the most discount and cheapest with the least discount. If you book earlier, you can get higher % of discount with Star Saver 45/60 days.

Normal fare will only provide up to 52% off.

% above are 3rd and 4th pax charges OFF 1st/2nd pax charge.

Sorry for posting consecutive 2 times.

Kudalai-New itineraries should be bookable in 2-3 weeks/by Oct time after directives are sent out to travel agents and uploaded into system.

Norwegian Dream transferred next - dec08 as Scorpio most probably.

Norwegian Majesty will only be transferred after F3 is delivered as Capricorn most probably.

You are right, 10 ships less Leo. Sorry for the mistake.

I have not thought of the possibility of Leo returning instead of Aloha. It is certainly possible. If a fourth ship does come, expect another ship to be sold.

Asterisk was put to indicate that the ship MIGHT not be transferred, pending the result of NCLA. NCLA will close shop no doubt as it will not be combined into NCL under Apollo unless some miracle happens.

After Majesty is transferred, then I will say Australia will be the permanent homeport for one of the ship - likely Libra or one of the larger ships.

SSV-Virgo, SSG-Gemini, SSQ-Aquarius, SSR-Libra, STP-Pisces,

MAR-Megastar Aries, MTA-Megastar Tauras.

UNCONFIRMED: SSC-Scorpio(second ship from NCL after SSQ), SSP-Capricorn(third ship from NCL after SSC)

Second ship from NCL - Scorpio most probably will start her new career during December08, latest January09.

Third ship from NCL - Capricorn most probably will start her new career after F3 ships are delivered - 09/10.

Fourth ship* - Transfer from NCLA division, I believe there will be a transfer as NCLA's finances will not be satisfactory to Apollo. POAl in that case will be transferred named - Sagittarius. That will complete SC's fleet with 11 ships, Cancer will 99% not be used as a name.

Yes, PKG will not have a replacement ship for WSQ after shes sold. WSQ is scheduled there only as a result of overcapacity in HKG and there is nowhere else for her to be.

Hi Kudalai, saw your post on the Virgo thread

 

What I've posted is more or less firm just that you cant book the trips with your agent yet, maybe just do some planning first? =)

 

The ship homeport might not be Singapore anymore, the schedule is very very confusing. If new homeport is PKlang it makes more sense schedule-wise however I doubt there will be traffic for such long cruises.

 

7-night Straits of Malacca dates :

6, 13, 20, 27 APR08

4 MAY08

22, 29 JUN08

17 AUG08

5, 12, 19, 26 OCT08

2, 9, 16, 23, 30 NOV08

7, 14, 21, 28 DEC08

 

21-night Straits of Malacca dates :

1 Jun08

 

21-night South China Sea/Hong Kong dates :

11 MAY08

6 JUL08

 

21-night Asia 1 dates :

27 JUL08

 

21-night Asia 2 dates :

24 AUG08

 

21-night Asia 3 dates :

14 SEP08

 

14-night Asia 4 dates:

21 SEP08

Oh well, at least the dates are correct:( except for the last Asia 4

There are 2 districts in SC's route map. SIN/PKG and Greater Hong Kong/China

SIN/PKG will require at least 2 ships, currently filled by SSV/SSG/WSQ. WSQ will be sold most probably coming Dec/Jan. With SSG going to Australia, SSR will take over from PKG. SSV will definitely stay for good.

Greater Hong Kong/China will require at least 2 ships, currently filled by SSQ/SSR/STP. Like I've said in WSQ thread, there is overcapacity here and its solved by WSQ's deployment to PKG. SP will run daily cruise, SSQ take over SSL's previous routes.

From the reports I have, SIN/PKG area is most profitable(exc. gaming rev)

Most profitable ship : 1) SSV 2) SSG 3) SSR 4) SSQ

SSV will definitely stay in Singapore running trunk routes.

SSR will be in China next year(most probably)

SSG in this case, needs to stay in Singapore for the usual 'foreign' clients.

SSQ will serve Greater China, sailing ex-SSLeo's routes.

STP will serve Hong Kong gaming maket. As is MTA/MAR, based in SIN for her gaming market.

WSQ will be sold as it is considered spare.

SSG can be in Australia, but only during Summer 08 when the new ship arrives unless SC gives up its priority China. With SSC's arrival, SSR will be freed and can begin seasonal sailings from SIN/PKG & Taiwan/Japan & India freeing up SSG for seasonal sailings to Australia.

Only SSG or SSR will sail to Australia with SSG being prime candidate

IMO only when the third ship from NCL is transferred, expected name SSP(Capricorn) then will sailings to Australia be more permanent

Oops, looks like the information I had indeed changed. So sorry.

Fiesta @ Sea will be the theme fleetwide starting Oct 07 with Mardi Gras style celebration and activities. Latest news is that with Wasa Queen being sold(soon), SSG will not be heading down under anymore at least till 2009 after this summer 07 season

The details on the website are correct, AUD will be used.

Itineraries for SSQ for October07 to December07

Itinerary will remain the same with the main feature of 2d/1n Hong Kong high sea cruise. 2 3d/2n Xiamen cruise will be available in October.

Main focus however, is a 8d/7n cruise visiting Shanghai and Xiamen.

For more details, look for the release of itinerary on Star Cruises website.