Super Star Virgo

[Doubletrouble_in_oz]

Hi Caz,

 

Welcome back! So glad to hear you enjoyed your cruise:) .

 

Thank you for posting the photos.....can't believe I will be seeing all those sights in less than 5 weeks:D

 

You mentioned the queues at the Mediterranean buffet.....for every meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner) or just at certain times?

Sounds like we might be dining at the Bella Vista most of the time. LOL

 

Thanks

 

Justine

[FrangipaniGirl]

Hi Justine,

It wasn't so much the queue at the buffet but the behaviour of individuals in the queue :eek: This however would be my only gripe (and a small one at that).

Not long for you now!

Caz :)

[Mahjong77]

Hi Caz , thanks for the info . umm yes I think a caffiene fix will be called for often :D

 

Great photo's !

[HKfornow]

Caz,

 

Thanks a lot for your insight, it helps when someone who has just been on the cruise posts the findings, because it helps manages our concerns and expectations!!

 

Julie

[HKfornow]

Just thought I would share the answers I received from Star Cruises re: Bella Vista dining & child care charges:

 

-Bella Vista states that it only allows for families with kids 6 & above, my son is 3, does that mean we cannot have any meals in that venue at all?

 

Children aged 10 years and below are not permitted to dine in the Bella Vista restaurant from 8pm onwards. For the Palazzo restaurant (fine dining), passengers aged 16 years old and below are not permitted to dine in here. However, there is no age restriction to dine in the Mediterranean Buffet restaurant and The Pavilion Room.

 

-Most activities on-board seem to be geared for the older kids, does Charlie Child Care have activities for toddlers and what are the cost associated with it?

 

The Charlie Care Centre is open for registration for children aged 1 to

12 years old only. The charges are as follows;

SGD 8.00 per hour/per child - 1 to 4 years old

SGD 6.00 per hour/per child 5 to 12 years old

SGD 12.00 per hour/per child (after 11.45pm) 1 to 12 years old

Baby sitting services is also available and the charges are as follows;

SGD 12.00 per hour/per child (maximum 2 children)

SGD 3.00 - extra charge for each 3rd and 4th child

The Child Care Centre is thoughtfully furnished complete with a Nursery, sleep and rest area, computer world and play area. They are plenty of activities to keep the children occupied and entertained. Kindly check with the Child Care Centre for detailed programs.

 

[Doubletrouble_in_oz]

Hi Julie,

 

Many thanks for posting the info. :)

 

I had a look at the Starcruises website......there will be a "Dinosaur and Cavemen" theme on the Virgo in July with great activities for kids (and adults).

 

Not long to go now:D

 

Justine

[HKfornow]

Does anyone know, since our itinerary includes a Singapore stopover (would assume to pick up more passengers), would we be allowed to disembark or are we suppose to stay in the ship? Thanks.

 

SunSingapore - 1600MonPhuket Island 1600 (1500) -TuePhuket Island - 0200 (0100) Langkawi 1000 1800WedSingapore * 1500 2000ThuRedang Island 1230 2100FriSingapore 1400 -

*Singapore stopover

[Jamin]

:D Hi all,

I am new to this - but am glad there is a dedicated forum to such a great ship. My partner and parents came on SSV last August in balcony cabins

for the 5 night SOM cruise. FANTASTIC !!!

In fact it was that enjoyable that we are going again this year - but upgraded ourselves to 2 Jr suites. ( the price difference was minimal when considered over 5 nights )

Can anyone give us a bit more insight to the Admiral Class - yellow access card priveleges...?

I was so impressed with the Balcony Class - red access card - money to spend and priority benefits, that I didn't note the Admiral extras.

The other question I need assistance with is the starcruise club for frequent cruisers with Starcruises. What is it called and how does it work?

Any feedback would be great - as is this foum ;)

[Jamin]

:) How good is this ?

Any chance of a review on the new show "Kung Fu"

Really looking forward to that - especially if it is anything like Sopressa.

TIA:o

[J33JWA]

Hi everyone,

 

Wow ~ what a fantaboulous Asian cruise and such a hectic time we had. Visited 3 countries in over a fortnight ~ Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. Warm welcome from everyone we met and very hospitable people too.

 

Hi Jamin ~ the Kingdom of Kung Fu is definately a must and don't miss the other evening shows too - excellent acts and acrobats.

 

We have not started to unpack and still deciding whether to go on the SuperStar Libra's latest 7 days Med.cruise in August from Malta to Greece and Turkey. Prices offered in the UK are extremely competitive as Star Cruise are trying to gain a market place in the Med.- cost only from £500 GBP all inclusive of flights,transfers,taxes,tips etc.

 

Anyone on this thread been on the SS Libra recently?

 

To those about to board the SS Virgo, have a great time.

 

Cheers........ James:)

[Jamin]

;) J33JWA ( James )

Thanks for the feedback - great to hear you had an enjoyable holiday.

We are sailing 27th Aug and can't wait.( 6 of us in 2 Jr suites, 1 Balcony )

Kung Fu sounds really great - what was the other entertainment ?

Libra in The Med sounds very interesting and will be definitely considered.

Any info on Libra will be appreciated - particularly their ranking system e.g. Admiral / Balcony / Worldcruiser.

Any shorecruises we should consider ? FantaSea in Phuket has been recommended.

The staff on SSV are very good so it great to hear reinforcement of this.

Anyone that has an opinion on how Starcruises compares to other lines would also be interesting.

Unpacking is always hard - packing is easier.

We are counting the days already.

SSV - forever:cool:

[deck 9 001]

Hi James,

 

Welcome back from SSV. I knew you would have a great time.

 

James and Jamin, regarding the Libra, be aware that this ship was formerly the Norwegian Sea of NCL. In truth, Libra can certainly not compare to the Virgo, but nevertheless Libra is quite nice, although the cabins are very small. The superior category outsides are a bit larger.

 

If the price is good I would say "go for it." The staff/crew are superb, (many of them transfered from Gemini and Virgo) and from all reports the food is fine. Libra does have some fantastic itineraries in The Med.

 

Best,

Mike

[Jamin]

:) Thanks Mike,

I presumed as much with the smaller cabins etc on Libra.

We would more than likely find them even smaller after we have experienced a SSV Jr Suite.

Has anyone heard whether SSV will maintain the same itinerary for 2007 ?

Any info on the Admiral class and shorex recommendations would be invaluable

We will certainly update the SSV board attendees when we return and repay the help.

Anyone needing info on SSV please post prior Aug 25th and I will take a

list of your queries onboard.

Cheers again ;)

[casu1]

Jamin

Just returned from the 5 night cruise in a Junior Suite . an upgrade from Balcony on our last cruise. The benefits were well worth the small jump in price - especially on an early bird booking. With Admiral you get personal check in and priority boarding to the ship accompanied by one of the Guest Services staff. You are also allocated phone numbers to access Guest services directly who also personally arrange all your tours. Complimetary pressing, Comp wine and fresh fruit daily (fruit not the wine) Priority dinner reservations and show seating plus the list goes on and on, Suites are out of this world - you can even get breakfast delivered FOC. As for world cruiser The cruise gained us 4500 points which equates to around 45 Singapore dollars to use on the next cruise for drinks etc. Hope this helps - any other questions just ask

Happy sailing

Stuart

[Nicole Joan]

Hi everyone We leave in 9 weeks to go on Virgo and I was wondering if anyone knows if there is a teens club on boards (for older kids as apposed to the kids club for the little ones). It sounds like those who have been had a great time and we are getting very excited. Nicole:rolleyes:

[deck 9 001]

Hi Nicole, your 9 weeks will be here very quick. You will have a ball...

 

Onboard Virgo there is a teens' club called Star Teens. The age group is from 13--17 years old.

There is also a Teens Ambassador who is really a counsellor/host for the teens.

Nightly there is Teen disco dancing at the Celebrity Disco from 10pm till 11:45pm.

 

Virgo does put together quite an array of activities and socials for Teens.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Wishing you an early "Bon Voyage."

 

Best,

Mike

[Jamin]

:D Thanks Stuart,

Appreciate the feedback.

We also took advantage of "Earlybird" via Qantas Holidays making the cost per Jr Suite only $1515 ( then applying the rebate for onboard spending it makes it a great price )

My father - who is travelling with us - will be glad to hear about the priority reservations as he is desperate to dine in Noble House for the Captains Dinner.

Any shorex you would recommend ?

Glad to hear you had a great trip - we cannot wait.:o

[deck 9 001]

Hi Everyone,

 

Being that questions were asked about the perks that come with Balcony and Admiral class, I thought I would post the official perks according to Star Cruises.

 

Hope this info will be of help to all future SSV cruisers.

 

Best,

Mike

 

 

Balcony Class

* Priority red carpet check-in, passport collection, delivery and

disembarkation at all ports, baggage handling and use of panoramic

glass

elevators during check-in period.

* Champagne welcome with cold towel service upon arrival at the lobby

and complimentary tea/coffee service prior to disembarkation.

* Priority reservations for Captain's dinner (first come first serve)

and splendid ocean view at the International Dining Restaurant, limited

gallery seating at the Showroom and for Gala Night Dinner.

* Special invitations to the Captain's Cocktail on Tuesdays at the

main lobby upon check-in for Sunday cruises.

* One time free access to the Spa and use of steam, sauna and aquaswim

facilities at the Fitness Centre.

 

Admiral Class

* Priority yellow carpet check-in, passport collection, delivery and

disembarkation at all ports, assisted and escorted by the Guest

Services.

* Baggage transported by the Concierge directly to the cabin.

* Flowers, deluxe fruit basket (replenished daily), assorted

chocolates, a bottle of red wine with full set-up and welcome letter

from

the Hotel Manager.

* Priority reservations for meal periods, land tours, shows and other

activities.

* Private invitation to the Captain's table during the Gala Night

Dinner.

* One time free access to the Spa and use of steam, sauna and aquaswim

facilities at the Fitness Centre.

[casu1]

Jamin

You actually book for the Gala dinner prior to boarding the ship at check -in. Didnt want to spoil the experience for you by telling you everything that happens but you can also prebook other restaurants as well for other days. Our guest services coordinator recommended the Italian for the Captains Dinner but Noble House was also on our list. We just went free and easy on shorex but of course we were first off the ship at every port (another perk) in fact we were personally escorted from the ship to the Taxi rank at Langkawi by Roy (head of guest services) who organised the minicab for us.(above and beyond the call of duty) I did hear that Fantasia at Phuket is an incredible excursion . Forgot to ask are your suites deck 9 or 10 ?. We were 10 and couldnt fault the suites at all. I was a little dissapointed in Legends of Kung Fu compared to Sopressa but would still recommend it. :)

[casu1]

Anyone been on both ships ?. We are looking at the 10 day Singapore/Hong Kong or 21 day Singapore/Hong Kong/Singapore including Vietnam in 2007. Whilst we have been spoilt on the Virgo with Balcony and Admiral Class (plus credits) on previous cruises. I have been told that the Gemini would be a dissapointment to us as we cannot get the same benefits or cabin class:confused: . Is this true and what is the Gemini really like ?? I just wish the Virgo would do a similar length cruise and then the problem would not exist:)

[deck 9 001]

Hi Casu1, there is a thread devoted to Gemini here at Cruise Critic. You can access it at this link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=282411

 

There is bound to be info that will help you decide about cruising aboard Gemini. I call this ship "my second home." I love it!

 

The below photo is an example of a balcony suite onboard Gemini. This suite is one of a kind, as it was refurbished in this style when the Gemini was sailing in Korea.

 

Best,

Mike

[Jamin]

:) Thanks Mike / Stuart,

:)

Feedback is great - we booked again after our last cruise on SSV because we felt we could gain true value from a repeat cruise being a bit wiser and not just "in shock ", I reckon it was at least 2 days before my feet touched the ground.

It really seems that Starcruises have gotten the formula right when it comes to added perks etc. You are right though that it isn,t long enough.

:confused: Anyone that has been on other cruiselines please feel free to comment...

Sounds like Fantasea is on the menu and we will still look forward to Kung Fu ( Sopressa was excellent so hard to top )

Any pics of interest would be appreciated.

Level 10 for us - Mum wouldn't cope with always looking where we had been - and they were recommended by Qantas.:eek:

[Deck10 007]

Just got off the Gemini this past Sunday. Was on the Virgo the week before to Pt. Klang and will be on the Virgo again on the 23 this month for 5 nights and then on the Gemini again on 13 August.

What do you want to know about the 2 ships. They are 2 different ships.

Gemini is an re-renovated 3 star old smaller ship whereas the Virgo is a 5-6 star new ship (4 times larger). Food is definately better on the Gemini but I dont know what the pricing is like for you on the 2 ships. The service on both ship is comparable as they are opreated by the same company.

Cant tell you about Admiral class as the Virgo has only about a dozen suites there and about 500 balcony class rooms and we ordinary people only travel in balcony class. If there is not much difference in the pricing then it make sense to go for it.

 

John

[casu1]

Thanks John

I was just unsure about the balcony, this was one thing we really enjoyed about the Virgo and it seemed as though balconies were in limited quantity on the Gemini (if available at all). Sounds like the Gemini is highly recommended. Will check her out

Stuart:)

[Jamin]

:D Hi SSV Cruisers and Other cruisers,

I would love to gain some feedback as to how SSV compares to other

cruiselines larger ships.:confused: I know SSV boasts the best staff/passenger ratio

and best restaurant selection, but I need some feedback to ensure I can

sway my parents ( who travel with us and have only been on 1 cruise - SSV ) to stick with SSV ongoing.:o

Things like set meal sittings instead of freestyle, balcony class priveleges,

cleanliness, etc. would help immensely.

Also, has anyone heard of the possible itinerary for SSV cruises next year ?:cool:

I look forward to some feedback.

PS - and also some questions to take away with me at the end of August on the beautiful SSV.

Happy Cruisin. ;)