Super Star Virgo

[Doubletrouble_in_oz]

Hi Mike,

 

Many thanks for your reply. Thanks to you and Rose I will feel "at home" on the Virgo...LOL

 

We are departing on a Sunday, visiting Phuket and Langkawi, Singapore stopover, then to Redang Island and back to Singapore on Friday. Staying in Singapore for a few days and then back home.

 

I haven't looked at any shore excursions yet, but I'm sure I will have more questions when I get around to it!

 

Cheers

 

Justine

[posie5]

hi justine, yes the kids can join in most of the family games they will let you know anyway.Bella vista only has a dress code after 8pm at night and otherwise casual wear is fine and mike said no thongs but we all wore them with no problems( b4 8pm) , breakfast included.As mike said you just turn up for dinner at the inclusive restaurants 6-9 pm if i remember correctly and the meditteranean has a special kids eating area and kids food ie chips, nuggets etc which we used a lot, depends on what your kids like to eat but 4 of mine would not eat the delicious asian foods!!Anyway if you have any more questions I would be happy to try and help, I was the same before we went on our cruise so I know how excited you are. You didnt answer my previous question as to whether you have an email address i can send some pics to you as i am not sure how to put them on her, please let me know, regards rose

[Doubletrouble_in_oz]

Rose,

 

My email address

 

justine_ric@iprimus.com.au

 

Thanks!

 

Justine

[deck 9 001]

Hi Justine,

 

You're most welcome. I like sharing info and experiences. Knowing things beforehand will make your cruise even more enjoyable and give you extra time to relax without having to worry about "what should we do?" The only "what should we do?" you should worry about is choosing which dining venue to go to:) And that is a nice choice!

 

Hi Rose,

 

The Mediterranean Buffet did have wonderful Asian food, didn't they!!!

So many ethnic offerings to choose from. It was great, and everything was seasoned and spiced perfectly.

 

Speaking about buffets, although this does not concern the Virgo, it does concern my cruise aboard Pisces from Hong Kong tomorrow.

 

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am doing a Part 2 of my review on Star Pisces "post dry-dock." I'll be checking out the newly completed upgrades et al. Tomorrow will be the start of the Pisces much heralded outdoor BBQ dinner which is held on the helipad and pool bar area. Many ethnic Asian food and Western specialties will be (past experience) offered. The Executive Chef, Mr.Teoh Goet Beng from Malaysia takes great pride in this special event. It is no wonder why this date was chosen for me to sail. I look forward to it.

 

Regards,

 

Mike

[Doubletrouble_in_oz]

Mike,

 

How was your cruise on the Pisces?:)

 

Cheers

 

Justine

[deck 9 001]

Hi Justine,

 

My latest cruise aboard Star Pisces was wonderful. I was delighted to see how fresh and new the ship looked, after the dry-dock. New carpeting, wall coverings, reupholstering really makes a difference.

 

If by any chance you would like to read my review of Star Pisces (I am working on Part 2 now) you can click this link which will take you to Star Cruises Hong Kong home page, and then click the flashing "Ship of the Month" box. Hope you enjoy it.

 

http://www.starcruises.com.hk/en_html/default_en.htm

 

Regards,

 

Mike

[Nicole Joan]

Hi all We are going on Virgo in September 06. Could anyone please tell me when in Phuket do we use tenders off Patong beach or if the ship dock at the port (about an hour in a taxi to Patong) Thanks in advance Nicole;)

[deck 9 001]

Hi Nicole,

 

Unfortunately, Virgo has stopped tendering for a few years now.

I say unfortunately, because the view of the ship anchored off Patong Beach was spectacular.

Yes, the ship does dock now and you are correct about the distance from pier to town.

 

Regards,

 

Mike--in Taipei

[Nicole Joan]

Thanks for the infromation Mike. Much appreciated. Regards Nicole

[Nicole Joan]

Hi Mike Could you please tell me the web site to go on for teen activities on Virgo Thanks regards Nicole

[deck 9 001]

Hi Nicole,

 

You are most welcome. It is my pleasure to be able to help.

 

Unfortunately, there is no special section on Star's website for Teen Activities. But I have already sent an email to my contacts at Star and asked them to email the info you requested. Once I receive this, I will post it immediately.

 

I have just had a look at my past STAR NAVIGATOR's, which is the shipboard daily program. They do not list activities for teens. I do however suggest that you and/or your teens go to the Cruise Staff Hospitality Desk located on Deck 12 at the Activities Centre. They will provide you with a list of planned activities, parties, mingles and disco hours etc, for the entire cruise.

 

I was fortunate to meet up with some teens on my last cruise, and they told me that they were enjoying the planned activities.

Don't have any fears Nicole, your kids will have a helluva time:)

 

Regards,

 

Mike

[deck 9 001]

Nicole Hi,

 

My reply of yesterday was not registering on the "last post" info. Why, who knows!

Just wanted to let you know that I did reply.

 

Regards,

 

Mike

[Nicole Joan]

Hi Mike

Thankyou yet again for information. It is great to have someone who knows Virgo so well to ask questions. As this is our daughters 5th cruise I am sure she will have a blast. The last one however had no kids club (Tahitian Princess) and by the end of it she was a bit sick of hanging out with my husband and I.

Keep up the good work. You rock

Nicole;)

[deck 9 001]

Hi Nicole,

 

It's my pleasure to answer questions and offer help. May I add that I think it is wonderful that you care so much about your daughters enjoyment as well as your own. I love seeing a family aboard ship enjoying themselves. Many times I have overheard family conversations in a lounge aboard ship, where they all exchanged stories and experiences of what they did that day. Yes, it's lovely to be able to have dinner with all the family together, but then we must also expect the "kids" (no matter what age) to want to be off on their own. perhaps with their peers and enjoy a different shipboard experience. It is wonderful Nicole, that you are giving your daughter a chance to experience all this and broaden her horizons and find new experiences. Good on ya!

 

The Tahitian Princess is a beautiful ship (ex Renaissance Cruise Line) with decor that harkens to days gone by. In my opinion there is no comparison with SuperStar Virgo. Virgo has a "happy ship" feeling. Tahitian Princess is more sedate. I can well understand why your daughter was bored.

 

Public rooms onboard Virgo can feel elegant but casual at the same time.

Take Galaxy of the Stars for example. During the day it is a wonderful observation lounge with spectacular views, especially if you are sitting on the overhang sections located forward and port and starboard sides of the room. But at night, the room becomes an elegant venue for cocktails, listening to music and perhaps dancing. Also, this room hosts game shows with audience participation and is home to the Canton Pop Band. So, there are many different atmospheres that this room has. Everyone enjoys this room in one of its many guises.

 

Have more questions Nicole? Ask away. It's always nice to help to make someones upcoming cruise more enjoyable with a little more info. It only takes a few minutes to type, but can give hours of enjoyment to you with new found info.

 

Best regards,

 

Mike--in cold, rainy, dreary Taipei

[Nicole Joan]

Hi everyone sorry to be butting in on your thread so much. Can anyone tell us what to do on Redang Island or Hua Hin as we have not been there before. Thanks Nicole:confused:

[Doubletrouble_in_oz]

Hi Mike,

 

Hope you had a great Christmas and New Year.

I have a couple more questions regarding the SSV. We usually purchase some duty free drinks prior to leaving Australia. With only 1 night in Singapore before the cruise, we obviously will have to take them on board with us. We would like to have a drink or two on the balcony, once the kids are asleep, and watch the world glide by. Is this allowed? Or will we have to leave the alcohol in storage?

Also, any shore excursions you would recommend? We are stopping in Phuket, Langkawi and Redang Island.

 

Thanks and cheers

 

Justine

[deck 9 001]

Hi Everyone,

 

Hope you all had great Holidays and 2006 will bring health, happiness and good times.

 

I have been in Pattaya, Thailand. Had to rely on Internet Cafe's and most will not allow cookies, so could not log on to Cruise Critic.

 

Nicole Hi, truthfully, Redang and other similar islands are best for just relaxing and enjoying the beach and water. You can just walk around on your own and enjoy the tropical beauty. If SSV offers ships excursions there,check them out and see if there is any that attract you. I would opt for fun in the sun on the beach and just relax.

 

Justine Hi, with any cruise line, bringing spirits aboard can be iffy and luck of the draw at best. SSV does have x-ray scanning security machines onboard. I have heard of and seen passengers putting spirits in plastic soda bottles (matching the color of the booze;) ) and had no problem getting it on the ship. Be discreet, and see what happens. But do keep in mind that it is possible they will hold it in storage. This way you won't be disappointed if they do hold it. I too love a cocktail on the balcony, or any other place for that matter:D

 

Regards,

 

Mike--back in Taipei

[Nicole Joan]

Hi Justine With your alcohol when we went on Gemini we got to know the cabin steward quite well and he told us if the bottle has been opened they can't take it. So have a drink the night you get unto Singapore then enjoy the rest on the ship. Please keep me posted on what you did in Redang when you get back.

Cheers Nicole:o

[There and Back]

Hi Mike,

 

I have been reading this thread that was recommended in Trip Advisor. Sorry to hijack this thread but I believe you are the same Mike that wrote a favourable review on the Superstar Gemini a few years ago. It was a well written review and just wanted to know if there is anything you might add. We are due to cruise SSG soon. There aren't many recent reviews on Gemini and so I thought I would ask you. None that I am aware of anyways. I know it isn't as flash as the SSV but we chose it because it was for 8 days and also because it docked at more Ports. Thank you very much. It is really appreciated.

[deck 9 001]

Hi Thereandback,

 

Thanks for your post. I may be the Mike that you are speaking of, as I have indeed written a few reviews of Gemini.

If you click this link, http://www.cruiseserver.net/travelpage/yourfav/yfc_sr_gemini_18.asp

 

it will take you to my most recent review which I did in May, 2005.

 

As an update, SSG just recently went through an extensive refurbishment in Singapore before her current cruise season. Many alterations have been done, such as reconverting the Royale Club (casino) back into an entertainment bar/lounge with dance floor and band stand. New location for the previous outdoor gym. New card and mah jong room, etc.

New carpets, draperies and wall coverings are also part of this extensive refurb.

 

The Chief Purser (Hotel Manager) aboard Gemini was kind enough to send me some photos post refit, which you can view at this link:

http://www.*****/travelpage/aspgallery/view_ad.asp?Ad_ID=2245

 

The Gemini is a great little ship with much charm and a very happy feel.

I am positive that you will enjoy your cruise with Gemini. I also am looking forward to my next cruise very soon.

 

If you have any further questions or comments, I am sure that everyone here would not mind. Or, if you prefer, you can start a new thread about SSG which I think would be great and many other people will see it and hopefully add input. I for sure will be most happy to participate.

 

Happy sailings,

 

Mike

[Cinnabel]

I am new to these boards as well. Re your query about the Virgo - yes, we sailed on her from Fremantle (West Australia) to Broome in 2003 when she was re-positioned to Australia during the SARS outbreak in Asia.

Beautiful ship with heaps to do etc. We had a lot of sea time so managed to try out a lot of the ship's facilities. It is very Asian in appearance and decor - lots of gold and red - the freestyle dining option is great for warm climates. There was 2 restaurants and a large casual buffet as well as about 8 specialty restaurants which charged a nominal cover fee. At the time, you could get Japanese, Indian, Italian, Chinese as well as others......food, food and more food.

The meals in the 2 main restaurants were excellent as well.

I'm sure you will enjoy. If you are taking the 5 day out of Singapore to the west coast of Malaysia/Thailand you will have heaps of ports, so the ship will really just be your floating hotel.

[There and Back]

Hi Mike,

 

That is the review I was referring to but didn't realize it was written in 2005. Thanks for your reply. We are leaving for our trip soon and will post our experience when we get back. Thanks for sharing.

 

Cheers!

[deck 9 001]

Hi There and Back,

 

Glad that I was able to help. Please do post your comments about your cruise aboard SSG when you return. Everyone, and especially I, will be very interested in your experience, which I am sure will be great.:)

 

BON VOYAGE and calm seas and blue skies,

 

Mike

[deck 9 001]

Hi All,

 

Yes, SSV does have an Asian influence in its decor.

Below is a photo of a section of the Centrum.

In my opinion everything onboard Virgo is very tasteful.

 

Regards,

 

Mike

[kelstar78]

Hi there. We did the Phuket/Langkawi/Kuala Lumpur cruise in 2002 and loved it so much we had to cruise again. This time we thought it would be nice to do something different so we are going up the other side and doing Bangkok and Koh Samui in August. This time however, we will have our 23 month old with us. A few questions...

 

Does the door to the balcony in a balcony cabin have a high lock/latch that little fingers cant reach?

 

Is the balcony furniture fixed to the deck or removable?

 

Are the deck railings a safe height or should be consider an inside stateroom?

 

Does the child care centre accept kids in nappies and what type of care is there available for toddlers under 3 (2?)

 

Will star cruises allow you to select your cabin (subject to availability of course). We are thinking deck 10 starboard side to get the best view.

 

I would love to hear more about this cruise from people. We plan to book in a few weeks when we go down to Adelaide (we are in the outback) and I am so excited!

 

Thanks,

Kelly