Super Star Virgo

[busseltoncruisers]

Oh no resordanis, it sounds dreadful. I'm going for the third time in August. Were you balcony class or world travellers? Balcony class travellers are supposed to have prioity check in etc.

Does anyone know how long they are going to have the overflow of Libra passengers or is that going to settle down soon?

 

Hey Furball what date in August are you sailing. We are going on the 23rd for 5 nights.

[jessicaa]

Hello all!

 

My fiance and I are having our honeymoon cruise on April 12-15. Singapore-Penang-Phuket. Balcony Class. Deck . Cabin 90028. Both of us are first time cruisers. We are so excited!

 

We booked last February 8 thru a travel agent. And I just received our e-tickets this afternoon.

 

It took me 3 weeks to finish reading the entire (as in the entire!) SSV thread.:) I was too shy to ask questions coz it might have been answered already in previous discussions. And true enough, most of the answers were there!

 

I got so worked up and really excited after reading all the wonderful time you had while onboard. I truly appreciate all those who have shared their tips and stories. (Btw, I miss poster Mike.)

 

Anyhow, I got a bit disappointed after reading Jancy's and furballPerth's latest reviews. Too many gamblers and smokers onboard?! Oh no. Staff service deteriorating?! Oh my. Gala night not so special anymore? Tsk. Tsk.

 

I'm really looking forward to an awesome experience, like most of you had (in earlier posts). But this bad review set me back to reality. Well, I guess for now, I will just lower my expectations, and consciously decide to enjoy this trip whatever happens.:)

 

I just have one question. We are from the Philippines, and we dont have a national/identity number.

 

When I tried to register online at starcruise website (www.starcruises.com) and when I tried to apply for a starcruise worldcard, (http://www.starcruiser-worldcard.com/Application.asp) -- the forms are asking for this identification number. Any idea what should I place there?

 

 

Hey I will be going on the same cruise as yourself departing Singapore April 12!! How exciting. We have be en counting the days now. :D

 

Just wondering how did you find out your cabin number and deck etc?? The only information i have recieved from Star Cruises was our Online Booking conformation. We then registered our details online under Booked guests. Should i be worried about not recieving any more contact from them??

[ssv]

We were in Balcony Class and the queue to board was long, much longer than usual. I felt this time there was limited benefits to the Balcony Class except for the on board credit. The drink prices have gone up substantially since last year by about $8.00S per bottle for a bottle of wine. 2 cups of coffee cost approx. $13.00S. We were in love with this ship, crew and the whole Star package but not any more. I do hope our cruise was an exception. The staff and the condition of the ship, plus the food (after you waited up to 45 minutes in Bella Vista to get it!) was great. The food in Samurau fantastic.

To SSV we have been on this cruise around the same time each year and yes, we did know it would be a full ship, but we found (any our opinion only) that they now cater for gamblers with families. Gamblers stay in the Casino, everyone else has to look after the families. Even some crew that we have known for the past 2 years confirmed this. If this is being negative well, so be it. We have come back each year and immediately booked for the next years cruise, but not this time.

Many, many people we spoke to were unhappy and we kept assuring them that this was not the norm, as we have had a great trip in the past. We did not go to the shows, but apart from one act were the same as last year. We like to listen to the live music but even the lounge band was not there this year, being replaced only a week before by a very ordinary trio.

I could go on but won't and believe me I never thought I would ever say anything against this ship.

We will not be going on this ship again in the near future, but will once again go on Rhapsody of the Seas out of Sydney on 2/4/09.

If anyone wants any more information, please just let me know.

 

I see. I can assure you however, that those punters are not regular cruisers whom Star Cruises attract on Weekends but instead are simply Cruisers who went on the ship with family for vacation and went into the casino. I will put this to the lack of responsibility towards the children by the parents rather than the clientele SC is trying to look for, perhaps they should increase the pricing of cruises.

 

The showband's contract was terminated due to discipline issues the Wednesday/Thursday before your cruise. I agree that the trio is rather bland and average however I emphasize that they are last-minute replacement.

 

I think your opinion is very constructive in a way it informs fellow board members what they can expect. It may be a one-off week that your trip was filled with such small issues, I certainly hope so.

 

On a side note, I think the current management of Virgo isn't doing her reputation any good. We shall see if Star Cruises decides to act on the passengers' feedback.

[resordanis]

I see. I can assure you however, that those punters are not regular cruisers whom Star Cruises attract on Weekends but instead are simply Cruisers who went on the ship with family for vacation and went into the casino. I will put this to the lack of responsibility towards the children by the parents rather than the clientele SC is trying to look for, perhaps they should increase the pricing of cruises.

 

The showband's contract was terminated due to discipline issues the Wednesday/Thursday before your cruise. I agree that the trio is rather bland and average however I emphasize that they are last-minute replacement.

 

I think your opinion is very constructive in a way it informs fellow board members what they can expect. It may be a one-off week that your trip was filled with such small issues, I certainly hope so.

 

On a side note, I think the current management of Virgo isn't doing her reputation any good. We shall see if Star Cruises decides to act on the passengers' feedback.

I agree with everything you have said SSV. Unfortunately for the present moment this has not changed our view of cruising with Star. I do hope that management rectify things in the future as in the past we have found this ship to be absolutely wonderful in every aspect of cruising. Perhaps management should look at a change of destinations also. Although I know this will not happen in the foreseeable future but perhaps when the land based casinos are open they may look at longer cruises.

[saffy22]

Hi Everyone,

We are booked for Vigo Dec27th- so spending New Year aboard. Has anyone been on her for NYE? We leave Port Klang at 11.00pm that night, so just wondering what celebrations they may have on the ship? This is our first time with Star Cruises, learning heaps from reading the boards.

Cheers

[tamarindm]

We just went on the cruise to Penang and Phuket. I brought my kids (5 and 6 years old), my parents and my maid. My father is quite weak and we have to bring along a wheelchair for him. I have created a blog about our experiences on the ship. Please feel free to view my blog.

 

http://mysuperstarvirgocruise.blogspot.com/

[tamarindm]

I have been on the SuperStar Virgo once every year, since 1999. I used to find their service quite bad, but this time I think they are trying hard to improve.

[Westaussie]

Hi tamarindm - enjoyed your blog and all the photos. Memories of places we've been to several times. I lived in Malaysia many years ago but we have been on several cruises recently including Virgo.

 

Vera

[furballPerth]

Hey Furball what date in August are you sailing. We are going on the 23rd for 5 nights.

I'm going on 9th August. Just realised that is Singapore's National Day, not that that should affect the cruise!

[jessicaa]

We just went on the cruise to Penang and Phuket. I brought my kids (5 and 6 years old), my parents and my maid. My father is quite weak and we have to bring along a wheelchair for him. I have created a blog about our experiences on the ship. Please feel free to view my blog.

 

http://mysuperstarvirgocruise.blogspot.com/

 

Thanks so much for sharing your blog. Its great to see personal pics of the ship and hear about other people's experiences!!!!!!!!!

[busseltoncruisers]

Thanks Tamarindm for sharing your blog. Comforting to know that staff are helpful with wheelchair bound passengers as my Mum will be in a chair for our August cruise.

[OuiselG]

Picked up our tickets this morning for our cruise on the Virgo on 18th April - can't wait :). We have been on the Gemini before but not the Virgo so it will be a new experience for us. We are also taking our boys (13 & 11) with us this time and they are really looking forward to it as they have never been on a cruise before.

 

I am hoping the negative comments on this thread won't be true for our cruise.....:confused: We will go with a positive frame of mind though so hopefully all will be good.

[Westaussie]

Hi OuiselG - I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time! Have been on both ships and enjoyed them equally - a little more patience needed on Virgo because of the greater number of passengers - the kids will have a ball. Let us know when you return how things went.

 

Vera

[staceymrow]

Hi

Thanks, I really enjoyed your blog.

I am keen to sail on Virgo next year,

can you tell me if you can take wine on board?

Also, do 4 people (2 adults,2 kids) fit in a balcony room?

Thanks

[seasick_in_a_bathtub]

Hi,

 

Yes, you are allowed to bring wine and alcohol on board. I believe there is a corkage charge if you bring your own wine to dinner.

 

Unfortunately, there is a maximum of 3 people allowed in the balcony cabins. Only the insides (and some oveanviews?) have the capacity for 4.

 

Cheers

 

Justine

[MMDown Under]

Let's review what ships Star Cruises has received from NCL lately, and will in the near future.

 

 

I'm personally leaning that the Aloha may be the choice heading for Star Cruises, although I'm sure Star would prefer to get the Norwegian Spirit (ex-Superstar Leo) back. Maybe a trade could be reached, where which ever one of the NCLA ships Star Cruises would get, and other compensations is added, for the Spirit (Leo) to return to Asia instead.

Of course, all this depends upon NCLA going belly up, which may or may not happen. Removing the Pride of Hawaii from the Hawaii market next January will almost halved the number of cabins NCLA has in that market. That might be enough to put NCLA back into the black.

 

Is ex-Superstar Leo still Norwegian Spirit? If so, where does she sail.

 

Like many Australians, I loved that ship when it sailed East Coast Australia (during Sars).

[lolabunny77]

I would like to suggest to anyone in Australia who is considering Pacific Sun out of Fremantle to Asia to instead consider flying to Singapore and go on Superstar Virgo instead on one of their Cruises.The Price works out much the same once you take in pre and post Cruise Accommodation,Travel Insurance and Airfares into account and it is a much nicer newer ship.

I will definetly be considering an Asia Cruise in the not too distant future.So far I have done Pacific Dawn and Pacific Sun in the South Pacific and The Pacific Jewel is on the cards for 2010 or 2011.This year I will be in Vietnam on a Contiki Tour

[MMDown Under]

I would like to suggest to anyone in Australia who is considering Pacific Sun out of Fremantle to Asia to instead consider flying to Singapore and go on Superstar Virgo instead on one of their Cruises.The Price works out much the same once you take in pre and post Cruise Accommodation,Travel Insurance and Airfares into account and it is a much nicer newer ship.

I will definetly be considering an Asia Cruise in the not too distant future.So far I have done Pacific Dawn and Pacific Sun in the South Pacific and The Pacific Jewel is on the cards for 2010 or 2011.This year I will be in Vietnam on a Contiki Tour

 

Does Superstar Virgo do long cruises? Last time I looked they just did short cruises, or two short cruises back to back.

[Westaussie]

Is ex-Superstar Leo still Norwegian Spirit? If so, where does she sail.

 

Like many Australians, I loved that ship when it sailed East Coast Australia (during Sars).

Leo is still N. Spirit and seems to be sailing around Bermuda or Canada/New England these days.

 

We enjoyed her as the Leo too on an East Coast Malaysia trip!

 

As yet, there doesn't seem to be anything exciting with Virgo, same old itinerary that we've done several times before. Would be interested in any Star ship that went to KKB/Brunei etc similar to what the Gemini did.

 

Vera

[MMDown Under]

Leo is still N. Spirit and seems to be sailing around Bermuda or Canada/New England these days.

 

We enjoyed her as the Leo too on an East Coast Malaysia trip!

 

As yet, there doesn't seem to be anything exciting with Virgo, same old itinerary that we've done several times before. Would be interested in any Star ship that went to KKB/Brunei etc similar to what the Gemini did.

 

Vera

 

They don't market their ships well here. I suspect they're more interested in the Asian casino market.

[kuldalai]

Don't bother taking your own grog on board as the corkage charge is stratospheric. In any case Star charges for alcohol are very reasonable at equivalent to Aussie Bar prices.

 

Norwegian Spirit ex SS Leo is cruising out of USA ports . check out itineraries on the NCL website .

 

Princess Cruises are running several Fremantle - Asia round trip cruises this Winter 2009 and again for Winter 2010. Good deals being offered currently by Princess and Sun Princess is a wonderful vessel in good condition , and equal quality to SS Virgo. .

 

Star are not currently running anything other than gambling cruises of short duration aimed at the local Asian market . Sadly the latest Star release accompanying financial results hints that eventually they intend to get out of cruising and into land based resorts and casinos . (After all that was parent Gentings main business, resorts and casinos. )

 

Costa have two vessels based fulltime in Asia now (Allegra and Classica) offering longer duration itineraries out of Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. (Allegra will be replaced by the larger Romantica in 2010.)

Worth checking out their website if you want a longer duration cruise in Asia. Some great itineraries on offer , and pricing is keen.

[seasick_in_a_bathtub]

There is no corkage charge for alcohol consumed in your own cabin. As we always purchase duty free flying into Singapore, it's great being able to bring it on board and have a drink or two on the balcony.

[staceymrow]

Thanks everyone

 

Yes, wine question was for cabin consumption mainly.

 

I may check out Costa iteneries too!(no harm hey!)

[furballPerth]

Don't bother taking your own grog on board as the corkage charge is stratospheric. In any case Star charges for alcohol are very reasonable at equivalent to Aussie Bar prices.

 

Norwegian Spirit ex SS Leo is cruising out of USA ports . check out itineraries on the NCL website .

 

Princess Cruises are running several Fremantle - Asia round trip cruises this Winter 2009 and again for Winter 2010. Good deals being offered currently by Princess and Sun Princess is a wonderful vessel in good condition , and equal quality to SS Virgo. .

 

Star are not currently running anything other than gambling cruises of short duration aimed at the local Asian market . Sadly the latest Star release accompanying financial results hints that eventually they intend to get out of cruising and into land based resorts and casinos . (After all that was parent Gentings main business, resorts and casinos. )

 

Costa have two vessels based fulltime in Asia now (Allegra and Classica) offering longer duration itineraries out of Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. (Allegra will be replaced by the larger Romantica in 2010.)

Worth checking out their website if you want a longer duration cruise in Asia. Some great itineraries on offer , and pricing is keen.

 

 

Kuldalai you are such an expert on cruising. Do you think Costa cruises are as good as the Virgo? One thing I really enjoy with Virgo is the free and easy meal arrangements. You can choose where you will eat and are not stuck with the same people all the time. Not many other cruise lines seem to offer that. I would love to do a longer cruise around Asia than the ones Virgo offer.

[MMDown Under]

 

Norwegian Spirit ex SS Leo is cruising out of USA ports . check out itineraries on the NCL website .

 

Princess Cruises are running several Fremantle - Asia round trip cruises this Winter 2009 and again for Winter 2010. Good deals being offered currently by Princess and Sun Princess is a wonderful vessel in good condition , and equal quality to SS Virgo. .

 

Star are not currently running anything other than gambling cruises of short duration aimed at the local Asian market . Sadly the latest Star release accompanying financial results hints that eventually they intend to get out of cruising and into land based resorts and casinos . (After all that was parent Gentings main business, resorts and casinos. )

 

Costa have two vessels based fulltime in Asia now (Allegra and Classica) offering longer duration itineraries out of Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. (Allegra will be replaced by the larger Romantica in 2010.)

Worth checking out their website if you want a longer duration cruise in Asia. Some great itineraries on offer , and pricing is keen.

 

Thanks for your information re former SS Leo, as well as advice re great itineraries on offer in Asia, with Princess and Costa.