Superstar Gemini

[ssv]

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.

[electricron]

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.

 

I must admit the superstructure goes far too far forward.

But you have to remember, it was initially designed by Americans to have the maximum number of cabins in as small a hull as possible, for tax purposes. NCL stretched the America at a shipyard in Germany where it was completed to accommodate Freestyle Cruising with extra restaurant choices. It has nice sized cabins and great public rooms; it doesn't look too strange when you are aboard because you can't see it. ;)

 

While I'm sure Star Cruises would love to get the Libra (now Star) and Scorpio (now Dawn) back, I don't think NCL will want to part with them soon. The built for Freestyle ships NCL would wish to part with sooner would be the Aloha or Spirit, as neither have the every more popular mini-suite class of cabins. Both the Star and Dawn are considered modern ships in NCL's fleet, and still get top dollar on fares.

I expect the Dream will make its way to Asia by the end of 2008, and the Majesty to join her by the end of 2009; in time for NCL's next new build, a F3 class at 150,000 tons, which should join the fleet in early 2010.

[thepairofus]

we are going on the Gemini on the 30th March 2008

[cruisin_D]

Hi all

 

We are looking at booking to go on the Gemini and have 2 small children, one who will have only just turned one when we go. So I was wondering about whether we would have to take a portacot for her or whether they have them onboard and how would it fit into the basic room.

 

Has anyone travelled on the Gemini with small kids (ours are 3 and 1)? We are going in a group of 6 other adults, grandparents and Aunties, so plenty of rellies to help with the kids.

 

Cheers

[Riviera 30]

Hi All

Cruising D, we sailed a couple of months ago and we were in a basic inside stateroom as a couple, by the time we had the suitcases in I doubt if you could fit a cot, we were told suitcases could fit under the beds but the large type definitley do not, we had the two singles pushed together to make a double and we had to put our suitcases in the space next to the bed, this also made it hard for the steward to make the bed, maybe you should be looking for a suite as they are larger, there are plenty in this forum who have stayed in the suites so you should find the answer soon.

Cheers

Les

[kuldalai]

Suggest you book a Junior or Executive Suite at Early Bird rates now, and you will have plenty of room with "billy lids".

 

Junior Suites - with obstructed view means there is a lifeboat outside partially blocking the view. There are 21 of them and they are cheaper Cabin type AD.

Large window - no balcony.

 

Executive Suite - again with partly obscured view is even bigger . Cabin type

AB, but there are only two of them # 7326 and # 7327 . Large window, no balcony.

 

As for availability of portable cots suggest you e-mail Star with your query to starcare@starcruises.com

[cruisin_D]

Thankyou for your feedback. From what I can gather the suites only have a double bed, so there would be room for the cot but not a bed for our 3 year old.

 

Maybe the CAB-Larger Ocean View stateroom would have enough for a cot.

 

Does anyone know if they have bedrails for the beds, cos that could solve our problem.

 

Cheers

[kuldalai]

Some of you have been suggesting the pending transfer of Dream from NCL to Star later this year . Well that might get accelerated or delayed by events of last Monday . Dream collided with a barge in Montevideo harbour tipping some containers and cars into the drink at the harbour entrance . Damage was reported to Dreams bow and a forward ballast tank . Another vessel was delayed in departure, and Orient Lines Marco Polo was delayed arriving till Harbour authorities fished the containers out of the harbour . Item on Cruise Critic News .

[kuldalai]

You can also get four bed cabins in GEMINI .

 

1. Most cabins have two single beds which are pushed together as a "claytons" double bed.

2. Some cabins in categories Inside Stateroom, and Oceanview with Porthole, have also two fold down upper beds on the wall, rather like upper berths on a train . IIRC these upper berths have restraints .

 

Get your Travel Agent to talk to STAR and see what is on offer on date you want to sail .

 

Finally one other option is an outside cabin, opposite an inside cabin (across a corridor) and that will give you 4 beds, or they have stacks of adjacent cabins with joining doors between adjacent suites that would also provide you with stacks of room and 4 beds.

[cruisin_D]

We have booked for our cruise leaving April 20th. We decided to just go the basic room and will have the beds up against the wall and bubs will sleep with me in the double bed and hubby will sleep up top in the bunk.

Thanks for your info.

[bobsydney]

Hi all

 

Have just returned from a sampler cruise on Gemini (Sydney to Brisbane) and having just read the exhanges above about bedding, I have to say that IMO, the beds are not up to scratch.

 

Two single beds (still made up as singles) pushed together with a double/queen bedspread over them is NOT a queen bed. I wouldn't even describe it as a clayton's queen bed as did kuldalai. And if that wasn't enough, I thought the mattresses were showing real signs of age ... they were saggy and uneven and didn't provide for a particularly comfortable sleep. Put simply, they were the worst beds I have ever experienced on sea or land ... other than those in back-country pubs for which you pay about $20/night and get what you pay for!!

 

Apart from that, the ship and particularly the staff were great. Gemini is certainly small by modern standards, but I was surprised at how roomy the public places on board were ... even allowing for the fact that there were only about 400 or so passengers on board. The bar and service on board was second to none ... it's very nice when a waiter who had taken one drink order off me the previous day greeted me by name and then asked whether I wanted the same again ... and he was right!!

 

I very much liked the anytime dining approach in the restaurant and particularly that there were plenty of tables for 2 so that I could choose to dine as a couple (without having to wait for a table to become free) or to join in with other passengers ... it is nice to have that choice, particularly at dinner. The food was also very good by ship standards both in taste and presentation. We are not really buffet people but I noted at one point that the same food being offered in the restaurant was also available in the Mariner's buffet, so naturally I had to do a comparative taste test and was pleasantly surprised at the result. In fact, I would venture to suggest that it was the best quality buffet I have experienced on a ship (at the other end of the scale, the buffet on Norwegian Wind, which is now SS Acquarius, was the worst but I am sure it would have improved since coming over to the parent company).

 

The only problem I have with small ships like Gemini (and indeed Pacific Princess on which I have also sailed) is that their size limits the options that can be offered to guests in terms of both on board facilities (there is for example only one place to sit and have an evening drink) and activities. That is not a complaint but rather an observation, but I think people who want variety may be better off looking at a larger ship than Gemini. Would I sail on her again? Absolutely on a destination intensive cruise (like what she does out of Singapore) or for a short cruise like what I just did. For a cruise around Australia, though, I would probably opt for a ship like Sun Princess rather than Gemini to avoid the tendency for sea days to become groundhog days.

 

I didn't intend to write so much when I started so sorry for the length of this. However, I wanted to share my thoughts on Gemini to future passengers in the same way that I very much appreciated being able to read and learn from other people's experiences before I sailed.

 

Cheers

Bob

[boeckli]

Bob - thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.

[kuldalai]

To be fair to Star Cruises none of their publicity material or website for SS GEMINI advertizes the beds on GEMINI as being Queen size. Rather the terminology used is two single beds which can be used to form a double bed in size. They are normally pushed together to equal the width of a double bed. I refer to it as a "Claytons" double bed only because it is the double bed you have when your'e contemplating chastity ! Honeymooners need to go for the Queen size beds in Junior Suites and executive suites on SS VIRGO .

[bobsydney]

To be fair to Star Cruises none of their publicity material or website for SS GEMINI advertizes the beds on GEMINI as being Queen size. Rather the terminology used is two single beds which can be used to form a double bed in size. They are normally pushed together to equal the width of a double bed. I refer to it as a "Claytons" double bed only because it is the double bed you have when your'e contemplating chastity ! Honeymooners need to go for the Queen size beds in Junior Suites and executive suites on SS VIRGO .

 

I hear what you say but I raised the issue because it came as a huge surprise to us, so I raised it as a warning to others.

 

We have been on other cruise lines and their wording is very similar to Star's - something like 'twin beds can be pushed together to make a queen' - but they then put a queen size mattress pad over the 2 beds and then use queen size sheets etc.

 

The point of course is as you say ... honeymooners be warned!!

 

I take it that the same applies on all Star ships, even Aquarius?? I sailed on her as Norwegian Wind just over 12 months ago and NCL made up our beds as a queen and put queen sheets and all on it. Different arms of the same company doing different things ... maybe it is a culture thing?

 

Cheers

Bob

[NSWP]

I like Asian food, wife does not, looking to do a Gemini or Aqaurius cruise next year from Singapore. Do these ships serve both Asian and International food, say at lunch and dinner?

 

Cheers..Les:cool:

[kuldalai]

1. Superstar GEMINI has two (2) inclusive restaurants . OCEAN PALACE is a traditional Western menu with many other cuisine choices on menu. MEDITERRANEAN BUFFET is Western and other cuisines .

2. Superstar VIRGO has many restaurant choices the main inclusive ones being BELLA VISTA Western menu primarily, and Pavilion Room - Oriental menu.

3. Superstar AQUARIUS has many restaurants IIRC 5 in total . Others will give you a more difinitive answer, but cruising in Asia there will be in the inclusive restaurants there would almost certainly be both Western & Eastern menus.

 

In 2008 SS GEMINI is offering 7 day trips ex Singapore, 21 day round trips ex either Singapore (6 departures) or ex Hong Kong (3 departures). SS VIRGO is based in Singapore till late March, then again from late October. From late March to late October VIRGO is in Hong Kong. SS AQUARIUS is normally based in Hong Kong but will operate out of Singapore late March to late October . Also SS LIBRA operating out of Hong Kong . Exceptional value is SS VIRGO 5 day placement cruises one way Singapore to Hong Kong departing 28/03, and Hong Kong to Singapore departing 19/10 via Sanya (China) and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) . If flying out of Aus airfares to Singapore and Hong Kong are pretty similar and if you start in one port and finish in other then you can get what TA call an "open jaw" return air fare to HK which is like $ 1200 Economy return from Aus . (The open jaw where you do not fly is the HK/SIN leg) .Full details of these placement cruises on SS VIRGO included in link below . SS AQUARIUS also doing similar placement cruises but shorter and direct, no port calls .

Star website does NOT list all itineraries as they are very slow in updating their website. For full list of options look here :

http://www.cruising.com.au/templates/search.jsp?partner=&region=296&cruiseline=30&cruiseship=&cruisedate=&duration=&ports=

 

If you want small ship feel go for GEMINI.

If you want big ship thing go for VIRGO first, LIBRA second, AQUARIUS third.

 

My personal choice is GEMINI first and VIRGO second.

 

Hope all this helps.

[kuldalai]

Les looking at your past cruise history you appear to tend to like the longer trips so suggest you consider the 22 day round trip itineraries on SS GEMINI visiting Koh Samui, Laem Chebang (Bangkok), Ho Chi Ming City, Da Nang, Hong Kong, Ha Long Bay (Hanoi), Nha Trang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching .

Ex Singapore Sundays 11/05, 01/06, 06/07, 27/07, 24/08 and 14/09/08; and ex Hong Kong Wednesdays 21/05, 16/07, and 03/09/08.

 

Star are retiring SS GEMINI from the fleet at the end of 2008 so if you have not sailed on her then suggest you take the opportunity whilst it is still there in 2008 . Great little vessel 4 star standard but with a sensational crew who offer 7 star service .

Further details here :

http://www.cruising.com.au/templates/search.jsp?partner=&region=296&cruiseline=30&cruiseship=188&cruisedate=&duration=15%2C21&ports=

[mummsie]

I like Asian food, wife does not, looking to do a Gemini or Aqaurius cruise next year from Singapore. Do these ships serve both Asian and International food, say at lunch and dinner?

 

Cheers..Les:cool:

The food on the Gemini is great. They have both western and eastern choices for all meals in the buffet and in the restaurant. We especially liked the vegetarian lasagne on the ship - it was fantastic. :D Mummsie.

[boeckli]

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year !

[kuldalai]

Well the good ship GEMINI is at sea today Christmas Day with the next port being Fremantle on Boxing Day . For pax alighting in Fremantle its the end of a full circumnavigation of the Australian mainland . Hope the air con on board is fine because the forecast for Perth on 26/12 is 40 degrees celsius !!! Gemini then takes off same night on first of two 7 day round trips ex Fremantle to Exmouth and Broome which are both reported to be near or sell outs . After that its on to Adelaide, Melbourne & Sydney (for the second time this Season.) Then departing Sydney on 18/01 for 12 day return to Cairns, before finally departing Sydney on 30/01 for the home run to Singapore . Cant wait for 30/01 to come quickly enough .

[Westaussie]

Hi Kuldalai - no, that was today's temperature - tomorrow is 41!!! Last time Gemini was here it was unusually cold and wet, the crew are going to think it is a strange climate in Perth!

 

Best wishes for Christmas and the new year - hope you have had a good day. Our bbq ended up inside in the cool comfort of airconditioning.

 

Vera

[braemar12]

Hi

 

I'm trying to find details of SS Gemini's summer season sailings ex Singapore. Can anyone direct me to a website that has this information. It's relatively tricky to get this kind of information quite easily here in UK.

 

Virtually enjoyed cruising on her sister Braemar and would like to cruise on her sister ship before she sails off.

[boeckli]

Hi

 

I'm trying to find details of SS Gemini's summer season sailings ex Singapore. Can anyone direct me to a website that has this information. It's relatively tricky to get this kind of information quite easily here in UK.

 

Virtually enjoyed cruising on her sister Braemar and would like to cruise on her sister ship before she sails off.

 

Sailing details should be available on Starcruises website http://www.starcruises.com

 

Have you recently sailed on the Braemar? We saw her twice on our recent Caribbean cruise :)

[kuldalai]

The STSAR website is undergoing a re-vamp at the moment and to be kind it is in a bit of a mess, making it hard to find all the itineraries.

 

1. GEMINI is currently downunder in Fremantle doing two 7 day return cruises ex that Port on 26/12/07 and 01/01/08. Then continues onto Adelaide, Melbourne and arriving in Sydney on 18/01/08. Then does 12 day return cruise to Cairns. Finally departs Sydney on 18 day cruise to Singapore on 30/01/08.

2. Resumes normal operations and 2008 Asian season out of Singapore from late February .

3. More up to date specific details are on the link provided below .

4. When she is not going on the 21 day round trip Singapore - Hong Kong - Singapore ; SS Gemini basically departs Singapore every Sunday till end end of 2008 on the 7 Day Straits Adventurer Itinerary . Hope this info helps .

 

http://www.cruising.com.au/templates/search.jsp?partner=&region=296&cruiseline=30&cruiseship=188&cruisedate=&duration=&ports=

[RB35]

Hi Every-one

 

I am cruising on the Gemini on the 2nd of Jan and I have just read that children under 12 years can't use the Pool or Spa's. This was never told to me and I am a little annoyed becuase I would never have taken my 2 boys on a cruise if they couldn't swin in the pool especially since they charged me full price for them.

 

Does any one know how strict they are with this?

 

Thanks

 

RB:confused: