Star Cruises to triple retail space onboard SuperStar Virgo

HONG KONG. Retail space will triple to 562 sq m 
on-board SuperStar Virgo, the largest ship in Star Cruises’ Asian fleet, as part of a big upgrade set to take place in January. China Duty Free Group manages the duty free business on Star Cruises’ vessels. 

The ship will undergo a three-week dry-dock renovation from 5 to 29 January, during which the 13-deck vessel will have an upgrade to cabins, retail, hotel, dining and recreational facilities. 

Star Cruises Chief Operating Officer William Ng said: “This US$19.7 million refurbishment of SuperStar Virgo is a reflection of our continuous drive to grow in Asia. This will further cement Star Cruises’ leading position in the Asia-Pacific cruise industry. SuperStar Virgo will be on her home-port deployment in Hong Kong from April to October next year. Domestic travelers as well as those from China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan are expected to flock to Hong Kong next year to enjoy the top notch accommodation, shopping, leisure, entertainment and dining options available on this ship.” 

SuperStar Virgo is currently home-ported in Singapore, offering itineraries to Penang, Phuket, Malacca and Port Klang. From 2 April to 28 October, 2014, SuperStar Virgo will be on her six-month Hong Kong homeport deployment, bringing passengers to Keelung (Taipei), Taichung and Kaohsiung in Taiwan, Sanya in Hainan and Halong Bay in Vietnam. 

Source: http://www.moodiereport.com/document.php?c_id=6&doc_id=37676

Star Cruises raising funds for Sabah Kidney Society

Kota Kinabalu: Star Cruises has set aside a substantial number of cabins on three of its cruises and donating all the proceeds to the Sabah Kidney Society (SKS).

"Recently, we have sponsored 100 breast cancer survivors from Kinabalu Breast Cancer Support Association (Kinabalu Pink Ribbon), their families and caregivers to join us for a free cruise.

"Our company has always bee

n committed to giving back to the community. We have organised various charitable activities, supporting different causes in the respective communities across Asia.

"We are more than happy to help raise funds for the Sabah Kidney Society this time," said Star Cruises Vice President, Edward Johann Leong.

SKS is a non-governmental organisation and a non-profit association.

They provide quality and affordable haemodialysis treatment to end-stage renal failure patients by heavily subsidising the costs of these treatments.

At present, they have 36 patients, 10 machines and eight full-time staff.

Apart from providing treatment, SKS also organises preventative education programmes, from public forums to create awareness on kidney ailments, early detection and treatment, to exhibitions, distribution of organ donation leaflets and providing urine screening, blood glucose tests and blood pressure checks in urban and rural areas.

"It is heart-warming to know that there are corporations out there who still care, and Star Cruises has stepped up to the mantle by generously donating all proceeds from the cabins set aside for this purpose.

We are very grateful," said SKS Chairman Chung Kee Hung.

He also seeks public support in helping these patients.

"Contributions in any amount are always welcome and will be channelled towards the running of the dialysis centre."

The three charity cruises will be on SuperStar Aquarius on Dec 21, Jan 4 2014 and Jan 18 2014.

Donations and booking information for these special cruises can be obtained from SKS Secretary, Rosalind Lau, at 016-8401872 or the SKS office at 088-219901.

Star Cruises Online Check-in

Good news to all Star Cruises passengers!

As part of the ongoing initiative to make a Star Cruises holiday more hassle-free, we are introducing an online check-in service on www.starcruises.com. Passengers can take advantage of the new feature to expedite their embarkation process. Online check-in is available from 7 days up to 8 hours in advance prior to departure.

See a Check In Demo below and Complete your online check-in now!

   

Source: http://promos.starcruises.com/index.php/star-cruises-online-check-in/

SuperStar Virgo set for $20m cabin upgrade, retail expansion

SuperStar Virgo is scheduled for a US$19.7m upgrade of its cabins and an expansion of its duty-free shopping area during a three-week drydock in January.

The 75,338gt ship will gain upgraded cabins, retail, hotel, dining and recreational facilities. More than 270 balcony cabins will be remodeled with a touch of what Star Cruises called 'urban luxury.' This minimalist décor blends contemporary design and luxurious escapism, the company said.

SuperStar Virgo's retail floor area will triple to 562 square meters. Dozens of international brands such as Shiseido SK II, Biotherm, Lancome and Shu Uemura are to be introduced.

The expansion and addition of duty-free operator China Duty Free, jewelry and watch specialist Canopus, luxury leather goods retailer Milan Station and souvenir shop Ports O’ Call will offer more choices of perfume, cosmetics, fashion accessories, luxury and lifestyle products from around the world.

The ship also offers 11 food and beverage outlets, from the casual Taverna to Palazzo for Italian food, Chinese cuisine at Noble House and Pavilion Restaurant and Southeast Asian food at Blue Lagoon. Following the dry-dock, various dining promotions will be offered.  

Currently based in Singapore, SuperStar Virgo will redeploy to its new Hong Kong home-port from April to October next year.

'Domestic travelers as well as those from China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan are expected to flock to Hong Kong next year to enjoy the top notch accommodation, shopping, leisure, entertainment and dining options available on this ship,' said Star Cruises COO William Ng.

Cruises will operate to Keelung (Taipei), Taichung and Kaohsiung in Taiwan, Sanya in Hainan Island (China) and Halong Bay in Vietnam.

Star Cruises introduced an online check-in service at www.starcruises.com to expedite the embarkation process. Online check-in is available from seven days in advance up to eight hours prior to departure. 

Source: http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/superstar-virgo-set-for-$20m-cabin-upgrade-retail-expansion.html

No Holiday Plans? What About a Hello Kitty Cruise?

If you don't feel like heading home for the holidays, it's not too late to book a trip aboard one of Star Cruises special Hello Kitty.

Up until December 29, you can hop on-board either the SuperStar Virgo (departing out of Singapore) or SuperStar Libra (out of Penang, Malaysia) for a cruise that touts, "family bonding just got more exciting with Hello Kitty and Friends!"

The cruises will allow families (and Hello Kitty fans in general) to hang out with Hello Kitty, Dear Daniel, My Melody, and Bad Batz Maru during one of the many meet and greets. And, passengers will be treated to a 25 minute "Hello Kitty's Karaoke TV Musical Show," Hello Kitty storytelling time, Hello Kitty arts and crafts, and Hello Kitty "family fun time." For an up-charge, you can also have breakfast and a tea party with Hello Kitty and her fabulous friends.

Source:http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-12-04/no-holiday-plans-what-about-a-hello-kitty-cruise