Golden Steeds – Grand
Piazza
For the uninitiated a cruise can be a
great way to experience the most relaxing way of holidaying on high seas. We
took the magnificent 13 storeys Star Cruise Virgo to Penang and Phuket via Singapore for
four days of sheer cruise experience. Welcome aboard Asia Pacific’s super
cruise liner Superstar Virgo, the
ultimate in luxury cruising both style and comfort. Winner of countless awards
for decades, Star Cruises is the
epitome of Asian Hospitality and memorable holidays for the entire family. Get
stunned by the splendid Grand Piazza
with its massive golden steeds welcoming you, this 915 cabin luxury liner
awaits to pamper you with impeccable hospitality on board, making your holiday
an experience of a lifetime. SuperStar
Virgo is a massive ship that can house 3000 guests including staff, our
first day the lobby was brimming with eager excited guests admiring the three
bigger than life size horses in shimmering gold, a grand two way staircase, the
lobby is truly magnificent and opulent.
The Capsule Lift- View from the top-
The cruise to
the Far East has many combinations
of days, places and its worth discovering the 3 nights 4 days package as we
did, the cross section of people boarding from Harbour Bay Singapore, were majority Chinese, Indians and few
Australians and British. We also came across not so shy Indian newlyweds
celebrating their honeymoon to experience the exotic routes in the Far Eastern Seas. Superstar Virgo has Executive, Junior, Star Suites, Balcony, Deluxe
Ocean view Windows and Inside Staterooms, your home on the high seas has a
budget that suits all with classy tasteful interiors, comfortable beds and view
of the sea. While others explored the ship we darted straight to the balcony of
our room on the tenth floor via the capsule lifts, the view of the grand
staircase, the golden horses, the lobby and reception was truly magnificent.
Our superb room for the next few days was truly home and the balcony our
favourite hangout, the excitement was palpable as we settled in.
Food Glorious Food-
Hunger pangs crept in, the
numerous (11) restaurants and bars ranging from the Mediterranean, Chinese,
Japanese, Indian, Italian, spoilt us for choices, we decided to sample each and
every World Cuisine on board. As a
package deal the restaurants like Bella
Vista, Mediterranean, and Pavilion (Chinese) had buffet served all times,
varied, simply delectable food with different set menus for breakfast, lunch
and dinner. For the premium rooms a food credit gave us an opportunity to try
out the speciality restaurants like Samurai for the range of Sushi, all freshly
prepared, authentic Japanese cuisine with a Tatami room for an overall Japanese
ambience. The Italian Pallazo had
impressive Armani Versace crockery serving the best pizzas and pastas.
Cruising Along-
Cruise pass times are many, never a dull moment on board, one can
afford to be a glutton while travelling as the activities on board are
pleasurable and sporty, you can burn all the calories away. An early start, yoga
at the Promenade with an instructor, hearty breakfast thereafter in Bella Vista the largest restaurant on
board displaying an array of Western and Indian breakfast, an hour later we
joined in the delicate art of Sushi
making with Chef Ferdinand from restaurant Samurai. Next stop headed
straight to the Lido where renowned
magician Charles Bach enthralled kids and adults alike. For kids the activities
on board are really exciting, this is truly when cruise life are happy times
for the entire family. The Nickelodeon
Club, Pyjama Jam, Arts and Crafts, Tea Party are some of the Theme events
for children, but most kids love the Nickelodeon
Splash at the Neptune Pool, the
various slides and fun pool splashes, parents have a tough time dragging them
out.
Aye Aye Captain-
Zumba Cardio Dance Party with cruise staff was exhilarating and a
great work out, we lunched at the Pavillion
and tasted the most authentic Chinese Buffet. On board we were so intrigued on
how Star Cruise caters to meals full
house of nearly 3000 people? more on that ,we joined in Executive Chef Reinhard Mammes as he took us on a
tour around the main and biggest galley, we witnessed how chefs prepare all our
meals aboard, but the next stop was even more enlightening. Captain Jan Blomqvist was giving a talk
on the deck above, we rushed in as fixed time slots are given to have the
privilege of meeting him, other technical staff and we were taken to the room
which actually steers the ship! Never realized that it takes Watch officers,
Radio, Chart, Pilot and of course the Captain and many other staff to control
the 76,800 thousand tons Superstar Virgo
with the most modern navigation satellite system.
Starry Nights-
The Parthenon Pool, with family size warm water Jacuzzis in all corners,
dive into the refreshing 7 ft deep cool waters of the pool, glide through the
long and winding water slide on ship for sheer thrills. A quick dash to the Oscar Salon for a nice makeover, we
were ready for the night under the stars, but before that I had to accessorise
at the shopping arcade onboard, a silk scarf and matching top was great retail
therapy. And then the bands began to play, inviting guests to huddle up in
their lounge chairs with exotic cocktails and mocktails, swinging under the
stars on the top deck with Tetra Trio was nostalgic as they belted out Oldie Goldies. The
Lido had an impressive Comedy night, the Bellini had the Sound Clipper Band, at the Galaxy of the Stars -Jazz band entertained for a good two hours. Losing
is no big deal as we played Bingo and Jackpot Lottery, a grand Chinese dinner
at the Noble House lifted our
spirits. Adept at using chopsticks we gorged on the celebrated Peking Duck with
crispy egg noodles and mouth watering chilly crab.
Few More Days....
Mind you all this was a day at
work, the next day we were geared for the exotic excursions to Penang and then on to Phuket, wondered
if the ships activities will be missed. There were so many things to do, I
wanted to join the laughter Yoga classes, Jog
on Star Tracks on the upper most deck, a soothing spa and Aqua Swim at the Apollo Spa, I had even
reserved a luxury private room for four at the Karaoke, I had great plans to sit out at the Tea Culture a quaint tea corner with a great view, we so wanted the
Tatami room one evening at the Samurai,
but it was reserved all days! Luckily we witnessed the most impressive Sunrise and Sunsets by the Promenade,
we missed the adult show Nikita, so much to do and so little time.
Farewell...
The Grand Finale was at the Lido, the last evening after the Gala Dinner spread out in all the restaurants
was a formal affair, the friends we made joined in for a super feast with the
Captain, his crew and family. At the Bella
Vista where we had a sit down formal dinner, the menu was exhaustive and
exclusive. The Lido had a spectacular
line up of international acts and show called Somewhere in Time, with a host of talented singers, acrobats,
actors and incredible costumes, they held the jam packed 800 seater auditorium spellbound.
A cruise holiday makes you long for
more! Star Cruises has different packages to other exotic locations in the
Far East, someday we plan to try them all!
Text- Jyoti Shetty
and Nala Ponnappa of Travel Log Writers
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