Need info on Star Virgo - Team-BHP

madbullram · 29th June 2009, 15:33

Hi all,
With my D Day nearing and my suggestions for my honeymoon, going on a Cruise fascinated both of us. I am thinking on taking 3 nights cruise from Singapore on Star Virgo.

Looking for information on what I should look for and account for (we both aint sea sick).

I see that the cost is all inclusive but shore excursions are separate.

I am thinking of taking Cabin with a window (ocean view) on deck 9. Let me know if its a good choice

travelwriter · 29th June 2009, 16:09

I was on that cruise some 3 years ago. So some details might be foggy. But still here goes for whatever it is worth.

I took the Singapore, Malacca, KL trip (2 nights / 3 days).

The ship has everything in it and the food and drinks are available at rates comparable to Singapore land rates. You have a choice of restaurants right from Indian Jain style food to Chinese, Italian...and everything else.

Your ticket entitles you to free food in two of the reastaurants (the buffet only). You can eat there 5 times a day. The buffet is spread out 5 times a day.

While getting in, you will have to go through the same process that you do in the International Airport while leaving India. Similar forms and procedures. The line is pretty long and they are very strict about timings. Please be there on time. This process should take you between 45 minutes to an hour.

Once you are in, each of the passengers is given a smart card. You can use this to do all the purchases aboard. Everything...shopping, food, drinks, shows, movies. It covers everything. You have to pay while de-boarding.

While checking in, they will transfer your luggage to your cabins. Once you are in, it is a totally different world. Enjoy, relax, do whatever you want. The ship has everything, movies, live bands, swimming pool, stage shows, creche for little ones, 3 or 4 pubs, several retaurants, shopping mall, games, casino...everything.

My sincere suggestion is, don't waste time sleeping. There is a lot to see and enjoy. You can even go to the captain's deck or arena (whatever you call that).

When the ship docks, they arrange for the transfers to the main city. Please check this once because our travel agent did everything and we had to pay only for personal shopping. The ticket to Star Cruise generally includes the transfer cost, but please check it once.

Overall, it is a wonderful place to be and an experience of a life time.

Enjoy it

madbullram · 29th June 2009, 16:22

Excellent, thanks for the note travel. I just spoke to Star Cruise office, they have a 60 day saver package, which would get both us on it for 51k net.

I am then planning to stay in Singapore for 2 days so we can check out few places and then come back.

How is transport from airport to the harbor, any good options or is taxi?

I am planning on taking the flight on 30th which would arrive by 6 am. The cruise leaves by 3 PM. So guess will have ample time

aah78 · 29th June 2009, 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbullram

I am then planning to stay in Singapore for 2 days so we can check out few places and then come back.

How is transport from airport to the harbor, any good options or is taxi?

I am planning on taking the flight on 30th which would arrive by 6 am. The cruise leaves by 3 PM. So guess will have ample time

My family went on a 3day sea-cruise on the Superstar Virgo last year. It's not a mega-ship like some of the Carnival / Princess ships but it's plenty big.

Kesari Tours, based in Mumbai, arranged bus-tours of Singapore, hotel bookings and transport.

Yeah if your flight arrives by 6am, then you'll have ample time to get to the harbour. Singapore's well connected by taxi, train and bus - though taxi will be preferable as you'll be carrying luggage.

A cabin with an ocean view's always a nice thing. Unfortunately, we were assigned cabins on one of the lower decks, so no port-holes.

Being a foody helps as they have a LOT of it - all the time.
Lot of activities on the ship too.

Enjoy!

WanderNomad · 30th June 2009, 00:39

I went for the same cruise for my honeymoon. Amazing! Lovely! Unforgetful! Out of the World! Lovely buffets (you get Ala Carta also for free though drinks are paid). One should seriously not spend anytime sleeping. Its a once in lifetime experience.

Do carry your swimming costumes, they have a lovely pool and Jacuzzi along with pool side bar - be - cue.

abhinav.gupta88 · 30th June 2009, 00:53

Travelwriter has almost covered every part.
It is a great cruise.
Been there about 4-5 years back.
Great experience.

harjeev · 30th June 2009, 12:01

Hey madbullram
I have been on the cruise twice. Once in 2005 on my honeymoon and then in 2007 on my second anniversary.
The 2005 visit was amazing and that ship sailed from Singapore to Penag and then to Langkawi. It generally goes to Phuket, but that time because of the tsunami the Phuket destination was changed to Langkawi.

The second visit was the cruise ship that used to sail from Mumbai, and though they charged me the same price, I found their services to be of no comparison to the one offered by the one that sailed from Singapore.

Though both the cruises are offered my the same company, the the staff was also quite helpful, but the food quality was a very huge let down. I would say I found it pathetic when compared to the one that sailed from Singapore. (No offence to anyone, but this is my experience.) Also the ship which sailed from Mumbai was about 18-20 years old so the design and everything was of the 80's. Though it was well maintained but age was showing as the wall brackets in my room were coming off, the washroom was broken at places etc etc.

You'll get the idea.

I am again planning to take a 5 night cruise, most likely in Jan10.

Love the experience

I am enclosing some pictures from my visit of 2005, Sorry for the bad quality pics as they were taken from my ancient Sony DSC-P9

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travelwriter · 30th June 2009, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbullram

Excellent, ...So guess will have ample time

The harbour is a good one and half hour drive. Taxi is an option but quite expensive. We had a tour operator arrange a bus for us so we saved that trip. But a taxi, I was told at that time, would have cost me around 70 Sing Dollars. It might have increased now.

In case you are visiting KL, go to Sungei Wang (I am not sure about the spelling). It is a huge mall and offers best prices. There are half a dozen other malls but quite upmarket and expensive.

If you are planning to see Singapore, I would suggest stay at Sentosa Island. It is a man-made island and has some great things to see. A marvellous experience.

Also visit Clark Quay for its happening pubs. For shopping I suggest do window shopping everwhere but buy from Mustafa. You get good deals there. It is huge department store. So big that you can even get lost there. And you get everything there...from a pin to an aeroplane (okay, aeroplane models, but still...you get everything)

Lastly, in the cruise, before de-boarding, you will have to go through the 'immigration' process again. Over there, they have different queues for Indian Passport holders (because Indians constitute a majority of the holidayers). It will take you some time there. Plan accordingly.

madbullram · 30th June 2009, 14:53

@ ALL: Thank you so much. I feel much relaxed now.

Travel: The cruise guys said that harbour area was near by and it would cost 25 SGD, now I know the truth. Any other option?

@ALL: I see there are lot of onshore excursions that I need to pay separately (Phuket and Langawi). Any thoughts on that?

travelwriter · 30th June 2009, 17:48

[quote=madbullram;1364719..The cruise guys said that harbour area was near by and it would cost 25 SGD, now I know the truth. Any other option?...?[/quote]

I was mentioning the distance from Clark Quay to the harbour. It took us around an hour and a half at 6 in the evening. I could be off mark here.

StarVegabond · 30th June 2009, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelwriter

My sincere suggestion is, don't waste time sleeping. There is a lot to see and enjoy.

I think, this is one of the best suggetion for a honeymooner

Singapore Taxi's are pretty honest guys, i have tavelled at all times in singapore, if they say it s 25$ then it will be certainly <25$.

rishab.k · 30th June 2009, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelwriter

My sincere suggestion is, don't waste time sleeping.

He he he. He is going on a honeymoon dude.So you can stay assured about this part.

phamilyman · 30th June 2009, 18:49

Singapore taxis are horrendously expensive - lovely honest people anyday - but like a singapore dollar for like 45sec of waiting (forgot exactly, but it was a CRDi Sonata embera comfort ? blue cab) meant that the km requirement was 5.x S$, while waiting/time charge (it was a nonstop high speed drive) was 7.75$ or something. Ridiculous if you ask me.

travelwriter · 1st July 2009, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by phamilyman

Singapore taxis are horrendously expensive.... Ridiculous if you ask me.

Singapore has the premuim taxis - the mercs and all - that charge a premium. The Toyota Crown cabs are reasonably priced. I remember paying 16 Sing dollars for the onward ride in a merc and paying 6.5 sing dollars on the way back. One has to check this out.

Also, the AC buses and the trains are a good way to commute, too.

madbullram · 1st July 2009, 19:55

Thanks guys. I am also hearing that Train is also convinient to connect Harbour Front.

Now I have one more question.

The cruise is going to Phuket which is in Thailand and Langkawi which is in Malaysia. So to go Onshore, do I need to get Malaysian and Thailand Visa or is there an exception?

29th June 2009, 15:33	#1 (permalink)
madbullram BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chennai & Appleton, WI Posts: 337 View My Garage	Need info on Star Virgo Hi all, With my D Day nearing and my suggestions for my honeymoon, going on a Cruise fascinated both of us. I am thinking on taking 3 nights cruise from Singapore on Star Virgo. Looking for information on what I should look for and account for (we both aint sea sick). I see that the cost is all inclusive but shore excursions are separate. I am thinking of taking Cabin with a window (ocean view) on deck 9. Let me know if its a good choice

30th June 2009, 00:53	#6 (permalink)
abhinav.gupta88 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi ; Surrey, United Kingdom Posts: 3,814 View My Garage	Travelwriter has almost covered every part. It is a great cruise. Been there about 4-5 years back. Great experience. __________________ *vRs(q)® \| ECLIPSE CD7200 MKII \| Illusion Carbon ND-6 \| Harman/Kardon CA470 \| Harman/Kardon CA1500M \| Stereo Integrity MAG D2 V4*

30th June 2009, 12:01	#7 (permalink)
harjeev Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,171 View My Garage	Hey madbullram I have been on the cruise twice. Once in 2005 on my honeymoon and then in 2007 on my second anniversary. The 2005 visit was amazing and that ship sailed from Singapore to Penag and then to Langkawi. It generally goes to Phuket, but that time because of the tsunami the Phuket destination was changed to Langkawi. The second visit was the cruise ship that used to sail from Mumbai, and though they charged me the same price, I found their services to be of no comparison to the one offered by the one that sailed from Singapore. Though both the cruises are offered my the same company, the the staff was also quite helpful, but the food quality was a very huge let down. I would say I found it pathetic when compared to the one that sailed from Singapore. (No offence to anyone, but this is my experience.) Also the ship which sailed from Mumbai was about 18-20 years old so the design and everything was of the 80's. Though it was well maintained but age was showing as the wall brackets in my room were coming off, the washroom was broken at places etc etc. You'll get the idea. I am again planning to take a 5 night cruise, most likely in Jan10. Love the experience I am enclosing some pictures from my visit of 2005, Sorry for the bad quality pics as they were taken from my ancient Sony DSC-P9 __________________ 2007 Tata Safari 2.2 VTT 4x2 2000 M&M MM550 XD 4x4 1985 M&M CJ3B(RHD) 4x4 1963 WILLYS CJ3B(LHD) 4x4 (In hibernation)

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29th June 2009, 16:09	#2 (permalink)
travelwriter BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 122	I was on that cruise some 3 years ago. So some details might be foggy. But still here goes for whatever it is worth. I took the Singapore, Malacca, KL trip (2 nights / 3 days). The ship has everything in it and the food and drinks are available at rates comparable to Singapore land rates. You have a choice of restaurants right from Indian Jain style food to Chinese, Italian...and everything else. Your ticket entitles you to free food in two of the reastaurants (the buffet only). You can eat there 5 times a day. The buffet is spread out 5 times a day. While getting in, you will have to go through the same process that you do in the International Airport while leaving India. Similar forms and procedures. The line is pretty long and they are very strict about timings. Please be there on time. This process should take you between 45 minutes to an hour. Once you are in, each of the passengers is given a smart card. You can use this to do all the purchases aboard. Everything...shopping, food, drinks, shows, movies. It covers everything. You have to pay while de-boarding. While checking in, they will transfer your luggage to your cabins. Once you are in, it is a totally different world. Enjoy, relax, do whatever you want. The ship has everything, movies, live bands, swimming pool, stage shows, creche for little ones, 3 or 4 pubs, several retaurants, shopping mall, games, casino...everything. My sincere suggestion is, don't waste time sleeping. There is a lot to see and enjoy. You can even go to the captain's deck or arena (whatever you call that). When the ship docks, they arrange for the transfers to the main city. Please check this once because our travel agent did everything and we had to pay only for personal shopping. The ticket to Star Cruise generally includes the transfer cost, but please check it once. Overall, it is a wonderful place to be and an experience of a life time. Enjoy it

29th June 2009, 16:22	#3 (permalink)
madbullram BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chennai & Appleton, WI Posts: 337 View My Garage	Excellent, thanks for the note travel. I just spoke to Star Cruise office, they have a 60 day saver package, which would get both us on it for 51k net. I am then planning to stay in Singapore for 2 days so we can check out few places and then come back. How is transport from airport to the harbor, any good options or is taxi? I am planning on taking the flight on 30th which would arrive by 6 am. The cruise leaves by 3 PM. So guess will have ample time

30th June 2009, 00:39	#5 (permalink)
WanderNomad BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Delhi Posts: 165	I went for the same cruise for my honeymoon. Amazing! Lovely! Unforgetful! Out of the World! Lovely buffets (you get Ala Carta also for free though drinks are paid). One should seriously not spend anytime sleeping. Its a once in lifetime experience. Do carry your swimming costumes, they have a lovely pool and Jacuzzi along with pool side bar - be - cue.

30th June 2009, 14:53	#9 (permalink)
madbullram BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chennai & Appleton, WI Posts: 337 View My Garage	@ ALL: Thank you so much. I feel much relaxed now. Travel: The cruise guys said that harbour area was near by and it would cost 25 SGD, now I know the truth. Any other option? @ALL: I see there are lot of onshore excursions that I need to pay separately (Phuket and Langawi). Any thoughts on that?

30th June 2009, 17:48	#10 (permalink)
travelwriter BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 122	[quote=madbullram;1364719..The cruise guys said that harbour area was near by and it would cost 25 SGD, now I know the truth. Any other option?...?[/quote] I was mentioning the distance from Clark Quay to the harbour. It took us around an hour and a half at 6 in the evening. I could be off mark here.

30th June 2009, 18:49	#13 (permalink)
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ask me, no? Posts: 2,858	Singapore taxis are horrendously expensive - lovely honest people anyday - but like a singapore dollar for like 45sec of waiting (forgot exactly, but it was a CRDi Sonata embera comfort ? blue cab) meant that the km requirement was 5.x S$, while waiting/time charge (it was a nonstop high speed drive) was 7.75$ or something. Ridiculous if you ask me.

1st July 2009, 19:55	#15 (permalink)
madbullram BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chennai & Appleton, WI Posts: 337 View My Garage	Thanks guys. I am also hearing that Train is also convinient to connect Harbour Front. Now I have one more question. The cruise is going to Phuket which is in Thailand and Langkawi which is in Malaysia. So to go Onshore, do I need to get Malaysian and Thailand Visa or is there an exception?