Star Cruises cites performance of its largest ship 'Super StarVirgo'

MANILA, Philippines – Star Cruises, the leading cruise line in Asia-Pacific and the world’s third largest cruise operator takes pride in citing the performance of its largest ship, the ‘Super Star Virgo’, in the matter of excellence in sea navigation.
The vessel is run by well-trained, professional and experienced deck officers and marine engineers headed by a topnotch and well-respected captain master mariner from Scandinavia, together with experienced crewmembers of various nationalities.

A Panama-registered 13-deck, beautiful and virtually an ‘apple-to-the-eye’ sea queen, luxury cruise liner ‘Super Star Virgo’ is safety of life at sea (SOLAS)-equipped, in strict compliance with the mandatory requirement of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It has 935 cabins and passenger capacity of 1,870 (based on lower berths). The passenger-crew ratio is two crew members to one passenger Its average cruising speed is 24 knots, while its maximum cruising speed is 25.5 knots.

The 76,800-gross ton, 268-meter long “Super Star Virgo,” which is currently docked in Singapore and sailing to Malaysia and Thailand offers so much more than first class dining and entertainment, brings her passengers where the sun, sea, people and culture of well blended colors, as exotic points of destinations speak loudly.

“Every deck on board the ‘Super Star Virgo’ virtually teems with endless fun, entertainment and acitivities,” said Star Cruises Manila sales and marketing chief Andres S. Manzano in an interview with Manila Bulletin, stressing that “as you cruise to the most exotic parts of Asia on this ‘five-star floating resort’, its more than 25 outlets of food and beverage, entertainment and recreation outlets will impress you.”

Aside from ‘Super Star Virgo,’ Star Cruises has three other members of its luxury cruise fleet, namely the ‘Super Star Libra. ‘Super Star Aquarius’ and ‘Super Star Pisces,’ that also sail to various destinations, including seaports of the Asia-Pacific rim.

Star Cruises, together with its co-owner, the Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), is now dubbed the third largest cruise operator in the world with a combined fleet of 18 ships cruising to over 200 destinations, offering approximately some 35,000 lower berths.

Save on European cruises, trains in Asia

The Silver Cloud, part of the Silversea line, cruises through London. The line is offering $1,000 U.S. credit per cabin on some cruises if booked by June 30, such as the 10-day trip from Copenhagen to London departing on Aug. 16.

Silversea cruise savings
The Silversea cruise line is offering discounts of up to 60 per cent on some of its 2011 cruises if booked by March 31. The trips covered by the offer include the 15-day Equatorial Crossing, departing May 4 from Bridgetown, Barbados, with stops in St. Lucia, Dominica, the Canary Islands, Casablanca and Lisbon. The discounted rate for this trip is $4,758 U.S. per guest based on double occupancy. The cruise line is also offering credits of $1,000 U.S. per cabin on some cruises if booked by June 30. These include the 10-day trip from Copenhagen to London departing on Aug. 16 (cost per guest, based on double occupancy is $5,278 U.S.). While the cruise package covers your accommodations, meals, some activities and many beverages on board, credits can pay for onboard spa treatments, shore excursions, premium wines and spirits, specialty restaurant dining fees and purchases in the Internet café and onboard boutiques. The credits cannot, however, be used in the ship’s casino. The cruise line also offers discounts on round-trip economy and business class airfares from certain Canadian and U.S. cities, including Toronto, Boston and New York City.
For details, call 1-877-289-2101 or visit www.silversea.com/specialoffers.

Ireland this summer
Sceptre Tours is offering a fun idea for a summer vacation option for a family of four: a week at a five-star resort in Ireland in your own fully equipped villa for $899 U.S. per person – including round trip airfare from several cities, including New York City (a booking of four is required for this rate). You get to stay on the grounds of The Heritage 5 Golf & Spa Resort nestled in the quaint village of Killenard, just southwest of Dublin, and enjoy a perfect home base from which to explore Dublin, Kilkenny and Waterford. Your accommodations are a two-bedroom villa with a living room, dining room, kitchen, and all the amenities you would expect from a luxury resort. You also have access to golf, spa treatments and a host of free fun family activities including arts and crafts, basketball, table tennis, hip hop dance and family movies. The package includes a week-long manual full-sized car rental.
For more information call 1-800-221-0924, or visit www.sceptretours.com/vacations/ire-res-heri-tzoo-SNN.

Eastern & Oriental Express
The Eastern & Oriental Express train company is offering last-minute, 25-per-cent discounts on trips this month and in April. They include the Bangkok to Singapore voyage (departures March 13 and April 13), which crosses Thailand, travelling past the legendary River Kwai, onward to Malaysia, colonial Georgetown and Fort Cornwallis, before crossing the causeway over the Straits of Johor to the elegant city of Singapore. Book online at www.orient-express.com/web/eoe/journeys/4_129704.jsp.
The 25-per-cent savings is also in effect on the Singapore to Bangkok trip (departures on March 10 and 17). Visit www.orient-express.com/web/eoe/journeys/4_129037.jsp to book. For both trips, use the booking code EC25 when making the reservation online. The deal is subject to availability, which may be limited. The offer is valid for two people sharing State or Pullman cabins only. The offer cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion, and is valid for new bookings only.
The company is also offering several new trips. Although not yet discounted, they include new itineraries in Asia, including in Malaysia and Laos (visit www.orient-express.com/web/eoe/chronicles_asia.jsp for more information on these). Several new trips have also been announced on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, including one that promises to provide a view of Venice through Canaletto’s eyes (More information at www.orient-express.com/web/vsoe/journeys/4_146707.jsp.

San Francisco hotel
The elegant 30-room Inn at Union Square, in the heart of San Francisco, has a special romance package starting at $189 U.S. (not including tax) per night for a couple. The hotel, near the city’s beloved cable cars, renowned restaurants, art galleries, museums, theatres, financial district and the Moscone conference centre, boasts that it offers the ambience of a pied-à-terre with the personal service of a luxury boutique hotel. The romance package includes a bottle of sparkling wine and chocolates upon arrival, continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Plus you get $20 U.S. off for a second night. To book visit https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?Hotel=17247&Chain=6158&promo=ROMANCE

Four Points 40 per cent off
The Four Points by Sheraton hotel chain is offering 40 per cent savings – for every night you stay and pay the regular rate, you can get the next night at 40 per cent off. The offer is good whether you stay two nights, four nights or more. The offer is valid for stays through Dec. 31. There is no booking deadline, but the offer is subject to room availability. The offer is good at participating hotels across North and South America for Thursday to Saturday arrivals. Rates must be prepaid and are non-refundable. Reservations must be booked online through this offer or through a Starwood Customer Contact Centre. When booking, mention promotion code ZB4. Visit www.starwoodpromos.com/bettertomorrows/?IM=HP_SW_LP_BetterTomorrows.

mharrold@montrealgazette.com