Star confirm first European venture
Asian cruise line Star Cruises has confirmed it will reposition a ship in Europe for the first time this summer.
It will base the 1,480-capacity SuperStar Libra in Malta from June 6 and operate seven-day eastern Mediterranean cruises.
European director of sales and marketing Mike Dupont said the repositioning from Mumbai to Malta will enable “cautious” travellers to experience the product.
“The arrival of the first-ever Star Cruises ship to sail in the Med this summer will give our travel partners and cruise enthusiasts the chance to experience our product a little closer to home,” he explained. “Showcasing what we have to offer in Asia-Pacific but without the long haul flight makes for a perfect introduction to Star Cruises for the cautious traveller.”
Star, which owns Norwegian Cruise Lines and Orient Lines, will retain the ship’s Far East flavour and feature a 24-hour hawker-style restaurant offering Asian specialities. Its main restaurants and buffet will also be heavily Asia-influenced.
Continental options will also be available with the cruise line featuring its first Two Trees Steakhouse, developed especially for the UK market.
All restaurants will operate the Freestyle Cruising concept enabling passengers to dine where, when and with whom they like.
The cruises will depart Valetta and call at Rome (Civitavecchia), La Spezia (Florence and Pisa), Olbia and Naples. Packages offered by Malta specialist Belleair cost £719 per person including flights.
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