Star Cruises moves the deckchairs………….. OK Star moves cruise ships around

Asia’s largest cruise operator and third in the world, Star Cruises, which also owns NCL is really moving the vessels s around deploying Superstar Virgo to Hong Kong from Singapore and Superstar Aquarius to Singapore from Hong Kong in 2008.

Meanwhile, Superstar Libra will be based and sailing out of Hong Kong for the winter season from November 2007 to March 2008.

Superstar Virgo’s seasonal redeployment of just over six months will see her depart Singapore on 28 March 2008 and returning to her homeport in Singapore on 26 October 2008, with the relocation cruise from Singapore calling at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Sanya in China on 30 March and 1 April respectively prior to arriving in Hong Kong on 2 April 2008.

Her inaugural cruise season in Hong Kong will comprise of a combination of destination cruises to Xiamen and Sanya in China and Halong Bay, Vietnam and one-night cruises. In addition there will also be four special cruises to Keelung, Taiwan in April, June, July and September next year.

Superstar Aquarius which joined the Star Cruises fleet in June this year will be sailing from Hong Kong to Singapore on 24 March 2008 and will commence her cruise season in Singapore on 28 March 2008 offering a combination of 4-night exciting destination cruises to Penang, Malaysia and Phuket, Thailand and one-night as well as two-night cruises.  She will depart Singapore on 24 October 2008 and will arrive back in Hong Kong on 28 October 2008.

“The forthcoming seasonal repositioning of Superstar Virgo and Superstar Aquarius is part of the company’s itinerary planning exercise to provide greater variation and cruise options to our valued guests in this region

”As each ship has a unique flavour and splendour, we feel it is only apt to make available our different cruise experiences to our guests of differing parts of the region from varied ports-of-calls.”

“Also, these deployment plans are in line to meet the demand of the respective markets to ensure the needs of our guests are satisfied.” said Mr. Michael Goh, Star Cruises’ Vice President, Sales & Marketing – Greater China.

The SuperStar Libra is then scheduled to arrive at Hong Kong on today and will then depart Hong Kong on 26 March 2007 to arrive back in Taiwan two days later on 28 March.

During her stint whilst based in Hong Kong, SuperStar Libra will offer exciting 2-night cruises to Haikou, China and 2-night cruises to Zhanjiang, China as well as fantastic 4-night cruises to Sanya, China and Halong Bay, Vietnam.

Other special cruises include the 3-night cruise to Kaoshiung, Taiwan and the 6-night cruise to Haikou, China, Halong Bay and Danang, Vietnam in February 2008.

“It is truly an exciting time as we continue to consolidate our position as the leading cruise line in Asia­Pacific through the depth and wealth of experience gained over the past decade.”

“The special deployments, itineraries and ship showcases are just the beginning of our efforts to further contribute and develop the cruise industry in this region of vast and rich potential,” said Ms. Jean Teo, Star Cruises’ Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing.

“Above all, and most importantly, we take pride that with our experience and passion to continuously improve and innovate, as well as with the best know-how and expertise of our Captains, Officers and vibrant crew staff, exceptional world-class facilities and entertainment, we will continue to specially cater to the varying needs and tastes of all our guests, repeat and new, in the region,” Ms. Teo further added.

Those of you who remember the SuperStar Leo operating out of Sydney and the SuperStar Virgo operating outf Fremantle during the SARS challenges in Asia will be pleased to hear that the Superstar Leo is currently operating out of New York under the NCL flag as the Norwegian Spirit.

A Report by The Mole