Cruise Ship Diaries

The Super Virgo docked at Harbourfront Center, Singapore.

February of last year, my husband and I had this wonderful privilege of boarding Star Cruises' Superstar Virgo.  The trip began at the Harbourfront Center in Singapore where the ship was docked.  Harbourfront Center is a mid-sized mall, located near the heart of Sentosa Island.  The Center is found adjacent to a larger shopping mall where locals and tourists alike flock daily - Vivo City.  Vivo City houses all the brands every shopaholic goes gaga for.  It is likewise a paradise for foodies like myself.  So in case you're planning a trip to Singapore soon, make time to stop by this glorious shopping haven.  From my personal observation, however, (and from what I hear from friends and family who've visited this tiny but absolutely beautiful country), living in Singapore is quite costly.  Well, at least compared to that in the Philippines.  Hence, in case you plan to max out your credit cards on your trip, make sure you also have plenty of cash available in your purse and pockets! :)  I assure you, it would still come in handy at some point.  After all -take this as some sort of "friendly reminder"- it's often difficult to resist the tempting displays on shop windows, especially when you see the infamous S-A-L-E signs beckoning right before your very eyes. :)

The Grand Piazza.

Anyway, we checked in at around 2:00 p.m. and immediately proceeded in line to finally board the ship.  We were world cruiser passengers (kind of like the equivalent of "coach class" in planes), which pretty much translates to "we had to wait in line for about 2 solid hours before we were actually allowed onboard, because apparently, we're not as special and important as those belonging in balcony class." (Yes, I say this with hints of bitterness, envy and sarcasm. Har-har.)  Bitterness aside, our little cabin actually had everything we needed for a safe, comfortable, and more importantly, an enjoyable journey.
Upon boarding the ship, we immediately proceeded to our rooms.  Then, as soon as our luggage was safely delivered by members of the crew, my husband and I took the liberty of taking an unguided tour of the ship from end to end.  It was good cardio exercise, if I'd say so myself, considering the fact that the Virgo is, actually, massive in size.

Our Little Cabin.

Sure, we didn't have a balcony in our room, but the window above our headboard was enough for us to appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the open waters as we sailed along.  The Virgo is a huge ship with 13 decks, and a capacity of 1,900 people, more or less.  Like most cruise ships, many of the Virgo's crew  members are Filipinos, which fact makes the trip a bit more convenient communication-wise.  

Bella Vista.

Now here's the fun part (well, at least for foodies like myself).  There are several restaurants onboard, and every cruise package is inclusive of onboard meals in the specified restaurants (Mediterranean Buffet & Terrace, Bella Vista, and The Pavilion Room).  But if the guests prefer to dine at the specialized restos (e.g., Palazzo, for Italian food lovers, or The Taj, which serves "halal" food), they may do so at relatively moderate prices.  I personally loved dining at the Mediterranean Buffet & Terrace because they always served "a little of everything"; its daily menu consists of a fusion of different food cultures, which, suffice to say, absolutely satisfies everyone's craving and appetite, be it big or small.  Plus, the fact that the environment is pretty casual (vis-a-vis Bella Vista, which has a more formal ambience), coupled with the spectacular view outside seen through the huge windows in the dining area, makes for a truly fun and memorable dining experience!  For those who prefer fine dining, however, Bella Vista is the place for you.  This is where we enjoyed a sumptuous dinner on Captain's Night, otherwise knows as the "Gala Dinner," where we had the opportunity to mingle and have our photos taken with the Captain and officers of the ship.  The Pavilion Room, on the other hand, boasts of their Cantonese menu, which brings much delight to Chinese food lovers.

The Lido.

Onboard the Virgo, cruisers can always find interesting activities to fill up their day. Apart from dining, shopping at Ports O' Call and the other stores, watching a movie at The Picture House, sweating it out at the Universal Gym, swimming at the Parthenon Pool, dancing at Galaxy of the Stars, or simply lounging on deck in the company of a good book (which, by the way, you can borrow from the ship's Library), you can also watch spectacular performances at The Lido, an Ampitheater which can accommodate roughly 800 guests at any given time.

James Bond Island in Phuket, Thailand.

As for those who seek adventure offshore, several paid excursions are made available immediately before the ship docks on a certain port.  In our case for example, we opted to join the Temple Tour in Penang, Malaysia, which comprised of visiting different Buddhist temples, including the famous Wat Chayamankalarm, which houses one of the largest reclining Buddhas in Asia.  Then, as soon as our ship reached Phuket, Thailand, we grabbed the opportunity to island hop at Phi Phi Leh to see the beautiful Ko Tapu, or more popularly known as James Bond Island, as it was in this island where the James Bond film, "The Man With the Golden Gun" was filmed.

To cap it off, I'd rate my first ever cruising experience with three and a half (out of five) stars.  I'd say it was a pretty romantic getaway; a delightful, albeit short, escape from our rather mundane lives...and I'd love to do it again sometime soon. :)

The Superstar. :)