Cruising on Star Virgo
This is my 2nd time on Star Cruises. Went on my first more than 10 years ago with my family when Star Cruise started out way back. I remember that we paid less than S$3oo for that trip when I paid S$600+ for this current trip!!
Comments on my trip:
The queue at the cruise centre was horrible. I had to queue for 1 hour 15 min to check-in and another 55 minutes to board the ship. Of coz, holding a world-cruiser pass made it worse for I had to wait for the passengers with balcony-class privelleges to board first. Finally boarded the ship and found my way to my tiny deckroom (with no port-hole!). It was close to 11am when I stepped my feet into the tiny "box-room".
Besides being tiny and having no port-hole, the room was alright. Two single beds where you could join them togther to get a "Queen-sized" bed. Be minded of falling into the "hole" into between the 2 beds (which often happened). Toilet was equally tiny but I believe two slim lovers could still squeeze their way into the shower room.
Three inclusive restaurant on-board- which means that you do not need to pay when you dine in these 3 outlets (unless you are feeling rich and want to order additional dishes / beverages from the side menu). Below are my reviews of each resturant:
First: Mediterranean International Buffet which serves pork & lard free (Not Halal-certified though due to alcohol served)as well as vegetarian dishes.
My comments: Wide varieties of food especially Indian cruisine but also served spaghetti/rice etc. Huge place with several dining tables by the windown so you can view the sea. However, lack of nice ambience, noisy and messy queue (again!). Not highly recommended unless you are really HUNGRY.
Second: Bella-Vista Resturant which serves both western & chinese dishes. They have about 3-5 choices for the appetizer; main course and desert to choose from for the western menu. For chinese menu, they have fixed dishes for the day.
My comments: Nice ambience, western dining style. Several tables for couples were by the sea. The choices from western menu are pretty fine and catered to the taste of different passengers. I did not try the chinese menu as it did not appeal to me much. In addition, they have a fixed menu where I couldnt pick my dishes especially when I am so picky about food. (Pork and other meat are often included in these fixed menu). For dinner, only formal wear is allowed. For guys, no slippers/t-shirts etc.
Third: Pavillion which serves similar chinese food as Bella-Vista. Due to the great demand for chinese dishes, they have two restaurants catering to the needs. Though I did not try the chinese dishes, it seemed rather popular for families and old couples on-board.
There are other non-inclusive resturants on-board which include The Taj which is the only certified Halal resturant; the Noble House- a chinese resturant etc etc. I couldnt comment much on these as I did not try any of them. Im future, I promised.
Verdict for food: Go for Mediterranean Buffet if you want variety & volume. Go for Bella-Vista if you are seeking for a romantic & nice ambience. And of course, go for Pavillion if you want Chinese food (Duh!)
Other activities:
1. Oasis Casino - the most crowded place on-board. Limited game tables (of course if you compare to Genting/Macau). Sadly, there is only ONE Tai-Sai (Big-Small) table and I lost S$60 at the table. Minimum bet for the games in this casino is S$10. Do not expect the Oasis to be opened for 24 hours like Genting. They are opened only stipulated hours when the ship is on open water. So go eat or sleep while waiting for it to open.
2. Swimming Pool & Jacuzzi - Rather small & crowded. Weather was extremely freezing during the 3 days there so I did not step into the water. Many sun-tanning chairs are available on both lower & upper deck. Go for the upper deck if you want the sun & the breeze. It is more peaceful than the lower deck which is next to the crowded pool.
3. Starlight Arcade - Giving you a chance to play the games of childhood (from Daytona cars to time-crisis shooting machines). A fun way to keep you occupied for one hour if you have about $10 tokens.
4. Celebrity Disco - Almost empty. 1-2 families with some kids in there.(For celebrities only)
5. Galaxy of the stars: Nice place to be at night. Live band and games are available.
What I enjoyed most: Relaxing and care-free vacation. No reception on sea so no one could get me at my mobile phone. Not much spending on ship (Unless you opt to go for additional stuffs).
What I hated most: The LONG queue at Harbour Front Centre.
This is my 2nd time on Star Cruises. Went on my first more than 10 years ago with my family when Star Cruise started out way back. I remember that we paid less than S$3oo for that trip when I paid S$600+ for this current trip!!
Comments on my trip:
The queue at the cruise centre was horrible. I had to queue for 1 hour 15 min to check-in and another 55 minutes to board the ship. Of coz, holding a world-cruiser pass made it worse for I had to wait for the passengers with balcony-class privelleges to board first. Finally boarded the ship and found my way to my tiny deckroom (with no port-hole!). It was close to 11am when I stepped my feet into the tiny "box-room".
Besides being tiny and having no port-hole, the room was alright. Two single beds where you could join them togther to get a "Queen-sized" bed. Be minded of falling into the "hole" into between the 2 beds (which often happened). Toilet was equally tiny but I believe two slim lovers could still squeeze their way into the shower room.
Three inclusive restaurant on-board- which means that you do not need to pay when you dine in these 3 outlets (unless you are feeling rich and want to order additional dishes / beverages from the side menu). Below are my reviews of each resturant:
First: Mediterranean International Buffet which serves pork & lard free (Not Halal-certified though due to alcohol served)as well as vegetarian dishes.
My comments: Wide varieties of food especially Indian cruisine but also served spaghetti/rice etc. Huge place with several dining tables by the windown so you can view the sea. However, lack of nice ambience, noisy and messy queue (again!). Not highly recommended unless you are really HUNGRY.
Second: Bella-Vista Resturant which serves both western & chinese dishes. They have about 3-5 choices for the appetizer; main course and desert to choose from for the western menu. For chinese menu, they have fixed dishes for the day.
My comments: Nice ambience, western dining style. Several tables for couples were by the sea. The choices from western menu are pretty fine and catered to the taste of different passengers. I did not try the chinese menu as it did not appeal to me much. In addition, they have a fixed menu where I couldnt pick my dishes especially when I am so picky about food. (Pork and other meat are often included in these fixed menu). For dinner, only formal wear is allowed. For guys, no slippers/t-shirts etc.
Third: Pavillion which serves similar chinese food as Bella-Vista. Due to the great demand for chinese dishes, they have two restaurants catering to the needs. Though I did not try the chinese dishes, it seemed rather popular for families and old couples on-board.
There are other non-inclusive resturants on-board which include The Taj which is the only certified Halal resturant; the Noble House- a chinese resturant etc etc. I couldnt comment much on these as I did not try any of them. Im future, I promised.
Verdict for food: Go for Mediterranean Buffet if you want variety & volume. Go for Bella-Vista if you are seeking for a romantic & nice ambience. And of course, go for Pavillion if you want Chinese food (Duh!)
Other activities:
1. Oasis Casino - the most crowded place on-board. Limited game tables (of course if you compare to Genting/Macau). Sadly, there is only ONE Tai-Sai (Big-Small) table and I lost S$60 at the table. Minimum bet for the games in this casino is S$10. Do not expect the Oasis to be opened for 24 hours like Genting. They are opened only stipulated hours when the ship is on open water. So go eat or sleep while waiting for it to open.
2. Swimming Pool & Jacuzzi - Rather small & crowded. Weather was extremely freezing during the 3 days there so I did not step into the water. Many sun-tanning chairs are available on both lower & upper deck. Go for the upper deck if you want the sun & the breeze. It is more peaceful than the lower deck which is next to the crowded pool.
3. Starlight Arcade - Giving you a chance to play the games of childhood (from Daytona cars to time-crisis shooting machines). A fun way to keep you occupied for one hour if you have about $10 tokens.
4. Celebrity Disco - Almost empty. 1-2 families with some kids in there.(For celebrities only)
5. Galaxy of the stars: Nice place to be at night. Live band and games are available.
What I enjoyed most: Relaxing and care-free vacation. No reception on sea so no one could get me at my mobile phone. Not much spending on ship (Unless you opt to go for additional stuffs).
What I hated most: The LONG queue at Harbour Front Centre.
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