My family went on our first cruise adventure on Superstar Virgo.  We took the 4 days 3 nights cruise to Penang and Phuket which departed from Singapore Cruise Centre on Sunday afternoon and returned on Wednesday evening.

 

All aboard!

We boarded the ship at about noon after checking in our bags, collecting our boarding passes, clearing immigration, and surrendering our passports to cruise officials. After a welcome drink at the lobby (a treat specially for balcony room guests), we headed straight to our room.  As there were six of us, including my mom, we had to take 2 rooms.   I booked the rooms several months ahead, so I got a 40% discount for them.

We managed to have a meal and explore many parts of the ship even before it departed.  The lobby was really grand with three golden horses, and glass elevators.  Shore excursion could also be booked at the reception at the lobby.

Superstar Virgo Cruise

There was an Activity Centre where guests made reservations for activities. There were also a library, an arcade, an aquaswim, a gym and a miniature golf area at the roof deck.  The Galaxy of the Stars had a dance floor with live music, food and drinks.

Superstar Virgo Cruise

Just before we departed, we had to attend a compulsory safety briefing.  Then, at about 4pm, the ship set sail.

Superstar Virgo Cruise

 

Dining

Shortly after we departed, it was already time for dinner.  There were several dining options.  Some of them were free, while others were chargeable.  Most had a smart casual dress code.  Since we had $200 dining credits for each balcony room, we ate at “The Taj” on our first evening.  It had a halal Indian buffet spread.  On our second evening, we enjoyed a barbecue dinner at the Mediterranean Terrace.

Superstar Virgo Cruise Dining

Most of the time, we ate at the Mediterranean Buffet and Terrace, which was free and did not require us to dress up.  It had a good buffet spread and good view of the sea.  They even had a separate buffet line serving vegetarian cuisine.

Superstar Virgo Cruise Dining - Mediterranean Buffet

Since our meals at the Mediterranean buffet and terrace were free, we initially used up our dining credits on drinks, but we later realised that the Swensen’s ice cream sundaes at Gelato was more worth it than the drinks.

Superstar Virgo Cruise Ice Cream

 

Swimming Pools

Apart from eating, there were a lot of activities in store for guests.  Everyday, we received a newsletter listing all the activities for the day.  Some were free, and others were chargeable.

One of the free activities was swimming, something that my kiddos enjoy.  There were two swimming pools, one for adults, and the other for kids.

 

The Neptune’s Wet and Wild (below) is definitely for kids.  My girls enjoyed playing at Neptune’s Wet and Wild.

Superstar Virgo Cruise - Kids Pool

 

The Panthenon Pool was 2.4m deep! This was definitely not for kids. I wonder why they made the pool so deep.   There was also a large and windy water sliding tube and four jacuzzis.  The water in the jacuzzi was warm and very relaxing.

Superstar Virgo Cruise Pantheon Pool

 

Shows

There were different shows every evening at the Lido after dinner.  The first night was a magic show.  The second night was a show put up by the crew, and the third night was a show put up by a professional entertainment group. The Lido theatre was so packed that a number of guests had to stand throughout the show.

Superstar Virgo Cruise Shows

The magician also put up a daring stunt for us at the swimming pool.

Superstar Virgo Cruise Magic Show

 

 

Gala Dinner

On the last evening, we were treated to a Gala dinner.  The dinner was free but reservations were required.   Gala dinner guests also had to dress up a little.  When I got my cruise tickets, there was a note saying that men had to wear suits and ladies had to wear cocktail dresses, but actually, we only had to wear smart casual clothes.
The gala dinner was held at two restaurants, the Chinese restaurant and the Bella Vista.  There was a vegetarian menu, as well as several choices of continental cuisines at the Bella Vista.

Superstar Virgo Cruise Gala DinnerSuperstar Virgo Cruise Gala Dinner

 

View from the Balcony

The best part about staying in a balcony room was the sea view. We could enjoy it without even getting out of bed.  At night, it was so dark that you could not even tell where the sea ended and sky began.   It was so nice just to chill out on the balcony chair watching the starry sky and enjoying the fresh breeze.

I was especially in awe by the beautiful sunrise and sunset.   As our balcony room was on the port side, we got to see sunrise when we headed north to Phuket and sunset when we headed south to Singapore.

Can you tell which photo is of a sunset and which photo is of a sunrise?

Superstar Virgo Cruise Sunrise

Superstar Virgo Cruise Sunset

Well, if you guessed the first one to be a sunrise and the second one to be a sunset, then you are absolutely right!

As we had gone during the December school holidays, there was also Nickelodeon at Sea onboard Superstar Virgo.  Find out more about what fun things my kids did with Nickelodeon at Sea.

 

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