Notwithstanding sans a
honeymoon mate, I walked towards the gigantic ship bootlegging the swag of Mark
Renton at the end of Trainspotting. Only
this time, I am Ship-spotting. Unflappably sliding my feet over the smooth
carpet of the hallway of Harbour Front in Singapore, I silently declaimed my
own version of the film’s famous quote. “Choose
Cruise Life. Choose Traveling. Choose a big ship to sail. Choose on-board parties,
choose an island to explore.” Finding myself separated only by a thick
glass and a couple hundred meters of pathway ahead, I stopped on my tracks and
laid eyes on the sheer beauty of the docked ship that awaits my first ever
cruise ship experience.
The vibe certainly
delivers the fervor of choosing life and embracing the good karma unfolding. I
was telling myself in disbelief that “I
am going cruising” even if I am nowhere near hitting 40 years old. Since my
younger years I have always associated this method of traveling with hip retirees
and to episodes of the late 80’s TV show; Lifestyles
of the Rich and Famous, sounding off host Robin Leach’s narration on how
one cruise ship trip would cost an arm and a leg for ordinary folks like us. That
old school idea about cruise traveling is nevermore.
 |
| Topside Pool Bar |
Things have changed
mightily since then – as millennial travelers and backpackers like me can now easily
afford a three to four night jaunt aboard these fancy ships such as Star Cruises’ Superstar Gemini.
Aboard
Superstar Gemini: A Floating Cultural Melting Pot
Rising 10
passenger-accessible decks high and spanning 229.84 meters, the Superstar
Gemini can accommodate up to 2,156 guests and 700 crew members. The moment I
stepped inside I felt being transported into another realm. A miniscule city
popping with a sparkling setting. As the staff ushered us deeper inside into
the sprawling casino floor and unto the Stardust theater lounge, I was
immediately astonished.
“Kyla will perform here tonight” a Filipina ship staff told us. It
didn’t took long for me to notice the presence of many Filipinos working aboard
the ship. The lady crew I talked briefly; Melanie told me that more than 50% of
the ship’s crew are Filipinos. The rest comes from different countries in Asia
such as Vietnam, Japan, China, Nepal, India, Indonesia and a lot more. The
diverse ethnicity composition of the ship’s workforce is enough to create a
cultural melting pot where the guests can easily feel at home at and at the
same time learn more about the various aspects of Asian culture.
That colorful Asian
culture would come to play during the various parties held at night where
Bollywood, Nepalese, Japanese, English and even Tagalog songs are performed by
the musical performers and dancers. Even the cuisines served aboard the
Superstar Gemini’s 11 bars and restaurants are a representation of the rich
culinary culture not only of Asia but the rest of the world.
 |
| Travel bloggers looking respectable for the Gala Night |
The ship’s other amenities
includes; a topside pool for both the adults and kids, a half-basketball court,
Jacuzzi, physical fitness and spa centers, duty free shops, hair salon and
various charming corners where one can chill and relax. The on-board atmosphere
creates a rousing city-like atmosphere where guests can truly enjoy the life on
the high seas with endless entertainment and heaps of things-to-do.
Settling
in my Superior Oceanview Stateroom
Living a temporary Cruise Life will never be complete
without the fancy cabin room. Upon stepping inside my Superior Ocean View State
Room, my elevated expectations was even exceeded by the appealing interior that
greeted me inside. Ergonomically spread out and designed to provide adequate
space for a convenient set of movements, my room is highlighted by the floor to
ceiling glass window that afforded a beautiful view of the blue waters of the
sea and the Harbour Front hub of Singapore.
 |
| Ocean View Stateroom |
I stood by the window for
a few minutes and stared at the fading skyscrapers of Singapore from the
distance and the waters of Melaka Strait ahead. Looking down, I noticed the
calmly manner to which our ship was threading the deep waters - like a hot
knife cutting through butter, we sailed smoothly. “This is not bad” I told myself. “In
fact, it is effing amazing”.
I sat on the couch near my
bed and settled my things. Checking my clock and realizing not even an hour has
passed, a burst of excitement shoot up my body. I became giddy with
anticipation of the other fun events about to happen on the course of our 4-day
cruise ship adventure.
Food-Tripping
and the (epic) 10 AM Pool Party
What to do aboard a ship
that will sail overnight to its first destination of Penang, Malaysia? It turns
out there are oodles of things-to-do and sumptuous cuisines to try on the ship.
Our first morning couldn’t have started more festive when a simple chill out on
the upper deck main pool instantly became a 10 AM pool party.
A member of the ship’s
crew played music on the elevated platform – blasting off a blend of American
pop songs and Bollywood music. In no time, it infused a revelry vibe to the
sunny morning. Not soon after, I and my
fellow travel writers were strutting dance moves near the pool as another crew
of the ship hosed us down with water. As more kids jumped into the pool, some
of their parents joined the mini pool party and even passing guests would look
at us with a bright look of marvel in their faces. 10 AM aboard Superstar Gemini just became one epic Pool Party.
 |
| On-ship entertainment includes this entertaining musical |
Of the eleven bars and
restaurants on board Superstar Gemini, at least four restaurants serves complimentary
buffet meals; Bella Vista (western
food), Mariners (Asian), Dynasty (Chinese) and Oceana (nighttime barbecues and
cocktails). We would be seen huddled around a table at each of these four
restaurants every day – enjoying a good ole talk about whatever over plates of
sumptuous dishes.
 |
| Dynasty Restaurant Photo Credit: Lakad Pilipinas |
Sandwiching the parties
and witnessing the other on-ship events, food-tripping became a favorite
activity of ours. The fusion of cultures aboard Superstar Gemini isn’t only present
in the diverse composition of its crew, it is also in display in the many
delectable cuisines served on board.
On-board
Happenings and the Party Pirates of Melaka Strait
The expansive Stardust Lounge is the place-to-be when
nighttime falls. The first night we watched Kyla; the Philippines’ R&B Princess, performed romantic songs
while playfully mingling with the crowd. Earlier in the night, illusionist
couple Richard Burr and his enigmatic wife, Josette wowed the crowd with some
of their magic tricks.
The next night we became
witness to a spectacular acrobatic slash musical show showcasing elegant
movements, sultry singing and colorful radiance of beaming lights. We capped our
second night with a ‘Neon Party’ that
lasted just after midnight.
There were no down time
aboard the ship as during the afternoon, film showings are held inside the
Stardust Lounge. There are also a few entertaining games the guests can participate
in such as; the Lip Sync battle where
my fellow travel writers Gael, Carla
and Edgar
performed as Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Elvis Presley, while I joined Christian,
Alexa and Mervin
cheering for them.
My favorite was the adult
show Marionettes. Featuring most of
the male and female performers of the previous’ nights acrobatic and musical
show, the spectacle showcases an artistic set of graceful choreography and
stunts that will make you appreciate the casts’ inventive performances and make
you even forget that most of the female stars appeared on stage topless. Well
sort of in my case, because as amazed I was with the performance I still
dreamed about one of the female stars during my sleep that night.
On our last night we
rolled at least three parties to bookend our wonderful experience; kicking off
with the Captain’s Cocktail Party and unto the Gala Dinner and Show, we partied
with other guests and the on-ship entertainers and host for the finale; the
Grand Farewell Party.
Shore
Incursions to Penang and Langkawi Island in Malaysia
The on-board happenings at
Superstar Gemini seems to have brought out our party instincts that we almost
forgot about the shore incursions that awaited us at our daily dockings in
Malaysia. Our first stop was the UNESCO World Heritage city of Georgetown on Penang Island. We explored the city
both on foot and by riding a rickshaw, thus affording us a feel of the place
fused with lovely influences of its colonial past and of the modern times. The
next day we docked at the island of Langkawi,
where an outdoor jaunt aboard a small speedboat took us to the karst-infested
surrounding of Kilim Geoforest Park.
Among the places we visited were a limestone cave and a fish and eagle
sanctuary.
 |
| Penang Street art |
Is
Cruise Ship Traveling Worth the Try?
My answer to that is an ‘absolutely, positively resounding Yes’.
I noticed the rest of the guests were a mixture of retirees, young couples,
families and group of friends. This fact assured me that the prevailing idea of
cruise ship travel is not anymore reduced to groovy retirees, of titas and titos and the likes. Cruise ship traveling has become this
wonderful option to bond with your love ones and friends – or better yet, a
special someone.
As I walked out of the
ship for one last time after we docked back at Harbour Front in Singapore – and
yet again minus a girlfriend, I told myself to experience another get-go at
cruise living in the near future. Hoping next time, it will be with a honeymoon
mate. “Choose life, choose a girl to
cruise with, choose Star Cruises”. I smiled at the idea and as I turn my
head for one last look, I see the gigantic Superstar Gemini gleaming its lights
against the dark skies – appearing before me is not only a picture of a marvel
of marine engineering but also of a blissful place that sails in the middle of
the sea.
(This article originally appeared on the January 22, 2016 issue of Business Mirror and Pinay Travel Junkie)
SuperStar Gemini - Star Cruises
5/F Star Cruises Centre, 100 Andrews Avenue, Pasay City,
Metro Manila, Philippines
Contact Number: Philippines - (+63) 836.6830 to 32
Email Address: salesmanila@starcruises.com
