Revamped SuperStar Gemini to be based in Sanya from Mid-Oct 2013
SuperStar Gemini, formerly known as Norwegian Dream, will join SuperStar Virgo, SuperStar Aquarius, SuperStar Libra and Star Pisces to offer holiday experiences for guests from Asia-Pacific and beyond. The boat launch is due in early 2013 with SuperStar Gemini inaugurating a series of cruises from Penang (2 – 24 Jan) calling at Krabi / Phuket in 17 cruises; a 7 days / 6 nights special cruise (24 Jan – 1 Feb) to Singapore / Ho Chi Minh City / Nha Trang / Hong Kong; and from Sanya (1 Feb – 31 March) calling at Danang / Halong Bay / Hong Kong in 26 cruises.
From April to Oct 2013, the vessel will be based at its summer home port in Shanghai, offering over 30 cruises to a number of highly popular destinations including Cheju, Busan, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Naha, Ishigaki and Keelung. A number of special chartered cross-strait itineraries from Shanghai to Taiwan are in the pipeline, subject to approval by the authorities. These cruises are expected to be highly popular following the boom in travel between Mainland China and Taiwan. From Mid-October 2013, SuperStar Gemini will be based in Sanya (Hainan Island), calling at Vietnam ports amongst others.
Mr William Ng, Chief Operating Officer of Star Cruises, said, “As the leading Asia-Pacific cruise line, Star Cruises is proud to introduce another luxury vessel in Asia, serviced by our signature heart-warming Asian hospitality. SuperStar Gemini shows our ongoing effort to expand our footprint in the region from our well-established key markets in Hong Kong, Penang, Sanya, Singapore and Taiwan. With the strengthening of our fleet, we are well-positioned to further develop the Asia-Pacific cruise market by introducing world-class cruising experience as a holiday option to the growing North Asia holidaymakers.”
The refurbished SuperStar Gemini will house new onboard facilities including restaurants of Chinese, Asian and international cuisines, open-deck barbecue, show lounge, karaoke, spa & health club, beauty salon, children’s playroom and swimming pool. With a passenger capacity of 1,532, the vessel will house 766 guest cabins in a variety of layouts including ergonomic ocean view rooms, stylish junior suites and deluxe executive suites. The shopping area will comprise over 400 m2 of facilities, providing a premier duty-free shopping experience like no other SuperStar Gemini’s refurbishment follows SuperStar Virgo, SuperStar Aquarius and Star Pisces, which all underwent a make-over last year totalling over US$ 38 million. As part of Star Cruises’ ongoing refurbishment exercise, SuperStar Libra will also undergo a complete overhaul in early 2013.