Cruise Holidays

Ah, cruising. What better way to see the world’s best cruise ship holiday destinations…the romance of the ocean with the breeze on your face as you sail into exotic harbours. Then while you sleep, the excitement builds as you wake to a brand new cruise ship holiday destination next day.

And best of all, no packing and unpacking, just pure relaxation.  Cruising is the hip way to travel in the 21^st century, and we’re ready to take you on board  the world’s best cruises.

We’ve started with the popular south-east Asian cruise hub from our hotel accommodation in Singapore.  Stay tuned, because we’re currently choosing the best cruise line to spend your money on in the Mediterranean.

We’ll report back soon with the best Mediterranean cruise ship holiday on offer in 2008.

SOUTH EAST ASIAN CRUISES  Superstar Virgo

This is a truly memorable cruising experience. The Superstar Virgo is a great experience for people who want a big cruise ship that provides all the comforts of a floating hotel, with accommodation near everything you need on board.  One of the popular routes is the round trip from Singapore that takes in favourite holidays destinations including Langkawi and Phuket.

Accommodation aboard the Virgo cruise ship

The Virgo cruise takes 1,960 passengers  in 980 cabins.  On board, east meets west with an Italian restaurant, lap pools and gym and relaxing bars including the pretty bar with stars in the ceiling at the top of the ship.

The western features are fused smoothly with the Oriental touch of Asian restaurants, bright colours and eastern statues that seem to all work perfectly together.

Sailing out of Singapore harbour is a lasting memory as you look around at all manner of vessel from all around the world, sailing out to sea near accommodation that dominates the Singapore skyline.

The Virgo cruise from Singapore takes in two exotic island destinations that are fantastic.  The first is Langkawi with its white beaches, ubiquitous palm trees and traditional Malaysian island culture blended with new resorts. Take the time to visit some of the newer 5 star resorts right on the beach in Langkawi.

Cruising couple aboard the cruise ship Virgo

The other well-known destination is Phuket, now fully recovered from the tsunami that badly affected tourism along the popular Patong beach three years ago.  Accommodation near Patong beach is now back to normal.

You’ll find some of the whitest sand in Asia on these beaches along with some of south east Asia’s finest resorts.   Because Phuket is in Thailand, it’s a different culture – you’ll find the day time markets running away from Patong beach become cheap neon bars at night frequented by locals trying to entice you into a sleazy sex show.   Fortunately you’re back on the Virgo by this time with your shopping bargains and peace of mind intact.

At reception on the Superstar Virgo, it’s like walking into five star hotel accommodation with plush furnishings everywhere and lifts taking you anywhere you want to go on the 13 decks of luxury cruise ship.

The atrium you’ll notice as you walk on board has a courtyard design, with an eye-catching stained glass ceiling and fountains. Then it’s upstairs to the main gathering areas including cinema, restaurants, shops, the Bellini champagne bar and the Lido theatre.

On the cruise ship pool deck, you’ll find three pools that keep everyone happy; the pool for adults to unwind with no children under 12 allowed, the kids’ pool with its Neptune waterslide that keeps them occupied for hours, and the little kids’ wading pool.

Photo of cruise ship pool

The food on the Virgo cruise ship is as good if not better than many restaurants back at home. The buffet selection is included in the price with variety and freshness ensuring passengers are happy.  If you want something different and a little more intimate, you pay a little more to go to the Italian Trattoria or the world’s first floating Indian restaurant.

Restaurants range from the 550 seat Bella Vista dining room with its buffet, to the Japanese restaurant called Tatami that features seats on the floor and sliding screens.  There’s also Cafe Gelato on deck 12 for ice creams, ice chocolate or pure fresh juices.  And above on deck 13, you can get open-air snacks at Taverna with its nautical themes including sails and wooden barrels.  Or try the biggest jugs of beer you’ve ever seen!

A good tip when embarking a cruise ship journey is to arrive early and go straight to the main restaurant, so you can be eating your five course meal while others are lining up and trying to get on board.  It's all right near your accommodation on board.

Photo of Cruise Ship Restaurant

And speaking of tipping, unlike north American cruises, gratuities are discouraged on the Virgo cruise liner and other Star Cruises, so you’ll get good value for your money on board, especially with the strong dollar (and British pound) against the Singapore dollar.  A good bottle of wine will cost you $20 and beers start at $3.

For the frazzled adults who want a break, there’s a childcare centre on board with activities that will occupy your little treasures for hours, and an hourly rate to use it.

Cruise Ship Accommodation

There are five types of cabins, ranging from inside cabins to  ocean view cabins with small verandas and luxurious executive suites. There are a thousand cabins on board the Virgo, the majority with an ocean view and many have “Pullman” beds coming out of the walls for  family use.

Photo of large luxury cruise ship cabin accommodation

There are video channels on every cabin’s TV plus enquires, safes and even hairdryers. Cruise ship cabins are serviced daily and you can order room service for a reasonable charge.

Cruise ship accommodation is generally not large, unless you go for the suites with their separate sleeping and meals areas (and higher prices).  The good news is that the world’s newer cruise liners such as those in the Royal Caribbean fleet have cabin configurations that allow beds to be put together to  make it more comfortable for couples.

Cruise Ship Holiday Summary

The Superstar Virgo cruise is good value for money, especially when combined with a Fly/Cruise package into and out of the busy hub of Singapore.

The ship’s appointments are first class and the destinations are exotic and easy when you’re travelling by cruise liner.

The cruising food is good and there’s plenty of onboard entertainment from keeping fit to karaoke that will capture your attention.

The big advantage of cruising is you arrive on board and relax for the duration of your holiday - without the stress of packing and unpacking, negotiating traffic, paying for taxis  then waiting around airports or train stations.

The Virgo from Singapore is one of the world’s best cruises.

Your cruise ship travel writers are well-travelled cruise holiday travellers and photo journalists. They have been to many of the world's top cruise destinations including:

• cruise ship destinations in the Caribbean islands,

• cruise ship voyages to South Pacific islands

• cruise ship destinations in the Mediterranean and to Greek Islands such as Mykonos

• cruise ship voyages in South East Asia including cheap air fare connections and hotel accommodation at ports such as Singapore

• cruise ship destinations on the West Coast USA

• Vancouver to Alaska is another great cruise destination

Barbados
Cancun Mexico
Tobago
St Lucia
Palm Island, Grenadines
Antigua

French Riviera
Mykonos
Positano Italy
Cinque Terre Italy
Santorini
Dubrovnik

Asian Cruise Destinations

Ko Samui
Bali
Phuket

Other Cruise Ship Holiday Destinations

Maldives
Bondi Beach
Scarborough Beach
Noosa Australia
Cable Beach Broome
Santa Barbara
Santa Monica Beach
Gold Coast