Ship Tour: continued
SUPERSTAR GEMINI
by Jonathan Boonzaier

SUPERSTAR GEMINI - Star Cruises' little Gem, page four

All photos by and copyright Jonathan Boonzaier 2006, unless otherwise noted.

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Owners: Star Cruises

The final main public room on Deck 5 is the Star Lounge, located aft.

Originally built as a second lounge, the room has for most of the SUPERSTAR GEMINI's career in Asia, been used as a large casino. Converted back into a lounge when the ship returned to Singapore, it still displays many of the design elements from when it was used as a casino. The collection of chairs within is somewhat eclectic, but that is said to be a popular style in many shore side establishments nowadays.

Most of the windows have been blocked off, creating what is essentially an inside room. This does not a popular spot for daytime lounging make. However, the room is well utilized for daytime activities such as fitness classes, quizzes and bingo. During the evenings another excellent Filipino cover band plays music, and later the room turns into a disco. But we have saved the best for last. Without doubt the finest public room on the SUPERSTAR GEMINI is the Ocean Palace Restaurant, located aft on Deck 4.

Essentially a square room, it is made to appear circular by a cleverly designed layout. Meals are served in one open sitting and the room is big enough that nobody ever has to wait for a table. Solo passengers are well taken care of as every evening a member of the cruise staff hosts a table for passengers travelling on their own.

The Ocean Palace is beautifully furnished. Chairs are decked out in deep crimson velvet, and complemented with etched glass screens and heavy yellow drapes lining large windows that provide excellent views of an ever-changing seascape.

The highlight of the room, though, is the superb cuisine that comes out of the galley. Dining is definitely a strongpoint of Star, and as with the Mariners Buffet, menus in the Ocean Palace are international, with a touch of Asia. Excellent service is provided by well trained Filipino stewards.

The rest of the SUPERSTAR GEMINI's decks comprise mainly of cabins. As can be expected on a smaller ship, these are not especially spacious, but they are well designed, and nicely appointed.

Cabins on the SUPERSTAR GEMINI range from inside four berth rooms to outside suites with private balconies.

The Final Word

The SUPERSTAR GEMINI is a beautiful ship to sail on, but what makes her especially warm and welcoming so is the atmosphere provided by her wonderful crew. The vessel's small size also helps foster a congenial atmosphere amongst her passengers. In an era when most cruise lines are engaging in an intrusive and relentless fleecing of their passengers in the pursuit of on-board revenue generating, the SUPERSTAR GEMINI is refreshingly different. Revenue generating activities on board are mercifully restrained. There are no dollar signs in the daily programme, no marketing pitches thinly disguised as seminars or lectures, no waiters endlessly pushing ghastly drinks in tacky plastic souvenir glasses, no art auctions, no "nominal" charges levied for participating in activities such as fitness classes, and no Turkish-style bazaars flogging tasteless tat. Prices on board for shore excursions, laundry, spa services, photographs and such are extremely reasonable. She is definitely worth a look for anyone who wants to cruise in Asia on a well run ship at a reasonable price.

For more information on Star Cruises' SUPERSTAR GEMINI and her itineraries, visit Star Cruises

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