Dream cruise on board a 13-deck luxury liner
PORT KLANG: The stately SuperStar Gemini looked most inviting as it stood docked at the Port Klang Cruise Centre, ready for its maiden voyage.
The luxurious 13-deck liner’s four-day, three-night Port KlangPhuket (Thailand)-Penang-Port Klang cruise from Nov 5 to 8 had a special guest on board – sixyear-old leukaemia survivor Adam Khalish Harfa Azhar, who is from Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.
For this little boy, it was a dream come true as he has always been fascinated by ships and even dreamed of being the captain.
Thanks to non-governmental organisation Make-A-Wish Malaysia, his wish was fulfilled.
Looking smart and cute in his captain’s uniform, complete with cap, Adam Khalish was a picture of excitement and joy when invited to step into the ship’s bridge – the enclosure from where the vessel is steered or commanded. He was even given the chance to get the feel of holding the ship’s wheel.
“It was fun... I got to hold the wheel and I looked through the binoculars. I saw the sea,” the boy said, excitedly.
Accompanied on the cruise by his parents car salesman Azahar Sojot, 36, and Fazidah Hassan, 32, and brother Luth Harith, 3, Adam Khalish was diagnosed with leukaemia in June 2017 and had since undergone six rounds of chemotherapy.
Fazidah said her son had his spinal fluid tested last month and the tests revealed that he was cancer free but has to go for follow-up check-ups until 2020.
SuperStar Gemini, one of Star Cruises’ popular cruise ships, will be based in Malaysia from Nov 5 to April 28, 2019. Star Cruises is operated by Genting Cruise Lines which is a division of Genting Hong Kong, a leading global leisure, entertainment and hospitality corporation.
Besides the round-trip cruise from Port Klang to Phuket and Penang, SuperStar Gemini also offers a 4D/3N Phuket and Langkawi itinerary.
This writer was among a group of journalists who were on board the luxury liner with 1,200 passengers during the Nov 5-8 cruise.
Looking at the packed ship, cruising seems to be growing in popularity in Malaysia. Last year, Malaysia received 599 cruise calls and recorded a total of 924,885 cruise passengers, compared with 435 cruise calls and 682,063 passengers in 2016.
As for me, the cruise was a dream come true as I have always wanted to experience sailing in the middle of the ocean, in the lap of luxury.
Initially, I felt a bit dizzy probably because I was not used to sailing but the uneasiness soon disappeared. The facilities and activities on board the ship, as well as the itinerary, were so interesting that the time just flew.
Star Cruises usually advises its passengers to arrive at the cruise terminal early to facilitate registration and embarkation procedures and baggage checks.
Each passenger is given an identification card with their name and cabin number written on it. It is not only used as a cabin and restaurant access card but also for purchases made on board the ship.
As soon as I set foot on the 230-metre long and 20-metre wide SuperStar Gemini, I was mesmerised by the grandeur of its interior and tasteful decor. And, the warm and friendly service extended by the staff made me feel at home.
Since safety is of paramount importance, all the passengers had to attend a safety briefing before the ship set sail at 2 p.m. from Port Klang.
The 13-deck Superstar Gemini has 765 cabins which can accommodate 1,530 passengers. There are eight types of cabins, ranging from executive suites to inside cabins, which are all located on the fifth to 11th decks.
I was given a cabin on the seventh deck and it came with a window, so I was able to gaze at the tranquil ocean to my heart’s content. There were two single beds and a sofa bed in my room, as well as all the fittings and features one would find in a hotel room.
In fact, once the window is shut and the curtain is drawn, one would not even feel one is in a moving ship.
Luxury cruise liners are not only known for their comfortable cabins but their gastronomic delights as well. At Superstar Gemini, we were treated to four scrumptious meals a day during breakfast, lunch, dinner and at midnight.
The passengers have a choice of three restaurants, Dynasty, Mariners and Bella Vista, which feature buffet spreads. As for Muslim passengers, Mariners or Bella Vista located on the ninth deck serve halal food. Star Cruises is currently in the processing of obtaining halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).
Food and beverages are also available at other outlets like Oceana Berbecue, Champs Bar, Blue Lagoon, Taipan and Ir Lounge. Rest assured, no passenger on board Superstar Gemini will go hungry. In fact, they can expect to gain a few kilogrammes by the time they disembark from the ship.
Feasting my eyes on the beauty of the sun rising and setting in the middle of the ocean was an unforgettable experience for me. Even just gazing at the vast expanse of the sea whilst inhaling the fresh air can give one a brief respite from the pressures of our busy lives.
There’s hardly a dull moment aboard Superstar Gemini. For those who want to pamper themselves, there is a spa and massage centre and a beauty salon at their disposal.
There is also a gymnasium, swimming pools for adults and children and karaoke centre for the whole family, as well as a duty-free shopping arcade where one can buy branded perfumes, sunglasses and watches.
At the main hall, magic performances and other entertaining shows like a circus, that are suitable for all age groups, are held on a daily basis.
Meanwhile, Superstar Gemini cruises between Nov 14 and Jan 31 will feature the ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse’ thematic cruise, in conjunction with the movie’s release next month. Working in collaboration with Sony Pictures, Star Cruises would organise ‘Spider-Man’-related interactive activities on board the ship. After departing Port Klang on the first day, the ship sailed for almost 24 hours before docking at the Phatong beach in Phuket. The passengers were allowed to disembark and explore Phuket either on their own or on an organised tour but had to be back in the ship seven hours later.
At 10 p.m. the ship set sail for Penang, arriving at its destination the next day at 1.30 p.m., where it docked at Swettenham Pier for less than six hours.
Our homebound journey started at 7.30 p.m. the same day and we arrived at Port Klang at 10 a.m. the next day, with the sweet memories of our voyage bound to be forever etched in our minds. - Bernama