Go on a six-day, five-night cruise from Manila to Taiwan and Hong Kong for only US$490
Th i s summer, one can go on a six-day, fivenight cruise from Manila to Ta iwa n and Hong Kong for only US$490 onboard SuperStar Virgo, which makes Manila its new home port this March. Finally, vacationers from Manila will no longer have to fly to Hong Kong, Singapore or Malaysia to hop on a cruise.
This irresistible early bird discount (US$490* per person/twin share) will be accorded for cruise departures on March 19, 24 and 29. Get bigger discounts when you travel with the whole family because the third and fourth persons (quad share) can enjoy an additional 50-percent off — that’s only US$245* per person.
This was announced by Ang Moo Lim, president of Star Cruises, the leading cruise line in the Asia Pacific, during the launch recently at Passion restaurant, Resorts World Manila.
“Star Cruises will be the first international cruise line to home port in Manila. This is a very sentimental moment for us because about 1/3 of our crew members are actually Filipinos,” enthused Lim. “So it’s very natural for us to call the Philippines home.”
So far, Star Cruises is the only company that has made Manila a home port as other cruises only have port calls in Manila.
As its home port, Manila will not only be the start and end of SuperStar Virgo’s Manila- Laoag- Kaohsiung- Hong Kong route. It also puts Manila on the Asian cruising map currently dominated by Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, followed by Hong Kong, China and Taiwan.
Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo, director, CESO III, Market Development Group, DOT, believes that this will help make the Philippines a major player in the cruising industry.
“We’re already known in the cruise ship industry because of the honest and hardworking Filipino crew members; all the more now because the country is ready to be a home port — enticing other cruise liners to come here,” explained Apo. “For its part, the Department of Tourism continues to improve the country’s facilities to make it more cruise-friendly.”
CRUISE MY HEART
The new Manila-Laoag-Kaohsiung-Hong Kong route developed by SuperStar Virgo’s initial 15 voyages — that will run from March 19 to May 23 — affords passengers unlimited baggage allowance, duty-free shopping, full-board meals and visa-free travel.
“The sailings were scheduled in summer to coincide with Holy Week and school break. Summer is the best time to go on a cruise because the weather is good and the seas are calmer,” said Michael Go, senior vice president, Star Cruises.
The ship will dock in Manila on March 19 at Pier 15, South Harbor, right behind Manila Hotel.
From Manila, it will sail to Laoag in Ilocos; then to Kaohshiung, Taiwan; Hong Kong; the high seas; then back to Manila.
Since Filipinos are largely Catholic, Goh said they included Laoag for its baroque churches in the itinerary. Laoag is also home to UNESCO heritage sites and white-sand beaches.
Guests will be given eight to 10 hours to explore, say, the city of Laoag.
“We also offer customized city tours (for a fee). Transfers are provided with a licensed guard to take care of you as you explore a particular city,” noted Andrea Manzano, assistant vice president for sales and marketing.
Kaohsiung, the largest southern port city in Taiwan, is the center of Chinese culture and cuisine. It’s also popular for its temples, museums and delicious street food.
“Filipinos need a visa to go to Taiwan, but Star Cruises has made arrangements to make the trip visa-free for Filipinios,” Goh noted.
The final stop is Hong Kong, specifically, Harbour City in Victoria Harbour. From there, you can ride the MTR to explore the curio shops at Sheung Wan, window shop at the PMQ area or enjoy street food in Sham Shui Po in Kowloon and Mongkok.
“But the trip’s ultimate destination is the ship itself, the SuperStar Virgo. Here, you’ll find 10 restaurants, a spa, a gym, a duty-free shopping center, a slide pool with a view of the open sea, and a theater. You’ll definiltey love the experience. Cruise my heart,” Goh said with an impish grin. (*The fares shown above are based on twinshare in an Inside Stateroom on SuperStar Virgo, excluding port and gratuity charges, subject to Star Cruises’ terms and conditions.)