Ahoy!
As I casted my eyes over the horizon, the Straits of Melaka was all I knew about my location. I had no idea how many kilometers I was away from the nearest land but it was definitely far enough to disengage from mobile phone signal. Everywhere I turned offered me cerulean indulgence which I cannot get enough of even after 4 days and 3 nights. My hair was always dancing with the wind till I could literally hear them celebrating their liberty from the prim and proper styling. Describing all those, someone put me back on that ship pronto!
I found something that will float your boat if you are looking for an opportunity to lose yourself in the middle of nowhere...sans the outback notoriety. Instead, you will still have all the wine-drinking moments and divine spa pampering trailing alongside at your finger tips or at most, at just an elevator button push away.
The Super Star Gemini is what I am talking about. The grand ship whisked me away from my daily rut and left me pining for my next cruise adventure.
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| Super Star Gemini! |
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| The Super Star Gemini docking at Port Klang |
THE SHIP
The Super Star Gemini bellies a shipload of opulence yet she is warm with her ever-smiling crew. Elegant just like her godmother, Diana Ross, the interiors of the ship makes you feel welcomed like a super star. This 230m long vessel built in France has 13 storeys, hosts 11 restaurants, includes well equipped health club, spa, beauty salon and can accommodate up to 2800 people. Let's take you on a virtual tour of the ship.
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| Safety first! A mandatory fire drill will be conducted so that every passenger knows their life boat in case of emergency |
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| Twin bed with window |
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| A living area in the room to lounge and chat. WIFI is avaliable for a fee so that you can keep in touch and post your super cool pics from the middle of the sea! |
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| The view is magnificent. I was lucky to get a room at Deck 5 which is closer to the sea compared to higher decks. |
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| When waiting for the bathroom |
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| The compact but functional bathroom |
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| Rise and shine at Deck 12. Waiting for the sunrise |
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| Scoop the abundance of positive energy from the sun |
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| The sunrise and sun set is everybody's favourite sighting on the deck |
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| Dawdle as much as you want. The deck did not seem to let me go! |
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| There is a jogging track on level 7 for those who wants to stay fit. Jogging with the sea breeze is simply more enjoyable. If not, there is plenty if space for you to saunter around and enjoy the seabreeze |
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| Water on water kind of situation. Give yourself a freshwater dip while you float in the salty sea! |
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| Combine the senses that the two waters bring for that memorable moment |
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| Splash away! |
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| Another pool for you to relax in. This pool is facilitated with a bar. Pools open from 8am to 11pm |
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| Perfect place to bask in the sunshine |
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| A basketball court for those who thinks its impossible |
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| When you have the court all for yourself! |
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| The reception at Deck 7 |
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| The Stardust Lounge where all the performances are held. It can host up to 600 people at one time. I love coming here because it always means that I will be entertained well by SS Gemini's troupe of amazing performers |
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| The polished interiors of the ship just swathes you with swank at anytime of the day |
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| IR Lounge for you to unwind, chat and lounge |
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| The deck at night |
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| Lingering at the deck for the sweet wind again |
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| Just cannot get enough of it |
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| With a view like this, it wont take much for me to appear on the treadmill |
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| The gym at the SS Gemini |
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| King Neptune ensures you are at the best of health during your stay |
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| I deserve divine spa time |
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Karaoke lounge. See if you have the lure of the sirens here.
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ACTIVITIES & TOURS
Nearly every activity listed in the Navigator made me excited to the point that sacrificed my sweet afternoon nap. Take a look at the activities below and you will understand why my holiday on the seemingly laid back cruise was action packed instead.
The bridge is the cockpit of the ship. Let Captain Christian amuse you with the technicalities of sailing the ship while passengers dance and feast away. Engines, bearings and calculations are done 24 hours a day to keep the ship look like it just glides the waters to its destination.
PERFORMANCES AND SHOWS
Being under the umbrella of Genting Cruises, the entertainment and performances on the Superstar Gemini is nothing short of spectacular. Every dancer is professionally trained with no skimping on costumes. The performances only made our eyes grew wider and wider, hankering for more. The SuperStar Gemini's shows restores vibrancy in life especially in those whose soul have been worn out by the daily rut.
Remember to pack a cocktail dress for the finale on the the last night when the crew celebrates with aplomb performances, dances and an after party!
Besides being well entertained, be sure that you will be well fed and watered 5 times a day- breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and supper. It seems that mass production did not mar the quality of food. Because award-winning chefs are part of the crew, food is always well crafted and of standard. The menus are also appealing to a boat-wide range of appetites so you don't have to worry if you think your taste buds are eccentric.
Indulge in a buffet breakfast at Mariners one day and satiate your oriental taste buds in Dynasty Restaurant the next day. Choose to saw into a succulent and pinkish slab of steak in the piano-accompanying Bella Vista for lunch one day and go casually al-fresco with the sea breeze at the Oceana Restaurant on another day.
Hunger pangs because of all the activities at the end of the day? The 24-hour Blue Lagoon Restaurant will make sure you wont go to bed with an empty stomach.
The first entry into outlets every meal is inclusive and subsequent entries are chargeable.
To those whose feet long to touch the ground, tour packages are available to let you explore the land. We arrived at Phuket and took a tour that included visits to the Big Buddha and Wat Chalong
The cabaret show would be interesting to those who do not mind being exposed to the risque part of Thailand.
If tour packages are not your cup of travelling tea, then feel free to wander on your own, as long as you come back before the cruise raises its anchors!
The second stop at Penang also gave guests opportunity to pound foot on land where the food is good and attractions are aplenty. We decided to go right to The Top at Komtar! This world-class attraction is definitely worth a visit and fits into the 6-hour time frame given.
A few of us put our courage to the test by experiencing the world's highest ropes course at level 65, at the height of 239m. The Gravityz, allows participants to appreciate vertigo in the safest way. Walking at the ledge of the building, the purest and most humane mix of emotions surfaced. My fear and courage were competing with each other resulting in an adrenaline filled heart-racing experience.
The Superstar Gemini emblazoned my memory with an unforgettable experience. The amicable crew made it such an enjoyable stay that I did not mind not returning home for another few days. The salty breeze, sunrise and sunset, the food and performances made me feel coddled and cosseted. For the whole 4 days, I was able to leave my frustrations and stress right where they belong and not having them rear their heads in my life for a moment. It was as if the sea was prohibiting their entry into my mind. Truely a voyage that pulls you away from the daily grind for an effective getaway.
When I returned home, I was refreshed, energized and inspired all over again to take on the challenges that await.
The Bridge Tour
The bridge is the cockpit of the ship. Let Captain Christian amuse you with the technicalities of sailing the ship while passengers dance and feast away. Engines, bearings and calculations are done 24 hours a day to keep the ship look like it just glides the waters to its destination.
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| Aye aye captain! |
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| At the Bridge a.k.a. the ship's cockpit |
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Let's go men!
Since the vessel does not reach land for days, food stock-up has to be more than sufficient. Imagine the catastrophe if the whole ship is out of eggs. You cannot be plucking them out of the seabed, can you?
The planning of the menu is done and approved weeks before the ship sets sail so that procurement is . Check out how many eggs, how much rice and flour they need a day to keep customers happy. I was agape as the numbers were beyond my imagination.
Feel the need to move those hips? Check out the various dance classes that will keep you moving and grooving. Dances like ballroom dancing and zumba changes from day to day.
B.I.N.G.O.
It is amazing how bingo infuses pure enjoyment with a simple jumble of 15 numbers. I was also thrilled just by listening to the commentators without playing. The good old game survives till today for a reason.
Giant board games like Jenga is also available for communal enjoyment. It offers an opportune time to fortify family bonding and friendship.
Movie of the Day
The Stardust Lounge converts into cinema to satisfy movie-goers' relish.
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PERFORMANCES AND SHOWS
Remember to pack a cocktail dress for the finale on the the last night when the crew celebrates with aplomb performances, dances and an after party!
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| Flamboyant dances |
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| Riveting musicals |
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| My favourit-est show must be the Fabulous Chan show! I am sure that most of the passengers would concur as she leaves the hall full of spectators roaring and tearing with laughter as she mimes her humour with immaculate expressions. |
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| Remember to pack a cocktail dress to celebrate the finale of the trip with the whole crew on the last night. |
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| Get your soul back into the rhythm of fun and laughter |
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| The whole crew comes out to play |
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| Let the after party begin! |
FOOD
Besides being well entertained, be sure that you will be well fed and watered 5 times a day- breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and supper. It seems that mass production did not mar the quality of food. Because award-winning chefs are part of the crew, food is always well crafted and of standard. The menus are also appealing to a boat-wide range of appetites so you don't have to worry if you think your taste buds are eccentric.
Indulge in a buffet breakfast at Mariners one day and satiate your oriental taste buds in Dynasty Restaurant the next day. Choose to saw into a succulent and pinkish slab of steak in the piano-accompanying Bella Vista for lunch one day and go casually al-fresco with the sea breeze at the Oceana Restaurant on another day.
Hunger pangs because of all the activities at the end of the day? The 24-hour Blue Lagoon Restaurant will make sure you wont go to bed with an empty stomach.
The first entry into outlets every meal is inclusive and subsequent entries are chargeable.
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| At the classy Bella Vista |
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| The view of the sea at Bella Vista |
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| Buffet dinner at Mariners |
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Desserts
well crafted
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| Dining at the Oceana at the open-air deck |
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| Assortment of food |
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| Roasted lamb |
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| Meat cuts seared perfectly for you |
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| Dessert aplenty for the sweet-toothed |
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| A wok load of fresh prawns cooked with pineapples |
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| At the Dynasty Restaurant which serves Chinese cuisine |
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| A little bit of chopsticks |
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| For those who crave for noodles and dim sum |
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| Never lack of wine |
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| An elegant lunch at Bella Vista |
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| Given 3 choices of main course and free flow of starters and desserts |
TOUR IN PHUKET
The cabaret show would be interesting to those who do not mind being exposed to the risque part of Thailand.
If tour packages are not your cup of travelling tea, then feel free to wander on your own, as long as you come back before the cruise raises its anchors!
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| Hello Phuket! |
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| The ferry from the cruise to land |
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| Check out the disco taxi |
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| The 25.45m tall Buddha adorned in 135 tonnes of white jade marble |
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| The panoramic view from the top |
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| The Big Buddha is carved out of white stone |
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| When visiting places of worship, remember to cover up the shoulders and knees |
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| Just absorb the blessed charm in the air |
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| A monk blessing tourists |
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| Wat Chalong is Phuket's largest and most revered temple |
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| Buddhist monks chanting |
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| The temple was built in 1837 with many ancient sculptures and carvings |
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| A fragment of a bone of the Buddha is kept here. |
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| Have you seen a cashew nut tree? |
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Understanding
how cashew nuts are cracked.
There are
cashew nuts in a variety of flavours for you to choose from.
I just had to stock up for my movie nights! |
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| And then we returned to our beautiful ship on the last ferry |
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| When we reached the ship, it was time for supper! |
The second stop at Penang also gave guests opportunity to pound foot on land where the food is good and attractions are aplenty. We decided to go right to The Top at Komtar! This world-class attraction is definitely worth a visit and fits into the 6-hour time frame given.
A few of us put our courage to the test by experiencing the world's highest ropes course at level 65, at the height of 239m. The Gravityz, allows participants to appreciate vertigo in the safest way. Walking at the ledge of the building, the purest and most humane mix of emotions surfaced. My fear and courage were competing with each other resulting in an adrenaline filled heart-racing experience.
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| Undisrupted 360 deg view of Penang island |
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| When sitting down is no easy feat |
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| Vantage point |
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| Testing how far the guts can go |
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| And I have the whole world under my feet |
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| I did it! Challenged myself and conquered fear! |
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| Sitting on the luckiest chair in the world |
When I returned home, I was refreshed, energized and inspired all over again to take on the challenges that await.
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| At the fore |
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| Breathtaking views |
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| My favorite moments was when I visit the open air deck to scoop lots of positive energy from the rising sun every morning |
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| Missing the view of the sea that has no end |
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| As you gaze into the waters and a fisherman's boat ornates the scene |
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| 3D art. There is always something entertaining on the SuperStar Gemini |
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SuperStar
Gemini docked beside Genting Dream Cruise...which will be my next cruise
hopefully!
Look at that behemoth size of that ship! |
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| Had to stifle the reeling with some ice cream after the wonderful trip |
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