Curious about what a Cruise is like?
Dreamed about running away to the high seas? Read on!
After a comfy 5-hour roadtrip from KL to
Penang, and arriving at Port Swettenham Pier just at high noon with the sun
high in the sky and birds swooping overhead at the harbour, our
trip on SuperStar Libra is finally starting! The wide blue sea beckons.
Our guide did not need to wake anyone on
the bus, as we were all already bouncing on the balls of our feet and ready to
get onto the ship. But first, check-in…
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| Early Sunday morning transfer from Berjaya Times Square, KL to Port Swettenham Pier & check-in |
The spacious Port Swettenham Pier Terminal
sees busloads of travelers at any time. Luckily, there are many counters – the
faster to verify your passport & issue your access card.
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| Welcome aboard! |
At the wide walkway, you’re walking beside
the very ship that will be your home for the next four days. It was a perfect
day, with the sun shining and sea winds caressing the skin. After surrendering
our passports, which is standard cruise procedure (that’s why it’s important to
keep your access card with you all the time onboard!), we’re greeted with a
welcome song and the Star Cruises mascot, Charlie, and get our first of many
photoshoots.
And although we look forward to working up
a tan in the next few days, we’re glad to step over the gangway into the ship’s
interior. It’s all polished chrome, glass and soft carpets and very welcomed
air-conditioning.
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| Crystal Court |
Tired and need a break? You’re welcomed to
sit at Crystal Court which is the circular lobby for a coffee and cakes. It’s
also where the Reception, Guest Services and Shorex Counters are. As you unwind
amid the amber lighting and plush surroundings, a thought pops to mind - it’s
pretty good to take a break and go out to sea once in a while.
Imagine a floating resort, that’s what
SuperStar Libra is like. A centrepoint of overflowing facilities, fun, and
entertainment, 24/7…in the middle of the blue ocean of the Andaman Sea.
Passengers from around the world are all
getting settled, so the elevators have quite a queue. We opted not to take the
many stairs available, as our luggage was quite heavy and we were unfamiliar
with the big ship. (but not for long)
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| Exploration beyond a deck door reveals one of the ship’s lifeboats |
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| One of the many nice lobbies to rest weary feet |
Security is up to par, and we
electronically card ourselves into the stateroom. Our cabin type – Deluxe
Oceanview comes with a window, and this room type is also available at
different deck levels.
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| Deluxe Oceanview |
(However, SuperStar Libra does not have
staterooms with balcony. You would need to visit Deck 6, Deck 9 or Deck 10 (the
Sun Deck) for your dose of healthy sea air.)
Other accommodation choices are
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| Junior Suite Cabin (with huge TV, iPod station, safe, coffee/tea making facilities) |
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| Oceanview Stateroom with Porthole |
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| Inside Stateroom (fits up to 4) |
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| Corridors to the staterooms on different decks. Carpeted corridors to the vanishing point! Rows and rows of peaceful cabins to sleep in, to the wave’s lullabies. |
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| The compulsory Ship’s Safety Drill |
All that walking makes you hungry. But you
won’t ever starve onboard here…there is only a danger of overeating! We stopped
for a quick bite at Mariner’s Buffet on Deck 9.
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| Really quite good food, (much better than plane food), with variety of Western and Eastern cuisine, and is constantly refilled |
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| Re-fueling station/the main or inner buffet counters |
So excited. We were like pets off a leash
on the ship. We let our feet wander as we explored all those interesting nooks
and venues.
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| Deck 9 Mariner’s Buffet outdoor seats with great views |
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| Pool Bar |
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| Skyline KTV Lounge, Blue Lagoon & Tai Pan |
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| Boomer’s Disco (132 pax capacity) |
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| Gala Dinner dress code & Internet terminals (from RM0.56/minute, WIFI from RM20/12 hours) |
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| Fancy a flutter? Play Bingo, enter the Lucky Draw, or hit the casinos! |
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| (Patrons 18 years and above only are allowed in Genting Club, VIP Admiral Club, Star Club 1 & Star Club 2) |
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| Our ship! |
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| The hairdressing & beauty salon |
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| Onboard shopping at Ports O’Call |
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| Stardust Lounge ~ Remember this Lounge for many of the nightly shows |
We subtly felt the ship move. We were on
our way! We had already picked up a Star Navigator from Reception which shows
the various ship’s activities for each day. So now, we made haste to the Pool
Deck for the Sail Away Party.
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| Welcome Party - It’s recommended to be early to get a good seat |
If you’re proactive and sporting with the
host’s games, you may even win a gold coin! ;) There was dancing and passengers
even formed a Congo line. It’s a taste of days to come where all you need to do
is forget your worries and simply enjoy yourself.
Again, having fun is hard work. But the
crew of SuperStar Libra is at hand to help. A lavish BBQ buffet was prepared
for the guests’ dinner under the stars.
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| Sunset dinner |
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| So much food!! |
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| Gorgeous sea views |
The Pool Deck has two pools and Twin Hot
Tubs, and mornings and evenings are the cooler times when swimming is pleasant.
You may also pop into the canopied Hot Tubs which are lighted at night, for a
romantic dip with a special someone.
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| Look at how inviting the water is… |
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| Twin Hot Tubs |
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| Nope…no mermaid sightings |
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| Rest full tummies at the Sun Deck’s (Deck 10) deck chairs |
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| A lovely & windy evening |
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| Fitness Centre (gym, sauna, massage). Should we visit this chart to monitor our daily weight? >< |
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| Can you spot the real moon? |
We only managed to get a centre-back sofa at the
Stardust Lounge for the night’s performance by Buddy Loren, but the entertainer
had the whole theatre in smiles with his international-flavoured acts. And
after the entertainer’s show, the stage was taken over by the Bingo game. As
the game rolled on, the concentration among the players was more intense than a
college final exam, until eventually an elated participant stood up and
shouted: “Bingo!”
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| Bingo! |
Elsewhere, the ship’s entertainment venues
were in full swing. The Pool Deck still had dance-able music by the show band,
the SuperStar Libra Trio was serenading patrons at Crystal Court, the disco was
open, and the casinos saw intense action by old and young.
Unable to resist another chance to snack,
we popped into Ocean Palace, a Chinese family-style restaurant, for a buffet
supper of congee and more.
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| Ocean Palace |
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| Ocean Palace |
A surprise awaited us when we finally
retired to our staterooms. I had forgotten to pack a universal adaptor to fit
the ship’s power outlets. However, a quick call to Reception and I was appeased
– passengers can rent an adaptor free for 24 hours, and it’s an easy matter to
renew it.
