"Cruise… Paradise Awaits"
Post on: August 1, 2018
“Jeena, Jeena Kaise Jeena…” resonated melodiously — we were teleported into the film world of Bollywood extravaganza. My wife and I were on board Superstar Gemini, owned and managed by the Star Cruises.
Trepidation set in as we hastily made our way onto the deck. It was our maiden trip on a cruise. But the friendly vibes from the crew allayed our fears… they made a beeline greeting all the passengers heartily and made us feel at home.
When I reached the ship, a quick scan on the lobby reckoned that 75% of the guests were from India. I felt a tinge of awkwardness — a foreigner in my own country? However, I soon realised my apprehension was unfounded — I had a wonderful experience befriending my fellow voyagers and soaking up the vibrant culture which accompanied them… with lots of singing, dancing and anecdotes which they shared so spontaneously.
The number of Indian passengers on cruise ships has grown exponentially. According to the Singapore Tourism Board (Straits Times dated 31/03/18), while some take cruise via Singapore, the opposite route is very attractive. A remarkable number of 127,000 Indian visitors arrived here on the cruise ship in 2017, clinching the top spot for such a mode of tourism.
My four-days of cruising was worth every penny and I left with lots of memories. There was something for everyone at Superstar Gemini. It catered to all and sundry, with a top-notch performance by the versatile and friendly crew.
Dining — Singapore is well renowned for its gastronomical appeal — Tourists adore the array of the melting pot of Chinese, Malay and Indian delicacies. During my stay, I had it all — Chinese, Indian and International cuisines to satiate my gluttonous palate. Even the vegetarians with strict dietary requirements were not neglected — every need was catered to by the meticulous staff.
Dynasty Restaurant served Chinese cuisine, Mariners doled out the International buffet, Belle Vista Restaurant enchanted us with its fine dining cuisines and not forgetting the Oceania BBQ housed in the open deck. It is here where I devoured the Tandoori chicken with garlic naan while washing it down with a glass of rich mango lassi — the sea and sky as my backdrop.
Entertainment – There were about 4 watering holes to quench our thirst for night-life in the high seas. The Filipino bands were amazing. They were true professionals who knew how to thrill the crowd. Besides the opening anthems, rendering English hits from the modern to yesteryears, they belted out popular Hindi songs. It was indeed a marvel they could entertain with their flawless intonation and diction of Hindi — we were bowled over. Their rendition of Eagles’ Hotel California was equally finessed as with their delivery of “Kal Ho Naa Ho”.
Gymnasium — The gym with its treadmills and ample weights was a great respite — we went easy on the irresistible cuisine and had dined to our hearts’ content. Exercise made us feel better — it soothed our guilt of overindulgence. And the sauna was relaxing — tensions faded as we emerged rejuvenated… ready to take on whatever the day may bring.
The Sun And The Sea — And for those who preferred running in the open, there is a track on one of the levels for nature enthusiasts. One could run around in the open course, wrestling against the sea breeze and watching the sunset –a matchless brilliance of timeless perfection! Being gumptious with an innate streak of adventurism, my wife and I took the plunge –or rather Run with the warm blue waters of the sea stretching as far as our eyes could see… Truly an experience worth the sweat!
Bollywood night — At Stardust lounge, guests danced to the tune of the latest numbers. The deejay was simply a smooth operator with his spinning. The young and old unleashed some tantalizing moves, emulating their favourite stars. It was indeed a night to remember.
Games — The Bingo session was something we looked forward to. Lots of fun and hearts’ palpitation as we yearned for that elusive number… Bingo! And we were so caught up in various activities that we missed the magic show which was so much touted.
Relaxation — We were pampered with lots of fun-time at the pool and Jacuzzi. This was rivalled by simply taking walks around the deck course. There are sun decks where one could watch the world go by or watch the ship disembark and get on with the journey en route. It was a time of sheer winding down so leisurely!
Birthday Bash — On the third day, my travel agent had arranged for us to attend a Gala Dinner with the captain and some guests. It was fine-dining with great food and classical music accompaniment suited for the occasion. In the midst of the splendour and pageantry, 6 crew members marched majestically towards our table with a cake while the birthday song resounded. It was my wife’s birthday and they celebrated it with much aplomb. What a pleasant surprise … we were astounded and humbled by their gesture. Wow! what a birthday to cherish.
A memorable vacation encompasses more than neon lights and skyscrapers although some swear by it. And to some, it may mean doing something out of the ordinary like swimming with the sharks or watching the grandiose spectacle of the Niagara Falls. To us, we had a great time sailing — connecting with nature and people… being simply immersed in the magical atmosphere onboard Superstar Gemini. And our verdict? I must say it lived up to its acclaimed image… We’ll be back!
By Shaji Thomas Varughese
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Photo(Top): George/JollyGoodTimes; Photo(Bottom): Pexels.com
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