SuperStar Virgo

"SuperStar Virgo" is a "Leo" class cruise ship owned and operated by Star Cruises. She was built in 1999 by the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

Concept and construction

The "SuperStar Virgo" was ordered by Star Cruises on 22 November 1995 from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany as the second ship of the "Leo" class, and the second newbuilding for Star Cruises.cite web |url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/StarCruisePC2s.html |title=Star Cruises - Page 2 |accessdate=2008-04-18 |last=Boyle |first=Ian |format= |work=Simplon Postcards |language= ] Like her sister ship "SuperStar Leo", she was designed specifically for the Asian cruise market. The keel of the "SuperStar Virgo" was laid on 18 November 1996, and she was floated out of drydock on 23 December 1998. She was delivered to Star Cruises on 2 August 1999.

ervice history

Following the lengthy transit from Papenburg to Singapore the "SuperStar Virgo" entered service on cruises from Singapore on 10 October 1999. On 24 April 2003 the "SuperStar Virgo" was relocated from Singapore to operate cruises out of Perth, Western Australia due to the outbreak of the Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Southeast Asia. [cite web |url=http://www.maritimematters.com/shipnews2003a.html |title=Star Cruises Redeploy "SuperStar Leo" and "SuperStar Virgo" |accessdate=2008-04-18 |date=2003-04-13 |last= |first= |format= |work=Shipping News: Passenger ship and cruise news from around the world |publisher=Maritime Matters ] Initially the redeployment was planned to last only a one-month evaluation period, but due to the success of the cruises out of Australia the "SuperStar Virgo" was based in Perth until July 2003. [cite web |url=http://www.maritimematters.com/shipnews2003a.html |title="SuperStar Virgo" |accessdate=2008-04-18 |date=2003-05-10 |last= |first= |format= |work=Shipping News: Passenger ship and cruise news from around the world |publisher=Maritime Matters ]

In 2004 the "SuperStar Virgo" became the sole "mega-ship", and the only purpose-built ship, in Star Cruises' fleet, when her sister "SuperStar Leo" was transferred to the fleet of Star Cruises' subsidiary Norwegian Cruise Line (newbuildings planned or ordered by Star Cruises after the "SuperStar Virgo" had either been cancelled or moved to the NCL fleet prior to delivery). On 2 April 2008 the "SuperStar Virgo" relocated from Singapore to Hong Kong as her port of departure until 26 October 2008, [cite web |url=http://www.starcruises.com/news/2008/20080114.pdf |title=Star Cruises' Regional Deployment of "SuperStar Virgo" To Hong Kong In April |accessdate=2008-04-18 |date=2008-01-14 |last= |first= |format=PDF |work=Star Cruises press release |publisher=Star Cruises ] [cite web |url=http://www.starcruises.com/newweb/News/2008/080402_E_SSV.pdf |title="SuperStar Virgo", The Flagship of Star Cruises Asian Fleet, Arrived in Hong Kong Today |accessdate=2008-04-18 |date=2008-04-02 |last= |first= |format=PDF |work=Star Cruises press release |publisher=Star Cruises ] the redeployment coinciding with the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Decks and facilities

Only including decks and facilities accessible to passengers.

4. Medical center
5. Outside and inside cabins
6. Main dining room, Chinese restaurant, outside and inside cabins
7. Casino, cafeterias, karaoke bar, reception, Chinese and Italian restaurants, showroom (lower level), promenade deck
8. Meeting rooms, cinema, shops, Japanese and Indian restaurants, showroom (upper level)
9. Suites, outside and inside cabins
10. Children's center, games arcade, sun deck, swimming pool, jacuzzi, suites, outside and inside cabins
11. Bridge, sundeck, outside and inside cabins
12. Observation lounge/nightclub, card room, mahjong room, library, beauty salon, saunas, gym, sundeck, swimming pool, buffet restaurant
13. Discothèque, deck bar, sundeck [cite web |url=http://www.starcruises.com/newweb/our_fleets/superstar_virgo_deckplans.aspx |title="SuperStar Virgo" - deck plans |accessdate=2008-04-18 |format= |work= |publisher=Star Cruises ]

Gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.starcruises.com/newweb/our_fleets/superstar_virgo.aspx Star Cruises official website for "SuperStar Virgo"]