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.[2][7] Like her sister ship SuperStar Leo, she was designed specifically for the Asian cruise market.[3] The keel of the SuperStar Virgo was laid on 18 November 1996, and she was floated out of drydock on 23 December 1998.[2] She was delivered to Star Cruises on 2 August 1999.[4In 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).[7] On 2 April 2008 the SuperStar Virgo relocated from Singapore to Hong Kong as her port of departure until 26 October 2008,[10][11] the redeployment coinciding with the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
This is the story of a cruise that was nine years in the making. Back in 1997, my friends and I booked passage on Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas on a cruise from Vancouver to Honolulu. Alas, this cruise was cancelled at the last minute because Rhapsody of the Seas had developed engine problems. We had to completely reschedule our vacation and ended up in Iceland having a great time. But our wish to set foot onEnter Celebrity Cruises' Infinity!. My friends and I sailed on sister ship Millennium in her first season in the Mediterranean and liked the ship, so when we noticed a roundtrip cruise from Los Angeles to Hawaii we checked our savings accounts, called the cruise line and booked passage right away; more than a year before the departure date. Hawaiian soil still lingered.Realizing that Infinity has had her fair share of propulsion trouble, this choice was a bit of a gamble. Still, with no less than 8 sea days to look forward to,Finally, a two-night stay on board the classic ocean liner Queen Mary put us in the right mood for our long-awaited voyage to Hawaii. And back!
Choosing the right cruise vacation can be a little problematic. After all, what are you looking for? Is it the floating high rise hotel with its soaring atrium, ice skating rink or bowling alley? Or the cozy seagoing inn where you feel among family and where all these modern creature comforts suddenly seem less important?Personally, I think both ways of cruising can be fun, but when discussing the possibility of going on a cruise to Norway with my good friend Lucy and my 81-year old father, choosing Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines seemed obvious. After all, the typical mix of Norwegian officers, Philippine service staff and a mature British clientele proved to be a winning combination on my
previous Fred. Olsen cruises. Cruising with older Brits is really a treat; in times where many people seem completely preoccupied with getting their money's worth, it is rather refreshing to see people relax and really enjoy the art of traveling.
