Soon you will be onboard your dream vacation. We hope this Comprehensive Online Guide to Cruising will help equip you for your journey and answer most of your questions.
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We look forward to having you onboard!
Nautical Notes
Documents To Bring Along
Before You Go
Check-In
Embarkation Time
Accommodation
Access Card And Its Privileges
Facilities Onboard
Safety Onboard
What Else Do I Need To Know About My Cruise?
Nautical Notes
Congratulations for cruising with Star Cruises!
Cruise with the third largest cruise line in the world and
"The Leading Cruise Line in Asia-Pacific" to enjoy a most
pleasurable voyage. Our award-winning fleet offers the
best services onboard with the highest crew-to-cabin ratio
reflecting the high standards of the warm Asian hospitality
industry in Asia-Pacific.
Your safety, health and well-being are our top priorities.
Having one of the most modern fleets, our ships boast the
latest in navigational and fire control systems which meet
international maritime standards. Our Captains and
Officers are from Scandinavia, a region renowned for its
fine seamanship and centuries-old maritime tradition.
Some nautical terms you need to know:
Starboard Side : Right side of the ship when facing forward
Port Side : Left side of the ship when facing forward
Amidships : The central area of the ship
Forward : The forward area of the ship
Aft : The rear area of the ship
Knots : The speed of the ship
(1 knot is equivalent to 1.8km/h)
Underway : When the ship is moving, it is underway
Ship’s Colour : Flag of the Country of Registration of the ship (E.g. Panama)
Documents To Bring Along
For cruises with international destinations, you will need an
international passport with a minimum validity of six months
while for domestic routes, a government recognised photo
identity card is required. For all destinations cruise,
international passport with work permit / employment pass /
student pass / immigration card is required.
Your passport / government recognised photo identity card
should be submitted during check-in and will be returned to
you upon check-out, so that we may process your documents
quickly through immigration at each port (Any child whose
travelling document is attached to the parent’s passport must
travel with the parent). For domestic routes, the child’s
original birth certificate is required. For details on visa
regulations, please consult your travel agent. Guests
without proper documentation will be denied boarding.
Please ensure that you bring your Cruise Ticket or
Confirmation Slip and Passage Contract with you to embark
the ship. Guests have to ensure that they bring along
their international passport, original birth certificate and
Confirmation Slip in exchange for their access cards to
embark the vessel.
Before You Go
PASSAGE RESTRICTIONS
Passage for a pregnant woman will only be permitted before her
24th week of pregnancy at the time of sailing.
VACCINATION
At the current time, no vaccinations are compulsory for any Star
Cruises destination. However, guests may wish to consult
their doctor to make sure their immunisation records are up-todate
or if any further vaccinations are required in those
countries that are in their cruise itinerary.
Check-In
*Procedure varies from vessel to vessel.
YOU CAN CHECK-IN FOR YOUR FAMILY, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS
If you are travelling with family, relatives and friends, you can
check-in for all of them and avoid the inconvenience of everyone
queuing. However, you must have all their passports and proper
travel documents ready.
CHECK-IN AREAS
As you approach the check-in counters, there will be three
entrances:
Admiral Class with yellow carpet, Balcony Class* with the red
carpet and World Cruisers with a blue carpet. Please have your
Confirmation Slip ready as we will direct you to the correct
entrance.
For Admiral Class guests, the Guest Services Co-ordinator
will meet and assist you with the check-in.
For Balcony Class* guests, we recommend that you queue
with your family, relatives and friends if all of you are travelling
on Balcony Class to enable immediate embarkation after checkin.
This saves you from queuing with the crowd.
For World Cruisers, only one in the group should do the check-in.
If you are booked on Balcony Class*, and your family, relatives
and friends are World Cruisers, you cannot check-in for them and
neither will they have priority check-in nor boarding.
*Note : Balcony Class category is available on SuperStar Virgo only.
THE CHECK-IN PROCESS
As you queue, one of our officers will check your passport for
validity and visa (if required) as a pre-check-in procedure to
expedite the check-in process. If there are problems with your
documents, we will direct you to a special counter. Once you have
been checked-in you will need to pass through guest and
baggage screening. A search may be conducted if necessary.
Hand over your passport and the Confirmation Slip when
directed to a counter. We will locate your reservation and hand
you your Access Card. Your Access Card is part of a highly
computerised system, which combines all the features of a
boarding pass, stateroom key, charge card and your privileges
onboard in accordance to standardisation.
Admiral Class guests will be issued with Yellow Access
Cards while Balcony Class guests will receive Red Access
Cards. World Cruisers will be issued with Blue Access Cards.
PASSPORTS AND IMMIGRATION
Ensure that all your travel documents are up-to-date before your
travel. Your passport must have at least a minimum of 6 months
validity from your sailing date. You are also responsible for
securing the necessary visas for the countries the ship will visit
in your chosen itinerary.
When cruising, we will keep your passport (where applicable) as
it will be processed by immigration authorities in the countries
that we are visiting. The passports will be returned to you on the
day you complete your cruise.
Have the relevant immigration forms completed together with
your passport during check-in.
FOR SHIPS SAILING INTO MALAYSIA
For guests wishing to disembark in a Malaysian port, the
immigration may require you to fill in the Currency Declaration
Form. You can hand in
the completed form to
either our Embarkation
or Front Office
personnel before
disembarkation (The
form can be obtained
from the Embarkation
Office onboard the
vessel).
Embarkation Time
BOARDING
If you have checked-in early, please enjoy the view of the
beautiful harbour. We will announce when the ship is ready for
boarding. Please queue and avoid crowding the boarding
entrance. There will be a security check and luggage screening
prior to boarding the ship. Guests are also required to
produce their Access Cards to the personnel on duty. Those
cruising with children may hold their Access Cards on their
behalf.
LINKWAY
Kindly present your travel documents for checking at the
Passport Control Point. Your travel documents will be collected
by our ship crew before entering the ship for safekeeping and
immigration clearance at the next port of call.
Please note that embarkation procedures may change from
time to time and from port to port.
Our photographer will stand by to take a picture of you with our
performers and mascot. These photographs will be displayed at
a designated location onboard and will be for sale.
To access the ship, where applicable Admiral Class guests
with Yellow Access Card should follow the yellow carpet.
Balcony Class guests with Red Access Card should follow
the red carpet. World Cruisers guests with Blue Access
Card should follow the blue carpet.
Kindly follow the directions of the crew, as they will be guiding
you on the shortest way to embark the ship and to your cabin.
EMBARKING THE SHIP
On entering the vessel, you will see our crew with computers
and card readers. Please hand your Access Card to the crew
who will insert it into the card reader to ‘encode’ your cabin
details and record that you are onboard. Please do not walk
through without ‘encoding’ as you will not be able to gain
access to your cabin.
DISEMBARKING DURING YOUR CRUISE
There may be some documentation that you will be required to
fill in to enable you to disembark at some ports of call. We will
hand out these documents as necessary. If you encounter any
difficulty in filling in the forms, our crew will be happy to assist
you.
DISEMBARKATION / EMBARKATION AT PORTS
Whenever you leave or enter the ship, you will need to have
your Access Card ready so that we can ‘swipe’ the Access Card
and the computer will record whether you have left or returned
to the ship.
WHEN DO I COLLECT MY PASSPORT ?
At the end of the cruise, please show your Access Card to
collect your Passport / government recognised photo identity
card. If you want to collect passports for your family and
friends, you need to have their Access Cards. Children who
have their own passport or identification document and who
cannot sign must be accompanied by their guardian / parents.
Details of collection time and venue will be printed in the Star
Navigator found in every cabin or at the Reception. Please refer
for details.
Accommodation
Your cabin will be your room for the cruise period. A notice on
the back of the cabin door will direct you to a specific Muster
Station. This Muster Station is an assembly point during an
emergency. Your Muster Station will also be printed on your
Access Card. At the start of every cruise the Captain will call for
an evacuation drill. It is highly recommended that you follow all
instructions so you will know what to do in the unlikely event of
an emergency.
SUITE
You will enjoy priority check-in at specially dedicated counters
and you will be escorted to the vessel and suite by our Guest
Services crew member or other senior member of the crew. Your
baggage will also be sent directly to the cabin by the Concierge.
STATEROOM
There will be crew members who will direct you to your
stateroom. On arrival, insert the Access Card in the direction of
the arrow to unlock the stateroom door. If your stateroom door
does not unlock the first time, try again by inserting your
Access Card in and taking it out slowly.
If this still fails to unlock the door, please proceed to the
Reception and request for assistance.
Access Card And Its Privileges
SIGN YOUR ACCESS CARD IMMEDIATELY
Upon receipt of your Access Card, you should sign it
immediately like any credit card.
CASHLESS SYSTEM
You will be able to use this card onboard when you patronise
any of our food and beverage and service outlets. No cash will
be accepted in any of our outlets.
Remember! Your Access Card is also your charge card and
boarding pass all-in-one onboard our vessels. So please ensure
that you sign your name at the back of the card as a verification
for us and present it to our Service crew when you want to settle
your bill. There is an initial credit limit for your Access Card.
To enjoy a higher credit limit, present your credit card for
verification at the Reception. We accept major credit cards
(VISA / Master / JCB / AMEX / Diners) with a specified floor
limit.
CHILDREN’S CREDIT BARRING
Should you not want your children to be able to charge
purchases to your account or should you want to limit the
amount they can charge, you must present their Access Cards
to the Reception for re-encoding. Otherwise, your children may
sign for any facilities or purchases and you will be liable for
those charges.
IF YOU LOSE YOUR ACCESS CARD
If you lose your Access Card,
you must immediately report it
to the Reception, otherwise
other people may use it and
you will be liable for their
charges. We will issue you with
a new Access Card and
invalidate the previous one.
Therefore, keep your Access Card
securely with you at all times and
treat it like any other identification
or credit cards.
Facilities Onboard
CHILD CARE / CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES*
Our Child Care Centre is thoughtfully furnished with every
child’s and parent’s dream. Complete with a nursery, sleep and
rest area, Computer World, cinema and play area, kids will have
a great time while under our supervision. Hourly charges apply.
A baby-sitting service is also available at a nominal charge. If
your kids are old enough to look after themselves, we have
plenty of facilities and activities to keep them occupied and
entertained. Please check with the respective Child Care Centre
for detailed programmes.
* Facilities vary from vessel to vessel.
DINING
All meals are included during the
cruise at the main dining restaurants
or you may dine at our alternative
restaurants which include The Taj, a fully certified 'Halal' outlet on SuperStar Virgo at moderate charges.
You are requested to bring along
your Access Card when entering any
restaurant for verification purposes.
Our restaurants have ample seating
to accommodate all guests over
the dining periods. However, to avoid
any congestion, you may wish to eat
earlier or later during the meal
period.
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS
Power outlets in the cabins provide 110V or 220V power. Both
2-pin and 3-pin sockets are provided. Bathroom power points
provide both 110V and 220V power. Travel adaptors are
available from Housekeeping.
* Power outlets vary from vessel to vessel.
ENTERTAINMENT
A wide spectrum of entertainment which includes exciting live
cabaret shows, discotheques, karaoke and card rooms, video
games, organised activities and deck games are available
onboard.
GALA DINNER
Guests are advised to book early for their gala dinner
seating in their choice of restaurant to avoid disappointment.
* Availability varies from vessel to vessel.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
In the event of minor accidents, inconveniences and
emergencies while at sea, there is a fully qualified physician
and a team of nurses onboard to assist. The clinic is open daily
at posted hours.
Emergency medical attention is available around the clock by
contacting the Reception. Basic medicine with your doctor’s
prescription are also available.
STAR NAVIGATOR
Star Navigator is an onboard daily programme that walks you
through entertainment, dining and other activities that will
make your cruise interesting. For those who love music, you will
be entertained by our musicians throughout the cruise. Enjoy
dancing to great music that plays late into the night. Purchase
a shore excursion package and have a great time on land.
SWIMMING POOL
For safety reasons, please do not leave your child unattended.
Since there is no lifeguard on duty, guests are advised to
take additional precautions while swimming. Towels are
provided at the poolside. Please do not take the towels from
your cabin to the pools. Use of the swimming pools and
Jacuzzis are for adults and teenagers over the age of 12 years
only. There are also children’s swimming pools and Jacuzzis on
certain vessels. All users of the pools and Jacuzzis must wear
proper swimming attire.
TAKING PICTURES
Walk around the promenade. It is one of the best places to be
during departure and arrival. You should go to Deck 7 Viewpoint
(SuperStar Virgo only) at the bow (front) of the ship to take
pictures with your loved ones. You can do so only before the
ship sails, otherwise the door is locked for safety reasons. You
can also visit the Viewpoint one hour after arrival in a port. The
door is closed one hour before departure.
USE OF ELEVATORS AND STAIRCASES
Remember that as up to 2,000 guests may be boarding at
the same time, it is advisable to use the staircase if you stay
two decks above or below the deck you are on. Kindly give
priority to the elderly, physically challenged, pregnant women
and the young ones to use the lifts.
Guest lifts may be less congested after departure but it is
advisable to use the stairs to walk two decks up or down to
avoid any unnecessary congestion.
WATER
The water onboard is perfectly safe for drinking. Hot water can
be delivered to your stateroom by Housekeeping at your
request. During shore visits, however, it is wise to avoid
consuming tap water or drinks with ice from street vendors.
Safety Onboard
To ensure your utmost safety on our cruise, you must attend an
emergency drill on your first day of sailing. It will help you to
become familiar with your Muster Station or Assembly Station
location and the lifeboats. You will also be shown how to wear
your life jacket, so that in the unlikely event of an emergency,
you will be fully prepared. Each cabin has its own complement
of life jackets as well.
Guests are not allowed to bring heating elements, hotplates
or electric irons onboard.
What Else Do I Need To Know About My Cruise?
Baggage Assistance
Should you require assistance to unload your baggage from
the ship, please leave your baggage outside your cabin door as
advised in the disembarkation notice which will be placed in
your cabin. Make sure your name is clearly visible on the
luggage tag. We will tag your bag, which will be delivered to
the luggage collection area of the respective port of
disembarkation.
Clothing
Onboard, smart casual attire is suitable for most occasions.
For your dining pleasure as well as for other guests, elegant
casual attire is required during dinner at fine dining
restaurants such as Bella Vista onboard SuperStar Virgo.
However, a lounge suit or jacket and tie for men, and an
evening dress for ladies, are recommended on gala nights. For
shore visits, it is casual wear. (N.B. Skimpy beachwear is
inappropriate in Muslim countries). Comfortable walking
shoes or sandals are a must (but remember to remove them at
the door if you are visiting temples). Of course, a swimsuit,
sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, and a beach towel are staple
items. Bring sportswear or gym gear if you are planning to play
golf, tennis or workout.
Conduct
The Captain reserves the right to evict guests from the
ship in cases where their conduct affects the safety and
comfort of other guests. In these instances, Star Cruises
accepts no liability or other expenses incurred by these
guests. When returning to your cabin late at night, please
be considerate of others who may have retired early and do not
allow your children to run up and down the cabin corridors.
Currencies
Most foreign currencies are accepted onboard at prevailing
exchange rates. The onboard currency will be that of the
country where the ship is based (E.g. Singapore dollars for
cruises out of Singapore, Hong Kong dollars for cruises out of
Hong Kong). Most major credit cards (Amex / Visa / Diners /
Masters / JCB) are accepted, along with travellers cheques,
but not personal cheques.
Disembarkation
Our experience shows that we can disembark 2,000 guests
in under 45 minutes. We have allocated one hour and therefore
you have plenty of time to disembark. Our advice is to stay
onboard for at least half an hour to avoid the rush. You will be
requested to vacate your cabin to enable us to prepare for
embarking guests. However, take a seat in the lounge to enjoy
the view.
Facilities for the Physically Challenged
Most areas onboard our vessels are accessible to the physically
challenged. We also have cabins especially for the physically
challenged, with wider doorways and larger bathrooms with
grab bars and folding shower seats. The ship also provides
wheelchairs for emergency purposes.
Beauty Services and Health Club
There is a professional hair and beauty salon onboard. Besides
hairdressing services, beauty treatments such as facial,
manicures, pedicures and massages are available. Check with
them for the rates. Reservations are required.
Languages Onboard
Our multi-lingual crew hail from over 26 nations and all of them
speak English. But you will almost certainly find someone who
will be more than happy to chat with you in your own language.
Laundry
We offer complete laundry and valet services at a nominal
charge.
Luggage
For your comfort and convenience, we recommend that each
guest take no more than one suitcase and one hand
baggage. These must fit comfortably in your cabin as no
baggage will be stored in the ship’s hold. Your total baggage
weight should not be more than 30kg.
Check-in baggage will be delivered to the respective cabins no
later than 60 minutes after sailing. Guests who do not
receive the luggage by this time may contact the Concierge
onboard.
Room Service
Continental breakfast and snacks are available throughout the
day at nominal charges.
*Cabin Service varies from vessel to vessel.
Safe Deposit Box
Safe deposit boxes are available free of charge in some cabins
and at the Reception.
Settling Your Bill / Star Express Check-Out
You are advised to settle your bill on the night prior to your
departure to expedite disembarkation. In any event, you are
encouraged to settle your account three hours before
disembarkation. Alternatively, you may opt for the hassle-free
"Star Express Check-out". All you need to do is to complete the
necessary forms and submit them to the Reception during the
cruise. Cruisers are encouraged to use this facility for a hasslefree
disembarkation.
Shopping Onboard
You can purchase most things, from luxury duty-free items and
souvenirs to daily necessities like sunscreen and toiletries. Here
are some of the outlets to choose from:
(Outlets vary from vessel to vessel)
* Ports O’Call
This is a drugstore and souvenir shop.
* Star Boutique
Offers guests a selection of accessories, souvenirs, gifts,
and duty free items. You will find goods like perfumes, liquor
and cigarettes competitively priced. Buying onboard also saves
you the hassle of shopping onshore.
* The Gallery / Celebrity Photo
Guests can view all their professionally taken photographs
upon arrival and throughout the cruise, without any obligation
to purchase them. Guests may also develop their film here
for a small fee.
Shore Excursions
The friendly crew at the Reception or our Shore Excursion
Counter will be happy to explain the different options available
at each port of call. You can join one of our arranged guided
tours or go free and easy on your own. Tour numbers are limited
and pre-booking helps prevent disappointment.
Smoking Onboard
Smoking is permitted on open decks and at designated public
areas only.
Telephone Calls / Facsimile / E-mail
There is a charge for using the satellite network for
telephone and facsimile services or e-mail. You may call
from the Reception or dial direct from your cabin. There
are instructions in all cabins. Alternatively, you may
contact our operator for assistance.
Tipping
Your smile is the most valuable return you can give our
friendly crew. We have a ‘No Tipping’ policy onboard.
Wake-Up Call
Please contact our operator to arrange for a wake-up call.
What’s Included In My Cruise Fare?
Just about everything - your accommodation, meals in
designated outlets, entertainment, ocean transportation,
and many onboard activities are all part of the fare.
What’s Not Included In My Cruise Fare?
Optional shore excursions, alternative dining, selected
shows / entertainment, items of personal nature such as
beverages, telephone calls, facsimile or e-mail services,
shop purchases, laundry, beauty treatment, hairdressing
and massage services, medical services, port charges,
fuel charges, insurance, government taxes and fees are
not included in the fare.
At The End Of The Cruise
At the end of your cruise, please complete our Guest
Feedback Form. We take all comments seriously and use
this to improve our services and also commend our crew.
There is so much more onboard Asia-Pacific's most sensational cruise resorts. Book your Star Cruises getaway now and get more out of your next vacation.
For further information, please call our Passenger Services Centre at +(60) 3 3101 1313 or e-mail us at starcare@starcruises.com.my
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