SuperStar Gemini
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| SuperStar Gemini | |
| Status: | In Service |
| Entered Service: | 1992 as Crown Jewel 1993 as Cunard Crown Jewel 1995 as SuperStar Gemini 2009 as Vision Star |
| Tonnage: | 19,093 GT (gross tonnage) |
| Length: | 567 ft (173 m) |
| Beam: | 74 ft (23 m) |
| Cruising Speed: | 17.5 kn |
| Decks: | 8 |
| Cabins: | 400 |
| Complement: | 800 passengers; 470 crew |
| Registry: | Panama |
| Sister ship: | Braemar |
Vision Star is a cruise ship operated by Mediterranean Classic Cruises. She was built in 1992 by Union Navale de Levante, Valencia, Spain for Crown Cruise Line as Crown Jewel. She has also sailed under the name Cunard Crown Jewel. She also operated as SuperStar Gemini for Star Cruises from 1995 to 2008.
History
The Crown Jewel was built in 1992 for Crown Cruise Line (a subsidiary of EffJohn[1]), and is the largest cruise ship ever built in Spain.[2] Crown Cruise Line used the ship for cruises from the United States to Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean. In 1993 the ship was chartered to Cunard Line and renamed Cunard Crown Jewel.[3] In 1995 the ship was sold to Star Cruises, and renamed SuperStar Gemini and placed on cruise traffic from Singapore.[3][4] In February 1997 the ship suffered an engine room fire.[4]
In September 2007 Star Cruises reported that SuperStar Gemini had been sold and left the company fleet in December 2008.[5] Reportedly the buyer was Clipper Group, a Bahama-based company who would charter the ship to a new operator in 2009.[6] In 2008, the Clipper Group announced that they would rename the ship the "Vision Star" and lease the ship to the Spanish cruise ship operator, Vision Cruises. In March 2009, Vision Cruises ceased operations. In early 2009, Mediterranean Classic Cruises (formerly Monarch Classic Cruises) was booking cruises in the Aegean Sea aboard the "Vision Star". However, these cruises were cancelled due to the non-availability of the "Vision Star" from Vision Cruises. Instead, the "SuperStar Gemini" was renamed "Gemini", and currently has a Spanish operator, Quail Cruises.
Current cruises
"Gemini" has a Spanish operator, Quail Cruises, and since April 2009 is sailing the Mediterranean, based in Valencia and including stops in Villefranche-sur-Mer, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Olbia and Mahón.
SuperStar Gemini was based in Singapore and she cruised to various destinations year round in the South China Sea, Gulf of Thailand, and Straits of Malacca. Superstar Gemini embarked on a three month voyage around the Pacific including a full circumnavigation of the Australian continent and visited various cities e.g. Melbourne, Sydney, Perth (Fremantle), Brisbane, Komodo and Bali between November 2007 and February 2008.
For her final 2008 season for Star Cruises after returning from her Australian deployment Superstar Gemini was sailing a combination of Straits of Malacca 7 day cruises and six - 21 day roundtrips from Singapore via Koh Samui, Laem Chebang, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hong Kong, Halong Bay, Nha Trang, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching returning to Singapore.
The last cruise for Star Cruises departed Singapore for a 7 day cruise to the Straits of Malacca on 28 December, 2008. SuperStar Gemini arrived at the Singapore Cruise Centre for the last time on 4 January 2009 at 8.30am after her final cruise in the Straits of Malacca. She was seen leaving the Singapore Cruise Centre at 5.45pm for Port Klang. After that, she was be refitted and delivered to her new owners.
Amenities
- Pool Bar
- Mariner’s Buffet
- Mariners Patio Bar
- Bar Gemini
- Galaxy Bar
- Ocean Palace Restaurant
- Fortuna Karaoke
- Star Club (Games of chance)
- Galaxy of the Stars (Cabaret and Showlounge)
- Star Lounge
- Star Deck (Sunbathing)
- Swimming Pool & Jacuzzi
- Spa & Gymnasium
- Star Track (Jogging track)
- Salon, Shops, Library with Internet
- Mahjong & Card Room
- Library & Internet
- Video Arcade
- Children’s Center
References
- ↑ Simplon Postcards: Star Cruises / SuperStar Gemini, retrieved 29. 9. 2007
- ↑ Ward, Douglas: Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2006, page 604. Berlitz Publishing 2006. ISBN 981-246-739-4
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Miller, William H. Jr: Pictorial Encyclopedia of Ocean Liners, 1860-1994, page 112. Dover Publications, New York, 1995. ISBN 0 486 28137 X
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Crown Jewel (1992), retrieved 29. 9. 2007
- ↑ Cruise Business Review 29. 9. 2007: Star Cruises sold SuperStar Gemini, retrieved 29. 9. 2007
- ↑ (Finnish) FCBS Forum: Star Cruises myy SuperStar Geminin, retrieved 29. 9. 2007
