Who says traveling on a cruise is designed only for the more “seasoned” tourist? Disney’s Zack and Cody would certainly disagree. Having seen my fair share of “The Suite Life on Deck,” I’ve always been curious about the experience traveling on a cruise. When I found out I was going to do it for the first time, I did have my reservations. I found out, later on, thought that “cruising” did have its many upsides.


Superstar Virgo by StarCruises docked at the Harbourfront Centre in Singapore

Superstar Virgo by StarCruises docked at the Harbourfront Centre in Singapore

Harbourfront Centre and VivoCity Mall

We were on the “Fly to Singapore and Cruise to Malaysia” package tour by AirPhil Express. Our shuttle service dropped us off at the Harbourfront Centre cruise terminal. While waiting for our boarding call at 4PM, we had some extra time to explore the Harbourfront Centre and VivoCity Mall.


I spent the rest of my afternoon rifling through the store in VivoCity. Bought a pair of shorts in

I spent the rest of my afternoon rifling through the store in VivoCity. Bought a pair of shorts in UNIQLO … wish they open a store in Manila (or better yet, in Iloilo). The others spent their afternoon at the uber cool NG cafe at the National Geographic Store.

Quick snaps at the Sentosa Boardwalk. Got curious since it was my first time to discover a way to get to Sentosa Island by foot.

View of Superstar Virgo from VivoCity / Sentosa Boardwalk

Boarding SuperStar Virgo cruise ship

Similar to flight check-ins at the airport, there was also an organized system for boarding the cruise. It basically took two steps: (1) leave luggage at the check-in counters and (2) go through Singaporean immigration counters.


Our bags were delivered straight to our room after boarding procedures

Our bags were delivered straight to our room after boarding procedures


Walk to Singaporean immigration counters. This part took a while. The cruise was full during our visit. It must be a logistic nightmare to accommodate almost 2,000 people on the cruise. Hiccups like waiting in line are expected.

Walk to Singaporean immigration counters. This part took a while. The cruise was full during our visit. It must be a logistic nightmare to accommodate almost 2,000 people on the cruise. Hiccups like waiting in line are expected.

Finally! Walking up the boarding gate to SuperStar Virgo

SuperStar Virgo by Star Cruises

SuperStar Virgo is operated by Star Cruises, the leading cruise line in Asia and third largest in the world. Our three day and two-night cruise  aboard SuperStar Virgo took us from Singapore to Port Klang in Malaysia and back. Port Klang is a major entry point to Kuala Lumpur.


Our oceanview room at SuperStar Virgo

Our oceanview room at SuperStar Virgo


Decently sized TB with hot/cold shower … and hair dryer :)

Decently sized TB with hot/cold shower … and hair dryer :)

We toured the different amenities of SuperStar Virgo afterwards. I was awed at how big the interiors of the cruise ship were. I didn’t expect to see spacious lobbies like their 7-storey “Grand Piazza.”

Grand Piazza


Scale model of SuperStar Virgo

Scale model of SuperStar Virgo


Not the actual Captain’s wheel, hehe

Not the actual Captain’s wheel, hehe


Casino / Slot machine area

Casino / Slot machine area


Cozy library and business center

Cozy library and business center


Complimentary gym

Complimentary gym


Pool area / the sun deck

Pool area / the sun deck

Buffet Food Tripping

The tour package came with six complimentary meals per day at selected restaurants in SuperStar Virgo. There were 11 restaurants on board.


Barbeque Buffet at the pool deck

Barbeque Buffet at the pool deck

Complimentary show at The Lido theater. Reflections of Russia was an acrobatic show set to the tune of “Rasputin.”


The pool deck at night

The pool deck at night


Last glimpse of Singapore before we set sail to Malaysia

Last glimpse of Singapore before we set sail to Malaysia

Day 2: Day Tour of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The moment we woke up, we were already in Port Klang, Malaysia. Cruising is such a convenient way to travel! We got on one of the “shore excursions” to Kuala Lumpur called  “The Asian Melting Pot.” Here are the stops we had during the tour of KL:


Thean Hou Chinese Temple

Thean Hou Chinese Temple


Independence (Merdeka) Square

Independence (Merdeka) Square


KL Tower

KL Tower Viewing Platform

Suria KLCC Mall at the base of the Petronas Twin Towers

The cost of the shore excursions is not included in the packaged tour. You’ll have to pay extra if you want to go on these optional day tours. “The Asian Melting Pot” day tour costs S$60 (without meal). The were other shore excursions priced at S$30.

Second Night aboard SuperStar Virgo

We spent our second night with a dinner at the Bellavista Restaurant, a magic show at The Lido theater, and a midnight snack at the Mediterranean.


View of SuperStar Virgo from the Port Klang Cruise Centre

View of SuperStar Virgo from the Port Klang Cruise Centre


Me at the Port Klang Cruise Terminal

Me at the Port Klang Cruise Terminal


Port Klang is mainly an industrial area. It is located an hour east of Kuala Lumpur.

Port Klang is mainly an industrial area. It is located an hour east of Kuala Lumpur.


Lifeboats and the suites at SuperStar Virgo.

Lifeboats and the suites at SuperStar Virgo.

Loved the texture of the wooden floorboards!

and these curved passageways at the ship’s hull … nice


Couldn’t resist the photo-op.

Couldn’t resist the photo-op.


You can have your Jack and Rose moment here :D the bow is only open when the ship is at the dock

You can have your Jack and Rose moment here :D the bow is only open when the ship is at the dock


View of the passenger terminal at the Port Klang Cruise Centre

View of the passenger terminal at the Port Klang Cruise Centre

Dinner at Bella Vista Restaurant


Coconut Shrimps on crisp greens with orange-ginger dressing. (sorry for the bad photo … got the white balance wrong).

Coconut Shrimps on crisp greens with orange-ginger dressing. (sorry for the bad photo … got the white balance wrong).


Pan-fried seabass on sautéed leek & mushrooms. Loved the rich flavor of the sea bass.

Pan-fried seabass on sautéed leek & mushrooms. Loved the rich flavor of the sea bass.


Latte macchiato parfait. Interesting presentation. Yummy subtle macchiato taste.

Latte macchiato parfait. Interesting presentation. Yummy subtle macchiato taste.


Interiors of the Bella Vista

Interiors of the Bella Vista


Bonding with blogmates

Bonding with blogmates

Watched a magic show / musical by Philippart after dinner. We enjoyed it coz we were seated at the frontmost row and one of us (Winston) got picked for one of the acts.


Interiors of “The Lido” before the show

Interiors of “The Lido” before the show

Day 3: Back to Singapore

When I woke up during the third day, we were cruising our way to Singapore. I looked out the window and caught a glimpse of the island/islets of Sumatra. I was my first time to see Indonesia! I got excited because I’ve already made plans for a 21-day backpacking trip to Indonesia and Malaysia next year :D

A glimpse of the island/islets of Sumatra.

Sentosa Island Adventure

We “abandoned ship” before lunchtime and spent the afternoon in Sentosa.

Last view of SuperStar Virgo from the Sentosa Jewel Cable Car Ride

My Singapore and Malaysia Cruise was hosted by AirPhil Express. For more information about their “Double the AdvenTour! Fly to Singapore and Cruise to Malaysia!” tour package, visit their  website or simply connect with them in Facebook.