SuperStar Virgo to undergo $25 million makeover

PETALING JAYA – Star Cruises will invest US$25 million (RM79.2 million) to refurbish its SuperStar Virgo cruise liner to strengthen its cruise holiday products for regional and international passengers.

In a statement on Wednesday, it said the SuperStar Virgo will have a facelift with new hull design, as well as a makeover in its cabin, restaurants, entertainment, body care, shopping, sports and recreation venues.

The 76,899-tonnage, 1,870-passenger vessel will be refurbished during a three-week dry-dock renovation from Jan 2 to 22, and return to homeport in Singapore on Jan 23.

The vessel will ply the straits of Singapore and Malacca in various itineraries including two-, three- and five-night destination cruises calling at popular locations such as Phuket, Langkawi, Port Klang, Malacca, Redang and Penang, as well as one- and two-night high seas cruises.

“This US$25 million investment underpins Star Cruises’ continuous drive to grow Asia’s cruise industry. The Asia-Pacific cruise industry is expected to grow in leaps and bounds, and Star Cruises is well positioned to take the lead in further developing and expanding the industry,” said Star Cruises chief operating officer William Ng.

The renovation programme follows the refurbishments of Star Pisces (homeport in Hongkong) and SuperStar Aquarius (homeport in Sanya) in February and April respectively, with a combined cost of US$13.6 million (RM43.1 million).