Cruise to Penang and Phuket (Part 1)

This year, we decided to go on a cruise instead of a plane. We have been taking the plane for one too many times already. Therefore, we wanted to experience going out to sea again. It was also my brother's first time out to sea, so he was rather excited. Cousins were coming too. Days before, the bags had already been packed. All there was left to do, was to wait...

The day finally arrived after my band concert "NOEL!"(which you can read about in the previous post). We got out of the house by about 1100+. We took a cab all the way to the Cruise Centre at HarbourFront. It was a hellish queue. It stretched all the way to the lower floor.

So, My dad and I checked in the luggage first and met up with our cousins. Second Aunt was there too. We all Started the queue and boarded the ship. We were Balcony Class. Second Aunt and her sons (my cousins) had a 'World Cruisers' Class (common rooms).

The ship was huge.

Side of Ship

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ES high.

View from Observation Deck (Deck 13)

As long as about 5/4 of Vivo's length.

It is Virgo, biggest of the Star Cruise fleet.

(see more at Star Cruise website)

The lobby was huge and dazzling, lots of gold. Plush chairs were lined in neat rows by the side of the lobby. juice or i think sparkling alcohol was served. We waited till all of us had gotten on board and had settled into the rooms before going up to have lunch at Deck 12. The ship was still docked at HarbourFront and would only start the departure at 1800. Meanwhile, we went around exploring the ship. There are many eateries, restaurants. There is a whole lot of other stuff to do. There is a library, a game's corner, pool, arcade, gym, driving range, disco etc...

Corridor

The captain ordered a mass gathering of passengers for a brief on how to use the life vest and what to do in times of emergency. The briefing took about 10 minutes. We returned to our room first to get ready for dinner. By 1800, the ship was moving. Many were seen on the deck, including ourselves. We took quite a number of photos. Then, we went up to have dinner at Deck 12. It was a FOC buffet called The Mediterranean Buffet. We had a seat that was downwind from the smoking area. We didn't like, it, but it was all we could make do with. Our first dinner on board the cruise was not really satisfactory due to the seat. The beef, according to my cousin, wasn't good either. The view was good though.

Ship's moving!

We went to a show at The Lido. It was a comedy. The main star was a superb juggler. He entertained the audience much! I really liked his performance. Sadly, no photography was allowed, so i only got photos of the theatre itself...

The Lido

There was a football match to be broadcast on board in a small theatre that night. Chelsea against Newcastle. At 2300. My older cousin and I decided to go watch as there would be sufficient time to wake up and be ready for the land tour the next day. Furthermore, he is also a fan of Chelsea. Of course he would watch the match. I was just tagging along as a neutral party. Most of the people there were supporting Newcastle. We were the only ones standing out. It ended as a 1-1 draw, so there was great disappointment.