JAPAN has always held an admirable reputation in terms of its tourism maturity. In 2016 the country attracted over 24 million international tourists. Each prefecture is a world unto its own—from the views of Mount Asahi in Hokkaido to the Nagisa Lava Trail in Kagoshima.
Situated a few hundred kilometers southwest of the Okinawa archipelago, lies the dynamic country of Taiwan. Although its culture adapts from Chinese and Japanese influences, it still has its own distinct identity due to this wealth of cultural inspirations.
Now, Filipinos get to see both Japan and Taiwan without getting a visa courtesy of Star Cruises, a subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong and a pioneer in the Asia Pacific cruise industry.
Its flagship vessel, the SuperStar Virgo, returns to its Manila homeport deployment in March to take the growing Filipino market on summertime visa-free itineraries to Naha and Ishigaki in Okinawa, Japan, and Keelung in Taiwan.
“Star Cruises is looking forward to returning to its homeport in Manila after the fantastic support of our Filipino guests during last summer’s debut of the Jewels of the South China Seas itinerary,” Star Cruises President Ang Moo Lim said in a news conference onboard the SuperStar Virgo ship, which docked on Philippine shores on January 15.
“We are also proud to continue to support the Philippine tourism industry with the first-ever homeport deployment of an international cruise ship in Manila, providing more options for the booming Philippines outbound tourism industry and developing the fly/cruise market for the country,” Lim added.
SuperStar Virgo’s 2018 departures start on March 5 until May 29. Starting on a base fare of $540, guests can choose from two destinations on a six-day five-night itinerary: the Naha and Keelung trip or the Ishigaki and Keelung trip.
Naha is the capital of the Okinawa prefecture and is the economic center and transport hub of the Ryuku Islands. Naha is renowned for its subtropical climate and it houses the Kokusai Dori, as well as numerous temples and shrines. Ishigaki, on the other hand, is the main island of the Yaeyema Islands. It is one of the most visited locations of travelers because of its unspoiled beaches and clear waters.
Located along the rugged northeast coast, the port city of Keelung is also the center of Northern Taiwan’s fishing industry. From its Taiwanese aboriginal origins to periods of Spanish, Dutch, Qing Dynasty and Japanese rule, Keeling is steeped in rich history.
“It’s a perfectly curated itinerary,” said Andrea Solis Manzano, Star Cruises sales assistant vice president. “Destination stops and shore excursions to idyllic islands promises to transport passengers from the hustle and bustle of everyday life while making travel time a vacation of its own.”
Guests also get to travel in luxury as the 13-story SuperStar Virgo offers a wide array of cuisines of the East and West. It has a 100-meter mega water slide, along with a mini golf course, gym, sauna, retail shops, entertainment centers and other recreational hubs. New themed cruises will be introduced this
year on top of their signature SuperStar Virgo amenities. “Aside from the nightly entertainment, we’re developing more to add value to the cruise fare,” Manzano said.
There will be a “Greatest Hits Cruise” on March 5 featuring members of Filipino disco groups The Boyfriends and VST & Co. from the 1970s.
On March 30, Philippine Basketball Association legends Alvin Patrimonio, Benjie Paras, Johnny Abarrientos and Jerry Cordiñera will offer basketball clinics for kids and a legends basketball showcase.
DJs Patty Chiu of Deuce and Tom Taus will headline a Labor Day party on April 29. A mother’s day celebration will also take place on May 9, while Pororo the Little Penguin and his friends share their adventures with the kids onboard.
“For Star Cruises, we offer value for money. We have luxurious accommodations from balcony to suite, inclusive of up to six meals a day. We offer a wide selection of meals, day-to-day activities from morning to night, all for the starting price of $640 during the April and May deployment,” Manzano said.
“For the March cruise, it starts at $540 per person. What we really want to highlight, though, is that’s we’ve come up with the best offer for summer vacation, and, in fact, will accommodate passengers below 12 years old for free. They can travel or go on a cruise during this deployment as the third and or fourth person joining their parents,” she added.
With regards to overall foot traffic, Manzano noted: “Since we launched last year, Star Cruises has been a part of history as the first international cruise line that homeported in the Philippines. For this deployment, 80 percent will be allotted to Filipino guests boarding from Manila supported by our Taiwan market. With around 2,600 capacity, we are expecting at least 2,000 Filipinos boarding every cruise sailing.”
Summing it all up, Lim is optimistic about the Filipino market’s patronage to the all-encompassing cruise voyage highlighted by its signature Asian hospitality.