Exploring Taipei and Okinawa on Star Cruises SuperStar Virgo
The best thing about going on a cruise is that you can get to your travel destinations without having to endure the long arduous waits at the airport. The journey itself on Star Cruises SuperStar Virgo was already such a fun and thrilling experience, but what makes it even better are the exciting cities and countries that you can explore even for just a day. During our Star Cruises vacation last summer, where my sister Angel and I got onboard SuperStar Virgo as it made its homeport in Manila (Read: An Exciting Asian Voyage at Star Cruises SuperStar Virgo), we got to visit two cities on two separate days of our cruise, starting with a tour around one of the islands of Okinawa, Japan.
SuperStar Virgo arrived at Ishigaki city in Okinawa on Day 3 of our 6-Day cruise at around 8:00am. Guests have the option of just staying inside the boat or going down and exploring the island on their own, but it is advisable to just book any of the shore excursions and tours available for an added fee, especially for first-time cruisers. What’s great about this specific cruise is that there is no need to get a travel visa for both Japan and Taiwan for those arriving on SuperStar Virgo. We booked the Ishigaki Round Island Tour (HK$880 per person) which includes a 6-hour tour around the islands plus a lunch featuring Ishagaki Beef, one of the best beefs in the world. It’s pretty obvious why I chose this particular tour.
Our first stop was at the Uganzaki Cape which offers one of the most spectacular views of the island. This is Ishigaki’s westmost point where the Uganzaki Lighthouse is located. It was a short walk going up to the observation platform but the magnificent view of the Ishigaki island was worth the hike. There was a continuous drizzle throughout the day but that did not stop us from enjoying our trip around the island.
Next we headed to the Ishigaki Yaima Village which is sort of a theme park where you can experience the Yaeyama culture and history. The village is an authentic replica of a Yaeyama Island style village as it would have been before modern influences.
You can get a feel of the local culture and lifestyle inside this village, complete with costumes and props to make you feel like a real Japanese girl. We had fun taking photos around the village, which also had live animals roaming about.
Now it was time for the highlight of the tour for me, the Ishigaki Beef lunch. Ishigaki Beef is considered one of the best beefs in the world, similar to Kobe and Wagyu beefs. After walking around the hills and villages of Ishigaki all morning, I was really famished so this lunch is a great reward for all that exercise.
The restaurant was just a small and simple establishment, but just looking at their menu really made our mouths water. I wasn’t able to get the exact name of the restaurant because it was in Japanese and I was so excited to eat. We got a table for ourselves that had a small grill and enjoyed a set lunch of Ishigaki Beef with appetizers and dessert.
Just look at the marbling on the beef! Kobe Beef is usually regarded as the best beef in the world, but few people know that 1,500 kilometers away you can find a Japanese beef that is just as delicious. The beef is served yakiniku-style so cooking it is part of the fun.
The beef literally melts in your mouth because of its high degree of marbling or fat content. This makes the beef so tender and flavorful. The cattle in Ishigaki are actually pampered throughout their lives. Ishigaki provides a perfect environment for cattle, who can graze and stretch their legs every day outdoors under the sun all year round. Their food is also carefully selected so only the best goes into these sacred animals.
The best way to eat Ishigaki Beef is just by itself. There’s no need for any other seasoning or sauces. We just paired it with some vegetables and rice and we had one of the best steak experiences of our lives.
We had one last stop before we went back to our ship. Aeon Max Valu is the largest supermarket in Ishigaki and this is where we could shop for souvenirs for our short Okinawa daytrip.
You can find different kinds of products inside the supermarket like clothes, skin care products. electrical goods, and most especially local Japanese food items.
The supermarket is not really that big but we were happy to find all sorts of Japanese items for “pasalubong” that we can bring home. I even found some Japanese whiskeys and sparking sake, but unfortunately, alcoholic beverages are not permitted to be brought inside the cruise ship.
After all the guests finished their tours and got back to the ship safely, SuperStar Virgo left the Okinawa port late in the afternoon and headed for its next destination, Taiwan.
We were just in Okinawa, Japan yesterday afternoon, and now we wake up to find ourselves in Taiwan! That’s the beauty of going on a cruise. Our call time for the Taiwan shore excursions on Day 4 was at 7:00am so we had a quick breakfast at the Star Dining before disembarking at the Keelung Harbor. This time we booked the Keelung Taipei Fantastic Tour (HK$830 per person) which will run for 7 hours which included the one hour travel time from Keelung to Taipei city.
Our first stop in Taipei was the landmark Taipei 101 Observatory. Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world in 2004 until it was ousted by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in 2010. Standing 508 meters, it is an iconic part of the capital’s cityscape and remains to be the most popular tourist spot in Taiwan.
The first five floors of the Taipei 101 building is occupied by the Taipei 101 Shopping Mall. This is also one of the most popular high end shopping areas in the city but unfortunately, it was still too early when we got there so the stores were still closed. I would have loved to shop around the mall.
Tickets for the Taipei 101 Observatory can be purchased at the 5th floor which can get pretty crowded during peak days. The observatory itself is found at the 89th floor so we rode the world’s second fastest elevator to get there. At speeds of around 60 kilometers per hour, it takes a mere 37 seconds to get from ground level to the observation deck.
Guests have a 360-degree view of Taipei city from the deck and could glimpse the Taiwan Strait to the west and the mountanous areas to the south. The 91st floor has an outdoor observation deck that is also open to the public if weather permits.
Our next stop brings us to the National Palace Museum which houses the world’s largest collection of priceless Chinese art treasures which spans China’s 5000-year history.
Most of the museum’s 620,000 art objects were part of the Chinese imperial collection which began over 1000 years ago during the early Song Dynasty. These relics are a treasured link to China and Taiwan’s common past so a trip to the museum is always a good way to discover a country’s history. Our tour also took us on a few other stops for lunch and at the gift shop for souvenirs.
From Taipei city, we rode the shuttle bus back to the port of Keelung, but we had one more stopover before we went back to the ship. Keelung Miaokou Street is a street market well-known for its great diversity of affordable food. It is located in the downtown area just a few minutes away from the port, so we are sure not to get lost and be left behind by the ship.
There are so many street food stalls selling local delicacies and products, but one item I really wanted to eat was their Xiao Long Bao. Here in Manila, these are usually served only in the best Chinese restaurants, but in Taiwan they are just sold in the streets. I ordered a basket of Xiao long bao for myself and was surprised with the quality of the dimsum, especially since it was priced at around half of what it costs in Manila.
Our Taiwan shore excursion comes to an end and it is time to go back up inside SuperStar Virgo for our departure heading back to Manila. I’m really happy with all the memorable experiences we had in Japan and Taiwan, combined with all the other exciting activities we did on the ship. Star Cruises is definitely a relaxing way to travel, and I’m sure I will be back for more adventures to other exotic locations soon.
Swing Into the Spider-Verse With Superstar Virgo’s Holiday Cruises
Star Cruises SuperStar Virgo is back again in Manila this holiday season. After its successful first Manila homeport in 2017, SuperStar Virgo made Manila its homeport once again last summer where I enjoyed a 6-day 5-night cruise to Japan and Taiwan. Best of all, I never even had to step on an airplane because SuperStar Virgo docked right here in Manila and all I had to do was to walk inside its gigantic cruise ship. This December, Spider-Man himself will be joining the ride as Star Cruises gives everyone a themed Spider-Verse experience at sea.
I was happy to be back on board SuperStar Virgo last December 4, 2018 as media guests welcomed the ship back in Manila for its holiday cruises. The ship’s December to January itinerary will be taking Filipinos on a 6-Days and 5-Nights cruise to amazing Asian destinations including Ha Long Bay, Ho Chi Mihn, and Nha Trang in Vietnam, Sanya in China, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, and even to Coron and Puerto Princesa in the Philippines. SuperStar Virgo is set to join the Dream Cruises’ fleet in 2019 to become Explorer Dream, so if you haven’t planned your holiday cruises yet, you still have time to book one of the best vacation experiences you can have as SuperStar Virgo makes its last stop in Manila.
The media guests were led on a short tour around the ship which became my home for a few days last April. Cruising is really a great way to travel to different locations without the stress of flying and going through those busy airports. I fondly remember my Star Cruises experience, which I will post on the blog soon, and how I spent a few lovely afternoons lounging around the Parthenon swimming pool. This relaxing spot comes with four Jacuzzis and a 100 meters mega water-slide which unfortunately, I did not dare to ride.
The Christmas spirit can be seen and felt all around the ship as the grand lobby and staircase is now decked in holiday sparkles. A giant Christmas tree and a cute snowman await all the guests who will be cruising this December.
When riding on a cruise ship, it’s best to get their Balcony Class cabins so you can feel the sea breeze and watch the ocean waves right from your bed.
If you are on a honeymoon, I highly suggest you book any of their Junior Suites. The Tahiti Suite comes with a separate living area that opens up to the ocean, while the elegant masters bedroom even comes with its own Jacuzzi. Now this is how you cruise in style!
One of the biggest allures of riding in a cruise ship is the non-stop dining options and activities throughout the day. At SuperStar Virgo, guests can avail of up to 6 meals a day, which is all included in the package price. My sister and I had so much fun eating everyday from breakfast, merienda, dinner, and even up to supper.
The Lido is the international buffet restaurant of SuperStar Virgo where most of the guests can enjoy their unlimited buffet meals. This is also the first dining option we tried during our initial day on the cruise because we were really hungry.
Aside from the Lido, there are over 10 other dining establishments to explore inside SuperStar Virgo serving a variety of world-class cuisines from Western, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and even Italian. Some of these are also included in the cruise package while the other more private venues come with additional fees. That morning, the media guests were given a little cooking demonstration from one of the chefs at Samurai, the ship’s premium Japanese restaurant.
The Filipino chef, who has been working at SuperStar Virgo for over 15 years, prepared a simple vegetable teppanyaki dish which also included a few tricks and cooking exhibitions with his performance. This was just an appetizer for our Spider-man themed lunch later on.
SuperStar Virgo is so big that it even houses a theatre where guests can catch incredible live performances during the nightly shows. The Zodiac Theater features ultra-talented performers as they wow audiences through their showcase in music, dance, and even magic! My sister and I were mesmerized last summer watching the magic shows and the acrobatic performances in the middle of the sea.
Kids and children will have plenty of activities to do as well because SuperStar Virgo has its own Arcade Room where they can play the PS4 and Wii the entire day if they like. Of course, since this is a special Into the Spider-Verse themed sailing, they might also find a few surprise guests along the way.
While the kids are playing, moms can have fun shopping at the ship’s own Duty Free outlets which offer big sales and discounts. On the other hand, parents can also spend their time inside the Casino which opens once the ship is sailing in international waters.
There are also many activities to join everyday when you are inside the ship. Make sure you register early for the Bridge Tour where you can go down to the Captain’s Bridge and see how they make sure the cruise runs smoothly and safely.
Of course, the highlight of every cruise is the destination itself. During our April cruise, we headed to the islands of Okinawa in Japan where we discovered their rich culture, heritage and food! Our lunch was at a Japanese restaurant which served unbelievable Wagyu steaks.
We went back to the ship after our Okinawa day tour, and woke up the next morning right in Taiwan! I had fun strolling around the busy streets and trying all of the yummy Taiwan street food. Delectable Xiao Long Bao were just being sold in street stalls and they were as good as the ones served in restaurants here.
But the best dinner we had during our cruise was during the Gala Night where we were even invited to sit at the Captain’s Table. We came in our best attire and enjoyed the exquisite dinner which included seafood and lobsters.
Ms. Andrea Manzano, Assistant Vice President for Sales of Genting Cruise Lines, invites everyone to celebrate the festive season with SuperStar Virgo. She welcomed all of the media guests during a short program inside the Galaxy of the Stars and is happy to have SuperStar Virgo back in Manila to cater to the Christmas vacationers.
It’s not just your usual Christmas holiday, because Star Cruises has also invited Spider-man and all of his alter egos in a unique “Into the Spider-Verse” themed sailing experience. The animated movie is set to open in theaters this month so I’m sure all of the kids and kids at heart will enjoy these special cruises that will incorporate these characters all the way until January.
We had another sneak preview of how the themed cruise will feel like as we enjoyed a special and sumptuous Spider-man lunch at the Galaxy of the Stars. Some of the dishes served included Prowler's Chicken Yakitori, Mini Beef Wellington, May’s Seafood Tempura, and Roasted Pork Belly.
More interesting were the desserts which had these colorful Spider Web Cookies and Spider Web Cupcakes on the table.
A big Spider-Man Cake was also on display and it was just too cute to eat. But we were all surprised when a crew of Spider-men came in with their amazing costumes. These are what you can expect this holiday season when you sail with Star Cruises.
This might be the last chance to bring your family and loved ones onboard SuperStar Virgo in Manila. They have some exciting promotions available like the Seniors Cruise Free for second guests ages 50 & up, and the Kids Cruise Free promotion which is applicable to 3rd/4th guests below 12 years old.
It was fun being back inside SuperStar Virgo even for just a short while as it sets to start its December and January cruises in Manila. Call your local travel agent now or book your cruises online at www.starcruises.com so you can plan your next holiday adventure.
Celebrate this festive season with Star Cruises Super Star Virgo Winter Deployment. Avail their Buy 1, Cruise 1, or 3rd and 4th passenger free promos. For more info and bookings, visit https://booking.starcruises.com/cruise-deals/phl/ssvinmanila/ #StarCruises #superstarvirgo #christmascruise #christmas #gift #travel #vacation #cruise #cruises #manila https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnpx7ZHHqtY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tuluz1jh3v65
Superstar Virgo Thanksgiving Lunch for a successful summer deployment. They will leave the Philippine port but will be back on December for the holidays. Details on the December holiday cruise to follow. #superstarvirgo #cruise #cruises #holidaycruise #christmasvacation #christmascruise #newyearcruise #christmas #newyear #wheresrr
The Gala night - last night of our cruise vacation. I was here almost 20 years ago. That was also the last time we went out of the country with our parents. Dad passed away 5 years after that. That experience taught me why it is important to “Invest In Experiences, Not Things.” I told myself that one day, if I have a family of my own, I will bring them here. ✔️✔️✔️ Brought back a lot of memories. #YOUniqueLo #SuperStarVirgo
