Thread: Cruise review of SuperStar Libra (ex. NCL Sea)

As mentioned before, this is my cruise review.
Photos will be available soon.

SORRY FOR MY VERY POOR ENGLISH!!!

Ship Name: SuperStar Libra
Where did I go: South China Sea,
Hong Kong-> Haikou, China-> Hong Kong
When did I go: 16/01/08 to 18/01/08
Overall Rating: 4.8/5
Number of Cruises I’ve been on: 9 Cruises

Overview:
SuperStar Libra is formerly known as Norwegian Sea. She has been transferred from NCL in 2006 and begins her life in Asia. Normally, Taipei (Keelung) is her homeport and she is repositioned to Hong Kong due to Taiwan’s unfavorable weather condition during winter. This cruise was my first time to board the Libra, but I have cruised with Star Cruises for 8 times, so I really know what to expect. In fact, it is one of the best cruises I have ever had.

Public Areas:
Overall, her public areas are nice and in good condition. I like the Stardust Lounge very much. One or two “Broadway Style” production shows (depends on the number of passengers) will be performed at Stardust Lounge. The decoration is nice, chairs are very comfortable. But your view may be blocked by other passengers (esp. their heads) if you are sitting at the back of the lounge.
The walk-around promenade is great. Many sofas are installed in the lobbies (not the ship’s central lobby) (They are the places where you wait for the lifts) and you can enjoy the unblocked sea view from there. No need to mention, the casinos (The major source of Star’s revenues) are the most beautiful places on the ship. The open decks and the swimming pools are good.

Food and Service:
Foods are great. You can choose the Chinese style; Western style or the buffet. Mostly I chose the Western style. For dinner, you will have a salad; soup; main course and the dessert. For lunch, you need to choose between the salad and the soup. They are all delicious. The breakfasts; afternoon teas and the mid-night buffets are nothing special.
For the services, don’t expect too much. Crews are willing to do what they are required by the company. But they are all friendly and polite. In fact, they are the best crews I have ever met on the Star Cruises’ ships.

Cabins:
We stayed in an ocean view cabin with a picture window. It is a little bite small, but quiet comfortable. It should be OK for a short cruise. However, the toilet (esp. the shower) is quiet small….

Entertainment:
For my cruise, production show was performed every night. And I have attended all (2 shows in total). They were good and were performed by professional dancers. Other than the production shows, there were some activities during the cruise but I didn’t participated in.

Activities & Itinerary:
Haikou is the only Port of Call. Star arranges 3 different Shore Excursions for you and it will cost you about HK$300 per person. (including a lunch). Nothing special but they are worth to join. But language may be a big problem.

Who goes:
Most of the passengers are from Hong Kong and the mainland China. But there are some foreigners too.

Thanks for your review --- sounds like you had a nice time.

I know what you mean about the small shower! All the older ships have very small bathroom facilities. At least most of the new ones give you enough room to turn around in.

By the way, your English is just fine.

Hi cruisesenet

We are going on the same cruise 23 February 2008. We are from Australia.
Would you by any chance know what the ship telephone number is?
We will be calling Star Cruises tomorrow to find out.

Sounds like you had a good time on the ship
regards
Norm

Hi Cruisenet, thanks for a great report. We're also cruising on the Libra on the 23rd Feb for 6 nights so am very excited to read anything about the ship and tours.

Kerri

Do you have any pictures posted anywhere? It would be interesting to see the changes made to the Sea to become the Libra.

PE

Hi Kerry

Glenda & I are from South Australia. We will be on the Libra as well, I am sure we will pass each other on the ship somewhere, even though we may know it.

Which country are you from. We are from South Australia.

Nor & Glenda

Great review thank you for taking the time to write it!! Can't wait to see the pictures!!

Hi Norm and Glenda, there's 4 of us travelling together and we're all from Melbourne.

Looking forward to this cruise very much. We just got our paperwork yesterday, they're cutting it a bit fine!

Still waiting on some photos Cruisenet!!

Kerri

Hi
Kerrie
I am sure you will all have a top time. All Glenda's family are from Wantirna & Forrest Hill areas. We were both born & breed in Ballarat, where all my family still lives.
We are leaving next monday to have a few days in Hong Kong before he cruise.
Bon voyage
Norm & Glenda

Kerrie
By the way you asked Cruisesnet for the photos. Going by his post he went on Rhapsody of the Seas Asia cruises 08/02//08 . That is probay why he has not posted the photos.
Norm