10 things i did on a manila-laoag-kaohsiung-hong kong star cruise

A cruise has a unique way of connecting you to the depths of the sea, and to the length of the sky. And to the breadth of your soul.

Unlike airplane travel that shuts off your vision with an eye mask, traveling on a ship opens your eyes to the beauty of the waters and the heavens, which somehow merge in stillness during sunrise or sunset, giving you time to think. And perhaps find yourself.

Okay, enough of the pondering. In short, a cruise can be so wonderful. Fun and crazy, too, especially if it is one designed by travel guru Keren Pascual, himself a wander boy and citizen of the world. You have to be a little crazy (like him) to call your trips Famous 1, Famous 2 and so on until you lose count, and all because you were fascinated by that funny and poignant movie Almost Famous in 2000. So that explains why Keren called this voyage “Always Famous.” Why not? He gathered beauty queens like Maxine Medina and Kylie Verzosa, entertainment stars like Maxene Magalona  and LA Aguinaldo, top models like Tweetie de Leon and Jo Ann Bitagcol, fashion industry pillars like Rhett Eala, Rajo Laurel, Patrice Diaz and Robbie Carmona, jetsetters like Tetta Agustin and Christian Baverey, design/style celebs like the inimitable Tessa Valdes, Tessa Alindogan and Anton Barretto, lifestyle press like Leah Puyat, Liza Ilarde, AA Patawaran and Pam Pastor, famous entrepreneurs like Ana de Ocampo, Charlene Escaler, Marissa Tambunting and Angelette Calero

The Super Star Virgo of the Genting Group was our home for five days, during which sometimes you feel like you’re just comfortably inside a hotel or a mall or a spa or a restaurant complex. The ship has 13 decks, nine types of cabins to choose from, and eight restaurants to dine in. Your ship is your hotel and there are no luggage overweight charges. You can eat non-stop (and exercise non-stop anyway).

So what do you do on a five-day cruise  from Manila to Laoag to Kaohsiung in Taiwan, Hong Kong and back to Manila? Here’s what we did:

1. Join a Zumba class. Because the ship offers tempting buffets and a variety of international menus, you need to burn the calories and the fat through the Zumba, for its heart-health benefits.Good thing physical fitness guru Robert Caguimbal was on board to conduct these dance and fitness classes.

2. Get into the swim of things. What's a cruise without a dip in the pool ? And while you're at it, a barbecue party and a buffet that includes lobsters and steaks. You can also indulge in golf, jogging and mahjong. Or simply dance your pounds away at the club. Or head to the spa for a steam bath and massage. Or do mental aerobics in the library!

3. Having built up the appetite, you can indulge guilt-free in any of the ship's eight restos: Genting Palace for western, Noble House for Chinese, The Taz for Indian, Samurai for Japanese, Palazzo for modern Italian, Mediterranean for international, Pavilion for Chinese and Blue Lagoon for 24-hour Asian comfort foods.

4. Put some magic in your life. Watch a magic show. Or a Las Vegas-style musicale. Or a mini concert by Markki Stroem. And yes, there is a topless show, too!

5. Watch a fashion show. On board were top models wearing beauty pageant gowns designed  for Bb. Pilipinas Universe Maxine Medina by top designer Rhett Eala in a show at the Grand Piazza.

6. Pray at the cathedral, shop for antiques, eat pinakbet in Laoag. Ride a calesa through cobbled streets and visit heritage homes. Watch folk dancing on Calle Crisologo.

7. Release the shy singer in you! Do the karaoke just like Star Cruises ambassadors LA Aguinaldo and Kylie Verzosa.

8. In Kaohsiung, Taiwan, visit the Fo Guang Shan monastery where 7,200 Buddhas surround you in an atmosphere of serenity. Mantra of the day: Peace and love.

9. Do a costume party every night! We had movies to inspire our themes: Grease, La La Land, In the Mood for Love. We also had a Pajama Party.

10. In Hong Kong, do the predictable: shopping. And art-watching (Basel Art Fair). And eating (again!). So many shops, art events  and restos, so little time.

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SuperStar Virgo starts its voyage in Manila making its way to Laoag in Ilocos Norte, Kaohsiung in Taiwan, Hong Kong, then goes on cruise mode by day five before heading back to Manila. Sailing dates are on April 3, 8, 13, 18, 23 and 28; and on May 3, 8, 13, 18, 23.

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  For inquiries on Star Cruises, call (02)836-6080 or email salesmanila@gentinghk.com. You may also book through any local travel agency or visit www.starcruises.com.

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Follow the author on Instagram and Facebook@milletmartinezmananquil. Email her at mananquilmillet@gmail.com. LIFE & STYLE by Millet M. Mananquil