Kathmandu:

With the festive season round the corner, holiday times are here again for all Nepalis. Star Cruises, one of the biggest ocean cruise companies in the world and the largest in Asia is stationing one of its gigantic ships off the Mumbai coast to cater to the demand in South Asia. The ship Superstar Libra is reaching Mumbai shortly and will formally set sail on October 2.

According to Sumit Banerji, marketing chief of Star Cruises (India-Nepal), the packages being offered on the cruise liner is perfectly suited for the sub-continental tastes. For instance,

all restaurants on the liner will offer exotic menus, ranging from mouth watering sea food dishes to vegetarian fare, all fit for discerning gourmets. Banerji points out that Star Cruises has appointed two preferred sales agents in Nepal to cater to the demand here. The agents, Zenith Experiences Travels and Marco Polo travels, have already begun accepting bookings on the various packages originating from both Mumbai and the far-East. “The response is tremendous. We expected this considering the Nepali love for the ocean,” he adds.

Banerji, who led a band of media people and travel agents on a fam-tour on Star Cruises’ pride Superstar Virgo recently, says his company has evolved an elaborate package to present a world class cruising experience as well as destination oriented travel to the Nepalis. “The packages are exotic and innovative. While the prices are extremely competitive”,

he adds. According to Banerji Superstar Libra will commence operations from October 2 onwards with cruises to Lakshadweep and Goa from Mumbai. The gigantic ship will operate the cruises till April 30 next year.

As for the facilities onboard Superstar Libra, the 216 metres long and 28 metres wide ship has four exclusive restaurants offering different menus. That apart there is a 24 hour snack outlet, poolside refreshment centre, pool bar and ice cream parlour. The guest services include an internet café, medical centre and conference room. For the adventurous cruiser there is a fitness centre, beauty salon, golf driving range, outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, basketball court and jogging track. For entertainment, the ship offers an open style Karaoke lounge — ‘The Bollyw-ood’, a discotheque —‘Boomers’, a video games parlour, cocktail lounge with live entertainment, a casino and a show lounge. Banerji points out that Star Cruises came up with the innovative concept of freestyle cruising to allow guests to enjoy themselves in any manner they choose to. “There is no formality. You can dress any way you like. Dine with whomsoever you choose. The idea is to give a perfect vacation with no frills and rules,” he adds.

The ship offers a wide range of suites and staterooms to suit all tastes and pockets. As for entertainment, it is modelled on the famous Las Vegas style shows with novelty acts every night. The highlight, of course, would be a late night show for the mature. What about children? The floating resort as one would describe this behemoth of a ship, has special sections to keep the kids busy, happy and entertained. More importantly these sections are meant to keep them out of the way of their vacationing parents. For instance, there is a crèche for the tiny tots complete with a movie hall which plays cartoon films at periodic intervals. Apart from loads of games, the kids can also indulge in a bit of water games in the pool under the watchful eyes of the life guards. The highlight of the cruise of course would be the concept of money-less vacation. In other words you don’t have to pay for anything once the ship sets sail. All your expenses is loaded on to a special credit card which also functions as your identity card and room key. You settle the bill once the cruises is about to end and reclaim your passport. What more can one ask? Pack in your Bermudas and get on to this gigantic luxury resort on high seas.