Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)
SuperStar Libra
★★★
Berlitz’s Ratings
Ship: 297 out of 500
Accommodation: 118 out of 200
Food: 232 out of 400
Service: 249 out of 400
Entertainment: 61 out of 100
Cruise: 246 out of 400
Overall Score: 1203 out of 2000
SuperStar Libra Statistics
Size: Mid-size Ship
Tonnage: 42,276
Lifestyle: Standard
Cruise Line: Star Cruises
Former Names: Norwegian Sea, Seaward
IMO Number: 8612134
Builder: Wartsila (Finland)
Original Cost: $120 million
Entered Service: Jun 1988/Oct 2005
Registry: Bahamas
Length (ft/m): 708.6/216.0
Beam (ft/m): 95.1/29.0
Draft (ft/m): 22.9/7.0
Propulsion/Propellers: diesel (21,120kW)/2
Passenger Decks: 9
Total Crew: 700
Passengers (lower beds): 1,472
Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds): 28.0
Passenger/Crew Ratio (lower beds): 2.1
Cabins (total): 732
Size Range (sq ft/m): 109.7-269.1/10.2-25.0
Cabins (for one person): 0
Cabins (with private balcony): 0
Cabins (wheelchair accessible): 4
Wheelchair accessibility: Fair
Cabin Current: 110 volts
Elevators: 6
Casino (gaming tables): Yes
Slot Machines: Yes
Swimming Pools: 2
Hot Tubs (on deck): 2
Self-Service Launderette: No
Dedicated Cinema/Seats: No
Library: No
Onboard currency: Hong Kong $
This casual, family-friendly Asian ship is good for gamers
Overview. This ship, which is based at Penang in Malaysia, is suited for couples and solo travelers seeking a short cruise in surroundings tailored specifically for them. It was built before balcony cabins came into vogue - so there aren’t any.
The Ship. SuperStar Libra is an angular yet reasonably attractive ship that has a contemporary European cruise-ferry profile with a sharply raked bow and sleek mast and funnel added. It is quite well designed, with generally sound passenger flow. The interior decor, stressing corals, blues, and mauves, reminds you of sea and sky.
The lobby, two decks high, is pleasing without being overwhelming. There is a decent selection of public rooms, bars, and lounges, including an inviting wood-paneled Admiral’s Lounge, a Star Club casino, a discotheque (Boomer’s), and The Bollywood karaoke lounge. Gratuities are included in the fare.
The open decks are cluttered, and badly dented and scuffed panels in the accommodation hallways are unattractive. The steps on the stairways are quite tinny. The constant background music in the hallways is irritating. There is too much use of synthetic turf on the upper outdoors decks - this gets soggy when wet.
Accommodation. There are numerous suite/cabin price categories. No cabin includes the number ‘4’ - which means ‘die’ in superstitious China. The cabins are of average size although they are tastefully appointed and comfortable. Audio channels are available via the TV set, although the picture can’t be turned off. The bathrooms are well designed but have weak hairdryers
A suite or one of two upper-grade cabins offers a little more space, a lounge area with table and sofa that converts into another bed, European duvets, and a refrigerator (top categories only). The bathrooms also have a tub, shower, and retractable clothesline.
Dining. While there are no assigned dining rooms, tables, or seats, some eateries cost extra. These include: Four Seasons Restaurant, the principal dining room, serving Continental Cuisine; The Saffron; Two Trees Restaurant (exclusive lounge/restaurant); Taj by the Bay; Blue Lagoon for 24-hour casual refreshments; and Coconut Willy’s, a poolside refreshment center.
Entertainment. The 770-seat Stardust Lounge is the venue for shows and major cabaret acts, but 12 thick pillars obstruct many sight lines. The Galaxy of the Stars Lounge is for cabaret acts. A number of bands and solo entertaining musicians provide live music for listening and dancing in several lounges and bars.
Spa/Fitness. There’s a good gymnasium/fitness center, located around the mast and accessible only from the outside deck - not good when it rains.