Star Cruises is the biggest Asian based cruise line and one of the fastest-growing in the world. Starting with two cruise ships in 1993, the company owns ten ships at the moment. The Star fleet consist of three distinct brands: Star, SuperStar and MegaStar. The cruise line has bought many cruise ships from other cruise lines (the former Sun Viking from Royal Caribbean, the former Golden Princess from Princess Cruises and even the former Baltic ferries Athena and Kalypso. Star Cruises has also purchased the luxury cruise ship Europa from Germany's Hapag-Lloyd with plans to convert it to the most luxurious ship cruising in Asian waters. Star Cruises, the third largest cruise line in the world is a global cruise brand presently operating a combined fleet of 20 cruise ships with over 26,000 lower berths, with cruises to destinations and islands in Asia-Pacific, North and South America, Hawaii, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Mediterranean, Bermuda and the Antarctica under the Star Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Orient Lines & Cruise Ferries brands. The Pride of America - the first of the two Project America cruise ships - is presently under completion at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Germany. The 81,000-grt and 2,100 lower berth cruise ship is expected to commence Hawaii inter-island cruising next year with a "Best of America" theme. The second Project America cruise ship, which is currently sailing as Norwegian Sky will be renamed Pride of Aloha and will reflect a strong Hawaiian theme which will be accomplished after a refurbishment in September 2004. Both cruise ships will sail under NCL's new US-flag brand - NCL America (sm). Star Cruises is represented in more than 20 locations worldwide with offices in Australia, New Zealand, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Star Cruises development highlights:
- 1993, introducing leisure cruising in Asia;
- 1994, developing the fly-cruise concept for short break-style vacations;
- 1997, winning the first of 6 consecutive annual awards for Best Cruise Operator in Asia-Pacific by TTG Asia from 1997 to 2002;
- 1998, maximising the Freestyle Cruising potential in Asia and, through NCL, to the US and Pacific in 2001;
- 1998 established, with FORCE Technology - DMI (formerly Danish Maritime Institute), a joint venture to operate a world-class ship simulator in Port Klang, Malaysia;
- 1999, opening up Vietnam and China to the international cruising community;
- 2000, acquiring Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) to become the world's first truly global cruise line and its third-largest.
- 1994, developing the fly-cruise concept for short break-style vacations;
- 1997, winning the first of 6 consecutive annual awards for Best Cruise Operator in Asia-Pacific by TTG Asia from 1997 to 2002;
- 1998, maximising the Freestyle Cruising potential in Asia and, through NCL, to the US and Pacific in 2001;
- 1998 established, with FORCE Technology - DMI (formerly Danish Maritime Institute), a joint venture to operate a world-class ship simulator in Port Klang, Malaysia;
- 1999, opening up Vietnam and China to the international cruising community;
- 2000, acquiring Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) to become the world's first truly global cruise line and its third-largest.
Star Cruises, the third largest cruise operator in the world is a global cruise brand with a combined fleet of 22 ships in service and due to be delivered with about 35,000 lower berths, cruising to destinations and islands in Asia-Pacific, North and South America, Hawaii, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Mediterranean, Bermuda and the Antarctica under the Star Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America, Orient Lines and Cruise Ferries brands.The cruise ships operating under the Star Cruises' brand in Asia-Pacific are SuperStar Virgo, SuperStar Gemini, SuperStar Libra, Star Pisces, MegaStar Aries and MegaStar Taurus. The NCL group has a fleet of sixteen cruise ships in service and due to be delivered under three brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America and Orient Lines.
The NCL fleet includes the Norwegian Dream, Norwegian Majesty, Norwegian Wind, Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Crown, Norwegian Spirit and Norwegian Jewel . Two newbuilds, yet unnamed, are due to be delivered by 2007.
NCL America currently operates the Pride of Aloha and Pride of America, which will subsequently be joined by the Pride of Hawaii in April 2006. Orient Lines is an award-winning single ship line with the Marco Polo offering niche destination-focused cruises.
Both NCL and Orient Lines market primarily in North America but also extensively in the UK , Europe , South America and Asia whilst NCL America offers inter island cruises in Hawaii.
The Cruise Ferries brand, which was launched in 2001 presently, comprises the m.v. Wasa Queen.
The NCL fleet includes the Norwegian Dream, Norwegian Majesty, Norwegian Wind, Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Crown, Norwegian Spirit and Norwegian Jewel . Two newbuilds, yet unnamed, are due to be delivered by 2007.
NCL America currently operates the Pride of Aloha and Pride of America, which will subsequently be joined by the Pride of Hawaii in April 2006. Orient Lines is an award-winning single ship line with the Marco Polo offering niche destination-focused cruises.
Both NCL and Orient Lines market primarily in North America but also extensively in the UK , Europe , South America and Asia whilst NCL America offers inter island cruises in Hawaii.
The Cruise Ferries brand, which was launched in 2001 presently, comprises the m.v. Wasa Queen.
On the employment side, it is a very good idea to try to secure a job position with this fast growing cruise line. They are offering salaries, which are sometimes higher than mainstream U.S. based cruise lines, working conditions are great and for many people the idea of working in the Orient and the Far East will be quite appealing.
Fleet and itineraries:
 Superstar Libra: Panama registered, built 1999, 42.000 gross tons, 1.480 passengers, 700 crew members.Itineraries: Arabian Sea, India (out of Mumbai). |
 Superstar Virgo: Panama registered, built 1999, 77.000 gross tons, 2.800 passengers, 1.300 crew members.Itineraries: Singapore/Malaysia/Thailand (out of Singapore). |
 Superstar Gemini: Panama registered, renovated 1995,19.000 gross tons, 1000 passengers, 300 crew members. Itineraries: Singapore/Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong (out of Singapore). |
 Star Pisces: Bahamas registered, built 1990, renovated 1994,40.000 gross tons, 2.200 passengers, 740 crew members. Itineraries: Hong Kong/China (out of Hong Kong). |
 Mega Star Taurus: Bahamas registered, built 1991, renovated 1996,3.300 gross tons, 72 passengers, 28 crew members. Itineraries: Southeast Asia. |
 Mega Star Aries: Bahamas registered, built 1991, renovated 1996,3.300 gross tons, 72 passengers, 28 crew members. Itineraries: Southeast Asia. |
