Star Cruises becomes first international cruise line to homeport in the Philippines
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Star Cruises’ Superstar Virgo made her inaugural call to Manila on 19 March 2017, becoming the first international cruise line to homeport in the Philippines.
Manila South Harbour hosted a ceremony to mark the ship’s arrival at her new homeport. It was attended by Salvador Medialdea, Executive Secretary of the Philippines, and Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo from the Philippines Department of Tourism. There were also several onboard events, which included a celebrity appearance from the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation World Champion Team and Star Cruises Philippines brand ambassadors. These include Kylie Fausto Verzosa, also Miss International 2016, and popular Filipino model LA Aguinaldo.
After the ceremony, more than 2,000 passengers set sail onboard SuperStar Virgo for her debut six-day itinerary from Manila to Laoag, the capital of Ilocos Norte in the Philippines; Kaohsiung, the largest southern port city in Taiwan; and Hong Kong.
“It is our honour to call Manila SuperStar Virgo’s new homeport for the next few months,” said Hui Lim, executive director of the Genting Group. “As an important market for Star Cruises and the cruise line brands under Genting Cruise Lines, it is our goal to continue to support the country’s tourism industry here in the Philippines and across the region.”
Star Cruises’ parent company Genting Cruise Lines has also signed a memorandum of understanding with local stakeholders to help develop the cruise experience and cruise terminal facilities in the Philippines.
“As part of Genting Cruise Lines’ ongoing and long-term commitment, this marks the beginning of a significant joint effort in creating new opportunities and to further develop best-in-class cruise infrastructures and facilities here in the Philippines,” said Lim. “Together with the support of the Philippine government and the various local agencies, we will continue to work closely to accelerate the growth of the cruise tourism in the Philippines and to maximise its full potential.”
SuperStar Virgo will return for another season of cruising from Manila in December 2017, calling at ports in the Philippines, as well as other popular Asian destinations such as Kota Kinabalu, Brunei, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Okinawa in Japan.
“We congratulate Star Cruises for believing in the Philippines,” said Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo. “Thank you for helping us get closer to our vision as a regional cruise center to serve as homeport and eventually as center for cruise crew training, maintenance services and ship building in the long term.”