Don’t miss out on Star Cruises—experience the thrill of racing down a fully transparent waterslide into the sea

Reported and photographed by Reporter Yu Ru / Star Cruises

What’s the best way to travel abroad that combines vacationing, relaxation, and delicious food? Taking a cruise might be one of your top choices. Onboard a cruise ship, you can not only explore port cities aboard a “moving luxury castle,” enjoy 24/7 dining without worrying about meals, and travel with no weight restrictions on luggage, but also experience the uniquely thrilling “seaslide” feature. You’ll be suspended in mid-air within a transparent tube, look down to see the vast ocean, and then plunge straight into the water.


▲Experience the thrilling “seaslide” attraction that combines speed and transparency. Suspended in a glass tube high above the sea, you overlook the boundless ocean before diving straight down.


In recent years, the cruise trend in Asia has been heating up, and Taiwanese travelers have also begun to actively embrace cruise vacations. For example,Star Cruises’ SuperStar Virgo, weighing 75,338 tons and standing 13 decks high, is based in Hong Kong and offers itineraries ranging from 2-night/3-day, 3-night/4-day, to 6-night/7-day cruises. Passengers can choose between a one-way cruise + flight option or round-trip cruises based on different destinations and trip durations..

When reporters actually boarded the Star Cruises SuperStar Virgo, they immediately noticed its distinctly Chinese-inspired design right from the entrance lobby. The focal point is a sculpture of three pure gold horses leaping forward, and Jenny, a crew member, explained that every element of the lobby design includes touches of the number “8.” For example, the number of bronze coin decorations is a multiple of 8, and the spacing between elements is either 8 inches or 8 centimeters, symbolizing good fortune for both passengers and the cruise line.


▲Every detail in the lobby incorporates the lucky number “8,” including the bronze coin sculptures.


SuperStar Virgo offers 12 restaurants of various sizes, along with snack and beverage outlets. Among them, the Breeza Café, Man Ho Chinese Restaurant, and Mediterranean Restaurant are all complimentary. From morning dim sum at 6:30 AM to midnight buffet snacks at 12:30 AM, passengers can enjoy a wide variety of cuisines prepared in different styles. For Taiwanese travelers who may often struggle with limited hot meal options on foreign cruises, SuperStar Virgo—designed primarily for Asian guests—ensures nearly every meal includes free hot soup, congee, and tea.

One highlight worth mentioning is thatsince about half of the passengers on SuperStar Virgo are Indian, the cruise’s buffet area features a dedicated “vegetarian zone” offering predominantly Indian-style vegetarian dishes. While these may not have the mild flavors typical of many Asian staples, they add a unique culinary dimension to the cruise experience. The reporter tried Indian flatbread, homemade yogurt, and bean paste dishes—all of which were truly memorable..


▲The elegant design extends to the dining areas, where some restaurants even offer private teahouses.



▲There’s also an exclusive tea area with ocean views.

With a capacity for over 2,000 passengers and a crew of more than 1,000, SuperStar Virgo offers an intimate service ratio of roughly one staff member per two guests. The cruise also provides an environment where Chinese is widely spoken. Facilities include a gym, golf simulator, basketball court, table tennis, game center, KTV room, and swimming pool. There’s even a childcare center, allowing parents to enjoy some alone time—whether it’s a quiet drink at the bar or catching an adults-only show—while their children are cared for by professional staff.