Stunning news！ The Star Cruises SuperStar Gemini, absent for five years, is back in Keelung

The SuperStar Gemini features a stunning sky pool. (Photo by Chang Ying-chi)

The SuperStar Gemini offers elegant and comfortable luxury dining options. (Photo by Chang Ying-chi)

Known as "Asia’s most acclaimed cruise brand," Star Cruises usually operates the SuperStar Aquarius from now until February 6th for annual maintenance in Hong Kong. During these two months, the 50,000-ton SuperStar Gemini will take over its route and make its debut at Keelung Port as the home port. After an absence of five years, it will operate 13 voyages, offering travelers both 4-day/3-night and 3-day/2-night itineraries.

Star Cruises today (10th) held a grand “SuperStar Gemini Welcome Ceremony” together with Keelung City Government and Taiwan International Ports Corporation to celebrate the ship’s first service as a Keelung-based vessel. At the event, Star Cruises also announced that in 2018, three of its ships — the SuperStar Gemini, SuperStar Aquarius, and SuperStar Virgo — will be based in Keelung, providing more diverse options for cruise passengers and supporting the government’s goal of welcoming 1.24 million cruise tourists to Taiwan in 2018.

According to statistics from the port authority, cruise passenger numbers in 2017 exceeded one million, reaching over 1.14 million, a 32% year-on-year increase from 860,000 in 2016, setting a new all-time high. Building on last year’s vibrant growth in Taiwan’s cruise market, the Ministry of Transportation has set a target of 1.24 million cruise passengers for 2018. In response to the government’s vision for cruise tourism, Star Cruises deployed the SuperStar Gemini to Taiwan during the maintenance period of the SuperStar Aquarius, helping to further develop the local cruise market.

Liu Hsiao-ning, Vice President of Star Cruises Taiwan Business Division, said that Star Cruises has been deeply rooted in Taiwan since 1997 and has witnessed the development of the local cruise market over the past 20 years. Seeing the industry growing stronger has been very rewarding, and the company will continue to promote cruising in Taiwan to attract more domestic and international travelers to fall in love with cruise holidays.

The SuperStar Gemini has a displacement of 50,764 tons and includes 766 cabins that can accommodate up to 1,532 passengers. Cabin types include ocean-view rooms, luxury suites, and executive suites. Facilities on board include Chinese, Asian, and international dining options, open-air barbecue, performance venues, karaoke, spa and wellness centers, beauty and hair salons, a children’s play area, and pools to meet guests’ culinary and entertainment needs. There is also a duty-free shopping area where guests can purchase luxury watches, jewelry, and handbags.

As a pioneer in developing new cruise routes, Star Cruises offers travelers more diverse options. Following the operation of two ships with dual home ports in Taiwan in 2017, Star Cruises is sending three ships — the SuperStar Gemini, SuperStar Virgo, and SuperStar Aquarius — to Taiwan in 2018. From March to May, the SuperStar Virgo will take passengers on 6-day/5-night journeys to the Philippines and Japan. Meanwhile, the SuperStar Aquarius will maintain year-round sailings and introduce new itineraries, adding stops such as Yeosu in South Korea, and Nagasaki, Kagoshima, and Amami Oshima in Japan. In addition to meeting the travel needs of Taiwanese passengers to more countries and regions, Star Cruises also aims to attract overseas tourists to Taiwan, boosting local tourism benefits.