SuperStar Libra

The 1988-built/2022-scrapped SuperStar Libra cruise ship was last owned by GHK (Genting Hong Kong, part of Genting Group Malaysia) and managed by the GHK's subsidiary Genting Cruise Lines via the Star Cruises brand. Fleetmates were Star Pisces, SuperStar Aquarius, SuperStar Gemini.

The vessel (IMO number 8612134) was last Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 308188000) and registered in Nassau.

On March 2, 2018, via letters and emails sent to all booked customers, the shipowner GHK announced that SuperStar Libra will end its passenger shipping operations for Star Cruises on June 27, 2018. Between August 2018 and April 2022, the liner (re-classed as "Accommodation Vessel") served as a hotel ship in Wismar Germany for the shipbuilding company MV Werften. SuperStar Libra was permanently docked/moored at MV Werften Wismar shipyard's quay.

On February 4, 2022, was announced that the shipowner (Administrator Star Cruises Germany GmbH) went bankrupt. This was a result of MV Werften's bankruptcy (filed on January 10th) followed by GHK's bankruptcy (filed on January 18th).

German media reports said that the 34-year-old SuperStar Libra has been sold for scrapping at Aliaga Turkey. Based on the satellite AIS data, the boat (which remained docked in Wismar for ~2,5 years) left the port on April 7, 2022 (last reported position at 6:23 UTC), en route to Greece (the exact destination was not revealed), reportedly, to serve again as a hotel ship. Sadly, in May the vessel was beached at Aliaga for dismantling.

History - construction and ownership

Star Cruises is part of Genting Cruise Lines (subsidiary of GHK-Genting Hong Kong Corporation) - the world's 5th-largest cruise shipowner, after Carnival Corporation, RCG-Royal Caribbean Group, MSC and NCLH-Norwegian. The company (listed on Singapore Exchange and Hong Kong Stock Exchange) dominates the Asia-Pacific cruising market. Star Cruises was established as a subsidiary and travel brand of Genting Group of Malaysia (incorporated in Bermuda in 1993), with corporate headquarters in Hong Kong China.

The fleet's first ships were two cruiseferries bought from Rederi AB Slite (1947-founded/1993-bankrupt, see VIKING LINE). In the following years, Star Cruises purchased several other second-hand ships, then followed two newbuilds - SuperStar Leo/Norwegian Spirit (1998) and the sistership SuperStar Virgo (1999).

Star Cruises ships were recognized by their funnel design. Star Pisces was the first with such a design. Later the company based all liners on the Star Pisces' funnel design.

The 1500-passenger ship SuperStar Libra is a modern cruise ship delivered in May 1988 by Wartsila Marine at Turku New Shipyard (in Turku Finland) to meet the new challenges of the cruise market. The first name of the cruise ship was Seaward (1988) when the vessel was operated by NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line (renamed to "Norwegian Sea" in 1997). It was renamed SuperStar Libra in 2005, the year when the vessel began operation for Star Cruises. During the period when the cruise ship was sailing as a part of the fleet of Star Cruises, there were several cruises in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Aegean seas in the mid-2006. SuperStar Libra was directed to Mumbai at the end of September 2006. The next 2 years the cruise ship sailed in Vietnam. During November 2007 - March 2008, SuperStar Libra was used for destinations from Hong Kong and operated 2-7-night roundtrips to ports in China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. For some weeks of the year, the vessel sailed from Singapore (November 2008 - January 2009).

Decks and Cabins

SuperStar Libra provides a total of 740 staterooms in 15 categories. The largest accommodations are the Executive Suites (385 ft2 / 36 m2). All suites are equipped with HDTV, DVD player, mini-fridge, separate lounge area.

The boat has 10 passenger decks, of which 6 are with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

SuperStar Libra is operated as a "freestyle" cruise ship, which means passengers have the choice to dine when, where and with whom they choose. All food presentation is a treat for the eye. All meals are included during the voyage at the main dining restaurants.

Follows the complete list of SuperStar Libra restaurants and food bars.

• Four Seasons Restaurant
• Mariners Restaurant (Buffet-style restaurant, offers International cuisine of high quality with fresh ingredients - a hallmark of Star Cruises); Patio (outside on Pool Deck)
• Ocean Palace (family-style Chinese restaurant)
• Tai Pan (a la carte Chinese restaurant for more upscale Chinese cuisine)
• Blue Lagoon (serves fast food and snacks).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

SuperStar Libra resembles a floating resort, with unforgettable facilities and recreational activities. Guest on board the cruise ship can become familiar with Asian culture and meet Asian hospitality. The vessel offers a relaxing atmosphere, resort-style cruise experience, excellent services and the highest possible standards. It is a place where guests can get away from the stress in their everyday life.

Follows the complete list of SuperStar Libra lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Star Club
• Health Club; Beauty Salon
• Activity Centre; VIP Room
• Crystal Court; Park Avenue; Lickety Splits
• Boomers Disco
• Star Boutique; Internet Cafe; Photo Gallery; Card Room
• Galaxy of the Stars (Theater)
• Sports Deck, Shuffle Board; Basketball Court
• Pool Deck, Pool Bar, 2 swimming pools, 2 Jacuzzis; Sun Deck; Jogging Track.

Itineraries

SuperStar Libra itinerary program is based on 1-3-day short breaks / mini-cruises in Southeast Asia. The ship's 2017 cruise schedule (starting September 3) was based on 3 homeports - Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Penang (Malaysia) and Phuket (Thailand). with weekly operated 2 roundtrips from Malaysia, including 3-night itinerary (Kuala Lumpur-Phuket-Penang) and 4-night itinerary (Kuala Lumpur-Langkawi Island-Phuket-Penang).

Star Cruises' 2017 itinerary program featured an introduction of multiple homeports per vessel, in addition to the company's fly-cruise program. The new program allows cruise ship tourists in Southeast Asia to have more flexibility to choose a homeport (departure port) on SuperStar Libra. Each of the homeports (turnaround ports for roundtrip departures) is a well-connected port city, and especially Kuala Lumpur - a major flight hub in Asia.